Goodstart Dapto

Goodstart Early Learning Dapto has been operating since February 2008. We are located close to several public schools, with easy access to the freeway, allowing convenience for parents travelling to work. 

We have five rooms providing quality education and care for children aged 6 weeks to 6 years. Each room offers an individualised program within a social setting that caters for the children's interests and strengths.

Many of our educators have been here for three or more years and we have a very low staff turnover which allows us to provide a stable environment for our children.  Our educators specialise in the attachment based practice ‘The Circle of Security’ and we share this practice with the families in our service.
 
At Goodstart Dapto, we pride ourselves on our strong connections with community and our commitment to inclusion. This commitment is reflected through our Reconciliation Action Plan and our authentic relationships with local schools and other community services within our area.

All of our rooms are all set up in line with the Early Years Learning Framework. Our stimulating surrounds ensure the children have the chance to grow and develop through sensory, play-based learning, though warm, caring and secure relationships. We are focused on ensuring the children are ready to take that all important step up to school, working alongside local primary schools, for a smooth transition.

To ensure transparent communications and to develop relationships with our families, we ask families to commit to a minimum of three orientation visits before starting with us. This will help your children have the best possible start, here with us at Goodstart Early Learning Dapto. Our Storypark platform, as well as regular family nights and emailed newsletters, enable us to stay in close contact with our families, ensuring open and clear communication.

Outside, our playground areas are a balance of natural and manmade elements and play surfaces, with sandpits, verandahs, a vegetable garden, with worm farms and compost bins, water tanks, trees and lots of space to run around. We have carefully designed and planned our spaces to encourage a stronger understanding of the environment and sustainability, while giving children the scope to explore, play and let their imaginations roam.
 
We have a qualified cook providing delicious and nutritious meals for the children. The children are provided with a variety of meals throughout the day including hot meals with fresh fruit to ensure they meet their recommended dietary intakes and cater for any dietary requirements.

Goodstart Early Learning Dapto is an Enhanced Children’s Outcome Service (EChO).  This involves linking into external partners for extra supports for our children, families and educators. We invest in enhanced programs and service models to ensure all children have opportunities to maximise their learning, development and wellbeing. We address vulnerability by offering an enhanced, multi-disciplinary approach to early learning and care. This includes: a qualified Family Practitioner who works on the premises, an experienced Speech Therapist one day per week, an educator trained in Occupational Therapy Practices, a resident Art therapist who implements art and gardening groups weekly and a designated Early childhood Teacher who specialises in family inclusive practices, who is also an extra support for our service 5 days per week. We are very proud of our strong level of cultural diversity and connections we have within our local community. All of our educators are trained in “The Circle of Security.”  We also have a key educator approach at the centre. 

We would welcome the opportunity to meet you and your family and explore how we can support you on this early learning adventure.