Goodstart Early Learning McDowall

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

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 💛

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 👇

6 Benefits Of Playing And Exploring In The Rain
There are plenty of proven benefits of outdoor play for children. Did you know, however, that there are also lots of benefits to allowing children to continue playing outdoors, even if it begins to rain?

As long as children are wearing appropriate clothing that keeps them warm and dry, they can fully reap the benefits of playing and exploring outdoors in the rain.

Grab your wellies, raincoats and umbrellas and get ready for play.

At Goodstart McDowall Play, we believe outdoor learning should never stop, in any weather. That’s why we’ve highlighted six exciting benefits for playing in the rain...

1. Enhance Physical Skills
2. Promotes A Healthy Lifestyle
3. Investigating Scientific Concepts
4. Provide A Sensory Experience
5. Increase Independency
6. Enhance Creativity

If you would like to see what else Goodstart McDowall offers please contact us on P: 07 3353 6233 or email: [email protected] or come and have a chat with our wonderful staff 😊

At Goodstart Early Learning McDowall, we hold regular staff meetings in which we transform isolated classrooms into cohesive and supportive learning environments. These meetings provide valuable opportunities for educators to come together to discuss, collaborate, and strengthen our practices. Through shared reflection and teamwork, we focus on enhancing program quality by aligning pedagogical goals, fostering strong team connections, and dedicating time to critical reflection and continuous professional development.

If you would like to book a tour please contact us on 07 3353 6233 or email [email protected], we are looking forward to welcoming you into our community 😊

This year’s National Reconciliation Week theme, “All In,” reminds us that reconciliation is a shared journey and that every person has a role to play in building respectful relationships and stronger communities.

In line with our Centre’s Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), we are inviting all families and the wider community to take part in our Sea of Hearts community project. Together, we hope to create a meaningful display that reflects connection, respect, understanding, and our collective commitment to reconciliation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

We invite you to recreate and decorate your heart at home with your child, sharing your thoughts and ideas around the question: “What does reconciliation mean to you?” Families may also choose to include drawings, symbols, colours, or messages that represent hope, kindness, culture, belonging, and unity.

Each completed heart will become part of our growing “Sea of Hearts,” symbolizing that our community is proudly All In — learning together, walking together, and working towards a more inclusive future.

If you would like to join our community please call us on 07 3353 6233 or email [email protected] or come in and see us and have a chat with our wonderful team 😊

At Goodstart Early Learning McDowall, we are proud to have a team of dedicated educators, with many staff members having been part of our centre for more than 10 years. Our educators are passionate about giving children the best possible start to life and providing opportunities for them to grow, learn, and develop in many different ways. We support children in building independence, social skills, creativity, language development, and so much more.

We have strong connections within our local community through school visits, swimming lessons, dental and optical visits, and by welcoming students who are beginning their journey in learning about the early years. We also foster and celebrate children’s cultures through a variety of events where families can share their traditions and experiences. Our diverse team of educators speaks many languages, helping us create an inclusive and welcoming environment for all families.

We currently have limited spaces available from Nursery through to Kindergarten. Don’t miss the opportunity to join our wonderful community — book a tour with us today and come and meet our passionate educators.

Please call us on 07 3353 6233 or email us at [email protected]
We look forward to meeting you ❤️😊

At Goodstart McDowall a great early learning means caring, qualified educators
partnering with families to tailor learning experiences that
nurture your child’s individuality, curiosity and confidence.

Amazing growing minds are ready for a Goodstart!

Secure your child’s place today by calling us on 07 3353 6233 or emailing us at [email protected]