Extra preschool funding is available for Goodstart families in 2024!
If you have a preschooler starting next year, you're in luck! The ACT Government's Set up for Success gives all families with children in preschool who turn three by April 30 will get 'a saving of $1,329 for the average family'.This applies to long day care (LDC) preschool programs. This fee reduction is in addition to your child care subsidy (CCS).
All families qulaify for the the fee reduction when they enrol their children in preschool for over two years. Your child can turn three on or before May 1st of their first preschool year, to get the additional saving of $1329 (average for the year) off preschool fees on top of your CCS.
ACT preschools are Set up for Success
Set up for Success: An Early Childhood Strategy for the ACT is a nation-leading ten-year plan for early childhood edcuation and care (ECEC) in the ACT. 'Set up for Success' is based on unanimous national and international evidence about the importance of quality early childhood education and aligns with our vision at Goodstart for Australia's children to have the best possible start in life. The ACT government is committed to providing ECEC that's:
- high-quality, accessible and affordable
- connected with other education, community and health services
- able to meet every child's needs.
Three-year-old preschool from 2024
Preschool is the year before formal schooling starts (transition) in the ACT, and most preschoolers turn four on or before April 30th of their preschool year. The ACT Government's Set up for Success encourages families to extend preschool over two years, so starting preschool the year your child turns three. According to 'Set up for Success': 'Equitable access to quality, play-based early learning is a powerful way to support children's learning, wellbeing, and development, and it has life-long benefits.' Increasing parental participation in the workplace is also critical, so two years in preschool is a winner for everyone!
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LDC and public preschool programs: What's the difference?
At Goodstart, we're a long day care (LDC) program provider. We operate five days a week, 52 weeks a year, except on public holidays. We also offer government-approved preschool programs and undergo the same rigorous approval process as public preschools. Government approval means every preschool program in the ACT needs to:
- deliver a quality early childhood education program to children aged three and above
- have the program delivered by a bachelor-qualified early childhood teacher (ECT) as per the National Quality Framework (NQF)
- use the Early Years Learning Framework.
Our programs meet these criteria and run during LDC hours. This means your child gets extra preschool enrichment led by bachelor-qualified professionals all year round.
Play-based is the best early learning approach
Research shows access to quality early childhood education and care (ECEC) benefits children throughout their school years. The research also supports a play-based learning approach in early years education. Children who access quality, play-based ECEC are more likely to:
- develop stronger social skills
- participate as part of a group
- transition easily into school
- stay longer in school.
Guided by our bachelor-qualified early years teachers, your child will learn critical thinking skills and problem-solving as part of a team — all great skills for school and life!
Choose sessions that work for you
We provide flexibility and convenience for busy families with:
- longer opening hours, Monday to Friday
- nine-hour, 10-hour and all-day sessions
- our preschool programs in a LDC format.
Choosing a LDC format for preschool means your child's early learning goes beyond the five hours a day they'd get if they attended a public preschool. Public preschools have four terms and operate during school hours. This is fine if you can work around school hours' pick-up and drop-off times. At Goodstart preschools, you can drop your preschooler on your way to work and pick them up on your way home, just like you've always done. Plus, you don't need to max out your annual leave during school holidays so your child can attend preschool. This means you can keep some cheeky leave days aside, just for you...
We'll support your child's individual learning journey
- We'll meet them where they are developmentally.
- We assess and review their progress throughout the years leading to formal school and ensure everything is on track.
- We explore their passions with them so they feel seen and valued. We offer extra educational support if it's needed.
At Goodstart, we appreciate your child for who they are and where they're going.
Our preschool programs are designed for school readiness
Our approved preschool programs are led by qualified teachers who deliver a high-quality play-based curriculum supporting your child's school readiness. Getting ready for school is a team effort. We also work with nearby schools and communicate with them using Transition to School Statements about your child, who they are and how they learn. It helps their new teacher prepare the best possible start to school. We often have school transition activities with local schools throughout the preschool year so your child feels comfy on their first day of transition.
Everyone's welcome!
Inclusion is everything to us. Every child deserves to feel seen and valued for who they are. We work hard to create environments and support networks to welcome all children and their families to our centres. We take reconciliation seriously, walking with our families, children, and communities on this journey.
Save your preschool spot next year!
We hope you're excited by what we can offer your family in this exciting stage of ealry leanirng. We'll give your child the best possible start to formal education by giving them a lifelong love of learning.
Preschool enrolments are open for next year!
Make a booking to visit a Goodstart near you. Meet the team, stay for a play and save a spot for your preschooler.
Make a bookingEvery preschool moment counts at Goodstart
Your questions answered:
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Starting ages vary by state. In the ACT, your child can turn three in their first year of preschool, then turn four in their second. You can learn more under Getting started & FAQs. Some children may be eligible to start earlier, including children who identify as Aboriginal, children in care, children with a disability or specific educational needs. 
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Our dynamic, vibrant and inspiring preschool programs are designed and delivered by bachelor qualified early childhood teachers to prepare your child for school. We use play-based learning, which encourages exploration, relationship building and creativity. It also helps develop cognitive, physical, social, literacy and numeracy skills.
Find out more information about what your child will learn.
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Our centres offer longer hours and more flexible options than many other preschools, including nine-hour, 10-hour and all day sessions, five days a week, 52 weeks a year. This means greater flexibility for parents, and more opportunity for us to tune in to when your child learns best.
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If you need a hand navigating the child care subsidy (CCS) system, just leave us a message and we'll call you back.
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If needed, we also assist families to access support services in the areas of:
- speech and language
- behaviour
- social skills
- general development. If you're concerned about any aspect of your child’s development or learning, please speak to your child’s teacher.
If you're concerned about any aspect of your child’s development or learning, please speak to your child’s teacher.
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Goodstart West Pymble is an excellent early childcare centre. I've had two children at this centre, both started here at the age of 9 months old. The teachers and carers are excellent and provide a very high standard of care for babies through to pre school age children. I highly recommend this centre, especially for young babies entering care.
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This is a wonderful early learning centre! We are so happy we enrolled our children here. We were recommended this service via a couple of friends and we were instantly impressed upon inspection. Of particular interest were the large open play areas for our children to explore which were in stark contrast to the small courtyards of other centres we had previously inspected. The staff have been very welcoming and exemplary in their efforts to help our children settle into their new normal and we are grateful in knowing that they have and will continue to be so well looked after.
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The staff are very friendly, helpful, and nurturing- offering excellent support to our busy working family.
Backed by research
Backed by government
Find a centre
At Goodstart Early Learning, we welcome you to visit our early learning centres so you can meet our team and view the learning environment.
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