Goodstart Early Learning is Australia’s largest provider of early learning and care and a not for profit social enterprise.
We are a purpose-driven organisation who is deeply committed to supporting the continued learning of all children in our care, as well as doing what we can to support families and children all over Australia.
We have 665 centres in every state and Territory, providing high quality early learning and care to more than 73,000 children and 60,000 families in local communities across the nation.
We are open, and here to support you, now and in the coming weeks and months.
Safe, healthy, learning
Children thrive when they have a regular routine – especially at times of uncertainty and stress and we are working hard to keep all our children and our team members safe in insipirng and enriching learning environments.
We have well practised and industry high standards of hygiene and infection control, with daily cleaning of centres using hospital grade cleaning products.
We have bans on all non-essential visitors to our centres and are also strictly enforcing rigorous exclusion policies for children, educators and families in line with advice from the public health authorities. You can view the Goodstart Early Learning and United Workers Union Joint Position to slow the spread of COVID-19 here.
We have also recently implemented some additional measures to further strengthen our safety approach in our centres during this time:
- Drop-off and pick-ups are limited where possible to one parent only. We also ask that the maximum time spent dropping off and picking up is no more than 15 minutes.
- Touch point cleaning happens at least every two hours, increased to every 30 minutes during peak times
- Health and wellbeing stations are being set up in every centre, for families to undertake temperature checks as they come in and staff to do general wellness checks for all children.
Hear from our national safety manager
We know the evolving COVID-19 situation is worrying and stressful for families all across Australia. Here’s a short video from our National Safety Manager to update you about Goodstart’s preparedness and response.Support for Families
During these uncertain times we just want to reassure you that we are open, safe and ready to welcome families, whether you are already a Goodstart family or needing care in the future.
Goodstart@Home
We are pleased to launch a new online learning and activity hub called Goodstart@Home.
We are passionate about supporting children's learning and development, whether in our centres or at home.
It’s free to subscribe and available to all families, everywhere. All you need to do is jump online, enter a few details and you're ready to go!
New Child Care Package
Government announced a new Child Care Package providing free child care to families from Monday 6 April until the end of June 2020. Which means families will have no out-of-pocket expenses until Friday 28 June 2020.However, please note providers will need to follow government advice about prioritising places for working parents, vulnerable and disadvantaged children and parents with pre-existing enrolments.
Here is a short fact sheet on what this means for your family.
Resources for your family
- A statement from the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) about coronavirus (COVID-19). (30 March 2020)
- Social stories are a helpful way to share information about events with your child. This social story can support you to explain Coronavirus to your child and the importance of handwashing.
- UNICEF’s guide on how to talk to your child about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
- A Child Mind Institute article on Talking to Kids About the Coronavirus; or video.
- Department of Education - Coronavirus (COVID – 19) – Information to support children and young people
Where to get help or find out more
We know the most important relationship you have is with your Centre Director, however did you know we also have a central Family Support Team who is also available to answer any questions you may have? They can be contacted on 1800 222 543 or by emailing familysupport@goodstart.org.au