VIC Preschools & Kindergartens

Conveniently located in the heart of Pakenham, our purpose-built centre offers a warm and welcoming space designed to support each child’s individual learning journey. For families seeking childcare pakenham childcare centres near Pakenham, our centre provides the ideal setting for early development and care. Our purpose-built childcare and kindergarten centre in Pakenham offers innovative early learning programs in a safe, nurturing and enriching environment. Our outdoor play areas feature spacious, natural environments with bike tracks, forts, climbing equipment and veggie gardens.
We encourage this at our Early Learning Centres through a play-based approach to learning. In the Toddler Room, our educators strive to create an atmosphere that promotes happiness, security, and respect for others. We provide a balance between independence and guidance by setting appropriate limits while also allowing children the freedom to make choices. In this way, children gain a strong foundation from which they can grow across all areas of development. 18 out of 20 Childcare services in Pakenham have vacancies, with an average cost of $133.87/day.

You'll get to share your knowledge  with children and help them have a great learning experience.What does an Early Childhood Educator at the Y do? Your day may include planning programs, presenting lessons and supporting children with their daily routines. You’ll nurture their curiosity and promote their overall learning and development.
At our Pakenham early learning centre, all meals are cooked fresh daily with no processed foods. We are highly allergen-aware and cater to all dietary requirements, including Halal, allergy management, and preferences for picky eaters. Our seasonal four-week rotating menu, planned according to Nutrition Australia guidelines, offers a variety of nutritious options for breakfast, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea, and a late snack. Little Stars is committed to the safety, security, and happiness of every child that we care for. We have clear and easy to follow parent and guardian information that covers everything you need to know, from our arrivals and departures policy to sun smart policy and more. Every effort is made to establish a healthy and happy environment, where each child is welcome, included, and part of the play and learning.
Our nursery room is purposely designed to make every baby feel safe exploring and discovering new things. Our spaces are filled with sensory experiences and activities to encourage intentional and responsive play-based learning. We focus on building secure relationships between children and educators, closely following home routines, and supporting each child in meeting their developmental milestones. Pakenham offers a diverse  range of educational opportunities, including public schools, private schools, Catholic schools, kindergartens, and specialist learning centres. Our kindergarten program is thoughtfully designed to equip children with the skills, confidence, and curiosity they need to thrive as they prepare for primary school. Through a combination of structured learning opportunities and play based exploration, children develop essential early literacy, numeracy and social skills.

Integrated kindergarten programs offered within early learning centres are fee-paying but offset by the Victorian State Government’s free program. My career in early learning began in 2013, and I joined Community Kids Narre Warren in 2024. I have a deep passion for child development and creating high-quality learning environments. I hold a Diploma in Early Childhood Education, and over time, I have also developed a strong interest in leadership and operations. My inspiration for this career comes from my love for children and their natural curiosity.
Our roles include Early Childhood Educators, Early Childhood Teachers, Childcare Managers and Early Learning Centre Cooks.Learn more about early learning careers with the Y and find your next job below. Our experienced educators are committed to catering to the diverse needs of families and children in our community, creating a warm and welcoming environment for all. Free Kinder provides up to 15 hours of free kindergarten for three and four-year-olds, up to a value of $2000 for integrated kindergarten programs. All children in Victoria who are three and four years old can access Free Kinder. This is available at sessional kindergartens and early learning centres.

Our centre is next door to Edenbrook Secondary College and John Henry Primary school where we also run an Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) service. Through sustainable practices and early environmental education, we instill a conscious culture of caring for the environment from a young age. Pakenham sits just above the national NQS Rating & the average rating of centres is «Meeting NQS».
To support our families, we offer both permanent and casual enrolment options. Please see our current daily price for child care (long day care) below. We have fully funded, free kindergarten programs integrated into long day care. During the toddler stage, children will learn mainly through relationships and through play. Play is crucial to your  baby’s cognitive development as they develop the ability to think, understand and communicate.