Childcare The Junction
Our Childcare Centre is purpose-built, situated within the inner city of Newcastle, just behind Coles and The Junction Fair Shopping Centre.
Welcome to Imagine Early Learning & Childcare The Junction.
The service has state-of-the-art facilities that provide childcare and education for children between six weeks and five years of age. Our centre has three separate care environments, each with specifically designed features to provide nurturing care and education for children in each age group. The setup of our care environments allows our educators the flexibility to combine indoor and outdoor play opportunities regardless of weather conditions.
Nature and our environment guide our centre’s philosophy and practice. Our outdoor spaces were thoughtfully designed to retain as many of the landscape’s natural elements as possible. Planned excursions also allow us to take children into more natural spaces of the local community, such as local parks, Primary Schools and community businesses.
Indoor play spaces are flush with natural light and ventilation. The Nursery (Rosebud Room) and Toddler (Gumnut) rooms provide spaces for active exploring and learning and cosy nooks where children can curl up next to a carer to read a book. Our Preschool Room is set up to enrich children’s learning across all curricular domains using carefully planned spaces that encourage collaboration, problem-solving, creativity and imagination. At Imagine Early Learning & Childcare, we make learning fun!
Activities are planned within our indoor and outdoor spaces to enable children to develop a range of skills and knowledge bases, including but not limited to problem-solving, inquiry, experimentation, hypothesising, researching and investigating through a play-based program.
Our Childcare centres ensure your children are cared for and nurtured in an environment where they feel safe and secure. Each room is specifically designed for each age group, including areas to explore, create, rest and snuggle up for a hug when needed. If The Junction 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.
Opening hours are 7 am – 6 pm, Monday to Friday.
At Imagine Early Learning & Childcare The Junction, we believe childhood is about playing, discovering and believing in dreams.
Why Imagine Early Learning & Childcare The Junction?
Imagine The Junction is committed to providing excellence in care and education for young children. Our educational team is highly skilled and qualified in creating meaningful programs for children, including designing aesthetic play spaces to explore and learn 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.
Our team of educators has exceptional levels of professionalism, bringing unique skills, qualifications and personal attributes that create a fun, caring and nurturing environment for our children and families. Our educators develop meaningful relationships and connections between the children and Families, supporting the children’s individual needs and following their interests allowing them to develop at their own pace. You can tell everyone in the service loves what they do; it’s seen in the relationships with the families and children. The bonds are amazing!
We’re passionate advocates for art and creating risky play such as Play at Great Heights (climbing and learning to balance), Play at High Speed (riding bikes, running, sliding) and Rough and Tumble Play to embrace children’s natural curiosity and to support their needs for taking risks.
We see our children as capable and active participants in their learning. The children are provided with ongoing opportunities to contribute to the educational program and further develop their interests to foster a lifelong love of learning. Our educators take the time to listen to and respect each child’s unique voice.
Sustainability is a core value within our centre’s philosophy. Educators encourage children and families to practice sustainability in their day-to-day lives. Sustainable practices that encourage awareness of the impact of human activity on the environment are embedded within the service, including children and educators using rainwater tanks to water the gardens, composting food in compost and worm farms and using the compost to enrich the soil in our garden beds, growing our own herbs and vegetables which we use in the kitchen and recycle items to use for loose-parts and craft activities. Additionally, as much as possible, the centre utilises digital processes to minimise paper use, from sign-in
processes for families and staff, newsletters and family-to-educator communique. The centre has also installed Solar Panels to reduce its running costs and carbon footprint.
At Imagine Early Learning and Childcare The Junction, we believe that childhood is about playing, discovering and believing in dreams.
Take a peek into our Gumnut Room (2-3 years) — a warm, engaging space for little explorers.
We have rare vacancies available for late ‘25 & into ‘26.
Call us on (02) 4940 8996 to arrange your personalised tour today. 🐝
#thejunction
Building secure and positive relationships starts with the simple moments: shared smiles, curious questions, and time spent learning together✨🌼 #imaginemayfield
Little explorers here at Imagine Mayfield. Our curious minds have been discovering the wonders of rocks, water, and everything in between. Nature is the best playground 🍃
#imaginemayfield
to our team who leads with love - you are appreciated more than you will ever know. 💌
#imagineearlylearning&childcare
We’re going on a Bear Hunt! 🐻🌿
Sensory play brought the story to life in our Rosebud Room - squelchy mud, swishy grass, and lots of smiles! #thejunction #eylf
We are so excited to share our beautiful new Indigenous mural, created with Jess from Dhiiyaan Art. This artwork celebrates country, culture & community - weaving together the stories that connect us all. 🌱 #imaginethejunction #thejunction
At Imagine Mayfield, our toddler outdoor space is shaped by the children - what they love, what they’re learning, and how they’re growing 🌿
From racing cars down ramps and exploring small world animals, to painting, sand play, colour mixing and bike riding, every area invites curiosity, creativity, and connection.
It’s all about creating a space that responds to their interests and supports their development in meaningful ways 💛
#ImagineMayfield #earlylearning #imagineearlylearningcentres #LearningThroughPlay #PlayBasedLearning #EarlyChildhoodEducation
Through play, big things are happening ✨
At Imagine The Junction, our preschoolers are developing the confidence, creativity, and social skills they’ll carry into school and beyond. Whether they’re building, exploring, imagining or problem-solving, every moment of play is preparing them for the next step. 🧠🧩🌱
#PlayBasedLearning #SchoolReadiness #ImagineTheJunction #PreschoolLife #LearningThroughPlay #EarlyChildhoodEducation
Testimonials
Our three children all attend the beautiful Imagine learning. Our eldest has attended all three rooms and loved everyday over the last 5 years. He’ll graduate this week and it’s so clear that Imagine has prepared him and built his confidence ready for ‘big school’. The educators are extremely friendly, thoughtful and energetic. They go above and beyond in every way and are often spotted at windows or back doors waving enthusiastically with little ones that might need a little extra help saying goodbye that day. But you always know they will have a wonderful, fun filled day. The centre is designed beautifully. Each room has lovely indoor and outdoor spaces.
Something that has always stood out for me is the beautiful preparation of well thought out craft and play stations. Every day is different. Everything always looks so fun and inviting to play with. The centre also has a wonderful kitchen and they prepare a very impressive healthy menu. It’s a lovely comfort knowing your kids are being offered so many delicious meals throughout the day. Lastly, somehow everything always looks impossibly clean, tidy and so aesthetically pleasing! We can’t recommend Imagine Learning enough!
We have absolutely LOVED our 3 years at Imagine. There is clearly a reason why the rate of staff turnover is SO low- the staff and families are so well looked after and so happy! There hasn’t been a day that our kids haven’t loved going to daycare and every morning they are greeted so warmly by all the staff. Nothing is ever too much trouble for the beautiful educators. You have created such an incredible environment for the kids. Thank you!!
My son started at Imagine on its very first day of service and is starting school next year. We have loved all of the educators and the care and support they have shown in our time. Thank you, Imagine family ❤
Imagine has a great community feel. Lovely families and great educators. Great play based learning and amazing outdoor play spaces.
We are delighted with our experience and all the staff are amazing! We feel so lucky to have a spot at imagine early learning junction and looking forward to the next couple of years we get to share with them.
Quality education provided by quality teachers and staff. There is no constant turnover of staff (compared with other daycares) which is indicative that the staff are happy in their positions and your child can form a bond with someone they can build a trustworthy relationship with. I feel confident that I am investing well in my child’s wellbeing and education. Staff go the extra mile to ensure facilities are well maintained and cleaned. My child is happy to arrive and is equally happy upon pick up.
Frequently Asked Questions
At Imagine The Junction, 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 The Junction, we cater for Babies (0-18 months) through to 5 years old.
DO YOU PROVIDE MEALS?
Our on-site cook prepares healthy, nutritious meals, including morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea. Mealtimes at Imagine Early Learning & Childcare is 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 Long Day Centres’ critical role 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 to 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
