Creative Garden Early Learning Cheltenham

Meeting
Victoria Kindergarten
5.0 /5
25 reviews

Childcare and kindergarten in Cheltenham, Victoria

Welcome to Creative Garden Cheltenham. Our daycare and early learning centre is a convenient choice for local families in Hampton, Hampton East, Brighton East, Bentleigh, Bentleigh East, Moorabbin, Heatherton, Black Rock, Beaumaris and Mentone in Melbourne. Creative Garden Cheltenham offers long day care and a kindergarten program for children aged 6 weeks to 6 years, with extended hours to suit busy families.

Our purpose-built daycare and kindergarten centre in Cheltenham offers innovative early learning programs in a safe and nurturing environment. Our Cheltenham childcare centre features three outdoor spaces tailored to different age groups. The 0-2-year yard offers plenty of shade, a sandpit, and a beautiful deck, set up each morning depending on the weather. The 2-3-year yard includes a bike track, a large central sandpit, a shaded tree for quiet time, moveable climbing equipment, and ample space for running. The expansive 3-5-year yard has a climbing fort, a chicken coop for teaching responsibility, a digging patch, and a large sandpit with a supervised woodwork table that children enjoy. Indoors, enriching resources are thoughtfully arranged to foster learning through play, adapting to the changing needs and interests of the children. Our team of longstanding educators is dedicated to creating a safe and nurturing environment, with 3 Bachelor-qualified Early Childhood Teachers working across our Kindergarten rooms to prepare children for school. We offer a weekly sports program for our 3 and 4-year-old kinder children, and throughout the year, we welcome additional programs like Dog Safety and dentist visits.

Why you’ll love Creative Garden Cheltenham

Spacious outdoor environments

Passionate, qualified educators

Nappies and wipes provided

Chef-prepared meals

Government-approved Kindergarten program

Family communication app

Extended/flexible hours

Allergy and anaphylaxis aware

Incursions/excursions

Sports program

Meet our Centre Manager

Kayla

  • Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care
  • Advanced Diploma of Community Sector Management
“Being part of a child’s first five years is a privilege, and I am grateful to contribute to their growth and development every day. “

My career in early learning began in 2015, and I joined the Creative Garden Early Learning Cheltenham team in October 2023. With over eight years of experience at G8 Education, including four years in leadership roles, I recently became a First Steps Trainer, responsible for onboarding and inducting new Centre Managers. Being part of a child’s first five years is a privilege, and I am grateful to contribute to their growth and development every day. I am passionate about mentoring fellow educators who share my commitment to providing quality education and care to every child at our Cheltenham centre.

I believe that play is a child’s natural way of learning about the world and expressing knowledge gained from prior experiences. Our Cheltenham centre is dedicated to creating an inclusive, non-biased environment where all children can play freely and express themselves creatively, whether through structured or unstructured play. Our Education Team at Creative Garden Cheltenham comprises passionate, dedicated, and welcoming professionals. We take pride in having a long-standing team that supports the continuity of care for the children and families we serve.

Families are the cornerstone of our centre, as they are the first teachers in a child’s life. We are committed to building reciprocal partnerships with families, understanding their needs, and working together to achieve their goals for their children. We regularly invite families to participate in events throughout the year, and maintain open communication through weekly emails, monthly newsletters, and more.

We look forward to welcoming you to our Cheltenham early education centre.

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Our innovative early learning programs

At our early learning centre in Cheltenham, our experienced educators and teachers continually seek innovative ways to enrich your child’s education. Guided by the Early Years Learning Framework, we offer a variety of engaging and diverse learning experiences, including:

Sustainability

We have a vibrant garden where children grow vegetables from seeds, giving them hands-on experience nurturing the environment. We actively practice reuse, reduction, and recycling in our daily activities, particularly in our art area, where we creatively repurpose materials like boxes, magazines, and other recyclables.

Community engagamentt

Our programs encourage children to interact with and discover their local Community. We often have visits from community services in Cheltenham, such as police and the local librarian. We also go on adventures to the local parks, schools, aged care residences and shops.

STEM

We encourage your child to ask questions, experiment, and problem-solve, all while engaging their natural curiosity. By fostering this inquisitive mindset, we help them develop critical thinking skills and a deeper understanding of the world around them.

Music and movement

Our evidence-based Rhythm and Movement for Self-Regulation (RAMSR) program is designed to develop fundamental skills that help support children’s self-regulation, memory, and concentration. It is an innovative approach to holistic learning, development and well-being in early childhood.

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Age-appropriate early learning

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Bottlebrush (0-12 months) Gumnut (12-18 months)

Nursery

In the Bottlebrush room, we focus on laying the foundational building blocks for each child’s growth and development. We prioritise building secure relationships while supporting key physical milestones like crawling, rolling, and walking, ensuring every child feels nurtured and encouraged.

In the Gumnut room, we continue strengthening relationships while closely observing each child’s interests. We create enriching experiences tailored to further their development, fostering curiosity and enhancing their exploration of the world around them.

  Next: Toddlers
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Bluebell (18-24 months) Lilypilly (2-3 years)

Toddlers

The Bluebell room is all about nurturing relationships and expanding on each child’s interests through engaging, developmentally appropriate activities. We also focus on advancing self-help skills and empowering children to gain more independence in their daily routines.

In the Lilypilly room, we build on relationships and the children’s emerging interests by providing enriching experiences that support their development. Our emphasis is on enhancing self-help skills and preparing them for the transition to the 3-year-old Kinder program.

Previous: Nursery Next: Wattle
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(3-4 years)

Wattle

The Wattle room focuses on preparing children for school by fostering autonomy, both physically and emotionally. We encourage the development of self-help skills and provide a flexible routine that supports their growing independence and readiness for the next stage of their educational journey.

Previous: Toddlers Next: Banksia
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(4-6 years)

Banksia

In the Banksia room, we are dedicated to preparing children for their transition to Primary School. We promote autonomy and self-help skills while offering a flexible routine that accommodates their individual needs. Our curriculum integrates S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) experiences, encouraging children to explore, learn, and thrive as they prepare for school.

Previous: Wattle  
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Victorian Government-approved Kindergarten program

Our kindergarten programs are tailored to meet your child’s individual learning needs across numeracy, literacy, emotional and social development, resilience, and self-regulation.

Our early learning centre offers the VIC Government-approved Kindergarten program, supporting your child’s development and well-being from now, at school and beyond. In Victoria, 3 and 4-year-old children are able to access a funded kindergarten program led by a Bachelor-qualified Early Childhood Teacher. If eligible, your child will be able to participate in the Government-approved Kindergarten program, at no cost, up to a minimum of 15 hours per week, 40 weeks per year. Talk to us about how this reduces your out-of-pocket costs.

The added benefits of our kindergarten program include:

  • Extended long day care opening hours
  • Open all year round (excl. public holidays)
  • Programs developed and delivered by our Early Childhood Teachers
  • Exclusive music and movement program for self-regulation
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We’re all about healthy, nutritious eating

At our Cheltenham child care centre, we provide meals from breakfast through to afternoon tea, with a rotating 4-week menu that changes seasonally. We cater to all dietary requirements and allergies, and our centre is a nut-free and egg-free environment. Our meals are lovingly prepared on-site by our talented cook, Yuval, who also delights the children by occasionally playing various musical instruments. In Yuval’s absence, our trained educators seamlessly step in to ensure the meals are prepared following the same high standards and procedures, maintaining consistency and care in our meal service.

What a typical day looks like for your child

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Arrival at the centre

Your child will be welcomed by our team of educators, who will ensure the morning transition from home to centre goes as smoothly as possible. On arrival, share information about your child’s specific needs for the day.

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Mealtimes

Our centre chefs prepare a nutritious menu for your child to sit down and eat. This is a great time for everyone to share stories from the day. Educators model healthy eating practices, social behaviours and support children’s growing independence with mealtime routines.

Previous: Arrival at the centre Next: Infant care
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Infant care

If you have an infant, we spend one-on-one time with them to establish a connection. Educators talk gently and respond to babies’ cues. We use songs, games, and conversations to strengthen relationships and build language skills.

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Play-based learning

Your child is naturally curious. They want to learn and explore, which is why we teach through play-based learning. It supports language, motor skills, memory, emotions and social relationships. Educators plan play-based learning experiences based on children’s interests and goals.

Previous: Infant care Next: Sleep, rest and relaxation
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Sleep, rest and relaxation

We match routines to your child’s individual needs. Opportunities for rest and relaxation help make them feel safe. Play-based learning experiences are provided for older children who no longer don’t sleep in centre.

Previous: Play-based learning Next: Heading home
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Heading home

As your child prepares to head home, this is your opportunity to speak with our friendly educators about your child’s day and everything they learnt. We look forward to welcoming you back tomorrow.

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Communicating with families

We prioritise clear and consistent communication with families to foster a strong partnership in supporting each child’s development. We ensure families feel informed, involved, and confident in their child’s early learning journey.

Our families love hearing about their child’s progress and the experiences they’re having day to day. We share these moments through centre newsletters, our Xplor App, one-on-one meetings, and at various centre events.

Fees

The Child Care Subsidy can reduce your daily out-of-pocket fee by up to 95% depending on your family’s entitlements.

  • Nursery0 – 2 years

    $152.00
  • Toddler2 – 3 years

    $152.00
  • Kindergarten3 – 5 years

    $152.00

Child Care Subsidy Estimator

Discover how much child care subsidy you may be entitled to by entering the fields below.*

1-4 days = full day session; 5 days = 10 hour per day sessions

CCS Estimator results

  • Estimated subsidy

    $0.00
  • Total fees

    $0.00
  • Out-of-pocket cost

    $0.00

*This estimator provides an estimate only and is based on the following assumptions:

  • Accuracy and currency of family income information entered.
  • Family CCS entitlements include 100 hours of subsidised care per fortnight. Please note your family may be entitled to less than 100 hours of subsidised care per fortnight – if you are unsure we recommend you use the comprehensive CCS estimator in the link below.
  • Where 1-4 days of care is selected, full day sessions apply (being full operational hours of the centre, which can vary between centres).
  • Where 5 days of care is selected, 10-hour per day sessions apply (ie, 50 hours p/w to optimise 100 hours of CCS subsidised care across the fortnight).
  • Where a family’s CCS entitlements include less than 100 hours of subsidised care per fortnight, please use the comprehensive CCS calculator as a guide via the link below.

For a more complete subsidy estimation, check out our comprehensive CCS calculator here.

Calculate my subsidy

Explore nearby G8 Education centres

Looking for other great childcare, kindergarten or preschool options? Discover more G8 Education centres near you!

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.

Our Family Support Team will add your child’s name to our waitlist if one of our childcare centres is currently full in your child’s age group. We will then contact you as soon as a place becomes available.

We also do monthly check-ins to review availability, and you will receive a text message confirming whether you’re still happy to remain on the waitlist each month. If you would like an update at any point, you’re welcome to reach out on our Web Chat or give us a call.

Our Family Support Team can also help you find more G8 early learning centres near you, with the same offerings at the Creative Garden centre you are interested in that have immediate availability.

It’s common for a child to experience separation anxiety when they first start child care. When you’re getting ready to start child care, you can help your child overcome anxieties by visiting the child care service together for a Stay and Play session, and easing into new routines at home.

Read more tips about how to make the transition easier for your child.

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.

Creative Garden 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, Creative Garden 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.