Childcare and kindergarten in Craigieburn, Victoria
Pelican Childcare Fairways offers long day care and a kindergarten program for children aged 6 weeks to 6 years, conveniently located for families in Craigieburn, Roxburgh Park, Somerton, Greenvale and surrounding communities.
Age-specific indoor and outdoor spaces
Children learn and play in age-specific rooms and outdoor environments designed for different stages of development. Features include large sandpits, bike tracks, vegetable gardens, pirate ships, themed play areas, art stations, sensory corners, digital learning zones and calm spaces.
Smaller 70-place centre
As a smaller 70-place centre, Pelican Childcare Fairways offers a more familiar early learning environment where children can be known well by educators. The smaller setting helps build strong relationships with children and families across the centre.
Multilingual educator team
Our diverse team includes qualified educators who speak 14 languages, helping families feel welcome and understood. The team also includes two registered Early Childhood Teachers who guide the kindergarten program and help children prepare for school.
Government-approved Kindergarten and Wings to Fly
Our Government-approved Kindergarten program focuses on school readiness through play-based learning, language development and positive daily routines. Children aged 3 to 5 also take part in Wings to Fly, a guided program that helps build social, emotional, cognitive and physical skills.
Individual Learning Plans and early intervention
Individual Learning Plans are developed in partnership with families and reflect each child’s strengths, interests and goals. Where needed, educators also collaborate with allied health professionals, including speech and occupational therapists, to provide onsite early intervention.
Enrichment programs, incursions and excursions
Children take part in a wide range of programs, including Kindy Dancing, yoga, Zumba and cooking classes. Reptile shows, circus workshops and excursions to places such as the zoo, aquarium and Traffic School give children new experiences beyond the everyday program.
Fresh meals and safe mealtimes
Our experienced in-house chef prepares meals onsite using a 4-week rotating menu aligned with the Australian Dietary Guidelines. Children enjoy freshly prepared meals and snacks each day, with allergy-safe, culturally respectful and dietary-appropriate options. Personalised placemats and colour-coded bowls help manage allergies, dietary requirements and anaphylaxis safely.
Family communication and app updates
Families are kept informed through regular communication with educators and updates shared through our family app. Photos, routines, learning moments and centre information give families a simple way to stay connected with their child’s day and see what they are experiencing at the centre.
Secure your place today
Book a tour to experience the centre and confirm availability for your child.
Meet our Centre Manager
Age-appropriate early learning
0-2 years
Nursery
In our nursery room, children begin their learning journey in a warm, secure and nurturing environment.
Educators build strong, responsive relationships with each child while supporting individual routines, emotional security, early communication and physical development.
In this room, children are encouraged to:
- Build secure relationships with educators
- Explore through sensory-rich play
- Develop early communication skills
- Build physical skills and confidence
- Feel safe, settled and connected
- Follow routines that support their individual needs
2-3 years
Toddlers
In our toddler room, children build independence, language and social skills through rich, play-based experiences.
Educators guide children as they explore their environment, express emotions and develop self-help skills, while building positive relationships with peers.
In this room, children are encouraged to:
- Build independence and confidence
- Develop language and communication skills
- Practise self-help skills, including feeding, toileting and dressing
- Express and understand their emotions
- Explore their environment through play
- Build positive relationships and collaboration with peers
3-4 years
Pre-Kinder
Our Pre-Kinder room is designed to spark curiosity and deepen learning through child-led play and intentional teaching.
Children build early literacy, numeracy, problem-solving and social skills, while educators support their growing sense of identity, autonomy and confidence.
In this room, children are encouraged to:
- Explore their interests through child-led play
- Build early literacy and numeracy skills
- Practise problem-solving
- Develop stronger social connections
- Build identity, autonomy and confidence
- Take part in intentional teaching experiences
4-5 years
Kindergarten
At our Craigieburn early learning centre, our Kindergarten program builds strong foundations for school through a thoughtful blend of structured and play-based learning.
Delivered by Bachelor-qualified Early Childhood Teachers, our Victorian Government-approved Kindergarten program supports early literacy, numeracy, emotional regulation, critical thinking, communication and collaboration. Eligible children can access up to 15 hours per week of funded kindergarten, 40 weeks per year, at no cost to families.
In this room, children are encouraged to:
- Build early literacy and numeracy skills
- Develop emotional regulation and critical thinking
- Communicate, collaborate and explore with confidence
- Build independence and a love of learning
- Develop social, emotional, cognitive and physical skills through the Wings to Fly framework
- Learn through a curriculum that values inclusion, sustainability and belonging
- Access onsite early intervention with allied health professionals, such as speech and occupational therapists, where needed
- Prepare for school through programs aligned with the EYLF and VEYLDF, supported by Gowrie Australia programming resources
We’re all about healthy, nutritious eating
At our Craigieburn child care centre, we’re proud to have an experienced in-house chef who understands the nutritional needs of young children. Our chef holds a current Food Safety Supervisor Certificate, ensuring that all meals are prepared to the highest standards of health and safety.
We follow a nutritionally balanced 4-week rotating menu aligned with the Australian Dietary Guidelines. The menu is updated seasonally and includes breakfast, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea, and a late snack, all freshly prepared onsite. We cater to each child’s individual needs with allergy-safe, culturally respectful, and dietary-appropriate options. As part of our orientation, we ask families about their child’s eating habits at home, helping us personalise food offerings and ease fussy eaters into new routines. Each child also has a personalised placemat with their photo and dietary requirements, and we use colour-coded bowls to help manage allergies and anaphylaxis safely.
We believe mealtimes are more than just nourishment – they’re an opportunity to build healthy habits, encourage social interaction, and create positive food experiences that children will carry with them for life.
Inclusive support for every child
At our Craigieburn centre, we embrace each child’s individuality and take a personalised approach to learning. Our educators work closely with families to understand each child’s interests, strengths, and needs, creating a supportive environment where every child feels seen, heard, and valued.
For children with additional needs or those learning English as an additional language, we provide tailored support through a Strategic Inclusion Plan. We use tools like visual aids, key word signing, and consistent routines, and when needed, we apply for additional educator funding to ensure every child can participate fully. Our multilingual team and strong family partnerships help build cultural understanding and ensure every child feels included and supported.
Fees
The Child Care Subsidy can reduce your daily out-of-pocket fee by up to 95% depending on your family’s entitlements.
Nursery
0 – 2 years
$186.50/day
Toddler
2 – 4 years
$186.50/day
Kindergarten
4 – 5 years
$186.50/day
Child Care Subsidy Estimator
Discover how much child care subsidy you may be entitled to by entering the fields below.
2026 3-Day Guarantee
From 5th January 2026, based on the information you have entered, here's an estimate of your CCS entitlements and your out-of-pocket costs.
Total Fees
$0.00
Estimated CCS Fee Subsidy
$0.00
Kindergarten/Preschool Subsidy
$0.00
Out of Pocket Cost (what you pay)
$0.00
Matrix Out of Pocket Cost
Is your CCS working for you? Check the out-of-pocket cost matrix per child against session lengths and weekly days below. Please note: The table in the matrix only shows out-of-pocket costs after CCS (Child Care Subsidy).
| Child 1 | 1 Day | 2 Days | 3 Days | 4 Days | 5 Days |
|---|
*Kindergarten/preschool subsidy applied: $0.00
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Frequently asked questions
A centre tour is a convenient way to experience the childcare centre of your choice and meet with our qualified educators at a time that is suitable for your family’s schedule. Click here to book a tour online.
On the day of the tour, you can observe practices and interactions within the centre environment. You’ll be able to see all the rooms and playgrounds, ask the team members any questions you have in mind, and get all the information you need to make the best decision for your child.
Enrolling is simple, and our Family Support Team will guide you through each step.
First, find your local centre and book a tour so you can meet the team and explore the learning environment. If the centre is the right fit and a place is available, you’ll receive an enrolment offer for your child. If a place is not currently available in your child’s age group, we can add your child to the waitlist and keep you updated.
To finalise your enrolment, you’ll complete an online enrolment form through a secure link sent by our Family Support Team. You’ll also need to provide key details and documents, including your child’s birth certificate, Medicare details, immunisation history statement and, if eligible, your Child Care Subsidy details.
Before your child’s first day, you may be invited to attend a Stay and Play session. This gives your child time to explore the centre, meet their educators, and start feeling comfortable in their new environment. Once your paperwork is complete, your child is ready to start their early learning journey with us.
Starting child care is a big milestone, and a little preparation can help your child feel more comfortable and confident.
Before your child’s first day, you can talk positively about their new centre, explain what their day might look like, and practise small routines such as packing their bag, saying goodbye, washing hands and sitting down for meals. You may also like to visit the centre with your child, meet their educators and ask our team about what to bring on the first day.
When your child starts, our educators will take the time to get to know your child’s routine, interests, comfort items and individual needs. Settling in looks different for every child, so we work closely with families to help children feel safe, supported and ready to learn.
Most of our child care and early education centres offer nappies and wipes, sunscreen and hats, as well as nutritious meals prepared by our in-house cook. Some centres also provide sheets and formula, so you may not need to remember to pack them.
For nursery children, be sure to bring: nappy rash cream, dummies, bottles and teats, comfort toys or blankets, three spare outfits, spare socks and a plastic bag for wet clothes.
For toddlers and preschool or kindergarten-aged children, it’s best to bring: spare underwear, water bottle or sippy cup, sun hat, closed-toe shoes, two spare outfits, spare socks and a plastic bag for wet clothes.
Plus, anything else your individual child may need, such as breast milk, a sleeping bag, a comforter or medication.
It’s best to speak to your centre of choice for a full list of everything included.
Pelican Childcare uses Xplor Home as our family communication app. It is the best and easiest way to keep track of your child’s day.
After you enrol your child with the centre, you can utilise Xplor Home to book child care days, manage your account, receive the photographs that capture your child’s learning, learn about your child’s progress, as well as keep up-to-date with upcoming centre events and important information.
If your child shows signs of an infectious illness when they arrive at the centre or becomes sick during the day, you may be notified that you need to make alternative arrangements or pick up your child from the centre and keep them home until they are no longer infectious. While we understand that this can be inconvenient, Pelican Childcare is committed to maintaining a healthy environment and reducing the risk of infection for all children.
Under the Child Care Subsidy (CCS), families are allowed 42 absence days per child, per financial year. These can be taken for any reason, including public holidays and when children are sick, without requiring families to provide documentation.
Contact us
We look forward to welcoming your family.