- Child’s Play offers flexible orientations, nutritious meals, play-based learning, and a family-owned approach across eight locations.
- Book a tour early to secure your spot, as many centres fill up quickly.
- Starting in January 2026, the 3-Day Guarantee will provide at least 72 hours of subsidised childcare per fortnight for eligible families.
If you’re looking at childcare enrolment for 2026, you’re probably juggling a lot of questions. What does enrolment look like? How do you choose the right centre? What happens during orientation?
We’ve put together this guide to walk you through the whole process at Child’s Play Early Learning Centres, from booking a tour to your child’s first official day.
Why enrol at Child’s Play?
At Child’s Play, we’re a group of family-owned centres with one simple philosophy: Every Child Matters. That means we support, educate, and care for each child without prejudice, creating safe environments that embrace diversity and individual needs.
Our play-based curriculum
Children explore, create, and develop at their own pace while educators follow their interests to guide meaningful learning experiences.
- Play-based learning: Children become naturally confident learners through hands-on exploration and social play.
- 7 key curriculum areas: Creative Arts, Science & Technology, Child-Led Routine, Foundations of Learning, Planning & Design, Children Within Nature, and We Are The World.
- Reggio Emilia approach: We embrace children’s natural curiosity with rich environments filled with natural materials, encouraging innovation, creativity, and sustainable practices.
Indoor and outdoor spaces built for exploration
Our centres have beautiful indoor and outdoor spaces where children can follow their curiosity throughout the day.
Whether it’s our numbered toys for learning numeracy, our kitchen and shop settings for social intelligence, or our safe bike track for motor skills, every space and resource at Child’s Play is designed around key milestones in your child’s development.
We also keep the doors open so your child can choose to play inside or outside, moving between spaces as they explore and discover what interests them.
Fresh, nutritious menu with no budget restrictions
That’s right! Our menu has no budget limits! That means our chef can provide high-quality, healthy, and delicious meals and snacks throughout the day.
Each centre has a rotating seasonal menu designed around healthy foods that the children love. We accommodate dietary requirements and cultural preferences as well, so every child can enjoy their meals.
Family-owned Child’s Play centres around Melbourne & the Bellarine
We have centres in eight locations:
All our centres are family-owned, deeply connected to their communities, and staffed by passionate local educators who genuinely care about the children in their rooms.
How to enrol at Child’s Play
1. Book a tour
Find your nearest Child’s Play centre and book a tour. This gives you a chance to see the rooms, meet the educators, and get a feel for the centre. You’ll see children playing and learning, see the outdoor spaces, and ask any questions you have about our approach, routines, and policies.
2. Fill out the enrolment form
Once you’ve chosen Child’s Play, you’ll complete an enrolment form with details about your child’s interests, routines, dietary requirements, medical information, and emergency contacts. We’ll also provide helpful info about childcare subsidies!
3. Orientation time!
Orientation is all about helping your child (and you) feel comfortable. Most families start two to three weeks before the official first day, visiting the centre at different times so their child can experience playtime, mealtimes, and rest. You can take as many orientation sessions as your child needs.
Sam Magro, Centre Director at Point Cook, says, ‘Parents usually sit down and let their child get used to the sights and sounds of the room. Educators chat with them about interests, routines, and what their child enjoys.’
Enrolment tips from Child’s Play educators
Our team has seen hundreds of families through the enrolment process. Here’s some of their best advice:
– Expect the unexpected. Every child’s experience is different. Don’t compare your child’s journey to someone else’s. Every family is different, and that’s okay. — Laura, Centre Manager Torquay
– If you’re going back to work, start at least a month earlier, instead of starting childcare and work in the same week. It gives your child time to settle into the new routine. — Teena, Centre Director Mambourin
– Every tour I do, I tell families that I understand they have a lot of questions. Please call us anytime. We’re always here to help. — Rebecca, Assistant Director Dandenong
– Join the waitlist early, even if your child is still a baby. It helps you secure a spot for when you’re ready to return to work. — Harshpreet, Assistant Director Mambourin
– You’re going to have good days and bad days, but your child is safe, cared for, and loved here. They’ll thrive; you’ll see that in how they grow. — Loo, Assistant Manager Torquay
What parents are saying about enrolment at Child’s Play
Aubree (Torquay) – ‘We love Child’s Play Torquay! Our son is very happy there and is so excited to go to daycare. The orientation process was really well thought out and everyone is very welcoming to us.’
Nikunj (Tarneit) – ‘Like many parents, we were initially worried about our son adjusting to a new environment. But the educators were patient, understanding, and incredibly supportive, helping him settle in comfortably and confidently.’
Jas (Wyndham Vale) – ‘I was hesitant to put my daughter back in care as she struggled with separation anxiety at her last centre. Even from the beginning, during the orientation process, I quickly noticed how much more comfortable my daughter is at this centre.’
The 3-Day Guarantee childcare subsidy
Starting 5 January 2026, the Australian government is introducing the 3-Day Guarantee. This means eligible families will receive at least 72 hours of subsidised childcare per fortnight (3 days per week), regardless of work or study hours.
Previously, families with low activity levels received fewer subsidised hours. The new guarantee ensures consistent access to childcare, making it more affordable for families with casual work, irregular hours, or low income.
Read more about the new childcare subsidy.
Ready to start your childcare enrolment?
Even if you’re not at the enrolment stage just yet, Child’s Play is here to support you through the process.
To book a tour, fill out the online booking form or call us on (03) 9749 4399.
See the rooms, meet the educators, and start planning a smooth, confident start to childcare in 2026.
FAQs about childcare enrolment
When should I start the childcare enrolment process?
As early as possible. Many centres have waitlists, so joining the waitlist when your child is still a baby can help you secure a spot for when you need it.
How do I enrol my child in childcare?
The first step is to book a tour at your nearest centre. When you’re ready, we’ll walk you through the rest of the enrolment process and orientation.
How long does childcare orientation take?
We recommend at least two orientations. Many families complete orientation over two to three weeks, but we’re flexible. Some children need just a few short visits, while others benefit from more sessions.
What happens if my child struggles to settle in?
We work closely with you to adjust the approach. That might mean more orientation sessions, check-ins, different drop-off routines, or even giving your child a small helper role during mealtimes. Communication is key, and we’re always here to problem-solve together.
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