Goodstart Carlton

A warm, welcoming community where children feel at home.

We are located on the lands of the Gadigal peoples.

1-3 Planthurst Road, CARLTON, 2218, NSW

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7:30am to 6:00pm, Monday to Friday

Open every weekday of the year, except public holidays

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Toddler
Preschool

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About our centre

A place where children feel at home, learn with confidence, and grow with curiosity.

Goodstart Early Learning Carlton is Nestled in a beautiful heritage-listed building—it’s a warm, welcoming community where children feel safe, supported, and inspired every day.

Our centre provides high-quality Childcare and Preschool for many families around Carlton, Allawah, and Ramsgate Beach.

Conveniently located near homes, schools, shops, and transport, we make early learning easy and accessible for busy families. With plenty of street parking, a dedicated five-minute drop-off and pick-up zone, and a bus stop right outside, drop-offs and pick-ups are stress-free. Plus, we’re just a short walk from Allawah train station, making commuting even easier.

We believe strong partnerships with families are key to a child’s success. Through Storypark and open, ongoing communication, we work closely with parents to tailor learning programs to each child’s interests, strengths, and cultural background—creating an inclusive environment where every child feels valued. Our centre is enriched by its cultural diversity, with educators who speak Mandarin, Cantonese, Greek, Tagalog, and Indian dialects, ensuring families from different backgrounds feel welcome and supported.

We’re passionate about connecting children with their local community. Through excursions, special visits, and participation in local events, we teach children about belonging, contribution, and being active members of society. Families are always welcome to be part of the fun, with regular events like Mother’s, Father’s, and Grandparent’s Day, Sports Days, Book Fairs, and our End-of-Year Concerts.

We’d love to show you around and introduce you to our wonderful team! Make a booking to come in for a tour and see how we can give your child the very best start in life.

Learn more about Goodstart Carlton

At Goodstart Carlton, our learning spaces—from Toddlers to Preschool—are designed to spark curiosity, creativity, and a love of learning. Following the Early Years Learning Framework, we provide a play-based, hands-on approach that encourages children to explore, discover, and build essential skills. Our sensory-rich environments support their development in a way that feels natural and engaging, helping them grow in confidence as they learn. And when the time comes to transition to school, they’ll be well-prepared—not just academically, but socially and emotionally too.
Goodstart Early Learning Carlton is nestled in a stunning heritage-listed building, creating a warm and inspiring space for children to learn and grow.
Outside, our play areas are thoughtfully designed with age-appropriate equipment and natural elements that spark curiosity and connection with the world around them. From sandpits and vegetable patches to our worm farm and water tank, every space encourages hands-on learning about nature and sustainability.

There’s plenty of shade for safe, comfortable play—and to make it even more special, we have a pet turtle and a thriving community garden for little green thumbs to enjoy!
For over 20 years, our centre has been a trusted place where children feel safe, nurtured, and inspired to learn. Many of our educators have been part of our Goodstart Carlton family for just as long, bringing a wealth of experience, passion, and dedication to every child’s learning journey.
We believe strong relationships with families are at the heart of great early learning. By staying closely connected with parents and caregivers, we ensure open, meaningful communication—allowing us to tailor our programs to each child's unique needs, interests, and strengths.
With a wonderfully diverse community, we celebrate and embrace different cultures, creating an inclusive environment where every child feels a sense of belonging.
Children need to feel safe and supported to learn and grow, so we promote Key Educator relationships between our educators and children.
Your child will have at least one Key Educator who takes them under their wing and really gets to know them. We keep families informed with regular updates on their child's progress and we welcome family involvement in our centre events and activities.
At Goodstart, we believe all children deserve the best possible start in life, which includes access to high-quality early childhood education and care. We offer:
- Discounts on multiple days
- All day sessions
- Discounted shorter sessions
- Fee assistance programs for families that need support
Click here to book your tour or call our Family Services team to find out more on 1800 222 543.

Enrol now!

When every moment counts, make them Goodstart moments.

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Danielle Malone

Centre Director

Hi there! My name is Danielle and I am the Centre Director here at Goodstart Early Learning Child Care Centre Carlton.

I have been in the early learning and child care sector since 1995 and have worked at this centre for more than 20 years; the past 13 of which were as Centre Director.

I have a Bachelor of Teaching and I am passionate about providing a child care centre that is safe, hygienic and fosters learning for all children, families and educators.

For me, it is all about making sure every child has access to the highest standard in early learning, while ensuring families are supported throughout the process.

We are building the foundations of lifelong learning and that is best achieved through strong genuine relationships and an environment where everyone feels welcome, accepted and secure.

I am proud of the experienced and highly-qualified team I work with, and their commitment to providing early learning to an excellent standard.

We warmly welcome new families, so please stop by! We would love to explore how we can support you and your child on their pathway to lifelong learning.