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Child care

On or near-campus child care means you can get to every lecture on time (even those early morning ones). Not a student or staff member? Children from the local area are welcome at our centres too, however waiting lists apply.

Paying for child care

If you’re a staff member at Deakin, we can take your childcare fees out of your pay. That way you’ll reduce your taxable income – and never miss a payment. If this sounds good to you, chat to HR about salary sacrifice.*

Don’t forget that the Victorian Department of Human Services can help with the cost of child care too.

Visit the Department of Human Services

*salary sacrifice for child care through payroll is only available for child care at the Burwood Campus

Registering your child

As soon as you know you’ll need child care, even if you’re not sure about the days and times, give the centre a call. If you can, we recommend registering your child 12 months in advance.

Don't have time to register your child? There are always childcare services nearby.

Search for a childcare service

Australian childcare quality standard

Each of Deakin's childcare centres (and partnered centres) follow strict guidelines and standards set out by the government and the Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority. 

Find out more about the National Quality Framework

Bringing your children on to campus

Your children are welcome to explore our campuses, as long as you stay with them. We just ask that you don't take them into workshops, laboratories, special-purpose classrooms or building sites unless you have permission.

If you do need a dedicated space for your child on campus, you can always visit our parents rooms.

Childcare facilities

Browse below to explore the childcare facilities available to Deakin students and staff, as well as local families.

Melbourne Burwood

Burwood's on-campus childcare service, Deakin & Community Childcare Co-operative is a not-for-profit, community-based childcare centre. It has 60 places for children of Deakin staff and students, as well as local families.

Visit the Deakin & Community Childcare Co-operative online

Find us Opening hours Contact us
Building R Monday–Friday
7.45am–6pm
+61 3 9888 0202

Facilities and features

  • Professional, qualified and experienced staff
  • Government-funded kindergarten program
  • Fresh, daily-prepared nutritious meals
  • Social skills program
  • Sun smart centre
  • Techno corner
  • Four well-resourced playrooms
  • Outdoor play area

Geelong Waurn Ponds and Waterfront

Deakin has an agreement that includes three Goodstart centres in Geelong at Waurn Ponds, Geelong East and Newtown.

Waurn Ponds' on-campus childcare service, Goodstart Waurn Ponds Centre, has places for 122 children. It's open to Deakin staff, students and local families, and has a government-funded kindergarten.

If you’re a Deakin student or staff member, your children are also eligible to be given priority for vacant spaces at Goodstart Geelong East and Goodstart Newtown.

Demand for childcare is high and waitlists typically apply. For more information, contact the centres directly via the details below.

Visit Goodstart Waurn Ponds Centre online

Find us Opening hours Contact us
Corner of Baxter Drive and Nicol Drive South
Waurn Ponds Campus
Monday–Friday
6.30am–6.30pm
+61 3 5243 9392
gsd@goodstart.org.au

Facilities and features

  • Age-appropriate, shaded playground
  • Age-appropriate toys, books and reading material
  • Computers in the Kindergarten Learning Space
  • Qualified and dedicated early childhood educators
  • Nutritional menu (with daily dietary requirements)
  • Quiet, tranquil sleeping room in nursery
  • Funded kindergarten/preschool program

Visit Goodstart Geelong East online

Find us Opening hours Contact us
144 McKillop St
Geelong East
Monday–Friday
6.30am–6.30pm
+61 3 5222 3656
zav@goodstart.org.au

Facilities and features

  • Age-appropriate, shaded playground
  • Age-appropriate toys, books and reading material
  • Qualified and dedicated early childhood carers and educators
  • Happy feet fitness program
  • Active child program
  • Nutritional menu (with daily dietary requirements)
  • Quiet, tranquil sleeping room in nursery
  • Ezibebit and BPAY payment options
  • Reduced rates for multiple days per child per week
  • CCB-approved childcare service
  • On-site parking

Visit Goodstart Newtown online

Find us Opening hours Contact us
115 Aberdeen St
Newtown
Monday–Friday
7.00am–7.00pm
+61 3 5222 3224
new@goodstart.org.au

Facilities and features

  • Age-appropriate, shaded playgrounds
  • Age-appropriate toys, books and reading material
  • Quiet, tranquil sleeping room in nursery
  • Funded Kindergarten program
  • Qualified and dedicated early childhood carers and educators
  • Nutritional menu (with daily dietary requirements)
  • Reduced rates for multiple days per child per week
  • Computer tablets in all rooms
  • Active child program
  • Centre pets
  • On-site parking and accessible transport

Warrnambool

Warrnambool’s on-campus childcare service, Sherwood Park Child Care Centre, is a government-run childcare centre. It offers full-time, part-time or occasional care for children of staff, students and local families. The centre is open 49 weeks a year, only closing during the Christmas/New Year holiday period.

Visit Sherwood Park Child Care Centre online

Find us Opening hours Contact us
Off Lodge Drive
Warrnambool Campus
Monday–Friday
8am–6pm
+61 3 5559 4595
spark@warrnambool.vic.gov.au

Facilities and features

  • Long-day care
  • Casual care available
  • Freshly made nutritional meals and snacks
  • Play-based educational curriculums
  • Before-school and after-school care for primary school-age children
  • Professional, qualified and experienced staff
  • Nappies and linen supplied
  • Fully funded kindergarten program for four-year-olds
  • School holiday programs