Childcare and kindergarten in Pakenham, VIC
Community Kids Pakenham offers long day care and a Kindergarten program for children aged 6 weeks to school age, conveniently located for families in Pakenham, Nar Nar Goon, Nar Nar Goon North and Pakenham Upper in Melbourne.
All-weather outdoor enviroments
Children can explore our spacious outdoor environments featuring a bike track, vegetable garden, climbing equipment, and a sandpit. Our undercover outdoor play areas allow active play and discovery in different weather conditions.
Indoor spaces for creative play
Our indoor learning spaces include interactive whiteboards, an indoor climbing fort and open-plan learning areas that support exploration, creativity and play-based learning.
Stable and experienced team
Our longstanding educator team provides consistency and strong relationships with families, with some educators having more than 20 years of service.
Government-approved Kindergarten program
Our Government-approved Kindergarten program is delivered by Bachelor-qualified Early Childhood Teachers. Our Kindergarten teachers work in collaboration with local primary schools to help children build confidence and feel prepared for their transition to school.
Individual Learning Plans for every child
We create Individual Learning Plans for each child, based on their interests, strengths and developmental goals, and partner with families to regularly review and update each plan.
Weekly enrichment programs
Children enjoy enrichment programs, including weekly Active8 Health and Fitness incursions for all age groups.
Healthy meals prepared each day
Balanced meals and snacks are provided each day to support children’s healthy growth, development and energy for learning. Our menus cater for allergies and individual dietary requirements.
Daily updates through our family app
Families receive daily updates and photos through our family app, helping them stay connected to their child’s learning and experiences.
Secure your place today
Book a tour to experience the centre and confirm availability for your child.
Meet our Centre Manager
Victorian Government-approved Kindergarten program
Our kindergarten programs are tailored to meet your child’s individual learning needs across numeracy, literacy, emotional and social development, resilience, and self-regulation.
Our early learning centre offers the VIC Government-approved Kindergarten program, supporting your child’s development and well-being from now, at school and beyond. In Victoria, 3 and 4-year-old children are able to access a funded kindergarten program led by a Bachelor-qualified Early Childhood Teacher. If eligible, your child will be able to participate in the Government-approved Kindergarten program, at no cost, up to a minimum of 15 hours per week, 40 weeks per year. Talk to us about how this reduces your out-of-pocket costs.
The added benefits of our kindergarten program include:
- Extended long day care opening hours
- Open all year round (excl. public holidays)
- Programs developed and delivered by our Early Childhood Teachers
- Exclusive music and movement program for self-regulation
We’re all about healthy, nutritious eating
At our Pakenham early learning centre, we have a dedicated chef who prepares nutritious meals for children. Our menus rotate every 4 weeks, offering a variety of nutritious options and changing with the seasons to incorporate fresh and wholesome ingredients. We serve breakfast, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea, and a late snack, all prepared fresh each day. We cater to all dietary requirements, including Halal and vegetarian, ensuring every child’s needs are met.
Fees
The Child Care Subsidy can reduce your daily out-of-pocket fee by up to 95% depending on your family’s entitlements.
Nursery
0 – 2 years
$163.65/day
Toddler
2 – 4 years
$163.65/day
Kindergarten
4 – 5 years
$163.65/day
Child Care Subsidy Estimator
Discover how much child care subsidy you may be entitled to by entering the fields below.
2026 3-Day Guarantee
From 5th January 2026, based on the information you have entered, here's an estimate of your CCS entitlements and your out-of-pocket costs.
Total Fees
$0.00
Estimated CCS Fee Subsidy
$0.00
Kindergarten/Preschool Subsidy
$0.00
Out of Pocket Cost (what you pay)
$0.00
Matrix Out of Pocket Cost
Is your CCS working for you? Check the out-of-pocket cost matrix per child against session lengths and weekly days below. Please note: The table in the matrix only shows out-of-pocket costs after CCS (Child Care Subsidy).
| Child 1 | 1 Day | 2 Days | 3 Days | 4 Days | 5 Days |
|---|
*Kindergarten/preschool subsidy applied: $0.00
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Frequently asked questions
A centre tour is a convenient way to experience the childcare centre of your choice and meet with our qualified educators at a time that is suitable for your family’s schedule. Click here to book a tour online.
On the day of the tour, you can observe practices and interactions within the centre environment. You’ll be able to see all the rooms and playgrounds, ask the team members any questions you have in mind, and get all the information you need to make the best decision for your child.
Enrolling is simple, and our Family Support Team will guide you through each step.
First, find your local centre and book a tour so you can meet the team and explore the learning environment. If the centre is the right fit and a place is available, you’ll receive an enrolment offer for your child. If a place is not currently available in your child’s age group, we can add your child to the waitlist and keep you updated.
To finalise your enrolment, you’ll complete an online enrolment form through a secure link sent by our Family Support Team. You’ll also need to provide key details and documents, including your child’s birth certificate, Medicare details, immunisation history statement and, if eligible, your Child Care Subsidy details.
Before your child’s first day, you may be invited to attend a Stay and Play session. This gives your child time to explore the centre, meet their educators, and start feeling comfortable in their new environment. Once your paperwork is complete, your child is ready to start their early learning journey with us.
Starting child care is a big milestone, and a little preparation can help your child feel more comfortable and confident.
Before your child’s first day, you can talk positively about their new centre, explain what their day might look like, and practise small routines such as packing their bag, saying goodbye, washing hands and sitting down for meals. You may also like to visit the centre with your child, meet their educators and ask our team about what to bring on the first day.
When your child starts, our educators will take the time to get to know your child’s routine, interests, comfort items and individual needs. Settling in looks different for every child, so we work closely with families to help children feel safe, supported and ready to learn.
Most of our child care and early education centres offer nappies and wipes, sunscreen and hats, as well as nutritious meals prepared by our in-house cook. Some centres also provide sheets and formula, so you may not need to remember to pack them.
For nursery children, be sure to bring: nappy rash cream, dummies, bottles and teats, comfort toys or blankets, three spare outfits and spare socks.
For toddlers and preschool or kindergarten-aged children, it’s best to bring: spare underwear, water bottle or sippy cup, sun hat, closed-toe shoes, two spare outfits and spare socks.
Plus, anything else your individual child may need, such as breast milk, a sleeping bag, a comforter or medication.
It’s best to speak to your centre of choice for a full list of everything included.
Community Kids uses Xplor Home as our family communication app. It is the best and easiest way to keep track of your child’s day.
After you enrol your child with the centre, you can utilise Xplor Home to book child care days, manage your account, receive the photographs that capture your child’s learning, learn about your child’s progress, as well as keep up-to-date with upcoming centre events and important information.
If your child shows signs of an infectious illness when they arrive at the centre or becomes sick during the day, you may be notified that you need to make alternative arrangements or pick up your child from the centre and keep them home until they are no longer infectious. While we understand that this can be inconvenient, Community Kids is committed to maintaining a healthy environment and reducing the risk of infection for all children.
Under the Child Care Subsidy (CCS), families are allowed 42 absence days per child, per financial year. These can be taken for any reason, including public holidays and when children are sick, without requiring families to provide documentation.
Contact us
We look forward to welcoming your family.