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Careers and employment
Goodstarter of the Year: Feny Belinda, the heart of Goodstart Melbourne
A national Goodies Award in 2025, recognising extraordinary community impact.
Goodstart Ashgrove
Quality Childcare and Early Learning in Ashgrove!
Goodstart Ashgrove is a long-standing early learning centre with deep roots in the local community and a proud history as the very first ABC Learning Centre, now Goodstart.
With eight spacious learning rooms and two dedicated kindergarten spaces, we provide nurturing, play-based education for children from nursery through to school readiness.
Conveniently located within walking distance of public transport, schools, shops and cafés, our centre offers accessibility for busy families alongside a calm, welcoming environment.
We invite you to book a tour and experience our community firsthand.
What makes our centre unique:
- Established centre with a strong local reputation and community history
- Eight spacious rooms, including two well-established kindergarten rooms
- Highly stable team, including five educators with 15+ years’ service and eight with 5+ years
- Four bachelor-qualified teachersand educators speaking more than 15 languages
- Play-based learning based on the Early Years Learning Framework, inspired by Reggio Emilia principle
- Regular incursions and excursions, including visits from local Aboriginal Elders and community connections
- Strong focus on relationships, belonging and family partnerships
Our educational program is grounded in the belief that children are capable, curious and active participants in their own learning.
Inspired by Reggio Emilia principles, educators thoughtfully design environments that spark inquiry, creativity and collaboration, with learning experiences emerging from children’s interests.
Our longstanding team provides consistency and trusted relationships, supporting children’s confidence and sense of security.
We maintain close partnerships with families and are known for our connected, welcoming community.
With a particular focus on nurturing high-quality early learning for children aged 0-3 years, we support strong foundations during these critical early years.
Take a tour today or enquire now to see how Goodstart Ashgrove can support your child’s learning journey.
Learn more about Goodstart Ashgrove
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At Goodstart Ashgrove, our philosophy centres around the belief that every child is a unique individual with their own interests and strengths. We embrace a play-based learning approach that nurtures curiosity and creativity, allowing children to explore their world in meaningful ways. 
We prioritise: 
- Holistic Development: Supporting cognitive, emotional, social, and physical growth through engaging and developmentally appropriate activities. 
- Family and Community Engagement: Building strong partnerships with families and the community to create a supportive network for each child. 
- Inclusive Environment: Celebrating diversity and ensuring that all children feel valued, respected, and included. 
- Lifelong Learning: Instilling a love of learning by encouraging exploration, problem-solving, and critical thinking. 
Through our philosophy, we aim to create a safe, nurturing environment where children can thrive and become confident, capable learners. 
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Children need to feel safe and supported to learn and grow, so we promote key educator relationships between our educators and children. Your child will have at least one educator (their key educator) who takes them under their wing and really gets to know them. 
Our Key Educator relationships help children form secure attachments. Educators work closely with smaller groups and individual children to better understand each child. These relationships lead to improved outcomes for children as we foster more communication between families and educators. 
We inform families regularly about their child's progress and welcome family involvement in our centre events and activities.  
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At our Ashgrove centre, we're proud to inspire your child's love of learning with the support of our passionate and qualified early childhood experts. Teachers with bachelor's degrees run our three and four-year-old kindergarten program, so children can be well on their way to excellent learning outcomes by the time they start school. 
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At Goodstart, we believe all children deserve the best possible start in life, which includes access to high-quality early childhood education and care. We offer:  
- Discounts on multiple days  
- All day sessions  
- Discounted shorter sessions  
- Fee assistance programs for families that need support. 
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We work closely with parents to ensure the individual needs, interests and strengths of children are considered, and our learning goals reflect them. Using Storypark, a wonderful communication platform, we stay in close touch with families and ensure you're well informed about your child's development and achievements. 
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Click here to book your tour or call our Family Services team to find out more on 1800 222 543. 
Lash Assalarachchi
Centre Director
Hello, my name is Lashika Assalarachchi, and I am the Centre Director at Goodstart Ashgrove.
I have been with Goodstart for 16 years, including 11 years at Goodstart Ashgrove, and bring a wealth of experience and commitment to my role.
I hold an Advanced Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care and am currently studying my Bachelor of Early Childhood Education. Originally from Sri Lanka, I value the diversity and richness that different cultures bring to early learning environments.
Throughout my career, I have worked with all age groups, from infants through to kindergarten-aged children. This experience allows me to deeply understand children’s individual needs, developmental stages, and learning styles, and to support educators in delivering responsive, high-quality practice.
I strongly believe that every child is a unique and capable learner. I am passionate about the effective implementation of the Early Years Learning Framework and continuously striving to meet and exceed the National Quality Standards. As Centre Director, I value building strong, collaborative relationships with children, families, and educators to create a supportive and enriching learning environment for all.
Ashgrove is a welcoming and family-oriented community with a strong sense of connection. Its leafy streets, access to green spaces, and close-knit neighbourhood feel make it a wonderful place for children to learn and grow. At Goodstart Ashgrove, we reflect our local community by fostering inclusive practices, valuing family input, and creating meaningful connections between the centre and the families we serve.
At Goodstart Ashgrove, we are committed to providing high-quality education and care in a safe, inclusive, and nurturing environment. Our passionate team of educators works collaboratively to support each child’s learning journey, wellbeing, and sense of belonging. As Centre Director, I am proud to lead a team that values children, families, and the community, ensuring every child feels supported, confident, and inspired to learn.
I would love to meet you all in person and introduce you to our wonderful and passionate team.
I hold an Advanced Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care and am currently studying my Bachelor of Early Childhood Education. Originally from Sri Lanka, I value the diversity and richness that different cultures bring to early learning environments.
Throughout my career, I have worked with all age groups, from infants through to kindergarten-aged children. This experience allows me to deeply understand children’s individual needs, developmental stages, and learning styles, and to support educators in delivering responsive, high-quality practice.
I strongly believe that every child is a unique and capable learner. I am passionate about the effective implementation of the Early Years Learning Framework and continuously striving to meet and exceed the National Quality Standards. As Centre Director, I value building strong, collaborative relationships with children, families, and educators to create a supportive and enriching learning environment for all.
Ashgrove is a welcoming and family-oriented community with a strong sense of connection. Its leafy streets, access to green spaces, and close-knit neighbourhood feel make it a wonderful place for children to learn and grow. At Goodstart Ashgrove, we reflect our local community by fostering inclusive practices, valuing family input, and creating meaningful connections between the centre and the families we serve.
At Goodstart Ashgrove, we are committed to providing high-quality education and care in a safe, inclusive, and nurturing environment. Our passionate team of educators works collaboratively to support each child’s learning journey, wellbeing, and sense of belonging. As Centre Director, I am proud to lead a team that values children, families, and the community, ensuring every child feels supported, confident, and inspired to learn.
I would love to meet you all in person and introduce you to our wonderful and passionate team.
Structured Kindergarten Program
At Ashgrove, you and your child can enjoy the best of both worlds. Our centre offers a kindergarten program and long day care under the one roof. Our kindergarten teachers are University qualified and provide a play-based learning program that will support your child in learning the skills for school and life.
Structured Kindergarten Program
At Ashgrove, you and your child can enjoy the best of both worlds. Our centre offers a kindergarten program and long day care under the one roof. Our kindergarten teachers are University qualified and provide a play-based learning program that will support your child in learning the skills for school and life.
Nearby centres
6:30am to 6:30pm, Monday to Friday
- Nursery
- Toddler
- Kindergarten
6:30am to 6:30pm, Monday to Friday
- Nursery
- Toddler
- Kindergarten
