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Goodstart Wantirna South - Cathies Lane
Quality Childcare and Early Learning in Goodstart Wantirna South – Cathies Lane
Located on the Bunurong and Wurundjeri lands of the Kulin Nation, Goodstart Wantirna South – Cathies Lane provides quality childcare and early learning in a small, welcoming centre where children and families can feel at home. Conveniently located on Cathies Lane near Westfield Knox, Eastlink Freeway, Waverley Christian College and The Knox School, our centre combines spacious outdoor learning environments with the close relationships of a smaller centre community.
Our longstanding, multicultural educators take the time to know each child, creating play-based learning experiences shaped around their interests, strengths, culture and growing independence. Book a tour of Goodstart Wantirna South – Cathies Lane and discover a nurturing early learning community where children can explore, connect and thrive.
What makes Goodstart Wantirna South – Cathies Lane special?
- Longstanding, experienced educators – many of our educators have been part of our Cathies Lane centre for more than 10 years, providing children and families with consistency, familiar relationships and a strong sense of belonging.
- Four Bachelor-qualified kindergarten teachers – our experienced early childhood teachers deliver play-based kindergarten programs with a strong focus on school readiness, helping children build confidence, independence and skills for their transition to school.
- Bush Kinder and nature play – children have opportunities to take their learning beyond our Cathies Lane centre through Bush Kinder and nature-based experiences that encourage curiosity, exploration and connection with the natural world.
- Large outdoor learning environments – two spacious outdoor areas give children room to move, investigate and create, with an active vegetable garden where they can plant, water, grow and pick seasonal vegetables.
- A multicultural centre community – our educators speak Hindi, Gujarati, Chinese, Cantonese, Mandarin, Punjabi, Slovenian and Persian, helping families feel welcomed while bringing different languages, cultures and perspectives into children's learning.
- Engaging programs and experiences – children enjoy fortnightly Sports Hero sessions, monthly music experiences and a weekly Mandarin program, providing opportunities to explore movement, creativity, language and culture.
- A small, family-focused centre – our cosy Cathies Lane environment and longstanding team support genuine relationships with children and families, helping us provide individualised care and learning throughout each child's early years.
At Goodstart Wantirna South – Cathies Lane, children are encouraged to follow their curiosity, make choices and learn through meaningful experiences that reflect their individual interests and strengths. Our educators create flexible, play-based learning opportunities that support children's social, emotional, physical and cognitive development while building skills for school and life. Bush Kinder, outdoor exploration, sport, music and Mandarin experiences provide different ways for children to investigate their world, express themselves and develop confidence. Children can also connect with nature through our vegetable garden and help care for our centre goldfish, Walter, Bubbles and Coral, encouraging curiosity and responsibility for living things.
Our diverse Cathies Lane community includes families from a range of cultural backgrounds, and we work closely with each family to create a welcoming environment where children feel known, supported and connected. Take a tour of Goodstart Wantirna South – Cathies Lane to meet our longstanding educators and explore our nursery, toddler and kindergarten learning environments. Arrange your Cathies Lane centre visit today and discover a warm, family-focused childcare and kindergarten community in Wantirna South.
We pride ourselves on truly knowing our children and families, thanks to our smaller centre size and high educator retention.
Our experienced team is passionate about creating meaningful connections, offering play dates, orientation support, and family events to help children settle in confidently. We are deeply connected to our local community and celebrate the many cultures represented within our centre through our programs, partnerships and everyday learning experiences.
Our educators speak a range of languages, including Hindi, Gujarati, Chinese, Cantonese, Mandarin, Punjabi, Slovenian and Persian. They help our multicultural families feel at home while enriching the experience of all children.
Children also enjoy a weekly Mandarin program led by our team, providing opportunities to explore language and culture through engaging learning experiences.
Four early childhood teachers with bachelor's degrees lead our play-based kindergarten programming, based on the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework.
Our curriculum is flexible around children's strengths and interests while helping them develop skills for school and life.
Our children enjoy a variety of regular learning experiences, including fortnightly Sports Hero sessions, monthly music incursions and our weekly Mandarin program. Our Bush Kinder and nature play experiences also give children opportunities to explore, discover and learn beyond the classroom.
Our active vegetable garden gives children hands-on opportunities to connect with nature and learn where food comes from. Children help plant, grow, water and pick seasonal vegetables, building responsibility and curiosity through everyday experiences.
Children also help care for our centre goldfish, Walter, Bubbles and Coral, building their understanding of living things and responsibility.
Whether you're looking for a nurturing nursery, a stimulating toddler environment or a strong foundation for school, we're here to help.
Book a tour, drop in for a chat or call us – our team can't wait to welcome your family.
Learn more about Goodstart Wantirna South - Cathies Lane
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At Goodstart Wantirna South - Cathies Lane, 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 Goodstart Wantirna South - Cathies Lane 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.
Our kids absolutely love going to this childcare centre every day, and it's so comforting to know they are in a place where they feel happy and secure. The communication between the staff and parents is fantastic, and we always feel in the loop about our children’s progress and any updates. It’s clear they truly care about each child and their individual needs. I would highly recommend this childcare centre to any parent looking for a place where their kids will thrive!
Thank you so much for all the care, patience, and kindness you’ve shown Eva. We’re so grateful for everything you’ve done for her, and for helping her grow with so much love and support❤️
We have been blown away by the warmth and professionalism of the educators and staff in this centre. Despite being a small centre, it has a cosy and welcoming atmosphere that immediately puts both children and parents at ease. My child loves going there every day, and I have peace of mind knowing she’s in such capable and caring hands. I highly recommend Cathies Lane to any parent looking for a nurturing and supportive environment for their child.
Sunpreet Kaur
Centre Director
Welcome to Goodstart Early Learning, Wantirna South - Cathies Lane VIC. My name is Sunpreet Kaur, and I am the Centre Director at Goodstart Early Learning, Wantirna South - Cathies Lane. With over 13 years of experience working in Early Childhood Education, I am deeply passionate about creating a nurturing, safe and enriching environment for young learners.
I hold a Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care, and I have also completed a Master of Professional Accounting in Australia.
Over the past seven years at Goodstart Wantirna South – Cathies Lane, I have had the privilege of building meaningful relationships with children and their families, our dedicated team members, and sustaining collaborative partnerships with the wider community.
These connections are at the heart of our centre’s philosophy, where we focus on fostering growth, creativity, and the peaceful learning environment that aligns with our mission and values: “A Home Away from Home”.
Outside of my professional life, I enjoy spending quality time with my family, including my husband and son. I am also passionate about cooking a variety of foods and I find joy in listening to music, which also serves as a relaxing corner for me.
I am excited to welcome you and your family to our centre and invite you to explore the opportunities we offer for your child’s development and well-being. We look forward to partnering with you in your child’s learning journey.
Government Funded Kindergarten Program
At Wantirna South - Cathies Lane, 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 Wantirna South - Cathies Lane, 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.
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