Positive, supportive and inclusive staff and centre! All extremely dedicated to their role.

My daughter went to this centre between 3 and 5 years old, and we all loved it!! Everyone was super lovely and caring. I could see that she had built up her confidence and made a lot of friends over the time. By the time she was about to start school, my daughter had been really school ready and she had developed a strong love for books, which we were so happy to see.

Had my son in here seems like a decent childcare centre. Pity i had an extra charge on my credit card for a bulldogs jersey after i stupidly left my credit card unattended… the look on Tinas face gave it away

Our child has been attending Goodstart Carlton for just one year, and we couldn’t be happier with our experience. The educators are truly exceptional — not only highly skilled and experienced, but deeply caring. They genuinely know each child as an individual and form strong, meaningful connections that make families feel confident and supported. Communication is outstanding. We are always kept up to date and feel welcomed into our child’s learning journey. The educational programs are engaging, thoughtfully planned, and clearly designed to support early learning and development. We especially value the way external educators are regularly brought in to enrich the program and broaden the children’s experiences. There is a strong focus on community building, creating a warm, inclusive environment where children and families feel a real sense of belonging. The team is incredibly understanding and supportive of individual needs, and their flexibility and compassion truly stand out. The centre is proudly multicultural, with long-serving educators whose experience and commitment shine through every day. We also deeply appreciate the authentic way the centre recognises and teaches that First Nations People are the Traditional Owners and caretakers of Country — this is embedded respectfully and meaningfully in the learning environment. We feel very grateful to be part of the Goodstart Carlton community and highly recommend it to families looking for a nurturing, inclusive, and enriching early learning environment.

Since late November last year, when my granddaughter was bitten for the third time by the same child, the childcare has not issued any apology to this day! The bite marks on my daughter’s arm are still visible, and she frequently has nightmares at night. The poor and dismissive attitude of the childcare is the reason I feel compelled to speak out this time. I hope the relevant government authorities take strict action against those responsible. The director, Danielle, has repeatedly excused staff mistakes by offering various reasons and excuses, rather than addressing the root problems. Her dismissive attitude is particularly frustrating, as she often responds to incidents with remarks like, “This is normal,” “We can’t guarantee it won’t happen again,” or “It’s not a big deal—this happens with our own kids too.” Such comments demonstrate a lack of responsibility and care, making it clear that the center prioritizes deflecting accountability over ensuring a safe environment for the children. Every incident reported by the center is based solely on their version of events, with no evidence provided to parents. This leaves families unable to verify the truth of the incidents. The center hides behind “privacy” policies, which have essentially become a shield to protect the childcare from accountability for various incidents. Any parent considering sending their child here should think carefully about the risks they are willing to take. The number of incidents reported will shock you, and when your child experiences one, the response and wording from the center will surely leave you devastated.

I came in for a tour although due to our circumstances, I had to move away from the area. but from the tour, I saw nothing but caring, love and nurturing that the educators have shown towards the children. The learning environments were beautifully set up in relation to the children’s interests and I can tell from the passion and dedication that the director has put in to provide quality and care for the children’s learning as well as her team. Highly recommend bringing your child in to this centre.

My son attended Goodstart Carlton for three years, and now he is in Year 3. Even after all this time, he still talks about how much he learned there. He often says he gained most of his knowledge during his time at Goodstart, which shows just how much the teachers cared about his learning and interests. He still remembers the space and insects projects in the preschool room, which made learning fun and exciting for him. The teachers were kind, patient, and dedicated, always encouraging his curiosity. We are very grateful for the positive impact Goodstart Carlton had on our son’s early years. It was a place where he built a strong foundation for his future learning. I highly recommend this centre to other families!

I am beyond grateful for the incredible experience we’ve had at Goodstart Carlton. From the moment we walked through the doors, we were welcomed by a warm and caring team who made us feel like part of their family. The staff are truly amazing—always attentive, professional, and genuinely invested in the children’s development. The facilities are fantastic, well-equipped, and thoughtfully designed to create a fun and safe learning environment. What stands out the most, though, is the wonderful teachers. They are not only knowledgeable but also compassionate and nurturing, making each child feel valued and supported. My child has grown so much in this wonderful setting, and I couldn’t be happier with our decision to be a part of the Goodstart Carlton community. Highly recommend to any family looking for a place where children are loved, cared for, and inspired to learn.

The team at Goodstart Carlton are the most empathetic, experienced educators that always put the children first and are inclusive. The learning follows the child’s lead and also implements intentional teaching . I have had the opportunity over the years to interact with the educators and children and families. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this gorgeous holistic centre, which also upholds Quality and Compliance to its highest level.

Concerned About Hygiene Practices; I recently walked past Carlton Childcare and was shocked to see something that raises serious concerns about their hygiene practices. One of the staff members was handling garbage while supervising a group of children at the same time. This is extremely unhygienic and does not meet basic health and safety standards. As childcare providers, ensuring a clean and safe environment for children should be a top priority. Such practices not only set a poor example but also pose potential health risks to the children. I hope the management takes immediate action to address this issue and implements stricter hygiene protocols moving forward.