Goodstart Lower Plenty

Nursery through kindergarten in a serene, bushland setting

Nature-inspired early learning and community on Wurundjeri Land.

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412 Main Road, Lower Plenty , 3093, VIC

6:30am to 6:30pm, Monday to Friday
Open every weekday of the year, except public holidays

Nursery, Toddler, Kindergarten

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Welcome to Goodstart Lower Plenty!

Located on Wurundjeri Land in a peaceful, semi-rural setting, our early learning service is a hidden gem in Lower Plenty providing a nurturing environment where children are supported to grow and discover at their own pace.

We're set on a large bush block with a huge natural yard, which promotes a serene sense of calm that families love.

Our centre caters for little learners from six weeks to school age across purpose-built learning spaces spanning nursery through kindergarten.

We invite you to take a tour of our centre - the team would love to show you around.

See firsthand how our longstanding, multicultural educators foster community and connection for every child and family.

What makes our centre special:

Expansive outdoor space surrounded by bushland, perfect for active, nature-based play
A dedicated team of educators, many with over a decade of service and strong community ties
Four qualified kindergarten teachers delivering high-quality early education
Child-led, play-based learning that encourages children's curiosity and creativity
Regular Bush Kinder sessions that immerse children in hands-on learning outdoors
Enriching extracurricular programs including sport, dance, movement and Mandarin
Flexible care options and ample parking for stress-free drop-off and pick-up
A diverse, multicultural team fostering inclusion, understanding and belonging

Nestled between Montmorency South and Lower Plenty Primary Schools and just a short drive from Eltham's miniature railway, we balance the convenience of suburbia with the tranquility of nature.

Families appreciate the strong sense of community and the personalised care that makes every child’s learning journey unique. We’re a sister centre to Goodstart Doncaster East and pass the benefits of that close relationship to our families.

With long-term staff, a rich cultural program and freshly prepared seasonal menus, Goodstart Lower Plenty is a place where children grow with confidence and joy.

Book a tour today to experience our beautiful natural setting and meet our passionate team. We'd love to discuss how we can support your child's learning journey.

Learn more about Goodstart Lower Plenty

At Goodstart Lower Plenty, 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: 
1. Holistic Development: Supporting cognitive, emotional, social, and physical growth through engaging and developmentally appropriate activities. 
2. Family and Community Engagement: Building strong partnerships with families and the community to create a supportive network for each child. 
3. Inclusive Environment: Celebrating diversity and ensuring that all children feel valued, respected, and included. 
4. 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. 
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.  
At our Lower Plenty 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. 
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
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. 
Click here to book your tour or call our Family Services team to find out more on 1800 222 543.

Enrol now!

When every moment counts, make them Goodstart moments.

Enquire now

Hi, Karen (Kaz) and I am the director of Goodstart Lower Plenty. I am new to the Goodstart Lower Plenty family, however I have been in the Early Childhood industry for just under 10 years. I hold a Bachelor in Early Childhood Education, and will have great joy in overseeing the educational program and care at Lower Plenty.

I have mainly worked in the Not for Profit space and have worked extensively with children from multicultural backgrounds in Melbourne’s Northern Suburbs. I also have worked mentoring educators and graduate teachers which is also a part of the role I love.

My early learning values:
I believe that children need to have a positive and joyful experience to set them up for lifelong learning. I champion play-based learning, inquiry, and supporting curiosity and wonder.

What I love about our community:
The people and the environment!
We are lucky to have so many longstanding staff members at Lower Plenty, who have cared for and educated the children at Lower Plenty over the years. They are friendly and welcoming!. Our outdoor space is wonderful, set on a large semi tree lined block.

A little more about me:
Originally from Ireland, I have lived in Australia for 23 years. I am married with 2 teenage children. I have lots of involvement in local sporting clubs as a volunteer. I enjoy travelling, baking and AFL football.

Why your child should spend the day with me (and the amazing team at Goodstart Lower Plenty):
At Goodstart Lower Plenty we strive to provide a safe, and fun environment that engages children, while building a sense of curiosity and wonder.

I look forward to welcoming you and your family to Lower Plenty!

Government Funded Kindergarten Program

At Lower Plenty, 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.

Fees and inclusions

Nursery & Toddler

Kindergarten

Use our Calculator to see your real out-of-pocket cost

The above fees are effective from 7 July 2025 and are based on a 10 hour session, for attendance between 2 and 4 days per week. 5 day bookings receive a generous discount per day. Note that different combinations of sessions times and number of days can increase or decrease the daily rate.