The Top 3 Childcare Centres in Brighton, VIC (3186)

Hunt Community Child Care Centre at 103 Cochrane Street holds an Exceeding NQS rating issued December 2022, the highest standard achievable through regular assessment, and the only such rating held by any long day care centre in Brighton postcode 3186. Four of seven quality areas are rated Exceeding NQS: Educational program and practice (QA1), Staffing arrangements (QA4), Relationships with children (QA5), and Collaborative partnerships with families and communities (QA6). The remaining three, Children's health and safety (QA2), Physical environment (QA3), and Governance and leadership (QA7), are rated Meeting NQS. The previous overall rating was Meeting NQS (January 2017), making the December 2022 result a genuine improvement across assessments. The centre was last visited by the regulatory authority in August 2024. There are no current conditions on approval and zero enforcement actions in the past two years.

Hunt Community Child Care Centre Inc is a community non-profit, one of very few non-profit operators remaining in Brighton's long day care market. The centre has operated at 103 Cochrane Street since at least 2012. With 47 approved places, it is the smallest centre in the Brighton top 3, which supports a high ratio of individual attention for each child. The small scale, non-profit governance model, and strong NQS performance across program, staffing, and relationships quality areas position Hunt as Brighton's standout centre for families prioritising quality and community values over size or branding.

At $152.00 per day, Hunt is the most affordable long day care centre in the Brighton top 3, significantly below the suburb average of approximately $177/day. Starting Blocks confirms 2 inclusions: education programs and excursions/incursions. Confirm directly with the centre what else may be included in the daily fee. Hours are 7:45am to 6:00pm Monday to Friday. Note the slightly later opening time compared to most other centres in the suburb, which open from 7:00am or 7:30am.

Hunt Community Child Care Centre ranks first because it is the only long day care centre in Brighton postcode 3186 currently rated Exceeding the National Quality Standard, with that rating issued in December 2022. Four of seven quality areas are rated Exceeding NQS. As a community non-profit, it is also the most affordable centre in the top 3 at $152.00 per day. No current conditions on approval, zero enforcement actions, and a regulatory visit in August 2024.

Bambini Early Learning Centre at 13-15 Asling Street holds a Meeting NQS rating issued April 2025, the most recent NQS assessment of any centre in the Brighton 3186 top 3. The centre previously held Meeting NQS in June 2021: two consecutive assessments, both Meeting NQS. All 7 quality areas are rated Meeting NQS. The centre was last visited by the regulatory authority in March 2026, the most recent regulatory visit of any centre in the Brighton top 3. There are no current conditions on approval and zero enforcement actions in the past two years.

Bambini Early Learning Centre is operated by Bambini Asling Pty Ltd, a private operator. The centre has operated at 13-15 Asling Street since May 2018. With 75 approved places, it is the largest centre in the Brighton top 3. The Bambini approach emphasises partnership between educators and families, play-based learning, and a philosophy of treating every child as a global citizen from birth. The centre employs a qualified chef and operates an on-site kitchen, which is reflected in the comprehensive meals included in the daily fee.

At $207.30 per day, Bambini is the highest-fee centre in the Brighton top 3. Starting Blocks confirms 7 inclusions: afternoon tea, education programs, excursions and incursions, lunch, morning tea, nappies, and other meals. All main meals are included, and education programs and excursions are specifically listed, making this the most comprehensively documented inclusions package of any centre in Brighton 3186. For families seeking a fully all-inclusive fee, Bambini offers the clearest confirmation.

Bambini Early Learning Centre ranks second on the strength of its Meeting NQS rating (April 2025), consecutive Meeting NQS across two assessment cycles, the March 2026 regulatory visit with zero enforcement actions, and the most comprehensive Starting Blocks-confirmed inclusions package of any centre in Brighton at $207.30 per day with 7 inclusions. While no vacancies were listed as of the week of 9-13 March 2026, families should contact the centre directly to enquire about waitlist positions.

Brighton Beach Early Learning Centre at 21 New Street holds a Meeting NQS rating issued February 2024. The centre previously held Meeting NQS in February 2019: two consecutive assessments. All quality areas are rated Meeting NQS overall, with one exception: Staffing arrangements (QA4) is rated Exceeding NQS in the February 2024 assessment. This is the only individual QA-level Exceeding rating held by any centre in the Brighton top 3 at its most recent assessment. The remaining six quality areas are all rated Meeting NQS. The centre was last visited by the regulatory authority in January 2024. There are no current conditions on approval and zero enforcement actions in the past two years.

Brighton Beach Early Learning Centre is currently operated by Enlighten Learning Pty Ltd, who became the approved provider in July 2022. With 64 approved places, the centre is a mid-sized service at 21 New Street. Note: Brighton Early Learning Centre at 247 New Street is a separately operated service under the same provider, with a different service approval number and different NQS assessment history. The two should be evaluated independently.

At $188.00 per day, Brighton Beach sits in the mid-range for Brighton's long day care market. Starting Blocks lists no inclusions: the fee is stated as $188.00 with "None" confirmed under inclusions. Confirm directly with the centre what meals, nappies, and other items are or are not covered.

Brighton Beach Early Learning Centre ranks third on the strength of its Meeting NQS rating (February 2024), consecutive Meeting NQS across two assessment cycles, the only individual QA at Exceeding level in the top 3 (Staffing arrangements), no conditions on approval, zero enforcement actions, and confirmed vacancies as of March 2026. At $188.00 per day it sits in the mid-range, though families should confirm inclusions directly.