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Vacancies Available | Book a Tour Today!
Mon – Fri 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM
Ages: 6 weeks – 6 years
Located in Melbourne’s west, we are thrilled to open another childcare centre in the growing community of Tarneit. We love the opportunity to bring our Aspire community together with the Tarneit community through our excursion programs and internal celebrations. We host a range of community events, internal celebrations and inclusive cultural programs throughout the year, that ensure the children can be part of the community throughout their early learning journey.
Aspire Unity Park is situated in Unity Park Estate, a new and vibrant masterplanned community in Tarneit. Aspire Unity Park is close to local parks and reserves, and across the road from Barayip Primary School, making it a convenient location for families. Enquire Now at Aspire Unity Park!
Incursions play a large role in the development and growth of each child. Aspire Unity Park, Tarneit incorporates incursions to align with Aspire’s curriculum, as well as the interests of the children. Incursions on topics such as tiny mini beasts and insects, first aid, sports, and talented magicians and face painters are frequent inclusions.
At Aspire Unity Park, our in-centre chef prepares fresh and nutritious meals every day, guided by the Australian Dietary Guidelines. Our approach to food focuses on variety, balance, and mindful eating to support children’s healthy growth and development.
We focus on variety, balance and whole foods with each meal containing vegetables, fruit, whole grains, lean proteins and dairy. Our chefs also make mealtimes special, whether it’s baking a birthday cake or preparing a festive spread to celebrate an occasion. Food is a meaningful and joyful part of our community.
Our Unity Park childcare is staffed by a team of experienced and fully qualified educators who are committed to providing the best possible care for every child. Guided by the Early Years Learning Framework and Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework, our teachers closely collaborate with families and offer every child the opportunity to succeed.
Aspire Unity Park, Tarneit will feature six purpose-built indoor rooms and spacious outdoor areas supporting children’s development from six weeks to six years old. Each room is filled with high-quality educational toys, books, crafts, and imaginative play experiences, ensuring endless opportunities for discovery and fun every day!
Our service is a state-of-the-art facility with beautiful indoor and outdoor environments for children to learn and grow in. We have a beautiful, architecturally designed outdoor space that connects seamlessly with our indoor rooms. This makes it easy for children to move between the indoor and outdoor spaces, supporting a holistic learning experience for the children.
The philosophy of Aspire Unity Park, Tarneit is to provide a nurturing second home, where a comfortable vibe fills the air. Children have the freedom to express themselves in our well-crafted play spaces, essential for their development. Our passion for early learning in Unity Park is evident in every detail of our program, and we eagerly await the opportunity to welcome new families to our community.
Hear from parents who’ve experienced the care, quality
and connection that make Aspire different.
We honestly couldn’t be happier with our experience at Aspire Unity Park Tarneit. ❤️ My daughter has been there since day one. She was actually the very first child enrolled so we have been able to watch the center grow alongside her. From the very beginning, we have felt so welcomed and supported, and most importantly, we have always felt that she is safe, happy and genuinely cared for. The educators have been absolutely beautiful with her. They are kind, nurturing and take the time to really get to know the children. It means so much as a parent to drop your child off and know they are in the hands of people who genuinely care about them. The management team have also been incredibly supportive and approachable. Whenever we have had a question or needed anything, they have always been there to listen and help. We also love how much Aspire offers the children beyond their normal day-to-day learning. The Happy Feet sessions, incursions and other extra activities give the children so many fun and exciting experiences and make their time at kinder even more special. Seeing how much our daughter has grown, learned and blossomed since her very first day has been so special for our family. We are incredibly grateful to the educators and management for everything they have done for her and for the care they continue to show her. Also a shout out to the wonderful Chef who makes delicious meals for the children especially the Beetroot chocolate cake that the children LOVE!!! We genuinely feel so lucky that Aspire Unity Park has been such an important part of her early years. We couldn’t recommend them highly enough - If you are thinking about enrolling your child here, please do not think again. Book your tour and enroll them today!
Jen – family at Aspire Unity Park, Tarneit, VIC
We have had a wonderful experience with Aspire Unity Park. The educators are incredibly caring, supportive, and genuinely dedicated to looking after the children. My son was one of the first children enrolled at this centre, and we have had nothing but a positive experience since day one. A special thanks to Sunita and Sadia, and to the entire team for their dedication, kindness, and care. As parents, it gives us great peace of mind knowing that we can go to work while our child is safe, happy, and well cared for. Highly recommended!❤️
manik – family at Aspire Unity Park, Tarneit, VIC
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ We are very happy with the care and support our children receive at this childcare. The educators are caring, friendly and genuinely attentive to the children’s needs. Our kids enjoy going every day and have become more confident, happy and independent. We really appreciate the safe, welcoming and positive environment the centre provides. Thank you to all the educators for your patience, kindness and hard work. We highly recommend this childcare to other families! ❤️
neha – family at Aspire Unity Park, Tarneit, VIC
Excellent! The educators and management at this childcare are very welcoming, supportive and understanding not only to the kids but to the parents as well. Every time I go pick my little one up, the educators give me all the details about what they did throughout the day, they also update the routine quite well on the app. It feels warm every time you visit the childcare and I have seen so much improvement in my kid since he started. Definitely recommended for your childcare needs.
shivani – family at Aspire Unity Park, Tarneit, VIC
We had an amazing experience at the Mums and Bubs session today.From the moment we arrived, everyone made us feel so welcome. A special thank you to Assistant Manager Sadia, who was incredibly kind, caring, and patient with all the children. She took the time to interact with each child and family, creating such a warm and positive environment. The session was well organised, engaging, and a wonderful opportunity for little ones to play and learn while parents connected. You can really see the passion and dedication of the team. We left with smiles on our faces and can’t wait to come back. Highly recommend this centre to any family looking for a nurturing and welcoming place for their child…👶👧🏼👍👍
Priyanka – family at Aspire Unity Park, Tarneit, VIC
Our experience with Aspire Unity Park has been amazing. Since my child started kindergarten here, I have seen wonderful growth in confidence, learning, and happiness. The educators create such a warm, safe, and welcoming environment that makes both children and parents feel comfortable and supported. A special thank you to Sadia, Mehak, and Sunita. Your patience, kindness, and genuine care mean so much to our family. The love and dedication you show every day have made a real difference in my child’s development. Knowing my child is happy, safe, and excited to come to kindergarten each day gives me great peace of mind. Thank you to the entire Aspire Unity Park team for everything you do. I truly appreciate your hard work and would highly recommend Aspire Unity Park to any parent looking for a caring, professional, and nurturing kindergarten.
bhawna – family at Aspire Unity Park, Tarneit, VIC
We are so grateful for the love, care and support Zorawar received at Aspire. The educators created such a warm and nurturing environment where he grew in confidence, made wonderful friendships and enjoyed coming every day. Thank you to the amazing team for making our little one’s early learning journey so special. We highly recommend Aspire to any family!
mehak – family at Aspire Unity Park, Tarneit, VIC
We've had a wonderful experience with this daycare. My son is 2 years and 8 months old, and since starting here, we've noticed significant growth in his learning, confidence, and overall development. He has settled in very well and genuinely enjoys attending each day, which gives us great peace of mind. The educators, including Amandeep, Gunjan, Simar, and the rest of the team, are caring, dedicated, and supportive. The centre has a warm, welcoming atmosphere, and as a newer facility, it is modern, well-maintained, and provides a great environment for children to learn and grow. We also received excellent support from the management team, especially Sunita and Sadia, who made our child's transition into the centre smooth and comfortable. Their guidance and understanding throughout the process were greatly appreciated. We would highly recommend this daycare to any family looking for a nurturing, engaging, and supportive environment for their child.
MRITUNJAY – family at Aspire Unity Park, Tarneit, VIC
We absolutely love Aspire Education Unity Park. I’m so glad our daughter is receiving such lovely, caring support every day – she feels safe, happy, and settled. It’s such a nurturing place for children, and we highly recommend it!
jalpa – family at Aspire Unity Park, Tarneit, VIC
We know handing your child over to someone else is one of the hardest things a parent does. Here’s exactly how we keep them safe.
Only authorised people can drop off or collect your child. Our centres use controlled access points and require photo ID verification for anyone not on your authorised pickup list.
Every educator holds a current Working With Children Check. Our teams include diploma and degree-qualified staff, with qualified teacher ratios that exceed national requirements.
Through the StoryPark app, you receive photos, observations and daily updates directly from your child's room. You can message educators and see what your child has been up to, any time.
Aspire operates under the National Child Safe Standards across every centre. Our policies, spaces and staffing are designed with visibility and supervision at the centre of everything.
Aspire Early Education and Kindergarten operates in a long daycare setting and has four main education programs, tailored to each stage of early development.
Ages 6 weeks - 2 years
Ages 2 - 3 years
Ages 3 - 6 years
Ages 6 weeks - 2 years
Ages 2 - 3 years
Ages 3 - 6 years
Catch up on all the centre news, events and early-learning highlights.
Each year in the first week of July, communities across Australia celebrate NAIDOC Week, recognising the history, achievements, and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The 2025 theme, "The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy," celebrates not only the achievements of the past but the bright future ahead, empowered by the strength of young leaders, the vision of communities, and the legacy of ancestors.
At Aspire, it is a wonderful opportunity for our children to learn about First Nations cultures and histories. Read on to see how Aspire’s centres honoured this important week.
The History of NAIDOC Week
2025 marks the 50th year of NAIDOC celebrations, a powerful milestone.
Before the 1920s, Aboriginal rights groups boycotted Australia Day to protest the treatment of Indigenous Australians, but by the 1920s, they realised the broader public was largely unaware of these actions. Organisations like the Australian Aborigines Progressive Association in 1924 and the Australian Aborigines League in 1932 emerged to raise awareness.
On Australia Day 1938, the Day of Mourning gathered over a thousand protestors in Sydney, advocating for Aboriginal rights. Subsequent efforts to institutionalise this event led to annual observances known as Aborigines Day from 1940 to 1955. After this, major Aboriginal organisations, state and federal governments, supported the formation of the National Aborigines Day Observance Committee (NADOC).
It was then decided in 1975 that the event should cover a week, from the first to second Sunday in July. By 1991, awareness of Torres Strait Islander culture prompted the name change to the National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC).
The National NAIDOC Committee respectfully acknowledges the now defunct and inaccurate term 'Aborigines', whilst retaining the term in our title due to historic use by our Elders in establishing this week of commemoration in 1938. As of 1967, the ongoing registered title of the Committee became the National Aboriginal and Islander Day Observance Committee.
NAIDOC Celebrations at Aspire
Aspire’s centres celebrated this important day, honouring its significance to our First Nations peoples.
At Aspire Early Education and Kindergarten Baldivis in WA, Cyril from Milliyaan Aboriginal Services shared knowledge, told stories and enriched their understanding and appreciation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures through his experiences. Many centre families also joined in on the event and brought enthusiasm and a great community feel. Cyril has a fantastic relationship with the centre, and visits monthly to teach the children about his culture and history.
Down at Aspire Cranbourne East, the centre celebrated in a number of ways. The children took part in the Sea of Fish community challenge in collaboration with Connecting the Dots. They then contributed their own decorated fish to a collective artwork promoting connection and community.
They also hosted a Didgeridoo Beats incursion by First Nations Incursions, which the children thoroughly enjoyed. It was a great opportunity for them to engage with Aboriginal music and culture in an interactive way.
Aspire Riverwalk, Werribee had a touching family connection for their NAIDOC Week event. As part of their family engagement initiative, the centre was honoured to invite one of their beautiful Aboriginal families, the Coopers, to share their culture, legacy, and connection to Country. Special guest Paige shared a write-up about her family history, read a meaningful story to the children and joined in some art activities. This experience deepened understanding of Aboriginal perspectives and reinforced the centre’s commitment to reconciliation with families.
Check out more of Aspire’s NAIDOC Week activities below.
At Aspire Early Education, we know how important it is for families to feel confident and informed when it comes to the cost of early childhood education.
From 7 July 2025, changes to the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) will come into effect. These updates happen every year to keep pace with the rising cost of living, and they impact how much the Government contributes toward your childcare fees.
We’ve broken down everything you need to know in simple terms to help you feel prepared and supported.
What’s Changing in 2025–26?
The Government is increasing two key parts of the Child Care Subsidy:
1. Hourly Rate Caps Are Increasing
Each year, the Government updates the hourly rate cap—this is the maximum hourly amount they will subsidise through the Child Care Subsidy (CCS).
2025–26 Hourly Rate Caps
Care Type Old Hourly Rate Cap New Hourly Rate Cap Centre-Based Day Care $14.29 $14.63
What does this mean for families?
The higher caps in 2025–26 mean the Government may cover more of your child care fees
If your centre’s fees are within the cap, your gap fee (what you pay) may stay the same
If your centre’s fees are still above the cap, your out-of-pocket costs may slightly decrease.
2. Family Income Thresholds Are Being Updated
The amount of CCS you receive depends on your family income. From 7 July 2025, here’s how it will work:
Families earning up to $85,279 will receive the maximum CCS rate of 90%
Families earning between $85,279 and $535,279 will see their subsidy decrease by 1% for every $5,000 over the threshold
Families earning $535,279 or more will no longer receive CCS
These thresholds are reviewed each year in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) to ensure fairness and reflect economic changes.
Support for Families with More Than One Child
If you have more than one child aged under 6 in care, you may be eligible for an even higher CCS rate of up to 95% for your younger child.
This applies even if the children go to different services—so it’s worth checking what your family could be entitled to.
What Can Families Do Now?
Here’s how you can prepare ahead of the 7 July changes:
Check your income details in your MyGov account to ensure they’re up to date
Use our CCS Calculator to get an estimate of your entitlements
Speak with our Aspire centre team — we're here to explain the changes and help you understand what it means for your family
We’re Here to Help
We understand that changes to the Child Care Subsidy can feel complex and, at times, overwhelming—especially when you're trying to plan ahead for your family. We know how important it is to have clarity and confidence when it comes to understanding your fees and entitlements.
If you have any questions, or just want to talk things through, our friendly team is always here to support you. No question is too small—your peace of mind matters to us.
Want to estimate your new CCS?
Use our Aspire CCS Calculator!
Need to update your details?
Log in to MyGov and check your income and activity information.
Want to learn more?
To book a tour, learn more about a centre, or connect with our team, follow the links below:
Find an Aspire Centre near you
Book a Tour at an Aspire centre
Contact the Aspire team
From 27 May to 3 June each year, it's National Reconciliation Week in Australia. This is a time to reflect on our shared history, cultures and the achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians. It’s a moment to acknowledge the truth and look towards a more inclusive future.
At our centres, we see this week as a meaningful opportunity to introduce children to the values of understanding, inclusion and shared history in age-appropriate, engaging, fun ways.
Reconciliation isn’t just a single moment or even, it’s an ongoing journey. And that journey begins with awareness. For young children, the foundations of respect, empathy and curiosity are built early on. That’s why it’s so important to create space for these conversations, stories and cultural connections right from the start of their learning journey.
We’re proud to support this through all sorts of experiences such as incursions, chats, sharing stories, artworks and everyday moments.
Why reconciliation matters in early childhood
What’s so beautiful about young children is their nature: they’re naturally curious and open-hearted. They’re learning how the world works through what we tell them, what we show them, what we share, and how we encourage their imagination.
When we bring First Nations stories, voices and experiences into our centres and into everyday learning, we help build a foundation of respect that they carry with them as they grow.
Reconciliation isn’t just something for adults, it involves all of us. And in early childhood education, we have a special opportunity to begin that journey with children in thoughtful and age-appropriate ways. That might be through a storybook about our history, a painting with natural materials, learning about native plants, or a quiet moment spent listening to the sound of traditional instruments.By acknowledging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Peoples of this land, we’re also recognising that their culture is not just part of our past, it’s as much part of the present and the future.
What we’ve been doing in our centres
This year, across all centres, we made space for connection, learning and celebration. Our educators planned a wide range of experiences to mark Reconciliation Week, with a focus on hands-on learning and stories!
Arts and crafts
We explored culture through lots of creative work! Children across all centres created beautiful pieces using dot painting techniques, natural materials, and earthy tones. These weren’t just art projects, they were a way to tell stories and express ideas about land, community, and identity.
At some centres, the children worked together on collaborative artworks, each adding their own mark. Isn't this a beautiful symbol of unity and connection?
Here are just a few of the arts and crafts activities our centres enjoyed:
Playdough sculpting with Aboriginal symbols
Bunjil finger painting on fabric scraps
Cardboard didgeridoo-inspired shakers filled with sand, buttons, pebbles and bark
Boomerang dot paintings on cardboard
Music and storytelling
Music and storytelling were an important part of the week, too. Some centres invited First Nations guests to share their culture in person. At Aspire Berwick Waters, we welcomed Didgeridoo Australia, where First Nations artist Ronan shared stories, instruments and artwork. Ronan explained the history and traditional use of the didgeridoo, and the children listened all carefully to its deep and rhythmic sound. He talked about its connection to nature and storytelling.
He also brought along native animal skins. The children were invited to gently touch them and guess which animal they came from, sparking respectful curiosity. He showed a variety of boomerangs, explained their different types and purposes and answered many of the children’s eager questions about boomerangs and animals.
This incursion offered a beautiful opportunity to learn through storytelling, sensory exploration and meaningful dialogue. Personal experiences like this bring culture to life, creating real connections beyond books or classroom lessons.
Smoking ceremonies
One powerful experience was the smoking ceremony held at Aspire White Hills. These traditional practices are used to cleanse and connect to Country. They offer a beautiful, respectful way for children to experience culture firsthand.
Many children watched in silence and asked thoughtful questions afterwards. These are the kinds of moments that stay with them, when learning becomes something they feel, not just something they hear.
Celebrating reconciliation with our local councils
We were honoured that some of the Aspire centres were invited to take part in the Day Flag Raising Ceremony. Aspire Cobblebank was proud to be represented at the event held at Melton Civic Centre, hosted by Melton City Council and Kirrip Aboriginal Corporation.At the same time, another Aspire Riverwalk welcomed by Trung Luu, Member of Parliament for Werribee, who kindly presented the Aboriginal and Victorian flags to the children in their centre.
A shared journey
Involving families and community
We know that learning is strongest when there's a strong link between the centre and home. That’s why we encourage families to get involved, whether by joining us at events, sharing stories at home, or simply talking with their children about what reconciliation means, in simple, everyday ways.
Reflection as educators
Reconciliation Week is also a time for us, as educators, to reflect. None of us know everything, but being open to learning, listening, and growing is what matters most. Throughout this week we’re having honest conversations with each other about this important topic. We don’t need to be experts to listen and grow and. What counts is respect, curiosity and a willingness to learn.
More than just a week
The goal is to make these learnings part of everyday life. It’s not about one activity or a themed display, it’s about truly embedding First Nations perspectives into our daily routines, all year round.
What does that look like in our centres?
• A warm Acknowledgement of Country that welcomes you as you enter• First Nations storybooks into our reading time• Learning about the Traditional Custodians of the land we live and play on• Cushions, rugs and mats featuring Aboriginal art in our spaces• Exploring native plants as part of outdoor play
When these elements are part of our everyday environment, children grow up knowing that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures aren’t just part of the past and they’re alive, present and valued.
Looking ahead
Reconciliation Week was a week for all of us. A week to pause, reflect and ask how we can help create a more inclusive and fair Australia.
We’re proud of how our centres embraced the week, all the centres organised meaningful, engaging activities where the children showed curiosity, kindness and a real openness to learn. And by starting young, we’re helping raise a generation ready to walk forward together, with knowledge, respect and care.
Because reconciliation isn’t just about remembering the past. It’s about shaping a better and happier future together.
National Pyjama Day is all about rocking your favourite PJs to school, work, or wherever you are while supporting a great cause.
The day helps raise vital awareness and funds for children in foster care. Across our Aspire centres in Victoria and WA, our educators and little learners got cosy in their comfiest pyjamas, dressing gowns, Oodies, and Ugg boots to show their support.
Take a look at the fun we had and learn more about why we recognise National Pyjama Day.
What is National Pyjama Day?
National Pyjama Day was celebrated on Friday 25th July, with the aim of the event to raise funds for The Pyjama Foundation. The day helps provide children in care with learning, life skills, and mentoring opportunities through the “Love of Learning” Program. It’s a fun and cosy way to make a big difference in the lives of vulnerable young people across the country.
Founder of The Pyjama Foundation, Bronwyn Sheehan OAM, was shocked at the statistics pointing to low numeracy and literacy rates of children in care. This propelled her to do something to make a difference. The Love of Learning program was then born. Through Love of Learning, volunteers spend time once a week with a child in care and focus on learning-based activities.
Did you know?
Children in foster care are Australia’s lowest-performing academic group
50% of children from a care background will become homeless
46,000+ Australian children are currently in out-of-home care
92% of children in out-of-home care are below their reading level
Celebrating National PJ Day at Aspire
Many of our Aspire centres across Victoria and WA, celebrated National PJ day by wearing their favourite pyjamas, dressing gowns, Oodies, and Ugg boots! Both staff and children got dressed up nice and cosy for the day. Some centres also set up some fun PJ-themed activities which the children loved. This included drawing and designing their own PJs with arts and crafts.
As well as wearing cosy Pj’s, it was also an opportunity to teach the children and families about the incredible work The Pyjama Foundation does and recognising those who may be less vulnerable. With this in mind, our Aspire centres were encouraging families to donate if they could, to help children in foster care get a head start in their education.
We are so thrilled to announce that Aspire raised $889 for the Pyjama Foundation! We cannot thank our families and Aspire community enough for their generous donations to this cause! These donations will make a significant difference to the lives of many young children, so we are extremely grateful.
Check out some of the adorable photos from our centres who celebrated National PJ Day! It was such a fun day for staff and children alike, and we love celebrating days this like at Aspire.
Every year, schools, early learning centres, libraries, and community groups across the country come together to celebrate National Science Week. It’s Australia’s annual celebration of all things science, and it’s a wonderful opportunity to highlight the role of science in our everyday lives, inspire curiosity and encourage children to explore the world around them.
For us at Aspire, Science Week is more than just a themed week of activities, it’s a chance to nurture natural curiosity, create excitement about learning and show children that science is not only important, but also so much fun!
Why do we embrace Science Week?
National Science Week was first held in 1997 and has grown so much that it has thousands of events held nationwide each year. During Science Week we
Celebrate science and innovation: showcasing the incredible research, discoveries and inventions happening across Australia.
Engage our families: bringing together children, families, educators and professionals to explore science in interactive ways.
Inspire the children: encouraging children to see themselves as curious learners.
Science isn’t just something that happens in laboratories or universities. It’s in the way plants grow, how water changes shape, why the sky looks different at night, or how colours mix to create something new. By dedicating a week to science, we are helping to build a culture where questioning, exploring and experimenting are valued and where children feel confident to say, “Why does this happen?" or "I wonder why?”
Why Science Week Matters in Early Education
These values are important in the early years, when children are naturally curious and eager to experiment with the world around them. Science Week gives us the perfect opportunity to nurture that curiosity through hands-on, play-based learning.
Some of the key benefits include:
Curiosity and exploration: activities give children the chance to test ideas and discover new things.
Hands-on learning: experiments like mixing colours or testing absorption bring concepts to life.
Language and communication: science builds vocabulary and encourages children to describe, predict and compare.
Collaboration and teamwork: experiments are shared experiences that strengthen social connections.
Confidence building: successful discoveries and surprising results give children pride in their learning.
Lifelong skills: observation, critical thinking and problem-solving skills they’ll use everywhere in life.
At Aspire, Science Week is more than just a week of activities, it’s a celebration of curiosity, collaboration and the joy of learning.
Science Week at Aspire: Learning Through Play
This year’s Science Week was a colourful, sometimes messy, but above all an exciting experience for our children and educators loved seeing how engaged they were.
Some of the activities included:
Absorption experimentsUsing sponges, paper towels, and coloured water, children explored which materials absorb the most liquid and which don’t. They were fascinated to see how quickly colours moved across a paper towel or how some objects stayed completely dry.
Mixing coloursWith water, food dye and clear cups, children experimented with primary colours and watched as they magically transformed into secondary colours. The excitement of predicting “what will happen if I mix blue and yellow?” and then seeing green appear was priceless.
Simple chemical reactionsWith safe, age-appropriate activities like mixing vinegar and baking soda, children could see and hear the fizzing reaction. It sparked laughter, surprise, and plenty of “Let’s try it again!” moments.
Observation walksScience isn’t always about experiments indoors. We also encouraged children to explore the natural world outside. They looked closely at leaves, soil, insects and flowers, learning to observe patterns, shapes and textures.
These activities weren’t about creating perfect results; they were about encouraging children to ask, “Why did that happen?” and “What might happen next time?”
If you want to know more about our curriculum, program and the special weeks we celebrate, explore our website or book a tour to see it all for yourself. There’s always something exciting happening at Aspire!
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Daylight Savings can be a bit tricky (not just for us grown-ups), but also for babies, toddlers and children aged 4–6. That one-hour shift can really throw off their sleep, meals and moods.
In Victoria, Daylight Savings in 2025 starts on Sunday, 5 October (clock goes forward 1 hour at 2:00 AM) and ends on Sunday, 6 April (clock goes back 1 hour at 3:00 AM). The good news? With a little planning and consistency, your child can adjust smoothly and you can avoid the chaos of bedtime battles and cranky mornings.
Why Daylight Savings can be tough
Everyone has an internal body clock, also called a circadian rhythm, but for little ones, these rhythms are still developing and can be even more sensitive than in adults. Their body clocks tell them when it’s time to sleep, eat and play. A sudden shift, like Daylight Saving, can lead to:
Early wake-ups
Trouble falling asleep at night
Short or skipped naps
Extra fussiness
Even though it’s just one hour, it can feel like a big deal for little ones.
How to make Daylight Savings easier for your child
For parents, the key to a smooth Daylight Savings transition is consistency. Children thrive on predictable routines, and maintaining these during Daylight Savings can make the adjustment much easier. You can start gradually one or two weeks before Daylight Savings and continue adjustments up to a week after if needed.
1. Keep routines predictable
Children feel secure when bedtime rituals stay the same. That might look like:
Bath time
A story or two
Soft music or lullabies
Feeding or cuddles
Keep the order the same each night. Even when the clocks change, it tells them it’s time to sleep.
2. Gentle 2-day adjustman plan
A gentle approach is to shift routines every 2 days by 10–15 minutes. This gives children time to adjust without feeling overwhelmed. Gradual adjustments can start one or two weeks before Daylight Savings and continue up to a week after if needed. This works well for babies, toddlers, and children up to 6 years old.
3. Maintain nap times
Try to keep naps roughly the same interval after waking rather than by the clock.
This keeps their body clock on track and prevents overtiredness.
4. Keep meals on a steady schedule
Meals also help regulate their body clock. Shift breakfast lunch, and snacks gradually with the bedtime changes.
Small steps work best, like moving breakfast 10–15 minutes earlier every couple of days.
5. Use light to your advantage
Morning: After Daylight Savings starts, mornings can be darker again, but opening the curtains or turning on indoor lights for a few minutes helps reset their body clock.
Evening: Even though it stays light later, closing the curtains and keeping indoor lights soft creates a darker, calmer environment that signals it’s time to start winding down for bed.
6. Be Patient & Flexible
Some kids adjust in a couple of days, others take a week. Extra cuddles, reassurance and keeping the routine as consistent as possible is the secret.
A practical schedule
We’ve put together a simple schedule to help with your child’s adjustment. There are two ways you can use it:
Option 1: Start about 10 days before daylight savings and make small changes every 2 days.
Option 2: Start about 5 days before and continue adjusting for a few days after daylight savings begins.
Both approaches work, it just depends on what suits your family best.
Option 1Option 2BedtimeWake-upBreakfastLunchNap(s)Notes10–9 days before DS 5-6 days before DS10–15 min earlier10–15 min earlier10–15 min earlier10–15 min earlier10–15 min earlierTwo consecutive days of this shift8–7 daysbefore DS3-4 days before DS10–15 min earlier again10–15 min earlier10–15 min earlier10–15 min earlier10–15 min earlierRepeat two days6–5 days before DS1-2 days before DS10–15 min earlier10–15 min earlier10–15 min earlier10–15 min earlier10–15 min earlierTwo consecutive days4–3 daysbefore DSDay 0-1 of DS10–15 min earlier10–15 min earlier10–15 min earlier10–15 min earlier10–15 min earlierTwo consecutive days2–1 days before DSDay 2-3 of DS 10–15 min earlier10–15 min earlier10–15 min earlier10–15 min earlier10–15 min earlierFinal 2-day adjustmentDS day (5 Oct)Day 4-5 of DS New bedtime (1 hour earlier than original)New wake-up (1 hour earlier)New breakfast timeNew lunch timeNew nap scheduleKeep routines consistent, use morning light, calm evening
If your child struggles a bit, it’s totally normal. You can continue this gentle schedule for a few days after Daylight Savings until everyone feels settled.
Did you know
Some families naturally adjust their child’s bedtime with the seasons and don’t make any changes when daylight savings starts.
In winter, it can feel nice to have children tucked into bed a little earlier and starting the day a bit earlier too. In summer, families often enjoy keeping little ones up and spending more time outside and letting them sleep in a little more.
For these families, the daylight savings shift often blends in without much fuss, their children are already in a seasonal rhythm, so the change isn’t really noticeable. And that works perfectly well too!
The good news is that daylight savings doesn’t have to be stressful. Whether you follow the seasons or use a gentle adjustment plan, consistency is what matters most. Predictable sleep, nap and meal routines give children a sense of security, help their body clocks stay on track, and make life easier for parents too.
On September 3rd, we came together to celebrate Early Childhood Educators’ Day! This special day honours the incredible educators who are the backbone of Aspire and early learning communities everywhere. They play a vital role in children’s first steps of learning - sparking creativity, growing confidence, and nurturing a lifelong love of learning with their care, passion, and dedication.
Here’s a look at how our Aspire centres celebrated their amazing educators on this special day.
Heartful Gifts and Delicious Food
Many of our centres celebrated the day by showering our incredible educators with thoughtful gifts and delicious food. It was a chance to show our appreciation for the dedication and passion they bring into every child’s learning journey.
Our educators received some beautifully wrapped presents and thoughtful gifts which included food, homewares, and self-care delights. They also shared some savoury and delicious sweet treats, which created lots of joy, appreciation and full stomachs across our centres! Take a look at some of the wonderful spreads and thoughtful gifts below.
Special Activities and Pamper Fun
As part of the celebrations, many of our educators were also treated to a little well-deserved pampering. From having their nails painted to enjoying relaxing beauty treatments and soothing massages, the day was filled with moments of care and appreciation. These thoughtful experiences gave our educators the chance to unwind and feel truly valued for the incredible work they do every day.
Special Messages to our Educators
Some of our Aspire centres also set up a space for eachother to write heartfelt messages. Taking a moment to reflect on their role, many wrote about the joy of watching children grow, the pride they feel in being part of their learning journey, and the strong bonds built with families and colleagues.
Aspire’s Head office team also got involved and wrote special messages to our educators on the office wall. Although they may not work at a centre level, our support team recognises the important work of our educators and the passion they bring to their jobs every day.
To all our wonderful educators, thank you for everything you do. You inspire, empower, and make a difference in the lives of families and the community.
School holidays are nearly here! Maybe you’re working through, or perhaps you’ve managed to have a few days off, either way, it’s always good to have a few easy activities ready to go. Most holiday tips out there focus on keeping the bigger kids entertained, but what about the babies and toddlers?
That’s why we’ve put together some simple (and meaningful) play ideas especially for the little ones. They’re great for sparking joy, giving you those lovely moments together and gently supporting your child’s development at the same time.
Why play matters for little ones
Play is more than entertainment for babies and toddlers, it’s their “work.” Every time they touch, taste, smell, hear or see something new, their brains are making powerful connections. Arts, crafts and sensory play provide rich opportunities for learning because they stimulate your child’s imagination and encourage them to explore the world with all their senses.
For babies, play builds early motor skills, hand–eye coordination and helps them feel safe and secure when you’re nearby.
For toddlers, play encourages problem-solving, early communication, independence and creativity.
Most importantly, doing these activities together strengthens your bond and they’re a lot of fun too! When you sit with your child to paint, squish playdough, or explore a sensory bin, you’re showing them that you’re present and excited to share in their discoveries. For your little one it’s not about remembering the activity, it’s about the feeling. When you sit down to play, they sense your warmth, attention and care. That helps them feel safe, loved and ready to explore more of the world around them.
Holiday boredom busters: arts, craft and sensory play
Keeping toddlers busy during the holidays doesn’t have to mean elaborate outings or expensive toys. Some of the best activities are simple, low-cost and can be set up with things you already have at home. Here are some easy ideas to try:
1. Finger painting fun
Lay out a large sheet of paper or cardboard, grab some non-toxic paints and let those little hands go wild. Babies can make handprints, while toddlers can experiment with dots, lines and mixing colours. Messy? Yes. Fun? Absolutely!
For an extra twist, try placing a paper on a plate with paint on it and a small ball on top. Encourage your child to move the ball across the paper from left to right, creating fun patterns and great artworks as they go.
2. Bubbles, bubbles, bubbles
Sometimes the simplest things bring the most joy. Grab a bottle of bubble mix (or make your own with dish soap and water) and watch the magic unfold. Babies are fascinated by watching bubbles float and pop, while toddlers can chase, stomp, and even try blowing their own. It’s great for coordination, movement, and a whole lot of giggles.
3. Sensory bins
Fill a shallow tub with rice, pasta, oats, or water and add scoops, spoons, or small containers. Babies love the feel of running textures through their fingers and toddlers can practise pouring, sorting and imaginative play. You can even theme your sensory bin. Think “ocean play” with water, shells and toy fish or "forest" with, leaves, sand and toy animals. The ideas are endless!
4. Sticky collages
Give your child scraps of fabric, foam shapes, or paper cut-outs and a piece of contact paper or cardboard. They’ll love sticking and layering pieces to make their own colourful creation. This activity builds fine motor skills and encourages decision-making.Adding a little glitter glue is always fun and makes their artwork sparkle!
5. Nature play
Head outdoors for a little “treasure hunt.” Collect leaves, flowers, rocks, or sticks and bring them home to sort, make patterns, or even stamp with paint. Nature-based activities are grounding and help children connect with the world around them.
Even babies can join in, take them in the pram for a stroll, or let them crawl on the grass and explore. Point out interesting textures, colours and smells and your little one will light up with curiosity. Feeling different surfaces and engaging with nature is a wonderful sensory experience that helps them connect with their environment from the very start.
Check the area for safety, supervise closely as babies explore with their mouths and dress them appropriately.
6. Playdough creations
Playdough is a classic for a reason. Toddlers can roll, squish and shape, building hand strength while expressing their imagination. Babies can explore the texture with supervision. Add cookie cutters, toy animals or natural items like shells to extend the play.
Holiday play toolkit: what to keep on hand
You don’t need a huge craft cupboard to keep your little one entertained. A small collection of everyday items can go a long way in setting up fun activities. Here are some essentials:
Art supplies: non-toxic paints, crayons, coloured pencils, markers, chalk, paper plates, large paper or cardboard.
Craft bits and pieces: glue sticks, tape, child-safe scissors, scraps of paper, fabric, stickers, foam shapes.
Sensory play fillers: dry rice, pasta, oats, water, sand, leaves, flowers, or safe kitchen items.
Tools for play: plastic bowls, spoons, cups, cookie cutters, paintbrushes.
Reusable favourites: playdough, building blocks, chunky puzzles, toy animals and bubbles
✨Tip: Store everything in a basket or tub so it’s easy to grab when you need a quick activity.
Making holiday time meaningful
This school holiday, grab some simple supplies, dive into play and soak up the giggles, mess and curiosity. These little moments are pure magic and memories you’ll both treasure!
✨ Tip: Snap a few photos of your little one’s creations, you’ll love looking back on them in years to come!
At Aspire Early Education and Kindergarten, we love using playdough in our classrooms, it’s one of the children’s absolute favourites! Not only is it soft, fun, and safe to play with, but it also encourages creativity, fine motor skills, and imaginative play.
The best part? You don’t need to buy it from the store and this one is toxic free! Making your own playdough at home is quick, easy, and uses simple ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. Plus, it’s a fun activity you and your child can enjoy together.
Watch our video to see exactly how it’s made, and then try it at home with your child. We’d love to hear how your creations turn out!
https://youtu.be/j_eOj4ydvT8?si=kJ_ECgsNuO4Fdylk
What you'll need
1 bowl
1 spoon
1 cup of flour
1 cup of salt
½ cup of water
Optional: Natural colouring (like beetroot or turmeric powder) or food dye
How to make it
Put the flour and salt in a bowl.
Slowly stir in the water.
When the mixture comes together, knead it with your hands.
If it’s too sticky, add a little more flour.
If it’s too dry, add a few drops of water.
Once it’s smooth and soft, your playdough is ready!
Optional: add some colour
To make it extra fun, you can add some colouring: by adding food dye or natural products like turmeric
Divide the dough into smaller pieces.
Add a teaspoon of powder or few drops of food colouring to each piece.
Knead it until the colour is mixed through (this part can get a little messy, so it’s best for adults or make sure your surfaces are covered).
Time to play!
Now your homemade playdough is ready to go. Children love using cookie cutters, rolling pins, or even little sticks to create shapes and patterns. It’s such a simple way to spark creativity and keep little hands busy.
The best part is that your playdough will last for at least a week if you store it in a sealed container or bag in the fridge.
Start by booking a tour or contacting our team on 1800 978 429. During your tour, you’ll meet with our Centre Manager and explore the childcare centre. If you choose to enrol, our team will guide you through the enrolment process, followed by a Stay & Play orientation before your child’s first day.
When you arrive, our Centre Manager will greet you and show you through our indoor and outdoor environments. You’ll learn more about our programs and extracurricular activities, while having the opportunity to ask any questions about your child’s care and education.
As every family’s circumstances and funding entitlements are different, contact our team for a personalised quote based on your individual circumstances and eligibility.
Victorian Government funded kindergarten is currently under assessment.
We ask families to bring a water bottle, hat, spare change of clothes, comfort item (toy or blanket) if required, and formula. Please pack your child’s belongings in a bag and ensure all items, including the bag, are clearly labelled with your child’s name.
We provide nutritious meals, nappies and wipes for your child throughout the day.
Aspire keeps families connected through regular updates, learning journals and our parent communication app, Storypark. Educators share insights into your child’s learning, development, wellbeing and daily experiences, so you can stay up to date with their progress.
Vacancies can vary throughout the year. Contact our team for the latest availability and waitlist information, and we’ll help you understand your options for enrolling your child at Aspire.
Unity Park childcare first opened in January 2026, welcoming families into our early learning community. Since opening, we’ve continued to bring families together through special events, celebrations and family-focused activities, while building strong connections with the local community.
Join our next information session or open day to see our spaces and speak with educators.
See why thousands of families trust Aspire for their child’s early learning journey.
