Pakenham Childcare & Kindergarten

Our team supports each child’s social and emotional development by labelling and talking about emotions and supporting 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. I  am passionate about leading and guiding educators to create a safe, nurturing, and inclusive environment for all children. I am committed to ensuring every child feels safe, welcomed, and cared for, and that each family feels a strong sense of belonging within our centre community.
Educators support children to explore language in many forms, including speaking, listening, viewing, drawing and writing, while building confidence communicating with others. At our early learning centre in Pakenham, our play-based curriculum is guided by the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF), supporting children to learn through play, exploration and discovery. Quickly estimate your child care costs with the CCS Calculator based on your income, kids, days, and fees. We take pride in our diverse and inclusive team, with educators from a range of childcare in pakenham cultural backgrounds, including Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq, and New Zealand. This rich diversity creates a welcoming and culturally inclusive environment for all children.

I look forward to working with you all and exploring how we can navigate through the early learning adventure. 20 out of 20 Child Care Centres in Pakenham South have vacancies, with an average cost of $148.62/day. If your child becomes unwell while at the centre, teachers will make them comfortable and ask you to pick them up.
Our spaces are filled with sensory experiences and activities to encourage intentional and responsive play-based learning. We focus on building secure relationships between children and educators, closely following home routines, and supporting each child in meeting their developmental milestones. Reading your message truly has made a positive start to our day. Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with our Nursery 1 team. We understand what a big milestone it is to begin child care, especially at four months old, and we don’t take lightly the trust families place in us.
Our team will support you through orientation, required documents, and funding options such as the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) and Free Kinder. Our Healthy Eating and Nutrition Program at Inspire Pakenham promotes wellbeing, positive food relationships, and lifelong healthy habits. Children learn about nutrition, food origins, and balanced meals through practical experiences and daily routines. Aligned with national guidelines and Montessori life-skills principles, the program supports physical health, independence, and informed food choices.

In our dedicated early learning environment, children build positive relationships, learn independence, and develop a sense of belonging. Our dedicated team of educators deliver play-based learning programs that foster a love of learning in a safe and welcoming environment. Our programs are designed to be emergent in nature and are guided by the children’s interests.
Our daycare and early learning centre is ideally located for families in Pakenham, Pakenham East, Pakenham South and nearby suburbs Officer and Beaconsfield. The Learning Sanctuary Pakenham offers long day care and kindergarten for children aged 6 weeks to 6 years, with extended hours to suit busy families. The Inspire Pakenham Science Program encourages curiosity, inquiry, and critical thinking through hands-on, discovery-based learning. Guided by Montessori principles, children explore the natural and physical world through observation, experimentation, and problem-solving experiences. The program supports early scientific understanding while fostering confidence, independence, and a love of learning through exploration. The Bush Kinder Program at Inspire Pakenham connects children with nature through outdoor exploration and play-based learning in natural environments.
If I could give more than 5 stars, I definitely would.Our experience in both the toddler and Kinder 3 rooms was outstanding. The educators — including Ruth, Sarah, Jelly, Edna, Bailey, Sopesy, and the entire team — were absolutely amazing, caring, and supportive.My daughter truly loved this daycare. Even after moving houses and leaving the centre about three months ago, she still misses it.

In our kindergarten room, our curriculum is tailored to accommodate your child’s individual learning and development needs, which helps boost their enthusiasm, motivation, and willingness to learn. Through structured learning experiences, our Bachelor-qualified Early Childhood Teacher and educators are committed to helping your child gain the necessary skills for a successful transition into school and beyond. A top rated centre must have 5 star average reviews rating, as well as 'Exceeding' or 'Excellent' NQS rating.
Visit the Department of Education website to find out more information. We also recommend using this Child Care Subsidy Calculator to generate an estimate of your new subsidy payments. From 7 July 2024 there will be changes to Child Care Subsidy (CCS).

My daughter absolutely loves the food they supply I think there’s maybe been one or two things over the years that she hasn’t liked. To a child now that is a chatterbox with lots of confidence. Thank you for being a wonderful safe environment for my daughter to growin. She is definitely ready for school next year.Going to miss the lovely team of GB. And seeing Centre Manager team every morning/evening Nina and Mel. We drive past many centres to get to this one however I would never change.
If you have an infant, we spend one-on-one time with them to establish a connection. We use songs, games, and conversations to strengthen relationships and build language skills. All children who turn three or four by the April 30, 2026, and meet the Victorian Government criteria are entitled to 15 hours per week of free kindergarten. Kindergarten is an exciting phase for both children and families, and our goal at Pakenham Kindergarten is to ensure everyone leaves with cherished and joyful memories.
Dear Brittany, thanks for leaving us such a wonderful review. They always have a smile and let us know how our daughter's day went. Dear Melissa, thanks for leaving us such a wonderful review. At Little Stars, every child’s journey is overseen by accredited, friendly, caring and attentive educators who put the children’s interests front and centre. I have worked in the child care and early learning sector since 1991 and I have an Advanced Diploma in Children’s Services.

At Aspire  Pakenham, our in-centre chef prepares fresh and nutritious meals every day, guided by the Australian Dietary Guidelines. Our approach to food focuses on variety, balance, and mindful eating to support children’s healthy growth and development. The educators are wonderful, firstly with making our daughter feel safe, encouraged and valued but also in supporting us as her parents. At Story House Early Learning Pakenham, we provide a warm, family-oriented environment where children feel safe, valued, and excited to learn.