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Great Beginnings Pakenham

Great Beginnings Pakenham

84 Toomuc Valley Road, Pakenham, VIC, 3810 view map
Verified
5.0
Top Rated

Top Rated Centre

(03) 9116 9094

Care Type:

Long Day Care, Pre-school

Hours:

6:30AM to 6:30PM

Vacancies

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Your enquiry will be sent directly to the Great Beginnings Pakenham.

Address:

84 Toomuc Valley Road, Pakenham, VIC, 3810

5.0

Rating Score

Read our 93 Reviews

Given the recent events impacting the childcare industry, I understand many parents are diligently reading reviews to make informed decisions about where to place their children. I wanted to share my experience so others can feel the same confidence and trust that I have in your centre. To everyone of you at Great Beginnings Pakenham - In these challenging times, you may find yourself questioning every decision and action you make, please don’t. Please know that I trust you implicitly with my child's care. Your unwavering dedication, compassion, and professionalism have always been evident and continue to shine through. You provide a safe, nurturing, and joyful environment where my child thrives. Keep showing up and believing in the incredible work you do—you are making a lasting difference in our children's lives. Your efforts do not go unnoticed and are deeply appreciated. My eldest progressed with you from nursery through to kinder and is now flourishing in Grade 1. My youngest is currently in Junior Kinder 2 and is thriving. Throughout these years, we've witnessed firsthand the positive impact you've had on their growth and happiness. You've been a constant source of support and guidance in our family's life. Thank you for everything you do

- Brooke Hammond

About Great Beginnings Pakenham

We are conveniently located for families in or commuting through Pakenham and nearby suburbs Beaconsfield and Officer. 

Many of our Children go on to attend local schools such as Pakenham Hills Primary School and Pakenham Primary school, supporting a smooth transition to school.

We offer nurturing care and quality early education for children from 6 weeks to 6 years, with flexible hours (9, 10, 11, and 12-hour sessions) to suit busy families.

Our Learning Environments

Our children benefit from familiar faces as they grow, creating a sense of continuity:

  • Nursery (0-2 years): A safe, nurturing environment for babies to explore with tailored sensory and social experiences.
  • Toddler (2-3 years): Play-based learning encourages curiosity, confidence, and social skills.
  • Kindergarten (3-6 years): A stimulating learning environment that prepares our children for school through our Enhanced Learning Program.

We’re proud to have qualified teachers and educators, supported by a team of national education experts, ensuring the highest quality childcare and early education.

Innovative Early Learning Programs

Our teachers deliver the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF or the national curriculum) through play-based learning that covers language, literacy, numeracy, STEM, social, and emotional development. Our program also includes:

  • Rhythm and Movement for Self-Regulation (RAMSR), an evidence-based program developed by Queensland University of Technology to support children’s executive function and self-regulation.
  • Environmental and social sustainability learning experiences.
  • Personalised learning plans for each child.
  • Local school connections.

We focus on strong family partnerships through regular learning and development conversations with your child’s lead educator, learning showcases, and in-centre family events. Our Xplor app provides real-time updates and learning summaries daily to keep you informed on your child’s journey.

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Services Provided by Great Beginnings Pakenham

State Government Approved Programs

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Get To Know Us

Kindergarten/Preschool Programs

Kindergarten/Preschool Programs

Our centre offers the Victorian Government-approved ‘Kinder: Best Start, Best Life’ program for 3–4-year-olds, providing up to 15 hours per week of funded Kindergarten. This program supports children’s learning, development, and well-being, setting them up for future success.

Our Enhanced Learning Program for Kindergarten children focuses on:

  • Numeracy & Literacy: Developing key skills for lifelong learning.
  • Self-Regulation: Fostering emotional control and resilience.
  • Social & Emotional Development: Supporting independence and building healthy relationships.
  • Creativity & Problem-Solving: Encouraging curiosity and critical thinking.

With extended hours and a year-round program (excluding public holidays), our Kindergarten program is delivered by qualified Early Childhood Teachers committed to supporting your child’s individual development.

Additional Benefits Include:

  • Government subsidy: Further reduces out-of-pocket Kinder fees in addition to your eligible Childcare Subsidy (CCS).
  • Personalised Learning Plans: Tailored to your child’s unique needs.
  • Rhythm and Resilience Program: Music and movement to improve emotional regulation.
  • School Readiness: Preparing your child for a smooth transition to school.

We also engage with local schools and provide transition statements, ensuring your child feels confident and prepared for the next steps in their education journey. Stay connected with your child’s progress via our Xplor platform, which offers regular updates on their learning and development.

About the Curriculum

About the Curriculum

“Let the child be the scriptwriter, director and the actor in their own play” - Magda Gerber

Nursery Space: 6 weeks – 2 years

Learning starts from before birth, and our Educators have created a welcoming and nurturing nursery environment where each baby feels safe to explore and discover new things - through their senses, their communication and cues (body language, facial expression and sounds) and through experimentation. On any given day you can see the nursery children engaging in all types of play including sensory play, music time, story time and more. Every day provides a brand new, exciting adventure for our babies to support their development, learning and wellbeing.

Toddler Space: 2 - 3 years

Our teachers and educators encourage the children to learn through play to help enhance their sensory-motor development. This happens through carefully planned music, dance, games, role playing and reading experiences.

On any given day the Toddlers can be seen developing their numeracy by building a tower, sorting objects, pointing and identifying shapes and patterns and participating in counting songs and games.

Children in our toddler space are encouraged to participate in group play. Group play is important as it helps our toddlers develop important social skills such as, turn-taking, developing self-confidence and emotional self-regulation. Our skilled team helps children through talking, planning and role modelling.

Kindergarten Space: 3 – 6 years

Kindergarten is a unique time for learning with peers and developing skills for later learning including confidence and curiosity, important skills for starting school. Our play-based program has school readiness at its core, encouraging active engagement in learning and supporting a range of positive developmental outcomes including resilience, independence, critical thinking and creativity.

The oral language supports literacy learning and a child’s oral language ability is the best predictor for later success in learning to read and write. Hearing the sounds within a language is the first critical step for all literacy learning. Our team supports our Kindergarten children's literacy development by engaging in rich discussions, reading, storytelling, dramatic play and experimentation all of which introduce new vocabulary as part of everyday conversations.

Throughout the Kindergarten year, children use their language to share ideas, ask questions, express themselves, and connect with peers and adults in social settings.

Social-emotional skills, including the ability to self-regulate emotions, are supported through group learning experiences. Our team supports each child’s social and emotional development by labelling and talking about emotions and supporting appropriate responses as together, they engage in new and challenging situations. Our goal in the kindergarten year is to prepare children and families for a smooth transition to primary school.

Health and Nutrition

Health and Nutrition

Our centre chef prepares and cooks nutritious meals daily, catering to the unique dietary requirements of every child. We believe that by encouraging active participation (such as growing their own fruit and vegetables, preparing, and finally cooking!) children learn to appreciate and understand the importance of healthy eating across a wide variety of food.

Our centre offers seasonal whole food-based menus – created to delight the fussiest eaters.

In Person Tour

Want to see the centre first hand? Book a tour with Great Beginnings Pakenham below.

Fees & Vacancies

Infant

0-1 years

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Friday

Toddler

1-2 years

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Pre-Kindy

2-3 years

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Kindy

3-5 years

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Your enquiry will be sent directly to the Great Beginnings Pakenham.

Great Beginnings Pakenham Reviews (93)

5.0

Rating Score

Brooke Hammond image

Brooke Hammond

Jul, 2025

Given the recent events impacting the childcare industry, I understand many parents are diligently reading reviews to make informed decisions about where to place their children. I wanted to share my experience so others can feel the same confidence and trust that I have in your centre. To everyone of you at Great Beginnings Pakenham - In these challenging times, you may find yourself questioning every decision and action you make, please don’t. Please know that I trust you implicitly with my child's care. Your unwavering dedication, compassion, and professionalism have always been evident and continue to shine through. You provide a safe, nurturing, and joyful environment where my child thrives. Keep showing up and believing in the incredible work you do—you are making a lasting difference in our children's lives. Your efforts do not go unnoticed and are deeply appreciated. My eldest progressed with you from nursery through to kinder and is now flourishing in Grade 1. My youngest is currently in Junior Kinder 2 and is thriving. Throughout these years, we've witnessed firsthand the positive impact you've had on their growth and happiness. You've been a constant source of support and guidance in our family's life. Thank you for everything you do

Daisy Boo image

Daisy Boo

Apr, 2024

What a beautiful space for my child to continue their development. Management was welcoming the moment we walked through the door, explaining each process in simple easy steps. When we walked into the room for the first time, to be greeted with smiles put this anxious mother’s mind to rest. Couldn’t recommend this centre enough to my family, friends and community.

James Campbell image

James Campbell

Dec, 2023

Great Beginnings Childcare in Pakenham are wonderful. Their care, attention to detail and love towards the children are a parents dream. I would highly recommend coming for a tour if you live in the area.

How Great Beginnings Pakenham Compares

with Pakenham, 3810

Reviews

Above average

Great Beginnings Pakenham

Gold starGold starGold starGold starGold star

5/5

Suburb Average

Gold starGold starGold starGold starGold star

4.8/5

View Reviews

Price

Great Beginnings Pakenham

Contact Centre

Suburb Average

$137

NQS

The National Quality Standard is an industry benchmark defined by the government.

Great Beginnings Pakenham

Exceeding

Suburb Average

Meeting

NQS Rating Breakdown

Overall

Exceeding

nqs logo
Educational Program and Practice Exceeding
Children's Health and Safety Exceeding
Physical environment Exceeding
Staffing Arrangements Exceeding
Relationships with children Exceeding
Collaborative partnerships with families and communities Exceeding
Governance and leadership Exceeding