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Close community, nature, and family life for educators in Tasmania
Kadie Cunningham, Assistant Director of Goodstart Kings Meadows, moved back for a better life.
Goodstart Echuca
Welcome to Goodstart Echuca!
We're your local community-driven early learning and long day care centre, built on Yorta Yorta Country. You'll find us on the service road along the Northern Highway, near Rochester.
Our service provides nursery, toddler, and school-ready kindergarten education and care in a warm, nurturing environment.
Each of our spacious age-based learning spaces is designed to support children's exploration, curiosity, and confidence, from six weeks to school age.
We invite you to take a tour and get a feel for the strong sense of belonging we foster in every child and family.
Why families choose our centre:
- Funded kindergarten program with swimming lessons for 3- and 4-year-olds
- A qualified chef freshly prepares balanced, nutritious meals each day
- Inclusive care for children with dietary, medical, and additional needs
- Bush Kinder program encourages hands-on outdoor learning.
- Longstanding educators – many with 10 to 20 years' experience
- Upgraded indoor and outdoor learning spaces with shading and mist
- Strong community connections and enriching excursions.
Meet our dedicated, multicultural team of educators, including five qualified early childhood teachers, who bring experience and passion to scaffold each child's learning journey.
We speak several languages, helping families from diverse backgrounds feel informed and understood - at home at our centre.
With wraparound care, a focus on family wellbeing, and a variety of incursions and excursions throughout the year, children build confidence through real-world experiences. You'll experience this for yourself when you enrol.
Book a tour to see how our inspiring programs can support your child's early learning journey. Finding us is easy: we're conveniently located just minutes from the town centre.
Learn more about Goodstart Echuca
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At Goodstart Echuca, 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 Echuca 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  
- 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. 
Jessica Macphee
Centre Director
Hello, my name is Jessica Macphee and I’m proud to be the Centre Director here at Goodstart Echuca.
I hold a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education and have been part of the Goodstart Echuca team since 2018. Over the past six years, I’ve grown through many roles, starting as a Cert III educator, then completing my Diploma, and most recently my Bachelor. During this time, I’ve had the privilege of teaching Kindergarten, working as Assistant Director, leading as Safety Champion, and supporting a range of pedagogical and professional initiatives across our organisation and local community.
My values in Early Learning:
I believe that a child’s earliest experiences in education should be joyful and positive, as these shape their lifelong attitude toward learning.
What I love about our community:
The people! Whether it’s a quick morning hello or the connections we build together, our community spirit is something truly special.
A little about me:
Outside of the centre, you’ll usually find me walking my two dogs, enjoying breakfast out, or spending time with my family.
Why choose Goodstart Echuca:
Alongside my incredible team, I strive to create a safe, calm, and nurturing environment where children can engage all five senses, sparking curiosity, wonder, and a genuine love of learning.
I look forward to welcoming you and your family to Goodstart Echuca.
Warm regards,
Jessica Macphee
Centre Director
Government Funded Kindergarten Program
At Echuca, you and your child can enjoy the best of both worlds. Our early learning centre offers a Government-funded 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.
Government Funded Kindergarten Program
At Echuca, you and your child can enjoy the best of both worlds. Our early learning centre offers a Government-funded 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
6:30am to 6:30pm, Monday to Friday
- Nursery
- Toddler
- Kindergarten
