The Top 3 Childcare Centres in Thomastown, VIC (3074)

Bubup Wilam Aboriginal Child & Family Centre at 52-76 Main Street holds an Excellent NQS rating, the highest possible rating under the National Quality Framework, issued November 2023 by ACECQA. The centre is Aboriginal community-led with a mission to support Aboriginal families and children. Provider: Bubup Wilam Aboriginal Child and Family Centre Inc. Previous NQS: Exceeding (October 2017). Last regulatory visit: April 2025. Zero enforcement actions. Zero current conditions on approval.

With 82 licensed places, Bubup Wilam is a mid-sized centre: large enough to offer a rich community environment, small enough to ensure every child is genuinely known. The centre is set on Main Street in one of Thomastown's most established residential pockets, with generous indoor and outdoor spaces designed around cultural connection and family engagement.

Aboriginal cultural programming underpins everything at Bubup Wilam, a community-led approach that treats cultural connection as central to child development. Language immersion, connection to country, family support services and community partnerships are embedded in daily practice. Indoor spaces are designed to be welcoming and familiar, with open-ended resources that inspire children to follow their interests. Outdoor areas provide room for physical development, imaginative play and connection with the natural world.

The daily fee is $146.20. Confirm inclusions directly with the centre on (03) 8459 4800. The 3 and 4-year-old kindergarten program is integrated within long day care hours, with qualified educators delivering a play-based program focused on school readiness, social development and early literacy and numeracy.

Bubup Wilam Aboriginal Child & Family Centre is the clear first choice in postcode 3074. An Excellent NQS rating confirmed by ACECQA in November 2023, with zero enforcement actions, an April 2025 regulatory clearance, and a community-led operator with deep roots in the Thomastown area. Contact the centre directly on (03) 8459 4800 to confirm vacancy status.

Journey Early Learning Thomastown at 2 Charles Street holds a Meeting NQS rating issued March 2025 by Starting Blocks (ACECQA), making it the most recently assessed of the three ranked centres. Operated by Journey ELC. Previous NQS: Meeting (May 2021). Last regulatory visit: February 2025. Zero enforcement actions. Zero current conditions on approval.

With 80 licensed places, Journey Early Learning is a well-sized centre offering a rich community environment and diverse peer groups, with intentional design to ensure children feel secure and known. The centre is set on Charles Street in Thomastown, with generous indoor and outdoor spaces designed around play-based learning and family engagement.

Play-based learning underpins everything at Journey Early Learning, a child-centred approach that treats curiosity and exploration as central to development. STEM activities, arts and music programs, outdoor exploration and nature play are embedded in daily practice. Families stay connected through digital parent portal, daily photo updates and learning journey documentation.

The daily fee of $178.00 includes afternoon tea, breakfast, education programs, excursions and incursions, lunch, morning tea, nappies and other meals, confirmed on Starting Blocks. The 3 and 4-year-old kindergarten program is integrated within long day care hours, with qualified educators delivering a play-based program focused on school readiness, social development and early literacy and numeracy. As of March 2026, casual and permanent vacancies are currently available.

Journey Early Learning Thomastown ranks #2 in postcode 3074. The most recently assessed of the three ranked centres (March 2025, Meeting NQS), with a 5.0 Google rating, zero enforcement actions, and full inclusions confirmed on Starting Blocks. Casual and permanent vacancies are currently available. Contact the centre directly on (03) 8746 6900.

Montessori Beginnings Thomastown at 251 Settlement Road holds a Meeting NQS rating issued September 2024 by Starting Blocks (ACECQA). The centre is independently operated with Montessori-trained educators. Previous NQS: Meeting (January 2019). Last regulatory visit: August 2024. Zero enforcement actions. Zero current conditions on approval.

Montessori methodology underpins everything at Montessori Beginnings, a child-led approach that treats the child as an active constructor of knowledge. Practical life activities, sensorial exploration, language and mathematics through Montessori materials, and respect for the child's developmental pace are embedded in daily practice. Indoor spaces are designed with carefully prepared environments and open-ended Montessori materials. Outdoor areas provide room for physical development, imaginative play and connection with the natural world.

The daily fee is $160.99. Starting Blocks lists no inclusions for this centre. Confirm meals, nappies and all inclusions directly with the centre on 0468 557 162. With 115 licensed places, Montessori Beginnings is the largest centre in the Thomastown top 3.

The 3 and 4-year-old kindergarten program is integrated within long day care hours, with Montessori-trained educators delivering a child-led program focused on school readiness, social development and early literacy and numeracy. As of March 2026, casual and permanent vacancies are currently available.

Montessori Beginnings Thomastown ranks #3 in postcode 3074. A recent NQS assessment (September 2024, Meeting NQS), a 5.0 Google rating, zero enforcement actions, and Montessori-trained educators. Casual and permanent vacancies are currently available. Contact the centre directly on 0468 557 162.