Yep, you read that right! Child’s Play has finally made it to Melbourne’s eastern suburbs with our new early learning centre in Dandenong South!
We know that starting early learning is a big milestone for little ones and their families. That’s why every new centre we open is designed to feel welcoming, nurturing, and truly part of the community. Dandenong South is no exception – it’s bursting with opportunities for little learners to sing, splash, build, and imagine their way through the day in a joyful, hands-on environment.
Inside our Dandenong South childcare centre
We’re excited to take on management at 11 Assembly Drive, Dandenong, with newly renovated rooms and upgraded facilities ready to welcome you.
Inside, you’ll discover:
- 9 inspiring rooms – including 2 flexible breakout spaces – all filled with natural wooden, home-style furniture designed for learning and hands-on fun
- A welcoming nursery for children from 6 weeks to 18 months
- Toddler and kinder rooms tailored to different stages of development
- Daily activities with music, art, nature-based learning and science fun
- Calm corners for quiet time, reading, and mindful moments
Our Dandenong South early learning centre also features beautiful outdoor play areas, sensory activities, and culturally inclusive practices that celebrate the rich diversity and community spirit of the eastern suburbs.
Our all-inclusive model means all the essentials like meals, milk, nappies, and sunscreen are covered in the daily fee – your little one just needs to bring a bag and a water bottle.
Our story: From one centre to a thriving community
Child’s Play began in 2016 with a big-hearted dream: to create something more than just childcare – a place that felt like an extension of home. Founders Sam and Ian Johnson, originally from the UK, moved to Australia with their 10-month-old daughter and quickly realised the vital role early learning plays in both a child’s development and a family’s sense of support.
Their firsthand experience navigating childcare in a new country inspired them to create Child’s Play – a family-run organisation that puts relationships, community, and quality education at its core. What started as one humble centre in Tarneit has now blossomed into a growing network of thriving early learning centres.
Our philosophy and curriculum in Dandenong
At Child’s Play, our guiding philosophy is simple: Every Child Matters. At our Dandenong South early learning centre, this means creating spaces and activities that celebrate what makes each child unique, and nurturing them in a way that caters for their individual needs.
Our approach is grounded in the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) and the Reggio Emilia philosophy. That means we treat children as capable, curious, and full of ideas – and our educators are right there alongside them, guiding and cheering them on.
The Dandenong South curriculum features:
- Creative Arts: Dance, music, and painting to nurture expression
- Science & Technology: Sensory play tables, hands-on experiments, and lots of curiosity
- Child-Led Routine: Empowering children to shape their day
- Foundations of Learning: Focused early literacy and numeracy through real-world play
- Planning & Design: Building and imagining with open-ended play
- Children Within Nature: Outdoor learning inspired by nearby parklands
- We Are The World: Celebrating culturally diverse stories, language, and belonging
So everything – from singing and dancing to getting their hands muddy in our planting gardens – becomes a fun learning experience.
Affirmation cards and mirror moments are also part of the daily routine, helping children build emotional resilience and self-confidence from the very start.
Meet the Dandenong South leadership team
Our Dandenong South early learning centre is led by the incredible Terralee Halbert (Centre Manager) and Rebecca Watson (Assistant Manager)
Terralee was born in Rotorua, New Zealand, and moved to Australia in 2010. She brings over eight years of experience working across early childhood and school-age care. Her passion for early childhood education stems from the support she received growing up in a large, close-knit family, and she now finds joy in bringing that same support to children and their families.
Terralee says, ‘I can’t wait to meet the children and families at Dandenong South and to build safe and secure relationships in an environment where everyone feels valued, included and welcomed!’
Rebecca was born and raised in Dandenong, where she has built a deep connection to the community. She began her journey in early childhood education in 2014, starting in Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) before transitioning to Early Learning Centres (ELC) six years ago. This diverse experience has provided Rebecca with a unique perspective on the different stages of a child’s growth and learning.
As Assistant Director, Rebecca is passionate about supporting her team and ensuring the highest standards of care and education for every child. She says, ‘It’s incredibly rewarding to now contribute to Child’s Play Dandenong, a place that holds so much significance to me, and to be part of a team that creates a positive, nurturing environment for the children and families in this community.’
Come and visit us!
We’re now welcoming enrolments at our new childcare centre in Dandenong South. If you’re a local family new to early learning or looking for somewhere in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs to enrol your little one, we’d love to meet you!
Use this quick form to book a tour so you can meet the team and see why local families are already falling in love with our newest centre.
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