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Great Beginnings Epsom

Great Beginnings Epsom

30-36 Howard Street, Epsom, VIC, 3551 view map
Verified
5.0
1800 517 086

Care Type:

Long Day Care, Pre-school

Hours:

6:30AM to 6:30PM

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Your enquiry will be sent directly to the Great Beginnings Epsom.

Address:

30-36 Howard Street, Epsom, VIC, 3551

5.0

Rating Score

Read our 33 Reviews

We moved from the UK in 2025, and after a poor experience with childcare when we first arrived in Australia - I was really nervous to send our daughter to another centre. However Great Beginnings Epsom have been incredible, they took their time with her settling in, at her own pace with clear strategies in place to support her. The staff in Toddler 2 were so gentle and warm. Now she is absolutely thriving and has moved up to Kinder 3 with one of her favourite educators. She loves her ‘going to school’ days. Big thanks to all the staff there, she is coming on leaps and bounds. 😊

- Chloe Feeney

About Great Beginnings Epsom

We are conveniently located for families in or commuting through Epsom, Ascot, Bendigo, California Gully, Eagle Hawk, Goornong, Huntly, Jackass Flat and White Hills.

We offer nurturing care and quality early education for children from 6 weeks to 6 years, with flexible hours (9, 10, 11, and 12-hour sessions) to suit busy families.

Our Learning Environments

Our children benefit from familiar faces as they grow, creating a sense of continuity:

  • Nursery (0-2 years): A safe, nurturing environment for babies to explore with tailored sensory and social experiences.
  • Toddler (2-3 years): Play-based learning encourages curiosity, confidence, and social skills.
  • Kindergarten (3-6 years): A stimulating learning environment that prepares our children for school through our Enhanced Learning Program.

We’re proud to have qualified teachers and educators, supported by a team of national education experts, ensuring the highest quality childcare and early education.

Innovative Early Learning Programs

Our teachers deliver the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF or the national curriculum) through play-based learning that covers language, literacy, numeracy, STEM, social, and emotional development. Our program also includes:

  • Rhythm and Movement for Self-Regulation (RAMSR), an evidence-based program developed by Queensland University of Technology to support children’s executive function and self-regulation.
  • Environmental and social sustainability learning experiences.
  • Personalised learning plans for each child.
  • Local school connections.

We focus on strong family partnerships through regular learning and development conversations with your child’s lead educator, learning showcases, and in-centre family events. Our Xplor app provides real-time updates and learning summaries daily to keep you informed on your child’s journey.

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Services Provided by Great Beginnings Epsom

State Government Approved Programs

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Get To Know Us

Kindergarten/Preschool Programs

Kindergarten/Preschool Programs

Our centre offers the Victorian Government-approved ‘Kinder: Best Start, Best Life’ program for 3–4-year-olds, providing up to 15 hours per week of funded Kindergarten. This program supports children’s learning, development, and well-being, setting them up for future success.

Our Enhanced Learning Program for Kindergarten children focuses on:

  • Numeracy & Literacy: Developing key skills for lifelong learning.
  • Self-Regulation: Fostering emotional control and resilience.
  • Social & Emotional Development: Supporting independence and building healthy relationships.
  • Creativity & Problem-Solving: Encouraging curiosity and critical thinking.

With extended hours and a year-round program (excluding public holidays), our Kindergarten program is delivered by qualified Early Childhood Teachers committed to supporting your child’s individual development.

Additional Benefits Include:

  • Government subsidy: Further reduces out-of-pocket Kinder fees in addition to your eligible Childcare Subsidy (CCS).
  • Personalised Learning Plans: Tailored to your child’s unique needs.
  • Rhythm and Resilience Program: Music and movement to improve emotional regulation.
  • School Readiness: Preparing your child for a smooth transition to school.

We also engage with local schools and provide transition statements, ensuring your child feels confident and prepared for the next steps in their education journey. Stay connected with your child’s progress via our Xplor platform, which offers regular updates on their learning and development.

About the Curriculum

About the Curriculum

“Let the child be the scriptwriter, director and the actor in their own play” - Magda Gerber

Nursery Space: 6 weeks – 2 years

Learning starts from before birth, and our Educators have created a welcoming and nurturing nursery environment where each baby feels safe to explore and discover new things - through their senses, their communication and cues (body language, facial expression and sounds) and through experimentation. On any given day you can see the nursery children engaging in all types of play including sensory play, music time, story time and more. Every day provides a brand new, exciting adventure for our babies to support their development, learning and wellbeing.

Toddler Space: 2 - 3 years

Our teachers and educators encourage the children to learn through play to help enhance their sensory-motor development. This happens through carefully planned music, dance, games, role playing and reading experiences.

On any given day the Toddlers can be seen developing their numeracy by building a tower, sorting objects, pointing and identifying shapes and patterns and participating in counting songs and games.

Children in our toddler space are encouraged to participate in group play. Group play is important as it helps our toddlers develop important social skills such as, turn-taking, developing self-confidence and emotional self-regulation. Our skilled team helps children through talking, planning and role modelling.

Kindergarten Space: 3 – 6 years

Kindergarten is a unique time for learning with peers and developing skills for later learning including confidence and curiosity, important skills for starting school. Our play-based program has school readiness at its core, encouraging active engagement in learning and supporting a range of positive developmental outcomes including resilience, independence, critical thinking and creativity.

The oral language supports literacy learning and a child’s oral language ability is the best predictor for later success in learning to read and write. Hearing the sounds within a language is the first critical step for all literacy learning. Our team supports our Kindergarten children's literacy development by engaging in rich discussions, reading, storytelling, dramatic play and experimentation all of which introduce new vocabulary as part of everyday conversations.

Throughout the Kindergarten year, children use their language to share ideas, ask questions, express themselves, and connect with peers and adults in social settings.

Social-emotional skills, including the ability to self-regulate emotions, are supported through group learning experiences. Our team supports each child’s social and emotional development by labelling and talking about emotions and su pporting appropriate responses as together, they engage in new and challenging situations. Our goal in the kindergarten year is to prepare children and families for a smooth transition to primary school.

Health and Nutrition

Health and Nutrition

Our centre chef prepares and cooks nutritious meals daily, catering to the unique dietary requirements of every child. We believe that by encouraging active participation (such as growing their own fruit and vegetables, preparing, and finally cooking!) children learn to appreciate and understand the importance of healthy eating across a wide variety of food.

Our centre offers seasonal whole food-based menus – created to delight the fussiest eaters.

In Person Tour

Want to see the centre first hand? Book a tour with Great Beginnings Epsom below.

Fees & Vacancies

Infant

0-1 years

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Friday

$177.75 /day

Toddler

1-2 years

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Friday

$177.75 /day

Pre-Kindy

2-3 years

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$177.75 /day

Kindy

3-5 years

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Thursday

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Friday

$177.75 /day

Your enquiry will be sent directly to the Great Beginnings Epsom.

Great Beginnings Epsom Reviews (33)

5.0

Rating Score

Chloe Feeney image

Chloe Feeney

Feb, 2026

We moved from the UK in 2025, and after a poor experience with childcare when we first arrived in Australia - I was really nervous to send our daughter to another centre. However Great Beginnings Epsom have been incredible, they took their time with her settling in, at her own pace with clear strategies in place to support her. The staff in Toddler 2 were so gentle and warm. Now she is absolutely thriving and has moved up to Kinder 3 with one of her favourite educators. She loves her ‘going to school’ days. Big thanks to all the staff there, she is coming on leaps and bounds. 😊

Response from the owner 09 Feb 2026

Hi Chloe, What a wonderful 5-star review! We're so happy that our team have been incredible, that they took their time with your daughter settling in, and at her own pace with clear strategies in place to support her. Your kind words encourage us to continue offering the best for our children. Warm regards, The Great Beginnings Team

sahwah ruth image

sahwah ruth

Feb, 2026

We are so grateful for the wonderful care our daughter receives at this childcare centre. From the very beginning, the educators have been incredibly kind, patient, and attentive. They truly take the time to understand each child’s needs and personality. Our daughter feels safe, happy, and loved here, and it shows in her confidence and excitement to attend each day. The educators communicate well with us and always make us feel reassured that she is being well cared for. We genuinely appreciate the dedication, warmth, and professionalism of the whole team. Knowing our daughter is in such caring hands gives us great peace of mind. Highly recommend this centre Great Beginnings Epsom to any family.

Response from the owner 09 Feb 2026

Hello Sahwah, Thank you for taking the time to leave us a 5-star review! We’re delighted that you found from the beginning that our educators have been incredibly kind, patient, and attentive. Your feedback fuels our passion to provide outstanding care. Kind regards, The Great Beginnings Team

Dean Lawry image

Dean Lawry

Feb, 2026

Our children have been at Great Beginnings Epsom for just over 12 months. When we first started, we did have some concerns around cleanliness and staff friendliness. However, over the past six months there has been a clear management change and staff turnover, and the improvement has been incredible. The centre is now clean, welcoming, and well organised. There are more engaging activities for the children, and the new manager is warm, supportive, and genuinely approachable. Most importantly, our children are happier, learning more, and clearly enjoy being there. The staff show real care and attention toward the children, and the overall atmosphere has improved so much. We couldn’t recommend Great Beginnings Epsom more highly.

How Great Beginnings Epsom Compares

with Epsom, 3551

Reviews

Above average

Great Beginnings Epsom

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5/5

Suburb Average

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0/5

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Price

Above average

Great Beginnings Epsom

$178

Suburb Average

$143

NQS

The National Quality Standard is an industry benchmark defined by the government.

Great Beginnings Epsom

Meeting

Suburb Average

Meeting

NQS Rating Breakdown

Overall

Meeting

nqs logo
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 Exceeding
Governance and leadership Meeting

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