Childcare and kindergarten in Cheltenham, Victoria
Creative Garden Cheltenham offers long day care and a kindergarten program for children aged 6 weeks to 6 years, conveniently located for families in Hampton, Hampton East, Brighton East, Bentleigh, Bentleigh East, Moorabbin, Heatherton, Black Rock, Beaumaris and Mentone.
Outdoor spaces for every age
Children can explore three outdoor yards, each designed for a different age group. The 0–2 yard has a sandpit, shade and a deck set up each morning to suit the weather. The 2–3 yard includes a bike track, a large central sandpit, a shaded tree for quiet time and moveable climbing equipment. The 3–5 yard features a climbing fort, a digging patch, a supervised woodwork table and a large sandpit.
Indoor learning spaces
Indoors, resources are arranged across the rooms to support learning through play. The spaces adapt to children’s changing needs and interests throughout the day, giving children opportunities for creative, sensory and quieter experiences alongside group play.
Long-standing educator team
We have a long-standing team of educators who bring consistency and familiar relationships to the centre. Three Bachelor-qualified Early Childhood Teachers work across the kindergarten rooms, supporting children’s development and helping them build confidence as they prepare for school.
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.
Government-approved Kindergarten program
Our Government-approved Kindergarten program is delivered by Bachelor-qualified Early Childhood Teachers. Children build confidence for school through play-based learning, routines, friendships and growing independence.
Sports and guest visits
Kinder children take part in a weekly sports program throughout the year. The centre also welcomes guests including Dog Safety and dentist visits, giving children the chance to meet different people and learn about health, safety and community.
Healthy meals provided each day
Children are offered meals and snacks throughout the day, with menus planned to give them energy for play, learning and rest. Allergies and individual dietary requirements are catered for.
Daily updates via the app
Families can follow their child’s day through our family app, with photos and updates about routines, play and learning experiences. It gives families a simple way to stay connected with what their child has been doing at the centre.
Secure your place today
Book a tour to experience the centre and confirm availability for your child.
Age-appropriate early learning
Bottlebrush (0–12 months) | Gumnut (12–18 months)
Nursery
The Bottlebrush and Gumnut rooms form our nursery, where the focus is on building secure, trusting relationships from the very start. Educators support each child through key physical milestones and take time to observe individual interests as children grow and become more curious about the world around them.
Both rooms offer experiences tailored to each stage, moving from foundational physical development in Bottlebrush to richer, interest-led exploration in Gumnut.
In these rooms, children are encouraged to:
- Develop physical milestones including rolling, crawling and walking
- Build secure attachments with consistent, caring educators
- Explore their environment with curiosity and confidence
- Engage in experiences tailored to their individual interests and developmental stage
Bluebell (18–24 months) | Lilypilly (2–3 years)
Toddlers
The Bluebell and Lilypilly rooms support children through the busy toddler years, with a strong emphasis on nurturing relationships and growing independence. Educators build on each child’s emerging interests and focus on developing self-help skills as children become more capable in their daily routines.
By the Lilypilly room, children are building the confidence and skills they need to transition smoothly into the 3-year-old Kinder program.
In these rooms, children are encouraged to:
- Explore interests through engaging, developmentally appropriate activities
- Develop self-help skills and independence in daily routines
- Build on existing relationships with educators and peers
- Prepare for the transition into the kindergarten program
Wattle 3-4 years
3-year-old Kinder
The Wattle room is designed to nurture growing independence, both physically and emotionally. Educators provide a flexible routine that gives children space to develop autonomy and build the self-help skills that underpin school readiness.
The program supports children at this stage to feel capable and confident as they move toward their final year before school.
In this room, children are encouraged to:
- Develop autonomy and emotional self-regulation
- Build and practise self-help skills in a flexible daily routine
- Grow their independence in preparation for the next stage of learning
Banksia 4-5 years
4-year-old Kinder
The Banksia room prepares children for their transition to primary school through a curriculum that balances independence, flexible routines and hands-on learning. Educators focus on self-help skills and individual needs while weaving S.T.E.A.M. experiences – Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics – throughout the program.
The environment is designed to build confidence and curiosity, giving children a strong foundation as they approach school.
In this room, children are encouraged to:
- Develop autonomy and self-help skills within a flexible routine
- Engage with S.T.E.A.M. experiences across science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics
- Explore, investigate and problem-solve through hands-on learning
- Build confidence and readiness for the transition to primary school
Healthy, nutritious meals each day
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.
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
$165.25/day
Toddler
2 – 4 years
$165.25/day
Kindergarten
4 – 5 years
$165.25/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.
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.