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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 Google Reviews, 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.
Suburb average: ~$157.70/day before CCS. Both centres are CCS approved. Fees current as of February 2026.
Regulatory visit November 2025: Zero enforcement actions
All 7 quality areas: Meeting
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.
One distinguishing feature across all Birches Early Learning centres is the monthly incursion program, included at no additional cost to families. Programs rotate by term and centre but consistently include hands-on experiences like the Henny Penny chicken hatching program, butterfly lifecycle (caterpillar to chrysalis to butterfly), reptile and native animal incursions, Museum Victoria's outreach program, Little Scientists, dental visits, woodworking workshops, and Aboriginal cultural music and history sessions. The program brings expert-led learning experiences directly to children at the centre rather than requiring families to coordinate external visits.
“Birches is a beautiful centre with lovely staff. The educators have demonstrated great care towards the children, giving us parents the peace of mind.”
“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 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. The monthly incursion program, included in fees rather than charged extra, brings hands-on learning experiences like chicken hatching, butterfly lifecycle, and Museum Victoria visits directly to children at the centre.
Regulatory visit June 2025: Zero enforcement actions
All 7 quality areas: Meeting
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.
“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.”
“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.”
“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!”
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.
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 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.
Both centres are CCS approved. Most Australian families are eligible for CCS, which is means-tested based on combined family income and activity levels.
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.
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.
Standalone kindergarten for 3 and 4-year-olds. Does not offer long day care.
Outside school hours care for primary school-aged children. Not a long day care service.
Information on this page was last verified: March 2026
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.
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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