Goodstart Early Learning Willowdale

26/08/2026

Ever had one of those "What should I be doing with my child?" moments? You might already have the answer at home.

Earlier this year, every Goodstart family received a What & When for Families guide for each child. If it's been tucked away in a drawer since then, now might be the perfect time to pull it back out.

The guide is packed with simple, play-based activities that support your child's learning and development at home. Best of all, it's written in your child's voice, with ideas tailored to their age and developmental stage.

From singing songs with babies and playing peek-a-boo, to "I Spy" games, storytelling and treasure hunts with older children, the activities are designed to fit naturally into everyday moments you already share together.

We know learning doesn't only happen in the classroom. Those small moments at home can help build big communication, language and literacy skills.

Take another look through your What & When for Families guide to explore age-appropriate activities and learning ideas you can try together.

💛 Sometimes the best learning resource is the one you already have at home.

24/08/2026

This year’s Book Week theme, “Symphony of Stories,” has inspired our team to work together to create a special collection of stories in our foyer. Each story has been brought to life through creative displays, inviting children to explore, imagine and reimagine the characters, settings and adventures within the books.

Our foyer has become a space where stories come together like a symphony, encouraging children to wonder, create, connect and share their own ideas. 📚✨

12/08/2026

Strong relationships are the foundation for confident, curious learners 💛

Goodstart’s key educator approach ensures every child is known, supported and feels safe - through consistent, nurturing connections with educators and meaningful partnerships with families. These bonds help build wellbeing, resilience and a true sense of belonging from day one.

Discover how this approach supports your child’s learning journey: https://brnw.ch/2

07/08/2026

Our team is so excited to share the wonderful news that all 3 Preschool Learning Spaces have received a Stretch for Quality Rating Scale! 🎉

We are incredibly proud of the hard work, dedication, and passion each and every one of you brings every day. This achievement is a true reflection of your commitment to providing the highest quality care and education for our children and families.

Thank you all for your continued support, teamwork, and willingness to go above and beyond. Let’s take a moment to celebrate this fantastic milestone together—well done, everyone! 🌟👏

29/07/2026

Did you know we invested $65.5M into our social purpose last year, a 14% increase on the year before? 👏 At Goodstart, we're proud of the impact we have on children, families and communities. As a not‑for‑profit, every dollar we earn is reinvested to improve outcomes – from high‑quality learning and educator development to extra support for children who need it most.
Because when we put children first, the impact goes further 💛

15/07/2026

The research is clear 📚 reading aloud is one of the most powerful things we can do for our children.

When we read with a child, we’re doing far more than sharing a story. We’re building the foundations for language, confidence, curiosity and a lifelong love of learning.

Decades of research shows that children who are read to regularly:

💛 Build stronger language skills
Hearing rich varied language in books exposes children to far more words than everyday conversation alone. This growing vocabulary helps them understand, communicate and make sense of the world.

💛 Develop early literacy skills long before they learn to read
Through stories, children learn how books work – that print carries meaning, that pages turn left to right, and that stories have a beginning, middle and end. These early understandings make learning to read feel familiar and exciting.

💛 Strengthen phonological awareness
Rhymes, rhythms and playful sounds help children hear the building blocks of language.

💛 Grow their comprehension and thinking skills
Talking together about a story, predicting what might happen, wondering how a character feels, and connecting events to real life helps children develop memory, problem-solving, and higher-order thinking.

💛 Experience connection, comfort and joy
Shared reading fosters calmness, closeness, and moments of joint attention. These warm interactions support a child's sense of security and belonging.

Most importantly, children who experience positive, engaging reading moments from a young age are more likely to develop a genuine love of books - something that matters even more than early literacy skills alone.

Reading is simple, joyful, and sets children up for success in school and life.

Here is a list of some of our favourites below 👇

05/05/2026

The parent feedback we’ve received this year has truly filled our hearts with gratitude. Thank you so much to all our wonderful families for your support! 💛

01/05/2026

We’re often asked what being not-for-profit really means for our families.

Simply put, it means that our purpose always comes before profit. Every dollar we make is reinvested back into our centres, to provide children with enriching and safe learning environments.

We understand how important it is for children to be in a place where they feel safe and settled. And when families need to make a change - planned or unexpected - we’re here to help make that transition easier.

We’re here to support families when it matters most – because every child deserves a Goodstart! ✨

24/04/2026

05/03/2026

Choosing early learning is about trust, care and quality.

At Goodstart, safety and wellbeing come first. Our child-safe culture and evidence-based practice support early learning that builds confidence for life.

If your circumstances are changing for 2026, our Family Support Team is available to support families — whether you're looking to start care, increase days, understand your subsidy, or talk through any questions or feedback.

📞 Contact our Family Support Team to start the conversation - 1800 222 543

Find a centre: https://brnw.ch/21x0uz4