Childcare and Kindergarten in Epsom, VIC
Great Beginnings Epsom offers long day care and Kindergarten for children aged 6 weeks to school age in the Bendigo area, conveniently located for families in Epsom, Ascot, Bendigo, California Gully, Eaglehawk, Goornong, Huntly, Jackass Flat and White Hills.
Spacious outdoor environments
Outdoor play areas include a climbing fort and vegetable garden, giving children opportunities for active play, exploration and hands-on learning.
Inspiring indoor learning spaces
Our indoor environments are designed to support curiosity and engagement, with resources that encourage creativity, discovery and play-based learning.
Experienced team of educators
Our educators and teachers guide children through purposeful learning experiences, helping build confidence, curiosity and a love of learning.
Government-approved Kindergarten program
Our Government-approved Kindergarten program is delivered by Bachelor-qualified Early Childhood Teachers, supporting children’s confidence and readiness for school.
Individual Learning Plans for every child
We develop Individual Learning Plans for each child, reflecting their interests, strengths and developmental goals, and work in partnership with families to review and update each plan over time.
Exciting extracurricular programs
Children enjoy a variety of extracurricular programs included in the daily program, including Kelly Sports, Hey Dee Ho, a dedicated music program, The Language Tree sessions and a biannual Japanese program.
Fresh, nutritious meals prepared daily
Our Epsom centre prepares fresh, nutritious meals each day, supporting children’s energy and wellbeing while catering to dietary and cultural needs.
Supporting busy families every day
Our Epsom centre provides nappies, wipes and selected essentials, along with infant feeding support, while keeping families connected through regular updates and photos via our communication app.
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
We provide learning experiences tailored to each stage of your child’s development. Our programs are guided by the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) and designed to support children’s wellbeing, confidence and growing independence.
6 weeks – 2 years
6 weeks – 2 years
In our Nursery environment, educators focus on building strong, secure and respectful relationships so babies feel safe, settled and supported as they explore the world around them.
Children in this age group experience:
- Responsive care and nurturing relationships that support emotional security and attachment
- Sensory exploration through textures, sounds, music and movement
- Early communication development through songs, stories, gestures and conversations
- Tummy time and movement experiences that support physical development
2 – 3 years
2 – 3 years
Our toddler program encourages curiosity, independence and early social skills as children begin exploring the world with growing confidence.
Children in this age group experience:
- Play-based learning experiences that encourage curiosity and problem solving
- Language-rich environments with storytelling, songs and conversations
- Opportunities to build independence, such as self-help skills and routines
- Social learning experiences that help children practise sharing, cooperation and empathy
3 – 5 years
3 – 5 years
Our Government-approved Kindergarten program prepares children for school through engaging, play-based learning experiences that develop confidence, independence and a love of learning.
Children in this age group experience:
- School readiness learning that builds early literacy and numeracy skills
- Problem solving and critical thinking through play-based projects and exploration
- Opportunities for collaboration and teamwork through group learning experiences
- Opportunities to develop independence, responsibility and decision-making skills
We’re all about healthy, nutritious eating
Thanks to the in-house chef at our Epsom child care centre, your child can expect healthy, nutritious, and yummy meals. We offer a rotating seasonal menu, providing breakfast, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea, and a late snack freshly made daily. We cater for all children’s dietary requirement, preferences and cultural requirements.
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
$177.75/day
Toddler
2 – 4 years
$177.75/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 |
|---|
*Kindergarten/preschool subsidy applied: $0.00
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 Great Beginnings 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 and spare socks.
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 and spare socks.
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.
Great Beginnings 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, Great Beginnings 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.