We feel incredibly lucky to have found Starfish.<br><br>What makes Starfish so special is not simply the activities, the facilities, or even the curriculum — it is the way the educators genuinely know and understand each child.<br><br>Over time, we have watched our daughter grow from a child who needed more support and reassurance when entering the room into a confident little person who forms her own relationships, expresses her ideas and emotions, participates in group experiences, navigates friendships and challenges, and increasingly finds her own place within the community.<br><br>The educators never seem to push children to develop according to a fixed template. Instead, they observe carefully, recognise each child’s individual strengths, interests and needs, and create opportunities that allow those strengths to become the foundation for further learning. The support is often subtle — helping a child enter an activity, connecting two children through a shared interest, providing language for emotions or relationships, and then knowing when to step back and let the children take over.<br><br>We particularly appreciate the thoughtful, play-based approach to social and emotional development. The children are not simply taught to be “good” or compliant. They are supported to understand themselves and others, express boundaries, develop empathy, solve problems, negotiate with peers, explore their interests and become increasingly independent.<br><br>What has impressed us most is that learning at Starfish feels deeply connected to the children themselves. Their conversations, interests, friendships and everyday experiences become meaningful opportunities for learning. Excursions, imaginative play, group discussions, creative experiences and even small moments between friends all seem to form part of a much bigger developmental picture.<br><br>As a parent, there is something incredibly reassuring about leaving your child somewhere and knowing that she is not only safe and cared for, but truly seen.<br><br>We have watched our daughter develop such a strong sense of belonging at Starfish. She has meaningful relationships with her educators, genuine friendships with other children, and the confidence to explore her world while still being completely herself.<br><br>Childhood is such a short and important period, and we will always be grateful that Starfish has been part of hers.<br><br>It is an exceptional early childhood community, and we could not recommend it more highly.

My daughter has absolutely loved Starfish, the educators and everything in between. The walking excursions, watching chickens hatch, the weekly updates. Definitely recommend Starfish to anyone and their littles.

We were introduced to this childcare by other mum, and we are very happy with them. All the educators are very caring, they know all the kids not just by name but also by heart. their staff are supportive and helpful too. Our daughter loves to be there. We trust here and highly recommend to any family is looking for a caring and responsible childcare !

Returning to work and putting my son into childcare for the first time was something I was incredibly nervous about, but Starfish Nunawading made the entire transition feel so supported and reassuring from day one. What really stood out to us was the thoughtful learning environment they create for the children. The dedicated learning themes are beautifully incorporated into daily activities, making every day engaging, educational, and fun. We also loved the incursions like Funky Yoga and the excursions around the local neighbourhood, which gave the children such wonderful experiences outside the classroom. Most importantly, my son absolutely thrived at Starfish. He attended from 18 months old through to 3 years old, and we could not have asked for better carers and educators. The staff genuinely love what they do, and it shows in the way they engage with and care for the children every single day. Starfish truly became like an extended family to us, and we are so grateful for the love, care, and support they gave our son during such an important stage of his life.

Starfish very quickly became a second family. Treated like good friends every time we walk in the door, right from our first day. My daughter (1yo) is cared for by the most incredible educators. We’re often having chats about how she’s going and the educators are always keen to know how they can support her sleep/eating/development plans so it closely matches home. Every baby is cared for in such an individual way. She comes home a very relaxed and happy girl.

We’ve had both of our girls attend Starfish in Nunawading and have had a very positive experience. The educators are caring, attentive, and genuinely invested in the kids, and the management team is always professional and easy to communicate with. It’s been reassuring knowing our children are in a safe, supportive environment. Highly recommend to other families looking for quality childcare.

We couldn’t be happier with Starfish Nunawading. We moved from another centre and from that onward, the educators made my son feel safe, loved, and excited to learn. The communication and updates are amazing via Storypark. The centre is always clean, organised, and full of engaging activities. My son adjusted easily and made some new friends of his age. Highly recommend to any parent looking for genuine care and a nurturing environment 💙

It's been a while since my daughter joined the Guppies room, and I wanted to express my gratitude for the wonderful care she has been receiving. The early days were challenging, with Alana crying during drop-offs, but it's a relief to see her now happy and relaxed. The educators' efforts in helping her transition between naps have been truly appreciated. Special thanks to Debbie, the center manager, for her super quick responses and support, and to Danielle, Rachel, Alana, Acacia, Emily, Grace, and all the educators in the Guppies room, I hope I didn't miss anyone because it's always my husband doing the drop off and pick up😅. The team's support has made a significant impact on my daughter's development and our family's peace of mind☺️.

My son has been attending Starfish in the guppies room since February 2023. Debbie and the wonderful educators of the guppies room go above and beyond to ensure my son has a wonderful time when he is there. Debbie knows all the kids' names which gives the place a real family feel. They also have lots of incursions like music or reptile experiences which greatly enriches his life. My son is a difficult sleeper and somehow they manage to get him to sleep when he is there at daycare. They've also managed to get him to wear a hat and drink milk which I could not get him to do myself. I couldn't be more grateful. Thank you so much Debbie, Jo, Lily, Emily and Rin.

Definitely recommend Starfish Nunawading to all parents. Debbie as the team leader is the best; she is always smiling and approachable, remembering all children's and parents' names. Other educators are also nice and helpful. My son has been here at least three years and we love starfish! Can't believe he will go to prep next year. I think he has learnt a lot in Starfish given so many activities and opportunities.