Everyone feels good at Goodstart!
Deciding to have children is like deciding to have your heart go walking around outside your body — forever. So, who do you trust with your precious heart when it comes time to book them into childcare?
For a lot of parents, early learning care will be the first time you’re trusting your children in the care of someone else. Yes, it’s important that your little ones love the space. But it’s also so important for you, the mamas and the papas, to feel confident, safe and secure with where your children are spending their days.
Hayley and Lauren have both had some exceptional experiences with Goodstart Early Learning. And to put your anxious mum brains at ease, we chatted to a few other parents to find out what they had to say about Goodstart and everything that their beautiful facilities and caring educators have to offer your teeny tinies.
Alysha and her son Jackson (4 years)
“From the second I walked in, I knew Goodstart was the right centre for us. It’s clean and inviting, with beautiful big play spaces outside. What I love the most about Goodstart is how they celebrate diversity and have been able to accommodate my son’s additional needs to make him feel included and valued.
The planned experiences each day are fun and educational, and I love seeing the daily photo updates on the app. Plus, their extended hours mean I can maintain a professional career while still accessing great quality care for my son. We’ve had such a great experience that we’ve also chosen Goodstart for when it’s time for Jackson to start preschool!”
Image credit: Jodi Nash
Nick and his children Isabella (2.5 years) and Tobias (3 years)
“Our family has been at Goodstart for three years now. Initially, it was all about the convenience — they have so many locations and great hours. But the deciding factor was that they’re a not-for-profit, which means the fees go back into the centres. We’ve noticed that Goodstart centres are much better equipped than some others out there.
The educators are all great and we’ve gotten to know them really well. It doesn’t keep changing either, so it never feels like you’re leaving the children with strangers. That consistency is really reassuring. Our children both have the lunch the centre offers and it’s made a huge difference in them not being picky eaters. Now they eat better at home, too!
The number one thing we love though, is the communication from Goodstart. The app they use, called Storypark, gives us photo updates throughout the day. The educators also fill us in at pick-up, so we always know how they’re playing and who their friends are. You just really feel like you know what’s going on with your children.”
Image credit: Jodi Nash
Lauren and her daughter Sofia (2 years)
“When I first walked in, my biggest things were that it smelt clean and I felt like I’d known the educators forever. They’re constantly putting my mind at ease — when you’re a new mum, you question every little thing your child does. But the educators are there to remind you that everything is normal and instead of Googling a billion things a day, now I just ask them.
Sofia has the most amazing meals. Sometimes, I pick her up and she’s eating Jatz biscuits and hummus as a snack! As a busy working mum, not having to do lunch boxes in the morning is a luxury. She also tries new things when she’s around her friends, like butter chicken or tuna mornay and loves it!
The best part is picking her up and hearing about her day. Every day she comes home with a new song she’s learnt, or she’s pumped because she made playdough from scratch — it’s the stuff I don’t always have time to do during the week and I love that she’s getting to experience it all.”
Image credit: Jodi Nash
Cheryl and her children Lucas (1.5 years) and Sophie (3.5 years)
“I actually held off going back to work until a spot opened up at Goodstart for my kids, because I didn’t want them going anywhere else! I knew how good Goodstart was from their reputation and my daughter is very smart so I wanted to make sure I had the absolute best start to her education.
When I had my second, Lucas, he spent a bit of time in the NICU. All of the educators were so flexible with Sophie and her hours, and so supportive of our whole family. I loved it so much that I actually ended up applying for a job at Goodstart, so now all three of us get to go here each day!”
Image credit: Jodi Nash
Pia and her son Finlay (2 years)
“From the beginning, the Goodstart tour had a really good vibe and it just gave me a really positive feeling. Finlay has a best friend in his room. It’s really exciting to see him building those relationships with the children, but also with the educators — some of who he’ll run up and give them a hug in the morning, which is really nice!
Goodstart handles change really smoothly as well. When it’s time for the children to move to a different room that’s better suited to their age, they make sure that there is a really good transition period so that there are no surprises.
Finlay’s definitely picked up things from Goodstart that he now does at home. For example, they do little cleaning games and often he comes home and gets a cloth and starts wiping up a spill. I didn’t teach him that — so thank you very much childcare for that one!
Finn is my first, so as a new mum, it was a bit daunting putting him in childcare, and Goodstart has been really helpful and supportive. It’s not just about supporting you when you’re here, they support you in life, too.”
Image credit: Jodi Nash
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