Our daughter has been a part of Cottage Grove since mid 2022. Today we dropped her off for her last day before she moves onto her next stage of learning. I recall the sense of relief I felt when I received the call to confirm her spot. From my tour of the centre, and meeting the educators, I was sold on the method of learning and care being provided. It aligned well with my own parenting and expectations. I especially loved the amount of outdoor space, each carefully designed for each age cohort - and rooms designed and tailored to the needs of the children at each stage of their physical and cognitive development. I remember the anxiety, and how nervous we felt dropping her off for her first day, but how absolutely amazing and reassuring the team were, taking my daughter into their arms and helping her feel safe and secure. She's learned so very much with the support and excellent teaching of the staff at Cottage Grove. She's had great access to multiple learning resources, from sensory experiences to the many puzzles, books and toys available. I loved that each day there was a program, an area of focus, from the time she was in the nursery to the her kindy days. The staff have always provided a great deal of care to my daughter, made me feel welcome and safe, and have always been open to speak to me about how my daughter is learning and development and addressing any queries or needs I may have. I've often taken their lead, learning new ways of playing and teaching my daughter following the great examples I've seen in storypark and through my conversations with the educators. I am a bit emotional about leaving. My daughter has had a wonderful experience at Cottage Grove, and made some incredible friends - and a community of lovely parents that I feel so privileged to have been able to grow alongside in our parenting journey. Thank you to the management team - who always greeted us by name every morning with a lovely smile at the front desk. Thank you to the educators for your commitment to the children and their care and education. And thank you to Mr Gaston and the kitchen team for feeding my girl well, and helping her to try new foods all the time.

Amazing staff. Very flexible. Took care of our little one with photos and updates on the app. Adapted to our dietary requirements very well. Thanks so much to the whole team at Cottage Grove!

Our family has been part of the Cottage Grove community for the past three years, and we honestly couldn’t speak more highly of it. Watching our daughter grow in confidence and truly find her voice during her time here has been incredibly special, and it’s a testament to the care, patience and dedication of the educators. A huge thank you to Lea, Sophia and the entire kindy team for creating such a nurturing, supportive environment where children feel safe to be themselves. We also want to acknowledge the management team everything runs so smoothly, and the warmth and care they bring to the centre is felt by both children and families every day. Choosing to keep her in kindy for an extra year was a big decision, and knowing she gets another year with such an exceptional team has only reinforced that we made the right choice. I tell my friends all the time that Cottage Grove is the best, and after three years, we can say that with complete confidence. We feel incredibly lucky to be part of this community. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Our little one has been part of this centre since they were just 7 months old, and it’s been nothing short of wonderful. From day one, the team has shown an incredible level of professionalism, warmth and genuine care. It feels like more than just a childcare service, it’s a real extended family. The nurturing environment they’ve created makes a real difference. Every time I stop by during pick-up, I see happy, confident kids and educators who clearly love what they do. It’s uplifting, and it gives us real peace of mind knowing our child is in such good hands. The educators here are outstanding, and the sense of community among families is something we really value. We’ve even seen families leave and return, simply because the level of care and support is so hard to match elsewhere. A very special thanks to Miss Ngufan, Anne, Maria and “Tia” Gabi. I’m sure I’m missing a few other amazing people who’ve played a big role in our child’s journey. Your kindness, patience and dedication are heartwarming. We honestly wouldn’t consider sending our little one anywhere else. This place has become a second home, and we’re so grateful for everything you do.

From the very first moment we stepped into Cottage Grove something just clicked—it felt like coming home. There was a warmth in the air, a sense of safety and care that instantly reassured us we’d found the right place for our baby to grow, learn, and thrive. Maria and her incredible team are the heart of this beautiful environment. Every morning, we’re greeted with genuine smiles and open arms. It’s not just professionalism—it’s passion. You can feel that they truly love what they do, and that energy fills every corner of the space. But what truly sets Cottage Grove apart is Miss Nad. She’s not just an educator—she’s become part of our family. The way she connects with each child is nothing short of magical. She gives every baby her full attention, as if they’re the only one in the room. Her dedication, patience, and loving presence have given us complete peace of mind. If you’re searching for a place that feels like home, where your child will be nurtured with love, attention, and joy—look no further. Cottage Grove is that place. It’s everything we hoped for and more.

For first-time parents raising a son with no help, Cottage Grove has been a big part of our village. P started daycare at 10 months during the peak of separation anxiety, but all the educators made him feel at ease. He got extra cuddles and I have never felt that he was neglected in any way. They serve a variety of food prepared in-house, and i'd like to think that it helped my son be such a good eater. He has adjusted very well and is thriving at daycare. Of course the inevitable daycare sickness will be there, but I can see that the rooms/ toys are sanitised regularly. We are sad to be leaving Cottage Grove and if we had not moved houses, I will most likely keep sending P to Cottage Grove up until kindy! Shoutout to all the nursery and toddler room staff, float staff and Maria for being such champs. We love you!

I’ve debated for a while about whether or not to write this review, but I think it’s important that other parents know what we experienced at this centre. When my son first started, things were seemed great, but it quickly became clear that there were ongoing issues, the biggest being the constant staff turnover and change in management. It felt like every other week, someone new was working in his room, and many of them were agency staff. This meant my son was regularly being looked after by unfamiliar faces, which wasn’t reassuring. One of the most frustrating issues was the nappy situation. I raised concerns on at least four or five occasions about picking up my son in a full nappy. I was given a different excuse each time, but staying hydrated is a basic need, and they were made aware from the very beginning that he drinks a lot of water. Once, there weren’t even enough nappies at the centre. When I eventually brought this to the director, she did listen, but also made a comment about how “parents can give really poor advice,” which felt incredibly dismissive and quite hurtful, considering I was just trying to advocate for my child. There were also regular ratio concerns. I’d walk in during drop off and notice the room was understaffed. When I asked about it, I was often told the other educator was changing nappies. Regardless, there should’ve been enough staff to properly supervise the children. Another red flag was the general lack of engagement. Many mornings I’d walk in and not be greeted at all until I raised it with the director, only then did staff begin saying good morning to my son. I even witnessed another parent trying to speak to staff about a forgotten water bottle, and not one educator acknowledged her, not a hello, not a word. It really made me question how much interaction and connection the children are receiving throughout the day. What really solidified our decision to leave happened on our second last day. I saw an educator push a child to the ground because they were walking around while eating a snack. While I understand the need for safety around food, the way it was handled looked far too aggressive and completely inappropriate. It was upsetting to watch, and I couldn’t stop thinking, if that’s how they respond when a parent is standing there, what happens when no one is watching? These experiences ultimately led to our decision to leave. I genuinely hope this feedback is taken seriously, because every child deserves to be in a warm, responsive, and safe environment.

We’re so pleased we brought our daughter here. The support and kindness of the educators means she’s thriving and so many fun things for her to do each day. Thank you

Our son's best friend attends Cottage Grove Early Learning, and the transformation and growth we've witnessed in him are truly commendable. The centre's nurturing environment, coupled with its robust curriculum, strikes the perfect balance between learning and play. Every time we visit, we're greeted with warm smiles from the staff, which speaks volumes about their dedication and passion. Hearing stories from our son's friend about the fun activities, interactive lessons, and the bond he's formed with his educators reinforces our admiration for this institution. For any parent seeking a caring and stimulating environment for their little one, Cottage Grove Early Learning in South Brisbane is an exemplary choice.