Child Care Preschool & Day Care Centres Near You

Each room in a long day care centre is led by qualified early childhood educators and teachers. These professionals plan and deliver programs that align with the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) — Australia’s national standard for early childhood education. Long day care centres are approved child care providers and as such simply by accessing an approved child care provider means they are licensed and bound by regulations.
Most long day care centres accept children from six weeks of age through to school age. Each centre sets its own minimum age based on staffing and room arrangements, so it’s worth confirming when you enquire. Our toddler childcare center near clayton south room is a safe, vibrant place where children are encouraged to play, have fun and begin their learning journey towards great life skills. From developing how to best communicate with others to learning how to understand and navigate their emotions, the area is filled with age-appropriate toys and items that encourage exploration and development.

Engaging experiences will be set up so your toddler feels comfortable and can start playing with other children. We will talk to you about what’s important for the day and what happened overnight, helping us support your child’s individual needs. Children can enjoy learning experiences with children of different ages at drop off time – we call this family grouping. Our centre has been designed to serve the Oakleigh South community with high-quality childcare and early education services, all aimed at supporting children on their learning journeys.
For instance, long day care centres maintain educator-to-child ratios throughout the day by employing multiple educators who may work in morning or afternoon shifts. Access to such care enables parents to work additional hours, reduce the number of days missed from work, and contribute to greater overall work productivity. This balance is essential as it allows working parents to experience emotional stability and ensure higher-quality interactions with their children, enhancing their overall family life.
On the other hand, preschools operate during school hours, fitting more naturally into a school-like routine but may not be suitable for all working parents. Choosing the right program involves evaluating your child’s capacity for structured time, your family’s schedule, and the level of convenience and flexibility required. Key things to look for include the centre’s National Quality Standard rating, staff-to-child ratios, the curriculum approach, and whether the centre’s hours suit your needs. Port Stephens families are spread across a wide area — from Medowie and Raymond Terrace through to Nelson Bay and beyond — so finding care close to home matters. The centres listed here cover the key growth areas of the region, particularly around Medowie and Raymond Terrace, which have seen strong population growth in recent years.

Cire Early Learning is part of Cire Services, a not-for-profit community organisation that has been operating in Melbourne’s east and south-east for over 50 years. We run long day care with integrated kindergarten across several locations, including Croydon, Mt Evelyn, Lilydale and Yarra Junction. All the staff are kind and nurturing and I trust them 100% with my child. Providing consistent, convenient, and quality childcare, long day care can support your family in any situation.
For families in Springvale South, Dandenong North, and Ferntree Gully, this is fantastic news. By getting to know the current CCS and keeping an eye on these positive changes, you can plan your child's early learning journey with confidence and peace of mind. The whole point of the CCS is to open the doors to high-quality early learning for more families. It’s a recognition that childcare is absolutely essential—for your child's development and for your ability to work and study. The learning journey isn’t mapped out weeks in advance; it blossoms directly from a moment of wonder. A simple garden discovery grows into a project that weaves in science, art, counting, and storytelling, all driven by the children’s own interests.

At Milestones, our educators are supported to learn, grow and reach their goals through the Affinity Learning Academy. We offer nationally recognised training, clear career pathways, and meaningful benefits, including up to 50% off child care fees for your own children. Oakleigh Occasional Care was established in 1979 and is a not for profit, community based organisation. We are a centre based registered childcare service that offers support to families by providing care on a sessional basis. All of our support staff play an integral role in the daily operations of the centre.
Toddlers from Oakleigh will thrive in this environment, as it provides them with the opportunity to learn and grow through play. Our boutique service has been strategically designed to ensure that your child develops a sense of security and belonging by providing them with small size rooms in a home like environment. We have a dedicated building for children in our zero-two years of age and a dedicated building for children aged three-five years of age. Children across both age groups have opportunities to collaborate during the day. The size of our service also provides greater opportunities for families to connect with one another and for children to build relationships with their educators and peers without feeling overwhelmed.
The educators and teachers guiding your child will hold diplomas or degrees in early childhood education. Let's talk about long day care – for many working families, it's the lifeline they need, blending flexible, full-day care with a genuine educational program. It provides a stable and nurturing second home for children from as young as six weeks old right up to school age, all designed to fit the reality of a modern parent's schedule. Whether your child is a curious toddler or preparing for kindergarten, Sydney childcare centres offer a consistent, nurturing environment that builds lifelong confidence and learning habits.