Journey Early Learning Lara

41 Rennie Street, Lara, VIC, 3212

5.0 Average score

25 Reviews

6:30am to 6:30pm

Licensed for 152 Children

Vacancies

Care Type (2) Long Day Care

Care Type (2) Pre-school

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Journey Early Learning Lara Centre overview

Phone

(03) 9116 9053

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Welcome to Journey Early Learning Lara

Journey Early Learning Lara is where your child’s journey begins. Children from ages six weeks to six years are surrounded by stimulating learning environments and nurturing educators. It’s a place where children can make a positive start to a life of learning, development, growth and opportunity.

Our Facilities

Spacious Rooms: Bathed in natural light to create an inviting atmosphere for exploration.
Parent Amenities: Enjoy complimentary coffee and snacks while engaging with our community.
Natural Resources: Encouraging an appreciation for the world around us.
Tiered Play Space: Designed to enhance gross motor skills and physical development.

As food is so much more than just nutrition, we have created Future Foodies: A holistic food program at the heart of our Centre with menus specially developed by an experienced nutritionist. On this base, our qualified, onsite Chef provides fresh, nutritious meals throughout the day, catering for all special dietary needs and requirements. This brand-new facility is a testament to our commitment to providing the best for your little ones, complete with innovative learning spaces, cutting-edge resources, and a design that promotes exploration and curiosity.

This centre is purpose-built and is now open. Please register your interest and join our waitlist.

Fees & Vacancies

Vacancies

Care Type (2) Long Day Care

Care Type (2) Pre-school

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Journey Early Learning Lara Service features

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Journey Early Learning Lara service include:

In person tour

Book a live tour at this carefully curated childcare centre and embark on the journey for your child’s growth and development

Get to know us

Meet the team Centre philosophy Kindergarten/Preschool Programs Health and Nutrition

Meet the team

Hi, my name is Krystal, the Centre Manager of Journey Early Learning Lara.

After completing my Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care, I was lucky enough to have been offered a scholarship for my Advanced Diploma of Community Sector Management. I successfully completed this in 2021.

I have had many roles in my career from Centre Cook, Room Assistant, Room Leader, Educational Leader, 3IC, Assistant Manager, and now, Centre Manager. Each role has helped me grow into the educator I am today.

The early years of a child’s life are incredibly important, and this is what has driven my passion in the Early Childhood sector.

I’m passionate about providing our families with high-quality care and I can’t wait to build beautiful relationships with you all. I believe it’s important to provide an environment where children can grow, explore and investigate and where our families see our service as their second home.

Family is important to me, I have been blessed with three beautiful children. There is nothing better than spending time with the ones you love and creating memories.

Kindergarten/Preschool Programs

As a parent, you naturally want to give your child the best start in life.

At Journey, we know that kindergarten is an essential building block for your child’s education. That is why we pride ourselves on delivering high quality early learning and rewarding programs for your child.

What is a funded kindergarten?

The funded kindergarten program is designed to help more children enrol in early education by providing a contribution towards the cost of the program. Created and delivered by a qualified Early Childhood Teacher, the program aims to support each child’s learning and development in line with the government’s early years learning and development framework.

School Readiness

Readiness encompasses the factors that help children achieve success in school. It’s not a single moment in time but rather a unique journey that each child progresses through at their own pace.

The benefits of attending a pre-kinder and kinder room extend far beyond a child’s school years. Starting a quality program at an earlier age has a hugely positive impact on their development, helping them to develop key life skills.

Research has shown that children in Year 3 who attended kindergarten were up to 20 weeks ahead of those who did not. Equally, by the age of 16, students who attended three years of kindergarten were more likely to achieve higher scores in their Maths and English exams.

Play-based Learning

Children learn best when their bodies and minds are stimulated, and being active allows them to do just that. Play-based learning gives each child a chance to explore the world around them through play, letting their imagination come alive. This helps them listen, learn and engage with others.

A play-based learning kindergarten can also encourage children to be more curious while boosting their confidence in the process.

Come in and ask our Bachelor qualified ECT any questions you may have!

Health and Nutrition

Fresh, seasonal ingredients

Here at Future Foodies, we’re passionate about fresh, seasonal ingredients. Fresh produce is way healthier and provides superior nutrition for growing children. Fresh produce also tastes yummier, as well as being better for the environment and our local communities. You just can’t beat it!

Nutrition plays a vital role in a child’s development and instilling healthy eating habits at a young age can have lifelong benefits. But food is about so much more than just nutrition. That’s why we have created Future Foodies: A holistic food programme at the heart of every Journey Early Learning Centre.

Future Foodies at a glance:

• Menus specially developed by our experienced nutritionist

• Fresh, seasonal and wholesome produce

• Expanding children’s paletes with herbs and spices

• Feedback from children and chefs is actively incorporated into menus

• Custom menus adapted to individual needs (allergies, intolerances)

• Holistic approach to food

• Food is part of the curriculum and integrated into play based learning

Future Foodies Philosophy

Here at Future Foodies we’re on a mission to get children excited about food. Educating them about the entire food process, from planting through to composting. Encouraging them to be adventurous with exciting new flavours and textures. Reminding them that occasional treats are to be enjoyed. It’s not all broccoli birthday cakes. Bringing them together to share not only meals, but also jokes, stories and tall tales. Demonstrating that food is a wonderful gift to savour, enjoy and celebrate. From the very first bite to seconds (and thirds), our role is to instil a passion for food that will last a lifetime. In so doing we’re helping create the next generation of Future Foodies.

Chief Foodie Officer (CFO)

Future Foodies is headed up by Teri Lichtenstein, an accredited nutritionist and dietician with over 25 years experience. Teri is a member of Dieticians Australia, Sports Dieticians Australia, and was a Board Director of Nutrition Australia from 2017 to 2021. As a mother of two children, she understands that it’s vital to develop good eating habits from a young age. For Teri, it’s about keeping it real and focusing on not only nutrition, but also taste, novelty and inclusion.

Come into the centre and see our menu today!

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How Journey Early Learning Lara compares with Lara, 3212

Journey Early Learning Lara

Lara

4.3

Reviews

POA

$154

Price

Meeting

NQS Rating

Location

41 Rennie Street
Lara, VIC, 3212

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National Quality Standard Rating

Overall Meeting

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

Centre Reviews

5.0 (25 Reviews)

Meg Rayner

Oct, 2025

We’re so grateful to the amazing team at this centre, especially Rose and Monique, for the care and attention they’ve shown our child.... Read more

Response from the owner 29 Oct 2025

Hi Meg, We are so glad your experience with us has been wonderful. The safety of your little one is our highest priority. If we can ever make your time with us even better, please just let us know! We will pass on these kind words to Rose and Monique. Journey Lara Team.

Wannisa Thawchai (Minnie)

Oct, 2025

Thank you, Journey Lara, for taking such wonderful care of my girls. We recently moved from the Northern Territory, and my youngest has spent... Read more

Beth Lorraine

May, 2025

Amazing educators, really pay attention to my child's needs and prompt updates. Would recommend to any parent!

Response from the owner 28 May 2025

Thanks for this wonderful review, Beth! We are so glad your time at Journey Lara has been wonderful. If we can ever make your time better or more comfortable for you or your little one, please just let us know. Warm Regards, Journey Lara Team. 🌱✨

Steph smith

Apr, 2025

We love journey so much that we came back! We moved 30 minutes away and tried a new centre but it just didn’t... Read more

Response from the owner 29 Apr 2025

Thank you kindly for this lovely review Steph. We are so lucky to have such amazing families and children in our community we get to go on the journey with! We are always open to feedback and are so proud of the work we do. Warm regards, Journey Lara team. ✨🌱

Skye Isam

Apr, 2025

My son attends Journey Lara and loves going each week. All the staff are wonderful, caring and friendly. Special mention to Tahlia as... Read more

Casey Osborne

Apr, 2025

Shakil Ahmed

Feb, 2025

I found a fantastic childcare for my daughter. I would like to thank you Krystal and Tamara for their welcoming and friendly manners... Read more

Taslima Nitu

Nov, 2024

My experience in lara journey early center is wonderful. My 20 months old girl loves to go there. Environment is so nice and... Read more

Dennis Wingard

Oct, 2024

My grandson has many conversations about his kindergarten with me, and he is always surprising me with new paintings for our fridge. It... Read more

tim baldi

Oct, 2024

Our one and only has been attending Lara Journey Early since May this year after attending another centre in Lara which was awful.... Read more

Response from the owner 02 Oct 2024

Thanks for your kind words Tim! We are so appreciative that you have recognised the hard work we have been putting in to make our centre a second home for our little ones.

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Journey Early Learning Lara Centre overview

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