Children's Centre in Pakenham, VIC

We do wish your family all the best for the future, and hope your little one continues to thrive in a new Early Learning Centre, that is better suited to your families needs. It is our continued mission and vision to provide an educational, 'home away from home'  nurturing environment for all children aged 6 weeks to 6 years. When it comes to your child, we go beyond core language, literacy and numeracy to also focus on supporting their social and emotional development – including overall resilience. My little one has been attending Hippity Hop in Yarrambat for coming up to 2 years now and I couldn't be happier. As a parent, I feel so fortunate to have found Hippity Hop, I adore the educators who are all so lovely and caring. The atmosphere is so homely, I love the feel and design of the rooms and outdoor play area.
The program is based on the ‘forest preschool’ approach, originally established over 50 years ago in Scandinavia and now an international movement. In Victoria, 3 and pakenham early learning 4-year-old children are able to access a funded Kindergarten program led by a Bachelor Qualified Teacher. If eligible, your child will be able to participate in the government-approved Kindergarten program, at no cost, up to a minimum of 15 hours per week, 40 weeks per year.

We are committed to involving families and communities in our efforts to keep children safe. You’ll get plenty of information in advance and have opportunities to ask questions. The centre will also need your written permission before your child can take part. At Chairo, we are pleased to operate excellent kindergartens at our Drouin East, Leongatha, Traralgon and Pakenham campuses.
The purpose-built centre features spacious indoor areas for exploration and creativity, with outdoor spaces designed for active play and connection with nature. I was originally very nervous about sending my 4 month old into care when I started back at work. The staff at Birches literally took all the stress out of it and have made my transition back to work super easy. Minister Blandthorn and Vulin enjoyed a brief story time before officially speaking for the opening. Principal Sonny Aiono, Chairman of the Heritage College Board Paul Bower as well as school captains Eliana and Harrison spoke.

Throughout my career, I’ve held various roles, including Inclusion Support, Assistant Educator, Lead Educator, Sustainability Leader, Educational Leader, Assistant Centre Manager, and now Centre Manager. My passion for early education stems from the opportunity to be creative, make a meaningful impact, and build strong community relationships. Children completing their three or four-year-old funded kindergarten program in Long Day Care will receive a subsidised childcare amount. This subsidy will be deducted from their fees in weekly installments throughout the year. Our community-based early learning centres are built upon engagement with each other, supporting your child’s growth and future within their community.
Little Stars Early Learning & Kindergarten Pakenham is operated by Little Stars Pakenham Pty Ltd ATF Little Stars Pakenham Trust, which contributes 0% to the total available child care capacity in Victoria. Little Stars Early Learning & Kindergarten Pakenham provides centre-based care for up to 100 approved spaces. Through these guiding principles, we aim to create a rich, supportive environment where every child can thrive.
Reading and role-playing are frequent activities in our Pakenham curriculum. Recently, children in Woodland Kinder room explored the beloved book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar. As they read, the children got to "feed" the caterpillar, learning about the days of the week, counting, nutrition, and the life cycle of a butterfly. Little Stars recognises that parents are the first and continuing carers and educators of their children. The centre aims to function as an extended family, providing a secure and trusted environment. Educators actively build quality relationships with families, to achieve the best possible outcome for children.

To learn more about the wonderful learning opportunities at the centre of your choice, reach out to the Centre Manager. G8 Education has over 400 centres across Australia, and you can find a centre near you by using our map search tool. You will be provided with a list of all centres surrounding your desired location. You’ll see both indoor and outdoor settings and get all the details you need to make an informed decision for your child. Kindergarten is an exciting phase for both children and families, and our goal at Pakenham Kindergarten is to ensure everyone leaves with cherished and joyful memories. Personal attention and interaction from our Educators will help to develop basic cognitive and social skills.
We offer a controlled program to compliment the success of your child’s abilities now and in later years. At Community Kids, we understand the importance  of finding the perfect childcare solution for your family. That’s why we’ve made it our mission to provide accessible and exceptional child care services across Australia.

At Aspire Early Education and Kindergarten Pakenham, they set up various creative activities and experiences for the children in each of the rooms. These activities encourage creative exploration, as well as enhance a child’s cognitive, social and emotional development. We strive to establish a partnership with our families, demonstrating understanding and providing support within our service.
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. With our state of the art purpose built child care centre, Pico Early Learning Centre and Kindergarten has created an environment to stimulate and challenge children. The National Early Years Learning Framework is a program designed to stimulate brain development through play based learning.
All staff are highly experienced working with children and catering for all needs. I am continually updated as to my child's activities and well-being throughout the day which put me at ease. The centre is always clean and fresh healthy cooked meals are served to our growing kids. Tash is exceptionally professional, lovely and has a very caring approach towards all the families. With a balance of structured and play-based learning, children are encouraged to explore their interests, build confidence and develop independence. This approach helps lay the foundation for a smooth transition into four-year-old kindergarten and a lifelong love of learning.

These experiences lay the foundation for lifelong health, resilience, and emotional wellbeing. With more than 16,000 early learning services across Australia, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming for families. Australia’s largest not-for-profit early education provider, Goodstart, is working to help all parents identify high quality, safe centres for their children – whether they attend a Goodstart centre or not.
Multilingual environments also promote cultural appreciation and may align with families seeking to embrace Canada’s multicultural fabric. Nutrition and learning about healthy eating are also an important part of Aspire Pakenham’s curriculum. Recently the Kinder children participated in a sorting activity mat to learn about healthy and unhealthy foods! This helps kids grasp the importance of good nutrition, which is valuable knowledge to have as they transition into school. Birches ELC is dedicated to creating an environment that feels more like a home away from home for children and parents.