Altona Early Education Centre
Altona Early Education Centre
Just like Tommy the Turtle, every little swimmer finds their own pace here — with warm water, golden light, and friends all around.
Book a tourBoutique · Family-owned · Altona
A small, homely early education and kindergarten centre in Melbourne's west — where children feel happy, relaxed and excited about learning, from their first giggle to their first day of school.
About us
Altona Early Education Centre is a family-owned early learning community where children are known deeply, families are welcomed warmly, and learning reaches beyond the centre into Altona Beach and Cherry Lake. We believe strong relationships come before everything else — when children feel safe, seen and connected, they're ready to investigate, communicate, take manageable risks and build confidence.
We build genuine relationships with children and families. Everyday conversations matter here — every child is known by name and held in warm, consistent relationships.
Children's interests, questions and ways of communicating shape meaningful learning. Educators listen, document children's thinking, and extend ideas through play rather than a preset activity list.
Beach Kinder and Bush Kinder help children build belonging and a genuine connection to their local coast and natural spaces.
Owner · Psychologist · Kindergarten Teacher · Certified Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) Practitioner
Grace has lived in Altona her whole life and is deeply connected to the community she now supports through the centre. As a psychologist, kindergarten teacher, ESDM practitioner and mum of four, she brings together professional expertise, a deep understanding of child development, and real family experience. Rather than rushing children into formal academics, the focus is on communication, confidence, independence, resilience, problem-solving and self-regulation.
"Every child deserves to leave early childhood feeling confident, capable and excited to begin their school journey." — Grace Azzopardi
Our rooms
From babies through to kindergarten, our spaces grow more complex as children grow. Natural materials, open-ended loose parts and thoughtful provocations encourage sustained play — without overwhelming children with visual clutter.
A calm, unhurried sanctuary run on a primary caregiving model — each baby has a key educator who leads their care, feeding, sleeping and settling. Safe sleep follows Red Nose guidelines, with daily updates via the KinderM8 app.
Busy and rich with possibility. Language-rich play, messy sensory play, active movement and music — with consistent routines, positive guidance and gentle support for emerging independence and toileting.
A bridge into kindergarten — extended imaginative play, early mark-making and pre-literacy, collaborative projects, group routines and excursions that build self-regulation and social confidence.
Victoria's funded 3 & 4-year-old kinder, teacher-led and integrated into long day care — rich play-based learning plus Beach Kinder at Altona Beach and Bush Kinder at Cherry Lake.
Moving rooms is a big moment, so we never rush it. Transitions are gradual and led by your child's readiness — a readiness conversation, visits to the new room with a familiar educator, gradual transition days, then a family debrief.
Our kitchen
Our chef Vivien prepares nutritious meals and snacks from scratch in our on-site kitchen — plenty of vegetables (some cleverly hidden!) and a rotating seasonal menu the children love. Mealtimes are relaxed, social experiences that support independence and wellbeing.
Fresh, nutritious meals and snacks made on site each day, with a rotating seasonal menu of foods the children genuinely enjoy.
Lots of vegetables find their way onto every plate — some cleverly hidden — so nutrition never misses a beat, even for selective eaters.
Dietary requirements are respected and accommodated — allergies, and cultural, religious and family preferences — at every relaxed, social mealtime.
Our Services · Our philosophy
We believe children learn through relationships, play, curiosity and meaningful connection with the world around them. All children need love, kindness, comfort, support, independence, communication and time to reach their full potential — and our open-door policy welcomes families as children's first and most important teachers.
Children need emotionally safe, consistent relationships before deep learning can happen. We keep our centre homely, calm and unhurried, with educators who truly know each child.
We notice children's questions, interests and theories, and extend thinking through open-ended materials, conversation, documentation and thoughtful provocations — guided by the EYLF v2.0 and VEYLDF.
Natural materials and place-based learning help children slow down, observe, collaborate and build a relationship with Altona's coast, wetlands and community.
We acknowledge the Bunurong / Boon Wurrung people as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we learn and play, and pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. Children engage with Indigenous perspectives through everyday practice — meaningful Acknowledgement of Country, nature-based learning, and respect for land, living things and community — held with care, culturally safe and never tokenistic.
Tommy carries our five values into every corner of centre life. Together they spell his name — and our promise to your child.
Our Services · Curriculum
Our responsive curriculum is guided by the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF v2.0) and the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF), working towards all five learning outcomes. Educators tailor experiences to each child's strengths, interests and needs, and share their learning with you every single day via KinderM8.
Our Services · Kindergarten
Our Kindergarten Room delivers Victoria's funded 3 & 4-year-old kindergarten program, fully integrated into long day care and led by a qualified early childhood teacher. What makes it special: Beach Kinder at Altona Beach and Bush Kinder at Cherry Lake, guided by certified Forest School Leader Louise.
Just minutes away, the shoreline becomes a living classroom — rock pooling, tides and weather, collecting and classifying natural objects, large-scale sandplay and nature art. Children build a genuine connection to their coastal community.
A true Forest School program at Altona's coastal wetland reserve — den building, fire-safety awareness, wildlife identification, mud play and physical challenge. Children return to the same spaces and build knowledge over time.
Strong literacy and numeracy foundations, resilience and self-regulation, rich communication, friendships, and thoughtful transition-to-school planning — all through meaningful, play-based learning.
Eligible 3 and 4-year-olds receive subsidised or free kinder hours; combined with the Child Care Subsidy (CCS), most families pay significantly less. Plus free weekly incursions like Hey Dee Ho music.
Gallery
From our bright, calm rooms to the chef's kitchen and the big backyard — a glimpse of the spaces your child will love. See all 65 photos →
Latest News
News, reflections and stories from the centre — from Beach Kinder adventures to seasonal happenings in our garden and kitchen.
We're a small, family-owned centre in the heart of Altona, offering long day care and funded 3 and 4-year-old kindergarten. Led by certified Forest School Leader Louise, children head to Altona Beach for Beach Kinder and Cherry Lake for Bush Kinder — while chef Vivien cooks nutritious meals from scratch each day. Places for kindergarten fill quickly, so we encourage families to get in touch early.
More stories are being prepared — please check back soon. 🐢
Family Resources
Practical advice from our educators — the latest articles below, and 22 in total.
Child Safety & Wellbeing
We are deeply committed to a child-safe culture with a zero-tolerance approach to abuse in any form. Our practices, policies and procedures are aligned with all eleven Victorian Child Safe Standards, and we uphold children's rights as set out in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. We respectfully acknowledge the Bunurong / Boon Wurrung people as Traditional Owners of the land on which we operate.
Every educator, volunteer and contractor holds a current Working With Children Check — verified directly, not self-reported — and completes child-protection training on induction and annually.
We teach children age-appropriately about their rights, their bodies, and safe and unsafe touch. Children's voices are central — we listen, take concerns seriously, and respond.
Consistent relationships with trusted adults are one of the strongest protective factors for children — and casual relief educators are always paired with a permanent, known team member.
Have a concern — however small? Speak with our Director directly on (03) 9398 5229, visit reception, or message via the KinderM8 portal. You can also contact external authorities including Child Protection, Victoria Police, or the Victorian early childhood regulator.
Careers
We're locally owned and operated, and we look after our people — above-award wages, real professional development, and a vibrant community where your "expertise and enthusiasm will be valued and celebrated."
What families say
This day-care has made such a positive difference in my son’s life and by extension, our whole family’s wellbeing. From 6 months old to now 2.5 years, my son has grown into a caring, articulate, sociable, and well-behaved little boy. This is largely because of the meaningful interactions and relationships he has built with all of the carers and other children. I never take for granted how lucky we are to have this day-care in Altona and that we are a part of it. Thank you so much!
Our kids have attended the centre since its opening and couldn’t be happier. We love the fact that it’s an independent family owned centre. You can tell that they really care about providing service excellence in all areas and most of all wanting to make it a happy experience for all. We also love all the extras they do to celebrate special occasions such as Christmas, Kinda Graduation etc. We certainly give the service a gold star.
We love Altona Early Education Centre, and so does our three-year-old son who has been attending for 18 months. The staff are amazing, and we feel so comfortable leaving our child in their care. It’s a warm and nurturing environment for children to feel safe and thrive.
Questions families ask
We care for children from 6 weeks to school age across four rooms — Babies (6 weeks–1 yr 3 mths), Toddler (1 yr 3 mths–2 yr 5 mths), Kinder Readiness (2 yr 6 mths–3 yr 6 mths), and Kindergarten (3 yr 6 mths+) with funded 3 and 4-year-old kinder.
Yes — our Kindergarten Room delivers Victoria's funded 3 and 4-year-old kindergarten program, led by a qualified early childhood teacher and integrated into long day care, including Beach Kinder and Bush Kinder.
We're open Monday to Friday, 7am to 6pm, at 40 Sargood St, Altona VIC 3018 — five minutes from Altona Beach and close to local primary schools and Altona station.
Yes. Our chef Vivien prepares nutritious meals and snacks from scratch on site each day, with a rotating seasonal menu. Dietary requirements — allergies and cultural, religious and family preferences — are respected and accommodated.
Yes — we're a CCS-approved provider, and from January 2026 the Government's 3-Day Guarantee gives eligible families at least three days of subsidised care per week. Our team can help you estimate your out-of-pocket costs.
Call us on (03) 9398 5229 or email info@altonachildcare.com.au and we'll find a time that suits you. You can also join the enrolment waitlist by emailing us.
Contact
The best way to feel the difference is to visit. Book a tour, join the waitlist, or just call for a chat.
40 Sargood St, Altona VIC 3018
Monday – Friday · 7am – 6pm
Five minutes from Altona Beach, close to local schools and Altona train station.
Proudly caring for families from Altona, Altona Meadows, Altona North, Seaholme, Newport, Williamstown, Laverton and Point Cook.
Existing families: Parents Portal · New families: enrolment waitlist & tours
