CENTRES

Aspire Cockatoo Childcare Centre

Aspire Early Education & Kindergarten Cockatoo is an upcoming Aspire centre located in Cockatoo, in south-east Melbourne. It is located next to IGA Cocktatoo, as well as local retail stores, parks and reserves and Cockatoo Primary school. It is a convenient location for families looking for care in the community.

Aspire Cockatoo childcare centre will feature seven spacious learning environments for children aged six weeks to six years old. Enquire today at our brand-new Aspire centre!

The Cockatoo Community

Cockatoo is a scenic town located in Melbourne’s Dandenong ranges between Emerald and Gembrook. It is our first Aspire centre within the Cockatoo community, and we are so excited to meet new families in the area!

At Aspire, we love the opportunity to bring our community together 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.

2026 CCS Benefits 

✔ Eligible families are guaranteed 3 days of subsidised care each week

✔  Save up to $2,101 per year per eligible child

Get in touch with our friendly team to receive a personalised quote and use our CCS Calculator to estimate your subsidy and out-of-pocket costs.

CCS Calculator
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Cockatoo Details

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3 Belgrave-Gembrook Rd
Cockatoo VIC 3781
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New Enquiries: 1800 978 429
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Mon – Fri 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM
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Ages: 6 weeks – 6 years
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Programs: School Readiness Programs, Extra-Curricular Activities, Incursions
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In house chef

Childcare Centre Highlights

Incursions play a large role in the development and growth of each child. Aspire Cockatoo 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 Cockatoo, 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 Cockatoo 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.

Childcare Centre Facilities

Aspire Cockatoo will feature seven purpose-built indoor rooms and spacious outdoor areas supporting children's development from six weeks to six years old. Our centre is also double story with the indoor rooms spread across ground and level 1 floors, suited to each age group.  

Each indoor 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 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 Cockatoo 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 is evident in every detail of our program, and we eagerly await the opportunity to welcome new families to our community.

Early Education Programs

Aspire Early Education and Kindergarten operates in a long daycare setting and has four main education programs, tailored to each stage of early development. At Aspire, our quality education programs are designed to guide children’s learning and development by encouraging them to explore, discover and connect with others.

Our Baby Steps Nursery Program provides a nurturing environment, with daily activities and intentional teaching opportunities to support your child in reaching developmental milestones. Our play-based learning approach allows children to learn through sensory play, as well as build a foundation for future learning. 

The Little Learners Toddler Program is designed to create an engaging environment that supports your toddler’s social and cognitive development. We provide a fun, play-based learning approach that engages their young and active minds within a safe and stimulating environment.

Aspire’s Kickstart to Kinder program is specially designed for three-year-olds, offering a warm and engaging introduction to their kindergarten journey. Created in collaboration with kindergarten and local primary school teachers, the program supports each child’s social, emotional and early literacy development.

With a balance of structured and play-based learning, children are encouraged to explore their interests, build confidence and develop independence. This approach helps lay the foundation for a smooth transition into four-year-old kindergarten and a lifelong love of learning.

Aspire’s Step into Prep program is designed for four-year-olds to confidently prepare for primary school in a supportive and stimulating environment. Building on skills developed in earlier years, the program focuses on independence, communication, and critical thinking.

The program combines hands-on activities with intentional learning experiences designed to nurture curiosity and resilience. Our educators work closely with each child, tailoring support to their strengths and interests. This thoughtful approach helps children feel confident and ready to embrace the challenges and excitement of primary school.

Peace of mind for parents

A Day at Aspire Cockatoo

Morning

  • Get dropped off and settle in
  • Have breakfast and play
  • Learning opportunities
  • Incursions/excursions

Midday

  • Get ready for lunch
  • Wash hands, clean table, sit down
  • Lunchtime!
  • Clean up
  • Naptime

Afternoon

  • Incursions/excursions
  • Play-based learning opportunities
  • Story time
  • Snack time

Evening

  • Start winding down
  • Free play
  • Finish daily activities
  • Get picked up

What We Provide

Healthy meals & snacks

Incursions & excursions

Nappies, bottles & wipes

Sunscreen

Play-based learning environments

Qualified teachers

School readiness pathways

In-centre celebrations

The Circle of Care at Aspire

What Our Families Have To Say

★★★★★

This is my first childcare experience with Aspire, and I am very happy with it. My child was happy and settled today, all because of Tahira. When a child is happy, as a mother, you feel so relaxed – and all the credit goes to Tahira for her love and care. She is not just an educator but truly cares like a mother, and I feel so safe leaving my child in her care. Aspire has been excellent overall – the management is supportive, they explain everything clearly, and as a first-time parent, this really gave me confidence. I also want to thank Parul for taking the time to guide me and reassure me that I will soon see positive changes in my son. I am grateful to the whole team for making this first childcare journey such a positive and comforting one.

Savneer, family at Aspire Clydevale, VIC

★★★★★

Aspire Cranbourne East is a wonderful kinder and childcare centre. The staff are the best and have created a lovely feeling of connection and community. My son often gets upset at drop-off, but there is always a familiar, friendly face there to help settle him in. I know that when I leave, he will be looked after by staff who genuinely care about him.
Milie, the 4-year-old kinder teacher, provides engaging and creative lessons and activities. We have seen wonderful growth in our son’s confidence, resilience and learning under her guidance.

Liz, family at Aspire Cranbourne East, VIC

★★★★★

I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for the incredible care you provide to my baby every day. Your warmth, patience, and dedication create such a nurturing environment, and it’s clear how much you all truly care. It’s amazing to see how my baby is thriving under your care—learning, exploring, and growing in confidence each day. I’ve noticed how much they light up when they’re with you, and it brings me so much comfort to know they’re in such good hands. Thank you for the love, energy, and thoughtfulness you bring to everything you do. You make such a positive impact not only on the children but on us parents, too.

Anne, family at Aspire Cranbourne North, VIC

★★★★★

My daughter attends Aspire Cranbourne West and she is currently in the Flora Room. From the first day we walked in and was given a tour, we were greeted by extremely friendly staff and we definitely felt reassured that this was the right center for our daughter. All educators do an absolutely amazing job from completing any request given to being extremely responsive and reliable. My husband and I are also very impressed with all the activities and incursions/excursions that are planned each day to build on children's experiences. Overall, we couldn't have found a better center for our daughter and we highly recommend Aspire Cranbourne West for a safe, reliable and welcoming childcare.

Shanila, family at Aspire Cranbourne West, VIC

★★★★★

I cannot praise Aspire more highly. We transferred following a rough patch with our original daycare from the same area. They’re amazing when it comes to managing food allergies and still feeding the kids nutritious and filling meals. No slip-ups and we have zero concerns about leaving our daughter with them full time. Their educational curriculum is also well thought out - Mandarin lessons, yoga, excursions, art, counting...and this is at toddler level! Our daughter comes home each day fulfilled, tired and happy stimulated from all the learning. Excellent communication from staff to parents too. Worth it in every respect!

Cora, family at Aspire Clyde North, VIC

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