Childcare Garden Suburb
Purpose-built childcare facility in Garden Suburb, providing care and education for children aged 6 weeks to school age.
Welcome to Imagine Early Learning & Childcare Garden Suburb.
Our Garden Suburb childcare centre is a purpose-built facility that is centrally located at 58 Prospect Rd, Garden Suburb. The childcare service has state-of-the-art amenities and provides childcare and education for children aged six weeks to five years.
The service has three distinct wings (Babies, Toddler and Pre-School), each with specifically designed features to provide nurturing care and education for children in each age group. The outdoor play environments are rich with opportunity for risky play, freedom for children to engage in physical play and promotes children’s sense of autonomy. This setup allows flexibility in combining indoor and outdoor play opportunities regardless of weather conditions.
Imagine Early Learning & Childcare has set the benchmark for high-quality early childhood education and child care for the past 26 years.
If Garden Suburb is not your closest location, we have five other daycare centres in Newcastle & Lake Macquarie that are purpose-built and architecturally designed to optimise care and learning for children from birth through to school age. Our environments abound with natural elements, both inside and out.
The operating hours are 7 am – 6 pm weekdays.
At Imagine Early Learning and Childcare Garden Suburb, we believe that childhood is about playing, discovering and believing in dreams. Come and see why we are among the best childcare centres in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie.
Why Imagine Early Learning & Childcare Garden Suburb?
Imagine Garden Suburb is committed to providing excellent care and education for young children. Our educating team is highly skilled and qualified to create meaningful programs for children, including designing aesthetic play spaces for them to explore freely. Educators are transparent in communication, sharing ideas, knowledge, and resources relevant to your child. They maintain quality relationships with children and families to ensure positive outcomes are supported during their time at Imagine Early Learning.
The natural playground and surroundings guide our philosophy and practice. Situated in a natural bushland setting, children enjoy a range of play areas both in the outdoor and indoor spaces. The nature garden is an inviting area for the children to learn from and interact with the natural environment. Activities are planned to enable children to develop various skills and processes such as problem-solving, inquiry, experimentation, hypothesising, researching and investigating through a play-based program.
Sustainability is a core value within our service philosophy. Educators encourage children and families to be sustainable in their everyday practices. Sustainable practices that promote awareness and the impact of human activity on the environment are embedded within the service; this includes children and educators using rainwater tanks to water the gardens, composting food and using it to enrich the soil in the garden beds, growing herbs and vegetables to use in the kitchen, recycling items to use for loose-parts and craft activities and setting up digital processes to reduce paper use. The service has also installed Solar Panels to reduce both the service’s running costs and our carbon footprint.
Indoor play spaces are flush with natural light and ventilation. The nursery and toddler rooms provide spaces for active exploring and learning and cosy nooks to curl up next to a carer to read a book. The preschool rooms are set up to enrich children’s learning across all areas using carefully planned spaces that encourage collaboration, problem-solving, creativity and imagination.
At Imagine Early Learning & Childcare we make learning fun!
Hippity hop, Easter’s on its way! 🐰
Wishing you all a very Happy Easter from our little friends at Imagine Toronto! #imaginetoronto #imagineearlylearningcentres
Hippity hop, Easter’s on its way! 🐰
Wishing you all a very Happy Easter from our little friends at Imagine Toronto! #imaginetoronto #imagineearlylearningcentres
🐰 Did you spot those fluffy ears?
The Easter Bunny made a surprise visit, leaving behind a trail of eggs and a whole lot of excitement! 🐣
#BunnyWatch #EasterFun #LittleMomentsBigMagic #easter #easterbunny #easteregg #easteregghunt #bunny #children #imagineelc #imagineearlylearningcentres #imaginemerewetherheights #imagineearlylearning
🐰 Did you spot those fluffy ears?
The Easter Bunny made a surprise visit, leaving behind a trail of eggs and a whole lot of excitement! 🐣
#BunnyWatch #EasterFun #LittleMomentsBigMagic #easter #easterbunny #easteregg #easteregghunt #bunny #children #imagineelc #imagineearlylearningcentres #imaginemerewetherheights #imagineearlylearning
Rolling into the Easter long weekend with excitement! Our Waratah room had a blast on skate and scoot day within their school holiday program. Small wheels, big smiles and endless giggles 🛴🐰 #imaginemayfield #skateandscoot
Rolling into the Easter long weekend with excitement! Our Waratah room had a blast on skate and scoot day within their school holiday program. Small wheels, big smiles and endless giggles 🛴🐰 #imaginemayfield #skateandscoot
Little hands, big discoveries! 🍃
The children were captivated by a tray of witchety grubs found in the garden, sparking rich conversations about lifecycles and the natural world. We brought them into the classroom for a morning of close observation before gently returning them to their garden home.
#imagineelc #imagineearlylearningcentres #imaginemerewetherheights #nature #naturalworld #bugs #handsonlearing #allaboutearlyyears #earlyyears #eaelylearning #preschool #childcare
Little hands, big discoveries! 🍃
The children were captivated by a tray of witchety grubs found in the garden, sparking rich conversations about lifecycles and the natural world. We brought them into the classroom for a morning of close observation before gently returning them to their garden home.
#imagineelc #imagineearlylearningcentres #imaginemerewetherheights #nature #naturalworld #bugs #handsonlearing #allaboutearlyyears #earlyyears #eaelylearning #preschool #childcare
🧡 The last two weeks have been filled with connection, belonging, and learning as we explored the rich cultures within our community for Harmony Week.
A huge thank you to all the families who generously gave their time to visit, share their stories, traditions, food, music, and so much more with the children. You made this time so special!
We are so grateful to be part of such a diverse and supportive community. 🧡
#HarmonyWeek #EveryoneBelongs #EarlyChildhood #FamilyConnections #imagineelc #imagineearlylearningcentres #imaginemerewetherheights #earlylearning #children #imagineearlylearning #communityconnections #culture #traditions
🧡 The last two weeks have been filled with connection, belonging, and learning as we explored the rich cultures within our community for Harmony Week.
A huge thank you to all the families who generously gave their time to visit, share their stories, traditions, food, music, and so much more with the children. You made this time so special!
We are so grateful to be part of such a diverse and supportive community. 🧡
#HarmonyWeek #EveryoneBelongs #EarlyChildhood #FamilyConnections #imagineelc #imagineearlylearningcentres #imaginemerewetherheights #earlylearning #children #imagineearlylearning #communityconnections #culture #traditions
Afternoon dreams among the trees, with the breeze as a gentle embrace. 🌿✨
#RestTime #NatureNaps #EarlyChildhoodMagic
#earlychildhood #earlylearning #sleep #nature #imagineelc #imagineearlylearningcentres #imaginemerewetherheights
Afternoon dreams among the trees, with the breeze as a gentle embrace. 🌿✨
#RestTime #NatureNaps #EarlyChildhoodMagic
#earlychildhood #earlylearning #sleep #nature #imagineelc #imagineearlylearningcentres #imaginemerewetherheights
🎨 Joy, laughter, and a splash of colour! ✨Celebrating Holi with our little ones🌈🎉
#HoliCelebration #FestivalOfColours #HarmonyWeek #CulturalDiversity #Holi #Hindu #Culture #Earlylearning #imagineelc #imagineearlylearningcentres #imaginemerewetherheights #colour #messyplay
🎨 Joy, laughter, and a splash of colour! ✨Celebrating Holi with our little ones🌈🎉
#HoliCelebration #FestivalOfColours #HarmonyWeek #CulturalDiversity #Holi #Hindu #Culture #Earlylearning #imagineelc #imagineearlylearningcentres #imaginemerewetherheights #colour #messyplay
Today we celebrated Holi, the festival of colours! ✨
🌈 Holi is a vibrant Hindu festival that symbolises love, unity, and the triumph of good over evil. It’s a time for joy, togetherness, and letting go of the past as people come together to throw brightly coloured powders and dance.
What a fantastic way to end week one of Harmony Week, embracing diversity and the beauty of different cultures!
#HoliCelebration #FestivalOfColours #HarmonyWeek #CulturalDiversity #Holi #Hindu #Culture #Earlylearning #imagineelc #imagineearlylearningcentres #imaginemerewetherheights #colour #messyplay
Today we celebrated Holi, the festival of colours! ✨
🌈 Holi is a vibrant Hindu festival that symbolises love, unity, and the triumph of good over evil. It’s a time for joy, togetherness, and letting go of the past as people come together to throw brightly coloured powders and dance.
What a fantastic way to end week one of Harmony Week, embracing diversity and the beauty of different cultures!
#HoliCelebration #FestivalOfColours #HarmonyWeek #CulturalDiversity #Holi #Hindu #Culture #Earlylearning #imagineelc #imagineearlylearningcentres #imaginemerewetherheights #colour #messyplay
Testimonials
I can’t speak highly enough of this beautiful daycare. We have attended Imagine Learning @ Garden Suburb for the past 4 years with both my children attending up until preschool. During this time I have been impressed with the professionalism, kindness and generosity shown by all the staff. From the Educators to the Director, from the catering staff through to the graduate educators they have all shown a genuine interest and affection for our children and family. I also really appreciate how at drop off and pick up they are around and available for any questions or queries you might have. The centre itself is beautiful and nestled in the leafy suburb that is Garden suburb so your child has direct access to nature and the Educators use this regularly in their daily activities. Every day there is something exciting for the kids to behold and immerse themselves in. Love this centre.
My husband and I adore Imagine! Our 2-year-old daughter has been attending the centre at Garden Suburb since she was 9 months, and she has been cared for in such a beautiful way thanks to the gorgeous educators in the nursery room. So grateful to have found a day care that allows us to feel so comfortable and at ease.
After years of waiting for my first Child to arrive we found ourselves blessed with C.J and it was almost impossible to trust some one to take care of him so as mum and dad could go to work.
This all changed from the first day of orientation, we could see that serving families and the children’s care was evident with core strength values of teaching with play. What more could you ask to provide a 2 year Old? We are blessed to have you all looking after C.J.
We find the entire team from the leadership of Isabel, to the room leader Rhiannon, Olivia, Ash, and every member we have ever interacted with have understood loving cherishing children, high levels of communication, progress with tailored goals with parents involvement, the values of being gentle, teaching them real life lessons with games of education making it fun to teach for real life lessons, telling us story’s throughout the days by the OWNA app, the calming gentle words that echo in the home after school of please, thanks you, this shines of excellent manners they teach with all children it’s evident when my son comes home and shares his happiness at home after a loved day with his much loved education team / friends.
Thanks you so much to all of the team, you are doing a excellent job and we cannot wait to continue working with you all with more little children in the near future… we highly recommended
Lots of love Nick, Nicole and Cam
Frequently Asked Questions
At Imagine Garden Suburb, we understand that you may have many questions when considering enrolling your child at our centre. Here is a list of some of the questions that parents frequently ask. Please feel free to contact us if you have any further questions.
WHAT ARE THE OPERATING HOURS?
7.00 am to 6.00 pm, Monday to Friday
WHAT AGES DO YOU CATER FOR?
At Imagine Early Learning & Childcare Garden Suburb, we cater for Babies (0-18 months) through to 5 years old.
DO YOU PROVIDE MEALS?
We have an on-site cook who prepares healthy, nutritious meals, including morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea. Mealtimes at Imagine Early Learning & Childcare are to fill hungry tummies and an opportunity to practice self-help, language, and social skills. In other words, mealtimes are a lot of fun!
WHAT QUALIFICATIONS DO YOUR STAFF HOLD?
Our staff hold various qualifications in Early Childhood – ranging from the minimum qualification of Certificate III in Children’s Services to Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood. But an essential qualification is not written on any certificate but visible to a trained eye – it is a true passion and commitment to providing the very best care and education for young children.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO SEND MY CHILD TO IMAGINE EARLY LEARNING & CHILDCARE?
Fees depend on the number of days in care, the age of your child, and your eligibility for any government subsidies. We recommend that you contact the Centre Director, who will be able to provide you with a quote.
WHAT IS PRESCHOOL FEE RELIEF IN LONG DAY CARE?
Starting in 2023, the NSW Government is providing funds to provide fee relief to families with children attending a preschool in a Long Day Care setting. This funding will be for families as a weekly reduction to their gap fee (after the Child Subsidy has been applied). The Preschool Fee relief is for children turning 4 years on or before 1st July 2023. We welcome this initiative from the Government as it recognises the critical role Long Day Centres play in providing a preschool program.
For more information, please go to: https://education.nsw.gov.au/early-childhood-education/early-years-commitment/affordable-preschool
WHAT GOVERNMENT REBATES AND BENEFITS ARE AVAILABLE TO FAMILIES?
The Child Care Subsidy (CCS) is a payment offered by the Australian Government for which you may be eligible. To find out if you are eligible for CSS, visit the Department of Human Services website:
https://www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/services/centrelink/child-care-subsidy
Depending on your circumstances, there may also be other government funding available.
HOW DO I FIND OUT MORE ABOUT MY LOCAL CENTRE?
You can submit an online enquiry via the ‘Contact us’ link on this website.
HOW DO I ENROL AT IMAGINE EARLY LEARNING GARDEN SUBURB?
In the first instance, you need to submit an online application form. The Centre Director will contact you once a suitable position becomes available. They will invite you to visit the centre so you can meet the educators, view the environment and ask any questions you may have. We want to ensure that you are comfortable with your decision. The Director will then provide you with an enrollment pack containing everything you need to know about the centre and enrollment forms. Once you return the completed forms, further visits can be arranged before your child’s start date. We want to ensure a smooth transition as possible, so feel free to visit as often as necessary. Even after your child starts, we will support you every step of the way.
Our Partners
