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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: ~$151/day before CCS. All three centres are CCS approved. Fees current as of February 2026. Confirm directly with each centre.
All 7 quality areas: Meeting
Birches Early Learning Centre Frankston South at 137 Overport Road is a family-owned and operated centre surrounded by abundant natural play spaces that create a genuinely organic learning environment. The centre is purpose-built and has quickly filled to capacity, currently carrying no vacancies, with families joining the waitlist.
The educational philosophy is grounded in the Reggio Emilia approach: emergent, child-led learning in responsive environments that treat children as capable, curious individuals. Programs are guided by children's interests and designed to support every developmental milestone from the nursery through to the 4-year-old kindergarten group.
The physical environment is a defining feature. The natural play spaces surrounding the centre give children genuine access to the outdoors, with spaces that inspire exploration, imagination and hands-on learning. Parents describe it as "beyond beautiful", a centre that feels different from the moment you arrive.
Flexible session options (9, 10 and 12-hour sessions) allow families to optimise their Child Care Subsidy. The daily fee includes all meals, nappies and programs.
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 to my children's start date it has always felt welcoming, warm and inviting. My children were excited from the first time they came to do the tour — my daughter who is usually quite shy in new environments didn't even want to leave. I would recommend anyone to go have a look as it is honestly an amazing centre and all 3 of my children ask to go each day which is a huge step forward.”
“Our daughter has been attending Birches Early Learning since they opened! All the teachers are so caring and they have a beautiful outdoor space for the kids to play! My daughter is always happy when I drop her off and pick her up. Would highly recommend Birches.”
“The staff has been amazing at settling in our boys into their first daycare. They both love playing outside, singing and storytime.”
Birches Frankston South is the first choice in postcode 3199. The combination of a Meeting NQS rating, stunning natural environment, Reggio Emilia curriculum and zero current vacancies tells you everything about its standing in the community. 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. If this is your preference, join the waitlist now.
All 7 quality areas: Meeting
Goodstart Early Learning Frankston South at Stotts Lane holds a current Meeting NQS rating and strong parent satisfaction scores. As part of Australia's largest not-for-profit early learning provider, the Stotts Lane location benefits from national resources, a consistent curriculum framework and a genuine community mission.
Goodstart's programs are built around the Early Years Learning Framework, with a strong focus on inclusion, child wellbeing and developmentally appropriate practice. The not-for-profit structure means any surplus is reinvested into programs and environments rather than returned to shareholders.
For families who value the assurance of a nationally-scaled operator with a proven community track record, Goodstart Stotts Lane is the standout second choice in Frankston South.
“My two children started at Stotts lane at six months of age. Our children were welcomed with open arms and it wasn't long before they had built strong connections with their educators and were so excited to attend each day. We cannot thank the staff at Stotts lane enough for giving our children the best possible support and care throughout their early learning journey.”
“All the educators and staff are so friendly and welcoming at Stotts Lane. My child looks forward to going to daycare and has strong connections with her educators and peers. This centre also has a bush kinder program which my child LOVES. I wouldn't send her anywhere else!”
“Since my boys started at stotts Goodstart their development has been leaps and bounds. The staff are amazing and take such good care of them and go to the extra length of making sure that day to day routine is spot on.”
Goodstart Stotts Lane is a strong second choice in Frankston South with consistently positive parent feedback. For families who can't secure a place at Birches, this is the natural next step.
All 7 quality areas: Meeting
First Early Learning Frankston South at 124 Frankston-Flinders Road holds a Meeting NQS rating issued November 2023 and strong parent satisfaction scores. The centre sits on a site previously occupied by a play centre, redesigned with 102 approved places across six purpose-built classrooms named after native plants: Lilly Pilly, Acacia, Hibiscus, Myrtle, Waratah and Kinder. Established gardens surround the outdoor play areas, with water tanks, sand and mud pits, swings and sensory gardens designed for adventurous, unhurried play.
The educational philosophy is grounded in the Reggio Emilia approach; the environment is treated as a "third educator" alongside the children and staff. Programs are child-led and play-based, recognising each child as an individual with unique needs, abilities and interests. Director Sinem Baydar brings 12 years of early childhood experience and is currently completing a Bachelor's degree. Specialist programs integrated into the daily curriculum include beach kinder, bush kinder, sustainable gardening, swimming, music and movement, yoga, and intergenerational relationships, at no additional cost to families.
At $177.52 per day, First Early Learning sits at the top end of the Frankston South fee range. Starting Blocks lists no inclusions. Contact the centre directly to confirm what is covered. Hours are 7:00am to 6:30pm Monday to Friday. The Victorian Government's Free Kinder program for eligible 3 and 4-year-olds is delivered by Bachelor-qualified teachers within long day care hours.
“Five stars doesn't feel like enough! Our boys have been attending First Early Learning Frankston for just over two years, and we couldn't be more grateful for the experience we've had. From day one, the staff have gone above and beyond—always welcoming, friendly, and genuinely invested in the wellbeing and development of our children.”
“The whole team has been amazing for our 2 little ones. Communication has been elite, the staff are so friendly and genuinely care about the kids. Couldn't give a higher recommendation!!”
“My daughter has recently moved up to the Willow Room and absolutely loves it. The centre is incredibly well run – everything feels calm, organised, and genuinely nurturing. Compared to the other centres my older son attended, this one feels especially peaceful and balanced.”
First Early Learning is a strong third choice for Frankston South families, particularly those in the southern end of the suburb. Consistently positive parent reviews reflect a centre that delivers on its Reggio Emilia philosophy.
Frankston South is a leafy, established residential suburb on Melbourne's south-eastern fringe, located approximately 45 kilometres from the CBD within the City of Frankston local government area. Sharing postcode 3199 with neighbouring Frankston, the suburb is characterised by generous block sizes, abundant parkland and a family-oriented community. Frankston South attracts families who value space, natural surroundings and proximity to beaches, schools and the broader Frankston services precinct.
Parents in Frankston South tend to prioritise nature-rich learning environments, strong educator relationships and centres with demonstrated community standing. The suburb's smaller market of four long day care centres means families often face waitlists at the most sought-after services, making early enquiry essential.
For this guide, all four long day care centres operating in Frankston South were assessed against NQS ratings sourced from Starting Blocks (ACECQA), verified fees and parent reviews. Twenty-five per cent of centres in the suburb hold an Exceeding NQS rating, above the national average.
Frankston South sits within the City of Frankston, approximately 45 km south-east of Melbourne's CBD on the Mornington Peninsula fringe. The suburb has four long day care centres with an average daily fee of $151. Notably, 25% of centres hold an Exceeding NQS rating, above the national average of 6%.
All three centres are CCS approved. Most Australian families are eligible for CCS, means-tested based 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 offers integrated Free Kinder within long day care hours.
Birches Frankston South currently has no vacancies. Join the waitlist by contacting the centre on (03) 8785 7888.
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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