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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: ~$130/day before CCS, below Melbourne average. All three centres are CCS approved.
Regulatory visit January 2026: Zero enforcement actions
All 7 quality areas: Meeting
Birches Early Learning Centre Croydon at 202-204 Dorset Road received its Meeting NQS rating in February 2026, confirmed at the January 2026 regulatory visit with zero enforcement actions. It joins all other Birches locations in Victoria in holding a current Meeting NQS rating.
Birches Croydon brings the group's Reggio Emilia-inspired curriculum, purpose-built natural environments and all-inclusive fee structure to Croydon families.
The daily fee of $155 includes all meals prepared fresh on-site, nappies, wipes, sunscreen, excursions and incursions, music and movement, sports sessions, a STEM program and daily updates through the parent communication app. Flexible session options (9, 10 and 12-hour sessions) allow families to optimise their Child Care Subsidy.
The centre caters for children from 6 weeks through to the 4-year-old kindergarten group, with the Victorian Government's Free Kinder program 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.
“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.”
“The staff has been amazing at settling in our boys into their first daycare. They both love playing outside, singing and storytime.”
Birches Croydon earned its Meeting NQS rating in February 2026, confirmed at the January 2026 regulatory visit with zero enforcement actions. It joins all other Birches locations in Victoria in holding a current Meeting NQS rating. Combined with its Reggio Emilia curriculum, purpose-built natural environment, and all-inclusive fee structure, Birches is the clear first choice for Croydon 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.
All 7 quality areas: Meeting
Croydon World of Learning holds the highest parent ratings of any long day care centre in the Croydon North area, and a current Meeting NQS rating. Part of the G8 Education group, World of Learning centres operate a structured curriculum framework with strong emphasis on school readiness, educator development and parent communication.
The centre caters for children from birth through to school age, with dedicated rooms for each developmental stage. Programs are play-based and aligned with the Early Years Learning Framework, with qualified educators delivering structured learning experiences alongside free play.
At $170.15 per day, it sits above the Croydon suburb average of $130 but below the premium end of the market, reflecting a balance of quality and accessibility.
“We could not have asked for a better childcare based kinder to send our son to. Kris, Steph and Jacqui run a structured Kinder program that is preparing him for starting prep. He is flourishing under their care and the support we receive from them goes above and beyond.”
“The educators are all so fun, engaged and genuinely care for the children. All educators in the centre know all the kids and are always giving such great updates. The centre is really inclusive and celebrates a lot of different cultures.”
“Our daughter loves going, she always comes home happy. She has learnt so much there. There's a great range of extra activities like music and Spanish. The staff are very caring, they provide daily feeack, and work together with you about any concerns.”
Croydon World of Learning is the second-choice recommendation for Croydon families, particularly those in the Croydon North area. Its strong parent ratings and Meeting NQS make it one of the most consistently well-regarded long day care services in the eastern corridor.
All 7 quality areas: Meeting
Goodstart Early Learning Croydon at 418 Mount Dandenong Road is part of Australia's largest not-for-profit early learning provider, operating 676 services nationally. The centre holds a Meeting NQS rating and is led by Centre Director Ashleigh Cakuls, who brings 15 years of early childhood education experience. The purpose-built facility features light and bright interiors with beautiful timber floors, high ceilings and expansive rooms, a non-institutional feel that sets it apart from many chain-operated centres.
The outdoor environment includes a tree-lined adventure playground with a fort, sandpit area, bike track and plenty of shade, plus a separate outdoor area for younger children to play at their own pace. Children tend a vegetable patch as part of the daily program, and a reading and book loan program connects centre learning with home life. The Hey Dee Ho extracurricular dance and movement class adds to a rich program of cooking experiences, collage-making and music exploration.
At $163.91 per day, Goodstart Croydon sits above the suburb average of $130. Nutritious home-cooked meals are included, prepared on-site daily. The not-for-profit structure means any surplus is reinvested directly into programs and environments. Government-funded kindergarten is delivered by university-qualified teachers, and families stay connected through the Storypark app. Ample parking and public transport access make it a practical choice for commuting families.
“My twins have recently finished up in nursery 2 and moved into the toddler room. Every room has been fantastic. I'm really impressed with this centre, great resources and lovely staff.”
“My daughter loved going here from 6 months old all the way until she started primary school. The educators were so lovely and she would run into their rooms as soon as she got there most days always excited to hang out with her friends.”
“My two children attended Goodstart Croydon from the babies' room through to kinder. In every room, the educators showed confidence, knowledge, and a calm, nurturing nature that made each transition easy.”
Goodstart Croydon is a reliable, well-resourced option from Australia's largest early learning not-for-profit. For families who value the assurance of a nationally-scaled operator with a genuine community mission, Goodstart is a strong third choice.
Croydon is an established suburb in Melbourne's outer east, located approximately 30 kilometres from the CBD within the City of Maroondah. The suburb offers a blend of leafy residential streets, a vibrant town centre and access to public transport via Croydon station on the Lilydale and Belgrave lines. Families in Croydon benefit from proximity to the Dandenong Ranges, a range of local schools and extensive parks and recreational facilities.
With a large number of early learning services and fees that generally sit below the broader Melbourne average, Croydon is one of the more affordable childcare markets in the eastern suburbs. The suburb's early learning landscape includes a mix of established chain operators, not-for-profit providers and newer purpose-built centres.
Families considering childcare in Croydon are encouraged to visit centres in person and confirm fees, inclusions and vacancy status directly with each provider, as the competitive market means options vary widely in approach and pricing.
Croydon sits within the City of Maroondah, approximately 30 km east of Melbourne's CBD. With more than 20 early learning services and an average daily fee of $130, below the Melbourne average of $147, Croydon offers families a broad, competitive market.
All three centres are CCS approved. Most Australian families are eligible for CCS, means-tested on combined family income and activity levels.
Victoria's Free Kinder program provides up to 15 funded hours per week for eligible 3 and 4-year-olds. Birches and Goodstart both offer integrated Free Kinder within long day care hours.
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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