Childcare and kindergarten in Knoxfield, Victoria
Headstart Knoxfield offers long day care and a kindergarten program for children aged 6 weeks to 6 years, conveniently located for families in Knoxfield, Wantirna South, Ferntree Gully, Boronia, Scoresby and Bayswater. Our centre is proudly rated Exceeding the National Quality Standard.
Outdoor spaces for every age
Children can explore three separate outdoor yards, one for each age group, set among fruit-bearing trees that provide natural shade. The spaces include vegetable gardens, a slide and climbing frame, and a soft fall area. Children have room to move, grow, dig and play in a setting that brings natural elements into everyday outdoor time.
Purposeful indoor spaces
Indoors, dedicated learning areas are filled with natural resources that give children opportunities for play-based learning, creativity and quieter moments across the day. The spaces are set up to suit the needs and interests of each age group.
Stable team with low turnover
We have educators who have been with the centre for decades, bringing consistency and deep familiarity to children and families. Our 3 Early Childhood Teachers lead the curriculum, with lead educators and teachers experienced in mentoring and delivering quality educational programs. Low staff turnover means children build relationships with familiar faces every day.
Individual Learning Plans
Individual Learning Plans are developed in partnership with families, reflecting each child’s strengths, interests and developmental goals. Educators use these plans to guide learning experiences that suit each child’s needs throughout their time at the centre.
Government-approved Kindergarten program
Our Government-approved Kindergarten program is delivered by Early Childhood Teachers and prepares children for the transition to school. Children build skills and confidence through play-based learning, routines, friendships and growing independence.
Bush Kinder, sports and yoga
Children take part in a Bush Kinder program, giving them regular time in natural outdoor spaces to explore, observe and play. Our centre also runs Little Sports Heroes and weekly yoga sessions, giving children opportunities for movement, coordination and group participation throughout the week.
Healthy meals provided on-site
Meals and snacks are provided each day by our onsite chef, with menus planned to suit children’s needs from morning through to the afternoon. The menu is rotated to offer variety throughout the week, and allergies and individual dietary requirements are catered for.
Family communication app
Families can stay connected through our family communication app, with updates about routines, learning experiences and moments from the day. Photos and notes help families stay close to what their child has been doing.
Secure your place today
Book a tour to experience the centre and confirm availability for your child.
Meet our Centre Manager
Age-appropriate early learning
6 weeks – 18 months
Nursery
Our nursery is a cosy, open-plan space for up to 8 children, running a daily indoor and outdoor program. The environment is set up to support sensory exploration and early literacy, with displays and resources that help each child feel connected and at home.
Family picture displays and sight books are incorporated throughout the room to build a sense of belonging from the earliest age.
In this room, children are encouraged to:
- Explore sensory experiences including water play, sand, shaving cream and glitter
- Engage in imaginative play in dedicated spaces
- Connect with family through picture displays around the room
- Develop early literacy skills through sight books and language-rich experiences
18 months – 2 years 8 months
Toddlers
Our toddler room is designed around child-led learning, with activities and décor that reflect what children are genuinely interested in at any given time. If children show curiosity about space, for example, that theme flows through literacy, numeracy and science activities — keeping learning relevant and engaging.
The program builds language skills and encourages collaborative play, laying a strong foundation for the learning years ahead.
In this room, children are encouraged to:
- Follow their interests through child-led, age-appropriate activities
- Engage with literacy, numeracy and science through interest-based themes
- Develop language skills through play and conversation
- Build collaborative skills through group play experiences
2 years 8 months – 4 years
Pre-Kinder
Our 16-place pre-kinder room has a calm, settled atmosphere focused on preparing children for the step up to kindergarten. The room is set up around children’s current interests, and educators place strong emphasis on self-help skills, social-emotional development and relationship-building at this stage.
Children are supported to grow their confidence and develop the interpersonal skills they will need as they move into kinder.
In this room, children are encouraged to:
- Develop self-help skills and independence in daily routines
- Build confidence and strong relationships with peers and educators
- Strengthen social-emotional skills in a calm, supportive environment
- Explore interests through a thoughtfully set-up learning space
4–5 years
Kindergarten
Our 22-place kindergarten room is located in a detached building and is beautifully maintained by the children themselves. The room is equipped with an interactive whiteboard, and school readiness is a strong focus throughout the program.
Educators collaborate with the local primary school, with prep teachers visiting the centre and children having the opportunity to visit the school, use the playground and experience the classroom environment before they start.
In this room, children are encouraged to:
Develop school readiness skills across all areas of learning
Use an interactive whiteboard as part of everyday learning
Visit the local primary school and playground to experience the school environment
Build the confidence and familiarity needed for a smooth transition to prep
We’re all about healthy, nutritious eating
At Headstart Knoxfield early education centre, our meals cater to all dietary requirements, including halal, vegetarian, vegan, and food-related allergies. We feature a monthly rotational menu, offering a variety of dishes daily. To ensure nutritional balance, we serve an allergen-free soup before lunch each day, providing three servings of vegetables in every portion. Our cook is highly experienced, with qualifications in both commercial cookery and early childhood education, ensuring that our meals are delicious and nutritious for all children.
Fees
The Child Care Subsidy can reduce your daily out-of-pocket fee by up to 95% depending on your family’s entitlements.
Nursery
0 – 2 years
$183.25/day
Toddler
2 – 4 years
$183.25/day
Kindergarten
4 – 5 years
$177.75/day
Child Care Subsidy Estimator
Discover how much child care subsidy you may be entitled to by entering the fields below.
2026 3-Day Guarantee
From 5th January 2026, based on the information you have entered, here's an estimate of your CCS entitlements and your out-of-pocket costs.
Total Fees
$0.00
Estimated CCS Fee Subsidy
$0.00
Kindergarten/Preschool Subsidy
$0.00
Out of Pocket Cost (what you pay)
$0.00
Matrix Out of Pocket Cost
Is your CCS working for you? Check the out-of-pocket cost matrix per child against session lengths and weekly days below. Please note: The table in the matrix only shows out-of-pocket costs after CCS (Child Care Subsidy).
| Child 1 | 1 Day | 2 Days | 3 Days | 4 Days | 5 Days |
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*Kindergarten/preschool subsidy applied: $0.00
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Frequently asked questions
A centre tour is a convenient way to experience the childcare centre of your choice and meet with our qualified educators at a time that is suitable for your family’s schedule. Click here to book a tour online.
On the day of the tour, you can observe practices and interactions within the centre environment. You’ll be able to see all the rooms and playgrounds, ask the team members any questions you have in mind, and get all the information you need to make the best decision for your child.
Enrolling is simple, and our Family Support Team will guide you through each step.
First, find your local centre and book a tour so you can meet the team and explore the learning environment. If the centre is the right fit and a place is available, you’ll receive an enrolment offer for your child. If a place is not currently available in your child’s age group, we can add your child to the waitlist and keep you updated.
To finalise your enrolment, you’ll complete an online enrolment form through a secure link sent by our Family Support Team. You’ll also need to provide key details and documents, including your child’s birth certificate, Medicare details, immunisation history statement and, if eligible, your Child Care Subsidy details.
Before your child’s first day, you may be invited to attend a Stay and Play session. This gives your child time to explore the centre, meet their educators, and start feeling comfortable in their new environment. Once your paperwork is complete, your child is ready to start their early learning journey with us.
Starting child care is a big milestone, and a little preparation can help your child feel more comfortable and confident.
Before your child’s first day, you can talk positively about their new centre, explain what their day might look like, and practise small routines such as packing their bag, saying goodbye, washing hands and sitting down for meals. You may also like to visit the centre with your child, meet their educators and ask our team about what to bring on the first day.
When your child starts, our educators will take the time to get to know your child’s routine, interests, comfort items and individual needs. Settling in looks different for every child, so we work closely with families to help children feel safe, supported and ready to learn.
Most of our child care and early education centres offer nappies and wipes, sunscreen and hats, as well as nutritious meals prepared by our in-house cook. Some centres also provide sheets and formula, so you may not need to remember to pack them.
For nursery children, be sure to bring: nappy rash cream, dummies, bottles and teats, comfort toys or blankets, three spare outfits, spare socks and a plastic bag for wet clothes.
For toddlers and preschool or kindergarten-aged children, it’s best to bring: spare underwear, water bottle or sippy cup, sun hat, closed-toe shoes, two spare outfits, spare socks and a plastic bag for wet clothes.
Plus, anything else your individual child may need, such as breast milk, a sleeping bag, a comforter or medication.
It’s best to speak to your centre of choice for a full list of everything included.
Headstart uses Xplor Home as our family communication app. It is the best and easiest way to keep track of your child’s day.
After you enrol your child with the centre, you can utilise Xplor Home to book child care days, manage your account, receive the photographs that capture your child’s learning, learn about your child’s progress, as well as keep up-to-date with upcoming centre events and important information.
If your child shows signs of an infectious illness when they arrive at the centre or becomes sick during the day, you may be notified that you need to make alternative arrangements or pick up your child from the centre and keep them home until they are no longer infectious. While we understand that this can be inconvenient, Headstart is committed to maintaining a healthy environment and reducing the risk of infection for all children.
Under the Child Care Subsidy (CCS), families are allowed 42 absence days per child, per financial year. These can be taken for any reason, including public holidays and when children are sick, without requiring families to provide documentation.
Contact us
We look forward to welcoming your family.