Goodstart Early Learning Forbes

What do children really need to flourish?

As parents, we hear all the time that the early years matter. But when you’re choosing an early learning centre, what should you actually be looking for? What does high-quality early learning really look and feel like?

We asked Goodstart Chief Children’s Officer and early learning expert Professor Cathrine Neilsen-Hewett to break down what the evidence tells us makes the biggest difference for children.
And it’s not about having the newest equipment, the fanciest toys or the most picture-perfect rooms.

It’s about the things happening within those spaces every day: skilled educators, strong and secure relationships, rich interactions with other children, intentional play-based learning, and strong leadership and supportive team culture.

When these elements come together, early learning becomes so much more than a place children spend their day. It becomes an environment where they can feel safe and supported, build relationships, explore, play, learn and flourish.

Come explore our centre - https://brnw.ch/21x6wHo

We can't wait to meet you 👋

We at Goodstart Forbes are deeply concerned about the NSW Government’s decision to cut funding to long day care centres like ours in 2027.

We use this funding every day to provide high-quality preschool education and care, helping children get the best possible start before school.

We don’t think your 3 and 4-year-old children should receive LESS simply because they attend preschool in long day care centres like ours.

This isn’t just about Goodstart – did you know that 3 in 4 children in NSW access preschool through long day care? That means tens of thousands of working families who rely on the flexibility of longer care hours could be affected.

We need your help to advocate for you, your children, and the NSW early childhood sector.

Visit the Preschool Cuts Campaign page on Smart Start and follow the simple steps to tell Premier Chris Minns why he needs to and protect essential funding for children’s futures.

📅 Upcoming Events in October 🍂🎃🌏

Dear Goodstart Families,

We are looking forward to an exciting month ahead as we come together to celebrate and also raise awareness for a number of important events throughout October.

This month, we will be: 💛 Raising awareness for Day for Daniel 👕 Supporting Loud Shirt Day 👵👴 Celebrating our wonderful Grandparents 🎃 Enjoying some fun Halloween experiences 🌟 Recognising and celebrating National Children's Week

These events provide meaningful opportunities for learning, connection, inclusion, and community engagement. We look forward to sharing these special experiences with our children and families throughout the month.

Please R.S.V.P by the 19th of October for Grandparents Day and our Halloween Picnic for catering purposes. We hope to see you all there!

🌻 Please see our October Events Calendar for dates and further details.

💛

🌴🌶️ To celebrate Fiji Day on 10 October, we were blessed to enjoy a taste of Fiji, thanks to our incredible team members Shahil and Priya, who prepared a delicious traditional Fijian meal for our Forbes team. Chicken Palau, fresh salad, and plenty of extra chilli kept things interesting!

Our children also joined in the celebration, enjoying a milder chicken and rice dish prepared especially for them, providing a wonderful opportunity to experience and learn about Fijian culture through food.

We love embracing diversity and the opportunities it provides to learn from and celebrate one another's cultures. Thank you, Shahil and Priya, for sharing a special part of your heritage with us.

🇫🇯 Did you know? Fiji Day is celebrated on 10 October each year and marks the day Fiji gained independence in 1970. It is a time for Fijians to celebrate their culture, history, diversity, and strong sense of community.

Vinaka vakalevu (thank you very much)! ❤️🌺

🇫🇯🌴

Looking for the right early learning centre for your family? Come and see us. 💛

This October is Open Door Month at Goodstart.

Come in for a tour, meet our educators, explore the learning spaces and ask the questions that matter to you.

Whether you’re just starting to look, comparing your options or ready to choose a centre, we’re here to help you find the right fit for your family.

Book a tour today. We can’t wait to meet you!
📅 https://brnw.ch/21x6duI

🎉 Celebrating Excellence at Goodstart Forbes! 🎉

We are incredibly proud to announce that Goodstart Forbes has been nominated for the Inclusive Practice Award at the Central West Early Childhood Awards, and that our very own Lily has been nominated for the Molly Ticehurst Award.

These nominations are a wonderful reflection of the dedication, passion, and commitment that our team demonstrates every day in supporting children, families, and our community.

The nomination for the Inclusive Practice Award recognises our team's ongoing efforts to create a welcoming, respectful, and inclusive environment where every child is valued, supported, and empowered to thrive.

Lily's nomination for the Molly Ticehurst Award is a testament to her unwavering commitment to early childhood education. Her passion, professionalism, and genuine care for children and families shine through in everything she does, making a lasting impact on those around her.

We are honoured to be recognised alongside so many inspiring educators and services across the Central West. These achievements belong to our entire Goodstart Forbes community, and we thank our educators, children, families, and community members for their continued support.

Please join us in celebrating these incredible achievements and wishing Lily and the Goodstart Forbes team the very best at the Central West Early Childhood Awards.

🌟 Congratulations, Lily, and congratulations to the entire Goodstart Forbes team. We are so proud of you all! 🌟

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Send a message to learn more

Whether you're returning to work, seeking social opportunities for your child, or looking for a great start to their learning journey, we'd love to welcome your family to our service.

📞 Contact us today to book a tour and secure your place.

Spaces are limited, so don't miss out!

Creating a safe sleep environment is one of the many ways we care for children each day. From following safe sleep practices and using approved cots, to completing visual checks every 5 minutes, our educators take every step to help children rest safely and comfortably.

We also work closely with families to understand each child's individual sleep routine, because feeling safe, settled and well-rested helps children learn, grow and thrive.

💜 Safe sleep is everyone's responsibility, and it's always a priority.