





Aspire Early Education & Kindergarten Deanside supports the growing Deanside community by providing high-quality education and childcare with a strong focus on community values. Our play-based program, complemented by literacy and numeracy workshops, fosters a lifelong love of learning and a sense of belonging for every child.
Aspire Deanside is in the Deanside Central Estate, close to CS Square Shopping Centre and less than 5 minutes from Deanside Primary School. Conveniently located on Sinclairs Road, it’s an easy stop on the way into the city.
Our Deanside 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.
At Aspire Deanside, we’re committed to connecting children and families with the wider community through meaningful experiences and partnerships.
The childcare centre hosts a variety of incursions to supplement the educational experiences of the children.
Several one-off or once-yearly incursions are a highlight for the long daycare children and are based on the children’s interests, as well as the Aspire curriculum. Some recent one-off incursions include:
Aspire childcare centres frequently run engaging and exciting excursions throughout the year. This differs from centre to centre, but may include excursions such as Bush Kinder, farm visits, walking to a local park or to local primary schools. These excursions further bolster the learning of students in every age group, as they align with Aspire's curriculum and the interests of the children.
At Aspire Deanside, 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 purpose-built facility sets the benchmark for early learning centres and caters to children aged 6 weeks to 6 years. The childcare centre offers a fully equipped commercial kitchen, a piazza, and ample outdoor space, offering plenty of room for your child to play, learn and explore. The centre has eight learning rooms specifically designed for each age group and stage of development.
The piazza offers a space for multi-age group activities such as centre events, incursions, shared mealtimes or blended learning opportunities. Utilising this gorgeous space allows children of different ages to interact with each other, and form bonds between age groups.
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.
The outdoor play space features an enchanting fairy cave, sustainability gardens and a tractor with a timber maze to play and explore. These play areas help children connect with nature and provide countless ways to play.
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 to reach 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.
The Victorian Government offers funding to provide families up to 15 hours of free kindergarten a week, in addition to the Childcare Subsidy. The funding offsets the fees for three and four-year-old children that are part of the centre’s long day care kindergarten program.
As of 2025 families can save up to $2,101 a year for eligible children aged three years old and above in eligible long daycares. This is in addition to the Child Care Subsidy. Use our CCS Calculator to estimate your child care subsidy & out-of-pocket costs.
The Free Kinder program is designed to ensure all children access the benefits of early learning and give them a strong foundation for a successful school experience.






Hi, I'm Rena, the Centre Manager at Aspire Early Education and Kindergarten Deanside!
As an Educator, I am guided by a blend of progressive and holistic learning philosophies. I believe in the importance of child–centred approaches, where learning emerges from children's interests, experiences, and interactions with their environment.
My favourite thing about being a centre director is the opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of children, families and staff every day. I love being able to create a supportive and enriching environment where children can learn, grow and thrive. Building strong relationships with families and seeing joy on children's faces as they explore and discover new things brings me immense fulfilment. Additionally, I enjoy the leadership aspect of my role, empowering and supporting my team to be their best selves and to contribute to the success of our centre.
My journey in the Early Childhood Education and Care sector began as an Educator in 2013, fostering a nurturing environment for children’s growth and learning. Over time, I honed my leadership skills, gradually taking on more responsibilities. As a centre manager now, I oversee operations, support staff development, and ensure the highest quality of care and education for all children. It's been a fulfilling progression, allowing me to make a positive impact at every step.
It is my privilege to be the Centre Manager at Deanside, and I can’t wait to meet each family that joins the Aspire community.

Hi, my name is Gurleen Uppal, and I’m proud to lead as the Head of Curriculum at Aspire Deanside. I’ve been working in early childhood education since 2021, with a professional journey that has taken me through various roles including early childhood teacher, and Head of Curriculum. Each step has deepened my conviction in the transformative power of early education.
What I love most about working at Aspire is our shared commitment to going above and beyond for children, for families, and for our people. The value that resonates most with me is Empowering Excellence, because I believe that when educators feel valued and supported, they deliver their best for the children in their care.
I aim to lead with integrity, transparency, and encouragement, always fostering a culture where collaboration, continuous learning, and trust thrive. I understand the importance of inclusive practices that reflect the diverse backgrounds of the families we work with. My leadership is driven by relationships, reflection, and a vision for ensuring that every child and educator feels a true sense of belonging.
I hold a Master of Teaching (Early Childhood) and a Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care. These qualifications, along with hands-on leadership experience, have shaped my approach to curriculum and pedagogy: one that is inclusive, interest-driven, and deeply reflective. I’m passionate about mentoring educators, supporting meaningful documentation, and ensuring every program is purposeful, engaging, and developmentally appropriate.
At Aspire, I’m proud to contribute to our mission to Connect, Learn, and Grow, building strong foundations for children today and brighter futures for tomorrow.
