There's something about community based daycare centres compared to for profit ones - they just care and have a really kind vibe like they welcome you to their village and you know your kid is not only going to love it, but THRIVE! It's a daycare centre next to a church on the corner of Macpherson Street in O'Connor - a nice and central place but still in the suburbs. It's close to the city, but you can actually find somewhere to park, in order to drop off, which is amazing! The curriculum is great, where my almost 4 year old is learning so much, while having lots of fun. The staff are downright delightful and have lots of experience. Our kid has multiple food intolerances and we work closely with the centre to make sure morning and afternoon tea is safe and yummy and that we can have our child engage in any events that are organised too. We've made some wonderful friends with some of the parents and have really felt welcomed to the community as a whole family. Our youngest will join next year and we're really looking forward to it! We highly recommend this centre to anyone because we really love it - hence also leaving this review! If you're looking for a daycare centre for kids aged 2-5, reach out to them! Come check it out - it's so lovely! Photos included are from Book Week and Mother's Day morning tea - so much fun!

Our daughter started at SPK when we moved to Canberra 18 months ago. We still pinch ourselves every day at how lucky we have been to have found the place. The carers really care. Our daughter gets dropped off with a smile every day and when we pick her up she is always happy. There is a real sense of warmth and care and effort goes into rotating the activities for the children plus bringing in outside activities/ people to engage with the children. We have been so grateful to have found SPK and keen to share our positive experience for other parents who might be looking for a place to send their little ones.

We have our daughter at SPK and we are very happy with SPK Early Learning Centre. It does not feel overly commercial, and the focus is truly on the children. The educators take proper care of our daughter, keeping her safe while also engaging her in learning and play. She is making sweet memories with other children at SPK. We appreciate their warm environment and genuine commitment to children’s growth.

Two kids going through SPK (one 2023-2024, one still there now). Joining as older toddlers coming home from overseas, my kids were welcomed, introduced to the more structured routines in the Australian system, nurtured, disciplined when appropriate and genuinely thrived. My son transitioned straight from their senior room (preschool program) to kindergarten at a ACT primary school. This service is a hidden gem- often has availability because it takes ages 2 and up. We love it!

SPK is a small non for profit centre with the kids being their priority. My daughter has been there since she was two. All the staff are so caring and considerate to all the child’s needs. The kids have a large open space playground to explore. There’s two playgrounds and a large sandpit with lots of other outdoor activities set up. They offer so much more extra activities, music and sports programs as well as other specific holiday programs. The centre is always clean and the staff/management are great with communication. WE LOVE SPK!

We couldn’t be happier with SPK! From the moment we walked in, we knew this was a place where our kiddos would be safe, nurtured and valued. The staff are not only friendly and welcoming, but also incredibly professional, highly experienced and committed to each child’s development and safety. SPK is clean and bright with an abundance of natural light. Their indoor space is open-plan allowing the kiddos to mingle and play with their peers. Their large outdoor area gives the kiddos space to run, ride and scoot around. And they have slides! Our son never wants to leave, he always takes a little bit of the sandpit home with him. Activities are thoughtfully planned, whether it’s arts and crafts, early learning or incorporating special weeks. Everyone had lots of fun during Science week. SPK also has incursions throughout the year, including Healthy Harold, Mr Bamboozle (magician), Ryka an Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander show and the Old McDonald Farm show. My favourite is the Mother’s Day morning tea. Our daughter has so many fond memories of her time at SPK, especially her time with Christine in the preschool room. One highlight that I’m sure everyone loves (parents included) is when Christine brings in eggs to incubate. So much excitement waiting for the chicks to hatch and a wonderful opportunity to learn about life. One of the things that sets SPK apart is their unwavering commitment to genuine care. Communication with parents is fantastic too, we always feel informed and involved. The educators send regular updates and snapshots using Storypark, where it’s evident how much fun the kiddos are having. We are so grateful to have found SPK, it really is a hidden gem, but one that we want everyone to know about!! SPK has become an extension of our family and we’ve become friends with so many of the lovely families. Just yesterday our son was sitting patiently, waiting for me to put his shoes on and he said ‘daycare fun, daycare fun’. Now that’s a recommendation.

We have twin boys who have been attending SPK for 2 years. The boys absolutely love going to day care and are always so happy at pickup. The staff are great and provide detailed information every pick up. They provide photos with a short story about your child multiple days a week which is great to see how your kids are developing. We are even considering staying for preschool because of the service we get. We can’t fault this centre and have had a much better experience that what we had with our daughter at other centres. Worth noting it’s great value for money. No complaints

My little ones have been at SPK Early Learning in O'Connor ACT for a couple of years now, and honestly, I can't recommend it enough. As a parent, you want to know your kids are happy and thriving, and they genuinely are here. Every single day, they're excited to go and come home with the biggest smiles and stories about their day. One of the things that initially drew me in was the incredible flexibility. It’s so hard to find places that don’t have rigid scheduling requirements, but at SPK, we could arrange half days and even an alternate Wednesday, which has been an absolute lifesaver for our family's busy schedule. It's a small thing, but it makes a massive difference. You can really tell the staff love what they do. We’ve had the same incredible educators for the whole time we've been there, and that continuity has been so important. They’ve built such a strong rapport not just with my kids, but with us as parents too. It feels like they truly know my children as individuals, what makes them tick, and what they need to flourish. It’s not just a job for them; it's a real passion. The environment itself is really special. It feels like this lovely mix of being independent but also having a strong sense of community. The kids get to be their own little people, but within a really supportive and nurturing group. You can see how much the educators focus on individual needs and interests, not just a one-size-fits-all approach. My kids are always learning new things, and it's clear it's tailored to them, which is exactly what you hope for. And finally, the fees are so reasonable, especially for the incredible quality of care you're getting. You really feel like you’re getting the best of both worlds: a great educational and nurturing environment that doesn’t break the bank. We feel so lucky to have found SPK, and my only regret is that we didn't find them sooner!

We have had 3 kids at SPK and we love it. This is a small centre where kids have lots of opportunities to interact with kids of different ages. Our 5 year old spent some of her preschool years in the preschool room, and the quality of learning was as good as what she received at her local school. We have also seemed to have less sickness than a lot of our friends over the years, and I wondered if it’s because of SPK’s hygiene practices. We highly recommend SPK!

Best daycare! My daughters were very happy there. They always came home with a smile and great stories about their day. We miss you very much Vinza and Co