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See what our parents have to say
"The staff here are very caring and committed to the development of children. Over the 5 years my children have attended there has been nothing but positive experiences. The low turnover of high quality staff here I think speaks volumes for the quality of the centre."
"I couldn't be happier with showgrounds daycare. The educators and centre managers are all lovely and very organised. My 1y/o daughter is all smiles at drop-off and pickup, I felt very comfortable leaving her there from her very first day."
"My daughter has been going to Showgrounds Children’s Centre since she was seven months old. She is nearly three now, and we are always happy with the warmth, affection and the level of education she has been receiving. The educators are skilled at building rapports with families and it shows.
The service itself is clean and well-kept, and educators are well trained in COVID safe practices. Loveleen, the centre director, is a lovely, helpful person and will go the extra mile to support families in need.
The most important thing to us at the end of the day is to know we are leaving our little one in capable and loving hands, and that is always the case."
Our Philosophy
We believe in the potential of children. We approach our interactions with children with a deep respect for their individual ability and interests and we are most proud of the strong sense of community and wellbeing that bonds families and staff at our service.
Our play and inquiry based approach to learning and development follows the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework and is influenced by Reggio methods to promote independent, social wellbeing and educational school readiness.
Educators develop intentional monthly plans that promote learning and development while working with children’s individual routines and interests.
Our Spaces / Environment
Part of the Showgrounds Village Precinct, our centre is privileged to be located in the old Government Pavilion Building which was designed by Billing, Peck and Kempter Architects in 1918.
While there is an abundance of on-site parking we are also located mere minutes by foot from Epsom Road Trams and Showgrounds Train Station. Our large foyer offers lots of space for pick-up and drop-off and refreshments for parents.
Our centre boasts marvellously high ceilings and magnificently grand windows, flooding our rooms with natural light and fantastic views to our large, multifaceted outdoor play area. We have a large well equipped outdoor play area with natural grass, and an abundance of plants and herbs that children help to grow and care for.
We offer the following rooms:
Joeys Room - 6 weeks to 1 year
Our babies room is a safe and happy home away from home. Education and care focus is on children’s wellbeing and development. We engage a range of age appropriate activities including tummy time and sensory play to support the development of your child’s fine and gross motor skills along with singing and story time for language development. Mirror and facial expression games are a favourite to support social emotional development.
Bilby and Wombats – 1 to 2 years
Our Bilby and Wombat rooms are hives of activity and our educators encourage children to learn through play, to foster self-confidence and identity. Favourite activities include music, dance, yoga, sensory games and reading. Group play is designed to develop confidence and social skills.
Possums and Emu - 2 to 3 years
Lots of play is encouraged, including construction games, dance, and memory games. Language skills are developed through reading and music. Social skills and self-confidence are encouraged through group play. Children begin to explore literacy and numeracy through interaction with the Educators.
Kookaburra - 3 to 4 years
We encourage plenty of outdoor play for this age group, in an environment designed to allow them to follow their interests, while building a healthy body and positive mental wellbeing. Children are able to explore risky play and other extracurricular activities while educators support the development of social and emotional resilience.
Koala - 4 to 5 years
Play is encouraged to support development, through music, dance, games, reading, technology and lots of outdoor fun. Our sessional kindergarten, school readiness program helps children prepare for the next step in their education, following the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework. Children guide the curriculum, depending on their interests and preferences.
Begin the Adventure at Showgrounds Childcare & Early Learning Centre
Inclusions
At our childcare centre, you’ll find that our facilities have been built with your child’s needs and safety in mind no matter their age. We are fully equipped to handle everything from nappies and bottles to nap time and excursions!
With our team of highly qualified and experienced educators, you can expect:
- Play-based childcare for 6-week to 6-year olds’ including funded 4-year-old kindergarten
- First-language support – we speak over 12 languages and encourage bi-lingual interactions
- Resident cook providing nutritiously balanced, seasonal meals, using ingredients sourced from our very own kitchen garden
- Weekly yoga classes led by the educators, to physically enhance children’s flexibility, strength and coordination.
- Community library
- Regular excursions and incursions
- StoryPark account for parents to track their child’s development
Meet the team
"I enjoy being with children as they are a constant reminder of the meaning of life and happiness. Seeing children achieve life milestones brings me happiness."
"I have enjoyed working at Sparkways Early Learning Showgrounds for more than 12 years. I enjoy a strong bond with our local families and children. It is a joy to share the special moments of early childhood together like a family."
We’re proud to have a diverse bi-lingual team of passionate staff, from our qualified educators to our resident cook, who work together to provide a safe, inclusive community for children and their families.
Our staff are focused on providing the best educational outcomes for your child, and engage with children to shape daily schedules, ensuring they have a choice about when to play, learn, eat and rest.
For families that enrol at Sparkways Early Learning Showgrounds, their children will be given a great start in life while also helping to improve the lives of other Victorian children. At all times, we seek to be an involved, positive, dedicated, can-do partner that makes ideas happen.
Opening Hours
7:00am – 6:30pm, Monday to Friday
Kindergarten fees
From 2023, the Victorian Government is making kindergarten programs free for three and four-year-old children – saving you up to $2,000 per year for each year of a kindergarten program your child attends in an integrated long day care setting.
Childcare Fees
| Age | Daily Fee |
|---|---|
| Under 3 Year Olds | $147 |
| Over 3 Year Olds | $145 |
Our daily fees include freshly prepared meals, bottles, nappies, bedding, incursions, and excursions.
FAQs
How do you communicate with parents and guardians?
All families have access to Story Park. Storypark is communication tool that has been designed to help record and allow you to share in your child’s milestones and activities. You can also connect other members of your family to see your child’s photos and videos.
Are meals and snacks provided, or do children bring a lunchbox?
All meals and snacks are provided for the children by the centre’s in-house chef, who is able to cater to all dietary needs, with vegetarian or halal options available. All the dietary and religious food preferences are catered for and welcome and encourage all input from parents or guardians
We also lead cooking experiences with children on regular basis. We often explore food as a form of tradition and celebration, making Anzac biscuits, Pancakes, Damper and Gingerbread men. for afternoon tea, dampers, muffins for morning tea, making salads, Gingerbread man for Christmas.
How is food used to teach the children about healthy eating and nutrition?
Food is used as a way to teach the children about the benefits of healthy eating. Starting from washing the hands and washing the food is the beginning to teach about hygiene and health. The children are encouraged to eat fresh fruits and vegetables and the “Healthy body and Minds" project starts mid-year in the older rooms, followed by excursions to Coles for grocery shopping.
What types of incursions and excursions do you have for the children?
Excursions:
- The local park
- Local schools
- Showgrounds
- Library
Incursions:
- Local fire brigade
- Police
- Ambulance
- Teeth on wheels
- Tingle toddle for road safety
- Water safety incursion by Jump swim school.
What equipment is outside for the children to play with?
Our outdoor environment supports a range of diverse learning experiences and sensory play.
- Cubby house
- Slides
- Water play
- 3 sandpits
- Mud Kitchen
- Ball games
- Bike tracks
- Monkey bars
- Outdoor activity tables with rotating set-ups
Current Shop-a-docket offer: T&C's
For full Shop-a-docket Terms and Conditions, click here.
