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Live and work where you holiday as a Goodstart educator in Cairns
Sara Thao shares all about her life and thriving early learning career in Regional QLD.
Goodstart Aberfoyle Park
Welcome to Goodstart Aberfoyle Park!
Nestled among shady gum trees on Kaurna land, our early learning centre offers a warm, family-focused environment where children learn, play, and thrive.
With five age-based rooms, we provide high-quality, tailored programs for children from six weeks to preschool.
Our longstanding educators, many with 10 to 20+ years of experience, bring stability, trust and genuine care to every child's learning journey.
Families value our strong community feel, welcoming atmosphere and large outdoor play spaces designed to inspire exploration and creativity.
Why not take a tour and see for yourself?
What makes our centre special:
- Five learning rooms, including two nurseries and a separate preschool building for 4-5-year-olds
- Three bachelor's degree-qualified teachers delivering child-led, play-based early education
- Nationally accredited preschool program supporting school readiness and skills for life
- Recently renovated outdoor play spaces with bike tracks, sandpits, gardens and lots of shade
- Longstanding educators (many 10, 15, and 20+ years) who know and support local families
- Inclusive and multicultural community where all cultures and backgrounds are respected
- Convenient location on Windebanks Road near local schools, Happy Valley Reservoir and The Hub Shopping Centre
- Nutritious meals, nappies, wipes, cot linen and sunscreen all included at no extra cost
At Goodstart Aberfoyle Park, children enjoy the perfect balance of indoor and outdoor learning, guided by the Early Years Learning Framework and tailored to their interests.
Our educators will partner with you to create a nurturing experience that gives babies security and home-like comfort from day one and empowers preschoolers with social/emotional skills and school-ready confidence.
With multiple outdoor yards, fresh renovations, and teacher-led programs, your child will have the space and scaffolding to grow confidently.
We'd love to welcome you for a visit – book a tour today to meet our team and see our centre in action. If set tour times don't suit, please contact us to arrange a time that works for your family. You're also welcome to drop in and take a tour at your convenience.
Learn more about Goodstart Aberfoyle Park
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At Goodstart Aberfoyle Park, 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 Aberfoyle Park 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 preschool program, so children can be well on their way to excellent learning outcomes by the time they start reception. 
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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. 
Tracey Gabel
Centre Director
Hello, my name is Tracey and I am the Centre Director at Goodstart Early Learning Aberfoyle Park.
My professional journey started in the Australian Army, where I served as a soldier. After having my children, I started a Family Day Care business while we were living in Canberra, and later relocated to Sydney. Once we moved to Adelaide, I decided to pursue further education, beginning with my Diploma. Following that, I went on to study for my Bachelor of Early Childhood Education. In the first week of my Diploma placement, the Director of the service where I was training offered me a position, and the rest, as they say, is history. I spent the next 18 years at that service, working my way from student to Director.
Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working with children as an educator, as well as holding roles as Assistant Director and Director. My experience spans community-based services, private centres, and larger organisations.
My personal philosophy is rooted in valuing each child as a capable and competent individual. I see children as natural communicators who learn best through play. As educators, we provide the provocations that guide their learning and help them discover their place in the world.
Call us on 8387 4511, or click the 'Book a tour' button above to arrange a personalised tour. If you’d like a tour outside of the offered tour times please contact me so that we can organise this for you.
Structured Preschool Program
At Aberfoyle Park, you and your child can enjoy the best of both worlds. Our centre offers a preschool program and long day care under the one roof. Our preschool 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 Preschool Program
At Aberfoyle Park, you and your child can enjoy the best of both worlds. Our centre offers a preschool program and long day care under the one roof. Our preschool teachers are University qualified and provide a play-based learning program that will support your child in learning the skills for school and life.
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