The Top 3 Childcare Centres in Bundoora, VIC (3083)

Goodstart Early Learning Bundoora, Bendoran Crescent at 17-19 Bendoran Crescent holds two consecutive Exceeding NQS ratings (February 2017 and May 2023), 5.0 on Google from 22 reviews, and an August 2024 regulatory visit with zero conditions.

What makes Bendoran Crescent genuinely distinctive is its intentional smallness. With just 60 licensed places, its small scale is by design. The centre is tucked away in a quiet, leafy pocket of Bundoora offering a cosy, home-like atmosphere where every child is known and nurtured.

The centre is led by Centre Director Caitlin Griffin, who began her early childhood career with Goodstart in 2012 and has worked across multiple roles including Senior Educator, Educational Leader and Assistant Director before becoming Centre Director. Caitlin holds a Diploma in Early Childhood and is working towards her Bachelor of Early Childhood Education. Her philosophy is built on Key Educator Relationships.

The outdoor program is a genuine highlight. The centre's location near Gresswell Reserve means children experience regular excursions into nature, bush kinder-style experiences that are rare for an urban long day care service. Garden visits, outdoor exploration and nature play are woven throughout the daily program. Indoor spaces feature see-through glass windows and partitions that promote transparency and supervision while creating an open, welcoming environment.

Programs are guided by the EYLF and VEYLDF frameworks, with University-qualified teachers delivering the government-funded kindergarten program for eligible 3 and 4-year-olds. The Key Educator model ensures every child has a dedicated educator who builds a consistent, trusting relationship with them and their family. Families stay connected through Storypark. All meals and nappies are included in the daily fee of $174.06.

Goodstart Bundoora, Bendoran Crescent ranks first in this guide. Two consecutive Exceeding NQS ratings spanning nearly a decade, a 5.0 Google average over 22 reviews, a boutique 60-place scale that ensures every child is genuinely known, a Centre Director who has been with Goodstart since 2012, and regular excursions to nearby Gresswell Reserve: this is a centre that consistently delivers at the highest level. At $174.06 per day, the Exceeding NQS and the parent satisfaction data justify the premium.

Goodstart Early Learning Bundoora, Plenty Road at 3-5 Plenty Road holds a Meeting NQS rating issued December 2022 and was visited by the regulatory authority in June 2025 with zero conditions, the most recent compliance clearance of any centre on this list. It holds 4.7 on Google over 47 reviews and is Kinder Tick accredited, with Bachelor-qualified teachers delivering the government-funded kindergarten program.

The centre is a welcoming, home-like environment serving families across Bundoora and surrounding areas. Programs are guided by the VEYLDF and EYLF, with a particular emphasis on outdoor learning through a dedicated bush kinder program. Spacious outdoor areas give children room for nature play, and the centre's multicultural team embraces the diverse backgrounds of the local community.

The educational program delivers tailored learning in early literacy, numeracy, social and emotional development and community learning. The Key Educator model ensures every child has a consistent, trusted educator relationship. Government-funded 3 and 4-year-old kinder programs are led by Bachelor-qualified teachers and carry the Kinder Tick accreditation. Families stay connected through Storypark, with daily updates, cultural activities and learning documentation shared regularly.

The centre provides all meals, nappies, hats and t-shirts as part of the daily experience. The daily fee of $171.34 is confirmed by Starting Blocks as including afternoon tea, breakfast, lunch, morning tea and nappies.

Goodstart Bundoora, Plenty Road is the second-choice recommendation for postcode 3083. A Meeting NQS issued December 2022, the most recent regulatory clearance of any centre on this list (June 2025, zero conditions), a 4.7 Google average from 47 reviews, Kinder Tick accreditation, a bush kinder program and the backing of a national not-for-profit early learning provider make it a compelling choice. Its previous Exceeding NQS (December 2017) reflects a history of quality the current team is building on.

Milestones Early Learning Bundoora is located at 18-22 Main Drive in Bundoora, within the City of Whittlesea and close to both La Trobe University and RMIT's Bundoora campus. Operated by Affinity Education Group, which has managed this service since May 2022, the centre holds a Meeting NQS rating issued September 2024, the most recent NQS assessment of any centre on this list. It is a purpose-built facility with 120 licensed places, and it draws families from Bundoora, Mill Park and nearby Kingsbury. The daily fee of $159.20 sits below both Goodstart locations on this list.

Centre Manager Nola McKinnon brings over a decade of early childhood experience and has held the Centre Manager role for three and a half years. Parents across review platforms, where the centre holds a 4.7 out of 5 rating from 63 reviews (the highest review count of any centre on this page), credit Nola with fostering an inclusive atmosphere where both children and families feel genuinely welcomed. The educational program covers language, literacy, STEM, and social-emotional development across age-appropriate groupings from babies through to a government-approved kindergarten program for eligible 3 and 4-year-olds. Nola's stated philosophy emphasises building resilience and a sense of wonder in each child, supporting individual developmental pathways rather than a uniform approach.

The Main Drive premises were purpose-built for early childhood education, with spacious indoor learning zones arranged by age group and a large shaded outdoor playground designed for active exploration. An on-site cook prepares fresh meals daily (breakfast, morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea), though Starting Blocks confirms only education programs as a fee inclusion, so families should verify the full inclusions package directly with the centre on (03) 9468 5238. The centre's proximity to the university precinct means it serves a notably diverse family base, and Storypark is used to share photos, learning stories and daily updates with parents.

Milestones Early Learning Bundoora is the third-choice recommendation for postcode 3083. The most recently assessed of the three ranked centres (September 2024 Meeting NQS), 120 places, a 4.7/5 rating from 63 parent reviews (the highest review count of any centre on this list) and a Centre Manager with over a decade of experience make it a well-rounded option. At $159.20 per day it sits below both Goodstart locations while offering the most places and the most recent NQS assessment.