Geelong’s hidden gen in early learning – now growing for 2026

TUCKED along the Bellarine Highway, just minutes from Geelong’s CBD and a stone’s throw from the coast, Geelong Children’s Centre (GCC) is one of the region’s best-kept secrets in early childhood education.

With a new expansion due for completion by December, GCC will increase its in-demand placement availability for 2026 enrolments (which are now open), so here you have it – the secret’s out.

GCC is the only not-for-profit, community-run early learning centre of its kind in the Geelong region. Established more than 58 years ago, the Centre has earned an outstanding reputation for nurturing young children through meaningful relationships, inclusive values, and a genuine community spirit that sets it apart. As a not-for-profit, all resources are reinvested directly into the care, programs, and spaces that benefit children and families most.

More than just a childcare service, GCC offers long day early education for children aged six weeks to six years, including integrated 3 to 4 year-old and 4 to 5 year-old kindergarten programs, within beautiful, thoughtfully curated learning spaces. The Centre follows the National Early Years Learning Framework, embracing play-based, child-led learning that nurtures each child’s social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development.

GCC has been independently rated as Exceeding the National Quality Standard across several key areas, including its educational program, staffing arrangements, relationships with children and families, and leadership. This recognition places it among the region’s most highly regarded early learning centres.

What truly makes GCC unique is its people. The Centre is known for its high staff retention, with many educators having been part of the team for years, even decades. This stability contributes to educator-to-child ratios that exceed national requirements, with one educator to three children under three years, and one educator to six children over three years, ensuring children receive the attention, care, and support they need to thrive.

Families consistently describe the Centre’s community feel as “like home,” and it’s easy to see why. From the moment you arrive, you’re greeted with warmth, care, calm, and a sense of belonging that stays with you long after your child’s early years have passed.

In 2026, GCC will open new purpose-built three- to five-year-old kindergarten rooms in response to growing demand. Designed to inspire creativity, independence, and connection to nature, the new wing will include two additional kinder rooms and a thoughtfully planned art space. This expansion means more families can access GCC’s much-loved kindergarten program, offering school readiness through a nurturing, long day format that aligns with the needs of modern families.

Licensed for 120 children, with room for a further 30 from 2026, GCC encourages early enquiries. Enrolments for 2026 are now open across the baby, toddler three- to five-year-old room and kindergarten programs. Families are invited to connect with the team, arrange a tour, and discover why generations of local families continue to choose GCC.

When it comes to early education, it’s not just about where your child learns, it’s about where they feel at home.

For more information, head to geelongchildrenscentre.com.au

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