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Sparkways Early Learning Showgrounds

Sparkways Early Learning Showgrounds

Showgrounds Village - Government Pavilion, 320-380 Epsom Road, Flemington, VIC, 3031 view map
Verified
4.5
(03) 9376 7486

Care Type:

Long Day Care, Pre-school

Hours:

7.00am to 6.30pm

Vacancies

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Your enquiry will be sent directly to the Sparkways Early Learning Showgrounds.

Address:

Showgrounds Village - Government Pavilion, 320-380 Epsom Road, Flemington, VIC, 3031

4.5

Rating Score

Read our 35 Reviews

My son has been at Sparkways for 2 years now and we are very happy. They have the most wonderful, warm staff and leading team. Educators are passionate and put great efforts in building relationships, making the children secure while reassuring parents and building confidence, leading lots of exploratory activities, and creating a thriving environment.<br><br>Stephanie, Eliza, Lisa, Helen are all exceptionally invested in learning and development and very supportive through routines, developmental milestones, changes in health & care conditions.<br><br>We love that the rooms and huge outdoor space is designed and set incredibly well for lots of play.<br><br>Big shoutout to Sehrish and her wonderful team.

- Rabail Fatima

About Sparkways Early Learning Showgrounds

Welcome to Sparkways Early Learning Showgrounds!

Nestled in the vibrant Showgrounds Village Precinct, our Centre is in the historic Government Pavilion Building. We’re easily accessible for families, with ample on-site parking and nearby public transport, just minutes from Epsom Road trams and Showgrounds train station.

Inside, children learn and play in bright, welcoming rooms filled with natural light from soaring ceilings and grand heritage windows. Outside, they explore a large, nature-inspired play area with grass, sensory gardens, and thriving plants and herbs they help care for—encouraging curiosity, responsibility, and a strong connection to nature.

At Sparkways Early Learning Showgrounds, we offer programs for children who are six weeks to school age, including long day care and integrated government-funded three- and four-year-old kindergarten that is taught by experienced, qualified Early Childhood Teachers.

We offer:

  • Long Day Care Hours
  • Integrated Program
  • Outdoor Play Spaces
  • Storypark
  • Nappies
  • Incursions & Excursions
  • Qualified Educators
  • Nutritional Food & Snacks
  • Community Connections
Centre Image

Services Provided by Sparkways Early Learning Showgrounds

Qualified Educators icon

Qualified Educators

A team of skilled, experienced and qualified Educators

Long Day Care Hours icon

Long Day Care Hours

Long day care hours available for 50 weeks per year

Integrated Program icon

Integrated Program

Funded 3 and 4-year-old integrated kindergarten programs

Outdoor Play Spaces icon

Outdoor Play Spaces

Outdoor play spaces, inspired by nature and designed for play and learning

Get To Know Us

What the parents say

What the parents say

I love everything about the centre. The children always seem so happy and calm in the rooms. There is so much for the kids to do.

Parent

The centre is inclusive and friendly and they teach the children about a variety of subjects and cultures.

Parent

Centre philosophy

Centre philosophy

Sparkways see themselves as more than an early learning and care provider. This not-for-profit company works with children and young people facing adversity or isolation to give them a brighter future.

They support young people through youth mentoring, social enterprise employment programs, and supporting families to be able to access early learning.

For families that enrol with a Sparkways early learning and care centre, their children will be given a great start in life while also helping to improve the lives of other Victorian children.

The centre seeks to be an involved, positive, dedicated, can-do partner that makes ideas happen.

At the Sparkways Early Learning Showgrounds diversity is celebrated. Educator speak 12 different languages including Cantonese, Vietnamese, Mandarin, Urdu, Punjabi, Telugu, Hindi, Korean, Italian, Kannada, Sinhala and Turkish!

Programs

Programs

  • Regular excursions: to the local park, schools, showgrounds and tram rides.
  • Incursions at the centre: visits from the firefighters, police officers, road safety and water safety.
  • Honesty library: books for families to take home and borrow, to encourage a love of reading.
  • Yoga program: weekly yoga classes led by the educators, to physically enhance children’s flexibility, strength, coordination and body awareness, while also practising mindfulness, concentration and calmness. 
  • Cooking experiences: the chef teaches cooking as a form of tradition and celebration, such as damper, ANZAC biscuits or gingerbread.
About the curriculum

About the curriculum

6 weeks - 12 months

Our babies room is a safe and happy home away from home. Education and care focus is on children’s wellbeing and development. We engage a range of age appropriate activities including tummy time and sensory play to support the development of your child’s fine and gross motor skills along with singing and story time for language development. Mirror and facial expression games are a favourite to support social emotional development.

Meet the team

Meet the team

Children have a voice, I ask to enter their space, I treat the children with dignity and truly listen to them.  Success is when they flourish in an environment where they feel safe and have a sense of true belonging.  Families can trust that I will do the very best for their family. 

Showgrounds is a unique and beautiful combination of bonds among families, educators and children that contributes to a happy learning environment for holistic growth. 

Toni McHenry, Centre Director, Sparkways Early Learning Showgrounds 

I have enjoyed working at Sparkways Early Learning Showgrounds for more than 12 years. I enjoy a strong bond with our local families and children.

It is a joy to share the special moments of early childhood together like a family.

Evie - Educator

Health & nutrition

Health & nutrition

At Sparkways Early Learning Showgrounds, the children are offered nutritious and healthy seasonal meals, including breakfast, morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea. All food is freshly prepared by the in-house chef, who is also a qualified nutritionist.

 

All children’s dietary requirements are accounted for, including allergies and intolerances. The centre’s menus are based on the Department of Health’s Nutrition Australia guidelines.

 

The children take part in weekly cooking lessons, and also learn about the value of growing your own produce in the centre’s vegetable garden. Some of the children’s favourite meals include lasagne, chicken fried rice, tuna pasta bake, and lentil soup.

In Person Tour

Want to see the centre first hand? Book a tour with Sparkways Early Learning Showgrounds below.

Fees & Vacancies

Infant

0-1 years

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Friday

$159.80 /day

Toddler

1-2 years

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Friday

$159.80 /day

Pre-Kindy

2-3 years

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Friday

$159.80 /day

Kindy

3-5 years

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Friday

$157.60 /day

Your enquiry will be sent directly to the Sparkways Early Learning Showgrounds.

Sparkways Early Learning Showgrounds Reviews (35)

4.5 /5

Based on 35 Reviews

Rabail Fatima image

Rabail Fatima

5.0 2 weeks ago

My son has been at Sparkways for 2 years now and we are very happy. They have the most wonderful, warm staff and leading team. Educators are passionate and put great efforts in building relationships, making the children secure while reassuring parents and building confidence, leading lots of exploratory activities, and creating a thriving environment.<br><br>Stephanie, Eliza, Lisa, Helen are all exceptionally invested in learning and development and very supportive through routines, developmental milestones, changes in health & care conditions.<br><br>We love that the rooms and huge outdoor space is designed and set incredibly well for lots of play.<br><br>Big shoutout to Sehrish and her wonderful team.

fangyi ooi image

fangyi ooi

5.0 2 weeks ago

The staff are friendly and nice.

Cath Uber image

Cath Uber

5.0 2 weeks ago

Sparkways had been so accommodating to myself and my son. The staff make him feel like family and he loves every day when he comes. Jane and the rest of the staff in the Joey room treat him so well. Would recommend sparkways to anyone.

Anna Gillies image

Anna Gillies

5.0 3 months ago

We couldn’t ask for a better center for our kids. Our boys have different personalities but were each settled into childcare so skilfully and kindly, in a way that suited them. Our older boy has just started school after 4.5 years at the center and our younger lad is still there. We absolutely trust the whole team; and appreciate the wonderful culture at Showgrounds. So many experienced and kind educators. A wonderful outdoor space. Insightful observations of each kid’s interests and development and play tailored to them. And Sparkways employ permanent staff to take on relief roles (breaks, leave), so there are always familiar faces who are part of the excellent culture there with the kids. Also, their kinder teacher is Bachelor qualified, and awesome to boot. A great option for those of us who need integrated kindergarten.

Katherine Alshe M. Calderon image

Katherine Alshe M. Calderon

5.0 3 months ago

How Sparkways Early Learning Showgrounds Compares

with Flemington, 3031

Reviews

Sparkways Early Learning Showgrounds

Gold starGold starGold starGold starGold star

4.5/5

Suburb Average

Gold starGold starGold starGold starGold star

4.5/5

View Reviews

Price

Sparkways Early Learning Showgrounds

$158.70

Suburb Average

$161.00

NQS

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

Sparkways Early Learning Showgrounds

Meeting

Suburb Average

Meeting

NQS Rating Breakdown

Overall

Meeting

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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
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Sparkways Early Learning Showgrounds