Top of the class: Toowoomba’s best value childcare centres

Choosing the right childcare provide can feel like an overwhelming task, so one Aussie dad created a system to rank the centres. See Toowoomba’s top childcare providers.

When it comes to choosing childcare providers every parents wants to know they are making the right decision for their child before investing their time and money into a centre.

Father, Benjamin Balk understands parent’s struggles to find the right centre, which is why he created KindiCare.

“KindiCare was inspired by our family’s own journey in early learning, trying to understand what early learning options there were out there, what it cost, what represented good value for money, and most importantly, what quality looked like,” Mr Balk said.

“The unique KindiCare Rating makes it super simple for parents to compare the quality of services side-by-side based on official government ratings as well as community feedback from other parents who use, or have used, early learning services.”

KindiCare Founder Benjamin Balk, with his family. Picture: Kirsty Jauncey Photography.

The KindiCare rating systems allows parents to compare all the childcare and OHSC centres in their local area in the one place.

Each centre profile includes, opening hours, fees, vacancies and past parent reviews so parents can decide where will be most appropriate for their needs.

The system has been designed with parents in mind, working to minimise the stress of choosing the right centre for your child.

See the KindiCare ratings for Toowoomba’s top centres below.

The average rating for centres in the area was 7.5.

4. (Equal) Toowoomba Grammar OSHC

Location: 24 Margaret Street, Toowoomba.

Opening Hours: 2:45PM-6:00PM Monday to Friday.

Services: After school care for school aged children.

Fees: $29.30 per day for after school care.

Availability: Yes

KindiCare rating: 8.8 (good)

Toowoomba Grammar OHSC. Photo: supplied

The centre is licensed to care for 30 children.

Toowoomba Grammar School OSHC has received a National Quality Standard (NQS) rating of Meeting NQS under the National Quality Framework, and had its most recent NQS review, assessment and rating given by ACECQA on 01 October 2021.

4. (Equal) Learning Pathways child care centre and kindergarten

Location: 49a Wallace St, Newtown.

Opening Hours: 6:15AM-6:15PM Monday to Friday.

Services: Before and after school care, vacation care, nursery and kindy.

Fees: $21-114 for nursery to kindy and OHSC.

Availability: yes

KindiCare rating: 8.8 (excellent)

Learning Pathways Child Care Centre and Kindergarten. Photo: supplied.

The centre is licensed to care for 101 children.

Learning Pathways Child Care Centre and Kindergarten has received a National Quality Standard (NQS) rating of Meeting NQS under the National Quality Framework, and had its most recent NQS review, assessment and rating given by ACECQA on 01 April 2022.

Learning Pathways director, Christy Gentz said that the centre had a focus on learning through play and creating a nurturing space.

“We believe in transformative power of learning through play, where children are respected and challenged,” Ms Gentz said.

“We strive to provide environments that are inclusive of the natural world as it contributes immensely to children’s learning.”

4. (Equal) Glenvale World of Learning

Location: 615 Greenwattle St, Toowoomba.

Opening Hours: 6:30AM-6:30PM Monday to Friday.

Services: nursery, pre-kindy and kindy.

Fees: $125.50-128.50 for nursery to kindy.

Availability: yes

KindiCare rating: 8.8 (good)

Glenvale World of Learning. Photo: supplied

The centre is licensed to care for 74 children.

Glenvale World of Learning has received a National Quality Standard (NQS) rating of Meeting NQS under the National Quality Framework, and had its most recent NQS review, assessment and rating given by ACECQA on 01 July 2019.

Centre Manager at Glenvale World of Learning, Linda Smith said the welcoming environment was on the most important aspects to the care centre.

“We understand the importance of creating aesthetically inviting environments, designed to optimise learning opportunities for all children,” Ms Smith said.

“The physical environment becomes a third teacher, guiding children’s play, rest and learning, and provides a critical foundation for children’s holistic development.

“When our educators plan and create play spaces for children, messages are communicated about the importance they place on children and their learning.”

4. (Equal) Goodstart Early Learning Toowoomba – Healy Street

Location: 8 Healy St, Toowoomba.

Opening Hours: 6:30AM-6:30PM Monday to Friday.

Services:

Fees: $109.50-122.50 for nursery to school age children.

Availability: yes

KindiCare rating: 8.8 (very good)

Goodstart Early Learning – Healy St. Photo: supplied

The centre is licensed to care for 74 children.

Goodstart Early Learning Toowoomba – Healy Street has received a National Quality Standard (NQS) rating of Meeting NQS under the National Quality Framework, and had its most recent NQS review, assessment and rating given by ACECQA on 01 June 2019.

Assistant director at Goodstart Healy St, Kinley Choden said the centre was always striving to go above and beyond for children.

“Our Centre values each child and caters to needs of each child depending on their individual needs but many would say that most daycare centres do it as well.

“But, we pride ourselves in going up and beyond to ensure each child’s safety, which would include childproofing practices in all areas, well maintained play areas as well as toys, constant effective supervision so that children can have safe learning experience during their time here at our service.”

4. (Equal) Creative Garden Early Learning Centenary Heights

Location: 168 South St, Centenary Heights, Toowoomba.

Opening Hours: 7:00AM-6:00PM Monday to Friday.

Services:

Fees: $124.50-128.50 for nursery to kindy.

Availability: yes

KindiCare rating: 8.8 (good)

Creative Garden Early Learning Centenary Heights. Photo: supplied.

The centre is licensed to care for 54 children.

Creative Garden Early Learning Centenary Heights has received a National Quality Standard (NQS) rating of Meeting NQS under the National Quality Framework, and had its most recent NQS review, assessment and rating given by ACECQA on 01 September 2019.

3. (Equal) Goodstart Early Learning Toowoomba – Glenvale Road

Location: 35 Glenvale Rd, Toowoomba.

Opening Hours: 6:30AM-6:30PM Monday to Friday.

Services: nursery, pre-kindy and kindy.

Fees: $116-123.50 for nursery to school age children.

Availability: Yes

KindiCare rating: 8.9 (very good)

Goodstart Early Learning Child Care Centre Toowoomba Glenvale Road. Photo: supplied.

Director at Goodstart on Glenvale Rd, Eleni Svarnia said the success of her centre is due to the strong sense of community that is fostered between teachers and families.

“It is our relationships with the family and the community, because it is all about families and communities, if our families are happy then our children will be happy,” Ms Svarnia said.

“I also believe it is because we have consistent staff, we have the some of the same staff members here for over 18 years and we just keep growing.”

The centre is licensed to care for 74 children.

Goodstart Early Learning Toowoomba – Glenvale Road has received a National Quality Standard (NQS) rating of Meeting NQS under the National Quality Framework, and had its most recent NQS review, assessment and rating given by ACECQA on 01 April 2021.

3. (Equal) Kids Club Toowoomba City Early Learning Centre

Location: 260 Margaret Street, Toowoomba.

Opening Hours: 6:30AM-6:30Pm Monday to Sunday.

Services: Nursery, pre-kindy and kindy.

Fees: $100-106 for nursery to kindy.

Availability: yes

KindiCare rating: 8.9 (excellent)

Kids Club Toowoomba City Early Learning Centre. Photo: supplied

The centre is licensed to care for 127 children.

Kids Club Toowoomba City Early Learning Centre has received a National Quality Standard (NQS) rating of Meeting NQS under the National Quality Framework, and had its most recent NQS review, assessment and rating given by ACECQA on 01 November 2021.

2. (Equal) Rangeville Outside of Hours Care

Location: Rangeville State School, 32A High Street, Toowoomba.

Opening Hours: Morning (6:30AM-9:00AM) afternoon (2:45PM-6PM) holiday hours (6:30AM-6PM) Monday to Friday.

Services: Before and after school care, full day vacation care.

Fees: $79.60 full day vacation care

Availability: Yes

KindiCare rating: 9.0 (excellent)

The centre is licensed to care for 120 children.

Rangeville Outside School Hours Care has received a National Quality Standard (NQS) rating of Meeting NQS under the National Quality Framework, and had its most recent NQS review, assessment and rating given by ACECQA on 01 February 2022.

2. (Equal) Springs Early Education on Jewell

Location: 132- 134 South St, Centenary Heights, Toowoomba.

Opening Hours: 6:30AM- 6PM Monday to Friday.

Services: nursery, pre-kindy and kindy.

Fees: $102-106 per full day for nursery to kindy.

Availability: yes

KindiCare rating: 9.0 (excellent)

(from left) Amelia Hancock, Tabatha Peacock, Vera Van Bennekom and Ivy Freier. Springs Early Education on Jewell. Picture: Nev Madsen.

The centre is licensed to care for 79 children.

Springs Early Education on Jewell has received a National Quality Standard (NQS) rating of Exceeding NQS under the National Quality Framework, and had its most recent NQS review, assessment and rating given by ACECQA on 01 March 2020.

Springs Early Education on Jewell owner, Kylie Moore said there were multiple things that her centre provided that set them apart from the other childcare providers

“A few things that sets Springs Early Education apart are affordable fees inclduign free shows and special events, large rooms and outdoor verandas with all-weather blinds and fresh meals prepared onsite daily,’ Ms Moore said.

1. Springs Early Education

Location: 7-9 Donahue St, Kearneys Spring

Opening Hours: 6:30AM – 6PM Monday to Friday.

Services: nursery, pre-kindy and kindy.

Fees: $102-106 per full day for nursery to kindy.

Availability: yes

KindiCare rating: 9.5 (Excellent)

This centre was ranked as Toowoomba’s best for children aged from nursery to kindy.

The Kearneys Spring centre is licensed to care for 85 children.

Springs Early Education has received a National Quality Standard (NQS) rating of Exceeding NQS under the National Quality Framework, and had its most recent NQS review, assessment and rating given by ACECQA on 01 August 2021.