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The Top 2 Long Day Care Centres in Bunyip, VIC (3815)

The top 2 childcare centres in Bunyip are Birches Early Learning Centre Bunyip (Meeting NQS, $151.38/day) and Sparrow Early Learning Bunyip (Meeting NQS, $164.00/day). Rankings are based on ACECQA NQS ratings, verified fees from Starting Blocks, and parent reviews from Google, CareForKids and Toddle. Bunyip 3815 is a small rural township with two long day care centres and a suburb average of ~$157.70/day.

3815Postcode
Shire of CardiniaLGA
2 centresReviewed
Feb 2026Last updated

How we chose the top 2

Every centre was assessed against five criteria: NQS rating independently assessed by the Victorian regulatory authority, fee transparency verified against the Starting Blocks database, parent satisfaction drawn from KindiCare, CareForKids and Toddle, program quality including curriculum approach and educator qualifications, and practical value including hours, inclusions and Free Kinder access.

We do not accept payment from any centre to appear on this list. Our rankings are independent.

Quick fee comparison
Birches
$151.38
Sparrow
$164

Suburb average: ~$157.70/day before CCS. Both centres are CCS approved. Fees current as of February 2026.

1
#1 in Bunyip

Birches Early Learning Centre Bunyip

31 High Street, Bunyip VIC 3815ACECQA: Meeting NQS — November 2023Regulatory visit November 2025 — Zero enforcement actions
NQS Quality Areas

All 7 quality areas: Meeting

Daily fee
$151.38
Ages
6 weeks to 6 years
Hours
Monday to Friday, 6:30am to 6:30pm
CCS approved
Yes
Free Kinder
Yes, integrated
Capacity
92 children

Birches Early Learning Centre Bunyip sits on High Street in the heart of Bunyip township, bringing the Birches group's established Reggio Emilia approach to one of Cardinia Shire's most community-focused towns.

The educational philosophy is grounded in the Reggio Emilia approach and underpinned by the Early Years Learning Framework. Children are treated as capable, curious learners from the nursery through to the 4-year-old kindergarten room, with programs guided by their individual interests and developmental stage.

The daily fee includes all meals prepared fresh on-site, nappies, wipes, sunscreen, and a full educational program including incursions, excursions, music and movement, sports sessions and a STEM program. Daily updates and photos are provided through the parent communication app.

Birches Bunyip offers the Victorian Government's Free Kinder program for eligible 3 and 4-year-olds, integrated within long day care hours.

What parents say

Birches is a beautiful centre with lovely staff. The educators have demonstrated great care towards the children, giving us parents the peace of mind.

Birches parent via Birches website

From the moment we did a tour it has always felt welcoming, warm and inviting. My children were excited from the first time they came.

Birches parent via Birches website
Our take

Birches Bunyip is the first choice in the township for families who want a purpose-built early learning environment with a strong educational philosophy and the backing of an established multi-centre operator. The Reggio Emilia curriculum, all-inclusive fees and integrated Free Kinder make it the complete package for Bunyip families.

Best for: Families who want a structured, educationally-led environment with an established curriculum and all-inclusive inclusions.
2
#2 in Bunyip
13 reviews

Sparrow Early Learning Bunyip

65 Hope Street, Bunyip VIC 3815ACECQA: Meeting NQS — July 2025Regulatory visit June 2025 — Zero enforcement actions
NQS Quality Areas

All 7 quality areas: Meeting

Daily fee
$164.00
Ages
0 to 6 years
Hours
Monday to Friday, 6:30am to 6:30pm
CCS approved
Yes
Free Kinder
Yes, integrated
Capacity
75 children

Sparrow Early Learning Bunyip has been operating from Hope Street since 30 November 2015, making it one of Bunyip's most established early learning services. With 75 licensed places, it serves families across the township with a nature-focused, community-rooted program.

Sparrow's educational philosophy is guided by the Reggio Emilia approach and underpinned by the Early Years Learning Framework. The centre places a strong emphasis on nature and outdoor learning experiences, with indoor spaces filled with natural materials and open-ended resources that encourage children to follow their interests.

The outdoor spaces are a genuine strength — unstructured open green spaces, quiet shady areas, sandpits and climbing equipment give children room to develop gross motor skills, social skills and a sense of freedom.

Service Manager Stacie brings eight years of industry experience across multiple roles. Her philosophy is community-first: "I believe it takes a village to raise a child and recognise the importance of community, building relationships and scaffolding on their social skills."

The centre's NQS was reconfirmed in July 2025, with a regulatory visit in June 2025 and no conditions or enforcement actions issued. The full day fee of $164 includes all meals, nappies and educational programs.

What parents say

I appreciate how much effort the team put into drop off times when my daughter is hesitant for me to leave. Communication through Storypark is thorough and efficient.

Janice Farrugia via Parent review

We love Bunyip Childcare! The staff are amazing and always communicate thoroughly with us. The inclusion of Storypark means I can see how much fun my boys are having during the day.

Rhiannon Schembri via Parent review

Beautiful centre that is constantly growing in all aspects. With passionate educators and management who wouldn't want their children to learn and develop here!

James Robinson via Parent review
Our take

Sparrow Bunyip is a genuinely excellent community centre. Its July 2025 NQS reconfirmation, strong outdoor spaces and deeply community-oriented team make it the standout for families who want a centre that feels like an extension of Bunyip itself. The $164 daily fee is transparent and all-inclusive.

Best for: Families who want a community-rooted centre with strong outdoor learning, consistent educators and a fee that reflects genuine value.

About childcare in Bunyip

Bunyip is a small rural township in the Shire of Cardinia, located approximately 70 kilometres south-east of Melbourne's CBD along the Princes Highway. The township retains a close-knit, country-town character with a strong local community identity. Bunyip is served by Bunyip station on the Gippsland line, providing a direct connection to Melbourne, and is surrounded by farmland and green space that contribute to its relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere.

The township has two long day care centres providing a small number of licensed places. With an average daily fee of approximately $157.70 per day before the Child Care Subsidy, Bunyip's childcare market is small but well served by two quality providers, both holding Meeting NQS ratings.

Families considering childcare in Bunyip are encouraged to contact both centres directly to confirm current fees, inclusions and vacancy status, as places in a small township can fill quickly.

Bunyip childcare — what you need to know

Bunyip sits within the Shire of Cardinia, approximately 70 km south-east of Melbourne's CBD. The average long day care fee in Bunyip is approximately $157.70 per day before the Child Care Subsidy.

Child Care Subsidy (CCS)

Both centres are CCS approved. Most Australian families are eligible for CCS, which is means-tested based on combined family income and activity levels.

Free Kinder

Both Birches and Sparrow offer integrated government-funded kindergarten programs for eligible 3 and 4-year-olds within their long day care hours. Victoria's Free Kinder program provides up to 15 hours per week at no cost to families.

Supply and demand

With 75 confirmed long day care places at Sparrow serving 258 children under five in the township, securing a place early is important. Contact both centres as soon as possible.

Other services in Bunyip worth knowing about

Bunyip Kindergarten (29 Princess Street)

Standalone kindergarten for 3 and 4-year-olds. Does not offer long day care.

Bunyip OSHClub

Outside school hours care for primary school-aged children. Not a long day care service.

Frequently asked questions

What childcare centres are in Bunyip VIC?
Bunyip has two long day care centres: Birches Early Learning Centre at 31 High Street and Sparrow Early Learning at 65 Hope Street. Both hold Meeting NQS ratings and are CCS approved. There is also Bunyip Kindergarten at 29 Princess Street (standalone kindergarten, no long day care) and Bunyip OSHClub for outside school hours care.
How much does childcare cost in Bunyip?
The average long day care fee in Bunyip 3815 is approximately $157.70 per day before the Child Care Subsidy. Birches charges $151.38 per full day and Sparrow Early Learning charges $164.00 per full day — both include all meals, nappies and programs.
What is the postcode for Bunyip childcare?
Both long day care centres in Bunyip are located in postcode 3815, within the Shire of Cardinia, approximately 70 km south-east of Melbourne's CBD.
Are both centres CCS approved?
Yes. Birches Early Learning Centre Bunyip and Sparrow Early Learning Bunyip are both approved to receive the Australian Government's Child Care Subsidy.
Is there a Free Kinder program available in Bunyip?
Yes. Both Birches and Sparrow offer integrated government-funded kindergarten programs for eligible 3 and 4-year-olds within their long day care hours. Victoria's Free Kinder program provides up to 15 hours per week at no cost to families.

Information on this page was last verified: March 2026

About this guide

top3elc.com.au is an independent guide to the best childcare centres in every suburb across Victoria. We do not accept payment or sponsorship from any centre to appear in our rankings. All NQS ratings are sourced from ACECQA via the Starting Blocks government database. Fees are verified at time of publication — always confirm directly with the centre. Last updated: February 2026.

Disclosure

top3elc.com.au is operated by the team behind Birches Early Learning. Birches appears in this suburb based on its NQS rating, verified fees and parent reviews — the same criteria applied to every other centre on this site. All other rankings are completely independent. We do not accept payment from any centre to influence rankings.

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1
Birches Early Learning Centre Bunyip
2
Sparrow Early Learning Bunyip
Both centres at a glance
Birches Early Learning Centre Bunyip
$151.38/day · 92 places · Meeting NQS
Sparrow Early Learning Bunyip
$164.00/day · 75 places · Meeting NQS
13 reviews
Nearby suburbs
Data sources
ACECQANQS ratings
Starting BlocksFees and vacancies
CareForKidsParent reviews
ToddleParent reviews

Last updated: February 2026

Related guides
How to Choose Childcare in MelbourneNQS Ratings ExplainedChild Care Subsidy (CCS) GuideFree Kinder in VictoriaQuestions to Ask on a Centre TourChildcare Fees by Suburb
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