We know that there’s a shortage of chidcare centres on the Central Coast and waitlists are crazy long, so we were very excited to hear that Best Start ELC – a brand-new purpose-built childcare centre – is opening in Wadalba in January 2025!

Images supplied by Best Start ELC


This brand new centre is owned by a group of Central Coast mums and early learning educators. As mums themselves, they understand all too well what parents wish for in a daycare centre and they’ve purpose-built Best Start ELC to meet all of those needs.

Here are some of Best Start Early Learning Centre’s stand-out features that we love, and we know you’ll be super impressed with too:

  • The centre has been purpose-built with large activity rooms filled with gorgeous, new, state-of-the art resources and toys.
  • There are spacious outdoor play areas and equipment that fosters imaginative play.
  • This is a family-owned and operated centre, so they’re able to provide each family a personable experience.
  • Best Start Early Learning Centre fosters an individualised approach to education and care, tailoring experiences and learning opportunities to each child’s interests and developmental stage.
  • Their inclusions make us do a happy dance (see our list below). They’ve thought of everything, so that daycare mornings are easy and stree-free.
Images supplied by Best Start ELC


Best Start ELC is in the final stage of construction, with an open date scheduled for January 2025.

Places are still available for children aged 2-5 years old, but they’re filling fast: click the button below to register your enrolment interest or to join their waitlist.

Plus, are you an educator looking to join a wonderful new team? Best Start ELC is hiring. Scroll down to read more.


Best Start Early Learning Centre gets so many things right – here’s why you’ll be impressed

“Best Start Early Learning Centre is dedicated to cultivating an environment where children are not passive learners but active explorers and connectors with the world’s natural wonders.
We nurture their curiosity, resilience and confidence by fostering a community of meaningful partnerships and providing enriching experiences within which their safety, health and wellbeing are paramount. We strive to lay the foundation for a lifetime of growth and discovery.”

– BEST START EARLY LEARNING CENTRE, WADALBA


As a parent, there’s a list of things we like to see provided at a daycare to make our lives easier and our children feel happy, nurtured and safe. Best Start ELC ticks all our wish-list boxes:

+ The centre caters for children aged 0 to 5. The centre caters to children from birth til school. This continuity of care ensures they create wonderful bonds with their educators and friends, and confidence in their surroundings. The centre is split into three learning areas based on age:

Bright Beginnings: Birth – 2 years
Mindful Explorers: 2 – 3 years
Young Learners Hub: 3 – 5 years

+ Centre hours. The centre is open 7am-6pm Monday-Friday, which is wonderful for working parents. The centre has a two-week Christmas shutdown. The centre is closed on public holidays, but children are offered a make-up day for this time (other than during the shutdown period).

+ Trained educators. At Best Start Early Learning Centre they have an Educational Leader who coaches and mentors all of their educators and a number of Bachelor-trained Early Childhood teachers. All Educators hold, or are actively working towards, a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care and at least half of the team holds a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care. Every person employed has a current Working with Children Check.

+ All meals and snacks are provided. Meals are prepared fresh on-site by Best Start ELC’s experienced kitchen staff and are planned to provide balanced and nutritious meals that meet the dietary needs of growing bodies. We absolutely love this as a parent. It means you don’t have to pack a lunch box (wahooo!) and it takes the pressure off evening meals. Best Start ELC accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies, too.

+ So many inclusions. Nappies, formula (3 types), bedding, a hat, wet bag and suncream are all included as part of your fees. This makes us sing with happiness, as it makes mornings far calmer when you’re not running here there everywhere repacking daycare bags.

+ Well-rounded play and learning. At Best Start ELC your child will be invited to join in lots of beautiful activities, including gardening, cooking, STEM activities, music and art. They’ll partake in cultural celebrations and do incursions and excursions (these are included in your fees). Best Start ELC also run a mindfulness program and a school readiness program.

+ Regular communication The centre has a communication platform that’s available by login-only. Here, the centre will share photos, stories and learning outcomes with families.

+ Beautiful toys and resources Their brand new furnishings and play tools encourage creativity, imaginative play and growth ↓.

Images supplied by Best Start ELC

Best Start ELC is hiring! Come join this fabulous team!

Images supplied by Best Start ELC


Are you an educator looking for a change? Wanting to make a difference? Passionate about little people? Keen to have input into the development of a centre from the ground up and be welcomed as a key player in building a collaborative team culture?

Best Start ELC is searching for YOU!

Want to work for someone who cares for you? Who subsidises your professional development, celebrates your birthdays and offers an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) providing qualified counselling for the mental wellbeing of their staff?  

Best Start is currently hiring enthusiastic and skilled Cert III- and Diploma-qualified educators. Here’s their job ad ↓

Early Childhood Educator – Diploma and Cert III

Full time position. See employment ad here for wages.

We are seeking enthusiastic and skilled Cert III and Diploma qualified educators to join our dynamic team at our brand new centre in Wadalba. In this role, you will provide the strong foundation that supports children’s continuous growth and development, helping them make sense of the world around them and establish connections through exploration and discovery.

  • Innovative Environment: Work in a state-of-the-art facility designed to support cutting-edge teaching methods and create a stimulating learning environment for children. 
  • Career Growth: Exciting opportunities for professional development and career advancement as we grow. 
  • Collaborative Culture: Join a supportive and collaborative team environment with like-minded individuals who value creativity, collaboration and a shared vision for excellence in early childhood education. 
  • Competitive Salary and Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary designed to support your professional satisfaction. 

About Us

We are a privately owned and operated 119 place newly built centre in Wadalba, providing a nurturing and supportive space for children to explore, learn and grow with confidence. Our centre fosters an individualised approach to education and care, tailoring experiences and learning opportunities to support the developmental needs of children from infancy through to preschool age. 

Key Responsibilities: 

Facilitate Active Learning:

  • Assist in the design and implementation of engaging, play-based learning experiences for children from infancy through to pre-school age that encourage exploration and curiosity.
  • Share children’s learning stories through documentation and displays that reflect their experiences and achievements.

Promote Connection and Community:

  • Build strong, respectful relationships with children, families and colleagues to help foster a sense of belonging and collaboration. 

Support Individual Growth:

  • Observe and assess each child’s development, tailoring support to meet their unique needs and potential.
  • Encourage resilience and adaptability through positive reinforcement and constructive feedback.

Create a Safe and Inclusive Environment:

  • Maintain a clean, safe and welcoming space that prioritises children’s health, safety and wellbeing. 
  • Foster a culture of respect and inclusivity, celebrating diversity and individual differences.

Collaborate with Team Members:

  • Contribute to a positive team culture that values communication, cooperation and shared goals.

What you’ll need:

  • Current ACECQA approved Anaphylaxis and emergency asthma management training 
  • Certificate III or Diploma in Early Childhood Education (or ACECQA approved equivalent)
  • Strong understanding of the EYLF 2.0 
  • Knowledge and understanding of educator responsibilities under the NQF
  • Current NSW Working with Children Check
  • Current First Aid and CPR qualification

Questions? Email [email protected]

Best Start Early Learning Centre

Address: 225 Johns Rd, Wadalba.
Centre hours: 7am-6pm Monday-Friday.
Phone: (02) 4312 4014
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://beststartelc.com.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beststartelc/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beststartelc/

This feature was created in partnership with Best Start ELC.

Written By: KATIE STOKES

Founder & Editor

After working in print and online media for more than a decade, Katie launched Playing in Puddles in 2017. A mum of three young boys and local of the Central Coast, Katie loves discovering and sharing all that’s happening in our region.