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Goodstart Early Learning Wantirna South - Cathies Lane

Goodstart Early Learning Wantirna South - Cathies Lane

51 Cathies Lane, Wantirna South, VIC, 3152 view map
Verified
5.0
(03) 9125 4898

Care Type:

Long Day Care

Hours:

7am to 6pm

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Your enquiry will be sent directly to the Goodstart Early Learning Wantirna South - Cathies Lane.

Address:

51 Cathies Lane, Wantirna South, VIC, 3152

5.0

Rating Score

Read our 8 Reviews

I cannot say enough wonderful things about GoodStart Cathies Lane! From the very first day, we knew we had found a place that was not only safe and nurturing, but also invested in our children’s development and happiness. The staff are absolutely incredible—warm, attentive, and passionate about what they do. Every educator treats the children with kindness & respect. They truly felt like an extended family, and knowing our children were in such great hands gave us such immense peace of mind. The centre was always clean, bright, and welcoming. We always appreciated the daily updates and photos—it was a wonderful way to stay connected to what our children were experiencing throughout the day. Unfortunately due to moving house and moving suburbs, we had to leave Cathies Lane. However, we wholeheartedly recommend it to any family looking for a place where their child will be truly cared for and supported

- Lauren Hansen

About Goodstart Early Learning Wantirna South - Cathies Lane

Welcome to Goodstart Early Learning Wantirna South - Cathies Lane

We're a warm and welcoming early learning centre on the Bunurong and Wurundjeri lands of the Kulin Nation.

Our service provides high-quality care and education, with separate rooms for nursery through kindergarten and two spacious yards.

Focusing on fun, discovery and belonging, we proudly offer a 'home away from home' where every child can thrive. Why not take a tour and see for yourself? You'll find us close to Ferntree Gully and Glen Waverley, Westfield Knox and Wantirna South Primary School, with connections to Eastlink and public transport, and plenty of onsite parking. We'd love to show you around.

We pride ourselves on truly knowing our children and families, thanks to our smaller centre size and high educator retention.

Our experienced team, including leaders with over a decade of service, builds strong community ties and lasting family relationships. We offer play dates, orientation support, and family events to help children settle in with confidence.

We have Hindi, Sinhalese, Mandarin, Cantonese, Italian, Gujarati, Telugu, Slovenian, Punjabi, and Tamil speakers among our educators. They help our multicultural families to feel at home while enriching the experience of all children.

Three early childhood teachers with bachelor's degrees lead our play-based kindergarten programming, based on the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework.

Our curriculum is flexible around children's strengths and interests while helping them develop skills for school and life.

Whether you're looking for a nurturing nursery, a stimulating toddler environment, or a strong foundation for school, we're here to help.

Book a tour, drop in for a chat, or call us – our team can't wait to welcome your family.

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Services Provided by Goodstart Early Learning Wantirna South - Cathies Lane

State Government Approved Programs

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Get To Know Us

Kindergarten/Preschool Programs

Kindergarten/Preschool Programs

Our high-quality, play based preschool curriculum is delivered by Bachelor qualified Early Childhood Teachers. Our teachers tailor their programs to ensure all children develop the confidence and social and emotional skills needed for a smooth transition to school. Through play, our Early Childhood Teachers facilitate children’s learning of important language, literacy, numeracy and creative skills.

Benefits of Goodstart Kindergarten/Preschool programs:

  • Our programs are planned and led by qualified and experienced Early Childhood Teachers, in accordance with the Early Years Learning Framework
  • Our programs have the tick of approval, meaning they meet (and exceed) Government guidelines around learning in the year before school
  • Strong connections with local schools support our extensive transition to school programs
  • We offer greater flexibility and convenience for busy families with longer opening hours, five days a week, 52 weeks of the year.
  • We offer 9-hour, 10-hour and all-day sessions.
  • Nutritious meals are provided throughout the day, so there’s no need to pack lunch boxes.
Curriculum and programs

Curriculum and programs

The educators at Goodstart Early Learning follow an evidence-based curriculum that aligns with the Early Years Learning Framework. Informed by world-leading research, practices and techniques, the curriculum encourages the children’s natural curiosity and engages them in their learning journey.

As the children move through the different rooms in the centre, the curriculum evolves with them. The educators set goals for the children and celebrate as they reach their milestones. At every stage, the educators are tailoring the curriculum and goals to each child’s individual needs.

The curriculum involves different types of learning experiences and styles. From child-led learning to sessions guided by educators, the children participate in small and large group sessions as well as individual play. Most importantly, the children learn through play, developing social skills, confidence and independence in addition to more formal academic skills.

Parent communication and involvement

Parent communication and involvement

Goodstart Early Learning uses the StoryPark app to connect with parents throughout the day. The educators upload photos and stories to the secure app, which parents can access anytime and anywhere to track their child’s progress. 

The approach at the centre is very much based around partnership between families and educators. The educators work with the parents and carers to build strong relationships. They develop trust so the children can feel safe and secure while at the centre. Parents are also encouraged to share their insights and feedback with educators to add depth to the relationship.

The educators observe the children every day and tailor the program around their observations. They share these with parents, so they can feel connected to their child’s progress and also provide feedback that will further enhance their child’s learning experience. 

Meet the team

Meet the team

Goodstart Early Learning employs qualified and skilled educators who are dedicated to making a difference to the children in their care. The centre employs people who are empathetic and compassionate, with a nurturing disposition and a passion for care. Working collaboratively as a team, the educators display qualities such as positivity, kindness and, most importantly, a desire to help every child thrive.

The educators hold relevant qualifications, including the Kindergarten and Preschool Program teachers who are university qualified. The educators are lifelong learners, participating in regular and ongoing professional development to enhance their skills. They are encouraged to upskill, learning about the latest research and thinking in the sector. They can then bring this knowledge back to the centre to share with their colleagues for the benefit of the children.

In Person Tour

Want to see the centre first hand? Book a tour with Goodstart Early Learning Wantirna South - Cathies Lane below.

Fees & Vacancies

Infant

0-1 years

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Friday

$150.5 /day

Toddler

1-2 years

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Friday

Pre-Kindy

2-3 years

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$145.5 /day

Kindy

3-5 years

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Friday

$145.5 /day

Your enquiry will be sent directly to the Goodstart Early Learning Wantirna South - Cathies Lane.

Goodstart Early Learning Wantirna South - Cathies Lane Reviews (8)

5.0

Rating Score

Lauren Hansen image

Lauren Hansen

Oct, 2025

I cannot say enough wonderful things about GoodStart Cathies Lane! From the very first day, we knew we had found a place that was not only safe and nurturing, but also invested in our children’s development and happiness. The staff are absolutely incredible—warm, attentive, and passionate about what they do. Every educator treats the children with kindness & respect. They truly felt like an extended family, and knowing our children were in such great hands gave us such immense peace of mind. The centre was always clean, bright, and welcoming. We always appreciated the daily updates and photos—it was a wonderful way to stay connected to what our children were experiencing throughout the day. Unfortunately due to moving house and moving suburbs, we had to leave Cathies Lane. However, we wholeheartedly recommend it to any family looking for a place where their child will be truly cared for and supported

Deshika Kumaran image

Deshika Kumaran

Sep, 2025

We cannot speak more highly of Goodstart Cathies Lane. Choosing the right early learning centre is one of the most important decisions a parent can make. For our family, Goodstart Early Learning – Cathies Lane has been all of that and more. From the moment we enrolled our son in the nursery room, we’ve experienced nothing short of exceptional care and commitment from the entire team. What immediately stood out to us was the warmth and professionalism of the educators. Every single staff member in the nursery and in the centre greets both children and parents with genuine smiles, a sense of calm, and open arms. This has made every drop-off easier and every day feel reassuring. For a parent, knowing that your child is not just supervised, but genuinely loved and understood, is everything — and that’s exactly what we’ve found at Goodstart - Cathies Lane. The educators have taken the time to get to know our son as an individual. They understand his personality, his preferences, his strengths, and even his little quirks. We’ve seen him grow in confidence, social skills, and communication — and we know that the nurturing environment at Goodstart - Cathies Lane has been a big part of that journey. The nursery room itself is safe, clean, and filled with age-appropriate resources and activities that promote learning through play. From music and movement to story time, creative arts, and outdoor exploration, every day offers new and engaging experiences tailored to the developmental needs of the youngest children. Communication has also been exceptional. We are regularly updated through both conversations with staff and the Storypark platform, which gives us a window into our son’s day. The care our son receives in the nursery at Goodstart - Cathies Lane goes far beyond our expectations. It is thoughtful, consistent, and filled with heart. We are deeply grateful to the entire team for the love and dedication they show every day, and we feel incredibly fortunate to have found a place where our son is not only safe but truly thriving. If you live in the area - we highly recommend checking out the centre.

Jessica W image

Jessica W

Mar, 2025

We cannot speak more highly of the incredible team of early childhood educators at Goodstart Cathies Lane. We have been attending here for 4 years, and both of our children have thrived. We toured lots of local centres and chose Goodstart Cathies Lane as from the very first tour we liked the welcoming feel of the small centre and we felt the most comfortable with leaving our baby here. What a great decision that was! The educators, teachers and support staff genuinely care about the children and you can see the incredible bonds they build with them, and the safety and care the children feel as a result. So much effort is put in each day to plan and prepare fun play-based learning activities, that the children love and get very involved in. The creativity is wonderful to see (via StoryPark updates and in the rooms) and so appreciated! Our oldest child has truly learnt so much through the kinder program, and he thoroughly enjoys learning new letters, sounds and writing. They also offer Bush Kinder in the 4 year old age group which is a wonderful addition! Our youngest adores the daily music and songs, themed art and craft activities, water play and group time. The centre is extremely welcoming to children and families of all cultural backgrounds and celebrates diversity and has a strong focus on inclusion, which is so important to us as parents. The educator turnover seems very low compared to other centres, and I think this is a true testament to the positive work environment at Cathies Lane. This has enabled us and the kids to get to know and build trust in each of the educators, teachers and staff members. The leadership team at the centre are incredible. The director Sunpreet and assistant director Jess have such passion for their jobs and are adored by our kids, and all the other children- as are all of the educators and teachers- from Nursery through to the 4 year old kinder room. The centre is smaller than other local centres, and we saw this as a big positive- as all the children know each other and all of the teachers and educators and vice versa. The centre is clean, the food is good (and my kids eat more variety than at home!), it is safe and well maintained. They regularly seek feedback and input from parents, and if you have particular focuses for your child that you are working on at home, they are always open to incorporating this learning into the room as well, acknowledging your child’s individual needs. Highly highly recommend! Thanks to everyone at Goodstart Cathies Lane! 😊

Response from the owner 23 Apr 2025

Thank you so much for your incredibly thoughtful and generous feedback. We’re so pleased to hear that both your children have felt happy, supported, and engaged during their time with us. It means a lot to know that the welcoming environment, strong relationships, and focus on inclusive, play-based learning have made a difference for your family. We truly appreciate your ongoing support and are so glad to be part of your children’s early learning journey at Goodstart Cathies Lane!

How Goodstart Early Learning Wantirna South - Cathies Lane Compares

with Wantirna South, 3152

Reviews

Above average

Goodstart Early Learning Wantirna South - Cathies Lane

Gold starGold starGold starGold starGold star

5/5

Suburb Average

Gold starGold starGold starGold starGold star

4.9/5

View Reviews

Price

Above average

Goodstart Early Learning Wantirna South - Cathies Lane

$148

Suburb Average

$147

NQS

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

Goodstart Early Learning Wantirna South - Cathies Lane

Meeting

Suburb Average

Meeting

NQS Rating Breakdown

Overall

Meeting

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

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Goodstart Early Learning Wantirna South - Cathies Lane