Goodstart Early Learning Mildura - Eleventh Street

30/05/2026

Anyone doing some Sunday cooking today?
Here is a recipe to try with your little ones.

13/05/2026

In the weeks leading up to Mother’s Day, our Centre proudly held a raffle fundraiser in support of Zoe Support — a wonderful Mildura-based not-for-profit organisation dedicated to empowering young mothers aged up to 25 within the Sunraysia community.

As part of the early learning industry, we understand how important access to Early Learning and Education is for children and families. We greatly appreciate the incredible support Zoe provides to local young mothers and their families, including assisting with childcare transport to help ensure children can access these important services.

We were overwhelmed by the amazing support from our families and community throughout the fundraiser. One of our incredible families even sold an outstanding 70 raffle tickets!

Thanks to everyone’s generosity, we proudly raised a total of $330 to donate to Zoe Support.

Today, we welcomed Merinda to the Centre to collect the donation, and we were grateful to capture this special moment together. Thank you again to everyone who contributed and helped make a positive difference in our local community 💛

12/05/2026

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! ✨

20/04/2026

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 👇

19/04/2026

As educators, we know that some of the most powerful learning happens in everyday moments — and families play such an important role in this.

One of the best ways to support your child’s learning at home is through responsive and meaningful conversations. Instead of simply saying, “Well done” or “I like your drawing”, try asking open-ended questions that invite your child to think, reflect and share their ideas.

Questions like:
👉 “Tell me about your drawing — what’s happening here?”
👉 “How did you decide to use those colours?”
👉 “What might happen next in your story?”

These types of questions encourage creativity, problem-solving and language development — and most importantly, they show your child that their thoughts and ideas matter.

It’s not about having all the answers — it’s about being curious together.

17/04/2026

Playing with playdough is more than just fun; it is a vital tool for early childhood development that helps children grow physically, emotionally, and cognitively.

Key reasons why it is important include:
Builds Hand Strength:
Squishing, rolling, and pinching strengthen the small muscles in fingers and hands.

Encourages Creativity:
As an "open-ended" toy, playdough has no right or wrong way to be used. Children can use their imagination to transform a blob into anything from a pizza to a dinosaur, which helps develop symbolic thinking and problem-solving skills.

Provides a Calming Effect:
It can be therapeutic, acting much like a stress ball for young children. The repetitive acts of kneading and squeezing can help kids release excess energy, ease tension, and regulate big emotions.

Supports Language Skills:
Children often narrate what they are doing, which builds their vocabulary. They learn descriptive words like "squishy," "soft" and "smooth," as well as action words like "flatten" or "stretch".

Introduces Math and Science:
Children practice counting, learn about shapes and sizes, and observe scientific changes.
Improves Social Skills:
Children must practice sharing tools, taking turns, and collaborating on creations.

09/04/2026

The Goodstart Family Shop is now open! 👕🛒 shirts
Every child will receive a complimentary Goodstart shirt and hat in their 2026 welcome pack.
But we know how quickly those items of clothing tell the story of a big day of learning - paint, sand, food and fun!
That's why the Family Shop makes it easy to order extras.
In just a few clicks, you can stock up so your child's "good clothes" stay safe at home, and their Goodstart clothes proudly carry the evidence of play.
👕0-2 years (Nursery/Toddler): our much-loved yellow shirts
👕3-5 years (Kindergarten/Preschool): bright orange shirts, plus jumpers and shorts
➕ Plus hats, bag tags, wet bags and more!!!
Wearing a 'uniform' isn't just practical — it helps children feel a sense of identity and belonging, knowing they're part of the same group. It also supports school readiness by helping children get used to wearing a uniform each day, just like they will at school.
👉Shop here: https://brnw.ch/21wZzxJ