Play-based learning next to Stony Creek and Cruickshank Park in the heart of Yarraville.

There are many elements that make Gowrie Clare Court unique. From our shared garden space where children interact with siblings and other children across a range of ages in all-weather, to our Out and About Program that supports community engagement and relationship with the world around us.

Our Clare Court Early Learning Centre in Yarraville promotes and demonstrates high quality, responsive programs for children through the Early Years Learning Program (Kindergarten and Long Day Care), Playgroup and our maternal and child health services. 

Clare Court is open to children and families for long day care and integrated kindergarten from 7:30am to 6:30pm, Monday to Friday, 50 weeks of the year. We also provide a range of sessional kindergarten programs and holiday care programs. We offer regular tours for prospective families with all waiting list applications being managed through Maribyrnong Council.

We believe children are complex, inquisitive, creative, capable and connected members of the community. We use a range of strategies to support children’s learning through play – with relationships at the centre of teaching and learning. Educators notice, recognise, and respond to children by listening and reflecting.

Check out some of our programs…

Out and About

Our Out and About Program provides a unique opportunity for children to engage with their local community and involves spending long periods of time in Cruickshank Park, Stony Creek, and McNish Reserve. Children and educators also visit the local shops, Williamstown Beach, and other places.

The central focus of Out and About is to foreground local Aboriginal worldviews in caring for the land and places where we live. Learning with the local community has allowed both children and adults to engage with risk, explore natural spaces, interact with others, and gain a deeper understanding of our place in the community.

The program promotes play-based learning to support children to explore ways of knowing and being inspired by their environment and background, while also ensuring children’s right to be seen and treated as strong and skilled individuals.

Did you know?

Clare Court has access to over 12 hectares of public parkland which we use for our Out and About Program!

Rooms

Our Long Day Care early learning program comprises of three rooms, grouped in the following age ranges:

  • Room 7 – Cockatoo: Multiage 6 months – 3 years, has 12 children and four educators
  • Room 8 – Yabby: Multiage 6 months – 3 years, has 16 children and five educators
  • Room 9 – Blue Tongue Lizard: Multiage 6 months – 3 years, has 16 Children and five educators

Our integrated kindergarten program provides kindergarten with a minimum 3 day enrolment:

  • Room 3 – Wombat: 4 year old, has 22 children and four educators
  • Room 4 – Koala: 4 year old, has 22 children and four educators
  • Room 5 – Little Penguin: 3 year old, has 16 children and four educators
  • Room 6 – Rainbow Lorikeet: 3 year old, has 16 children and four educators

Additionally, we have a sessional kindergarten program comprised of the following groups:

  • Room 1 – Possum: 3 year old (Monday), Dingo: 4 year old (Tuesday & Wednesday), Bilby: 4 year old (Thursday & Friday)
  • Room 2 – Emu: 4 year old (Monday & Wednesday), Echidna: 4 year old (Tuesday & Thursday), 3 year old (Friday)
  • Room 4 – Kangaroo: 4 year old (Thursday & Friday)

Playgroup

Clare Court’s multipurpose room is available for use by playgroups. Playgroups based at Clare Court become part of the Clare Court Playgroup Network (Playgroup Victoria membership No. 30147).

Playgroup is for children (newborn to 4 years) and their parents or carers. Playgroup is fun, informal, low cost, and run by the parents and caregivers. At playgroup, adults and children alike can have fun and make new friends. Each playgroup runs once a week for two – two and a half hours.


How to join
To join an existing playgroup, enquire at Clare Court reception or by phoning Clare Court. If you want to start your own playgroup, check with Clare Court reception by calling the office during business hours – you will need a minimum of two other families to get started. For a copy of the Playgroup handbook please contact us.

Room information listed above is for our 2023 program.

Learn more about fees and our maternal and child health services here.

Contact Us/Book a Tour

Reach out to us to book a tour, for general enrolment inquiries, or if you’d simply like to learn more about our service!
Ph03 9314 7886 Emailclarecourt@gowrievictoria.org.au

We’re located at 40 Court Street, Yarraville VIC 3013
For detailed instructions on how to get here, visit our contact us page.

Enrol Now

Enrolment for Long Day Care and Kindergarten is managed through the Central Registration System at Maribyrnong City Council

Work at Clare Court

Check out current opportunities or email us for expressions of interest.

Enrol Now

Enrolment for Long Day Care and Kindergarten is managed through the Central Registration System at Maribyrnong City Council. You can register at any time after your child is born. To contact the Council Central Registration System call 03 9688 0116 or email: earlyyearscentralregister@maribyrnong.vic.gov.au

If you would like to make a general enrolment enquiry or for further information, please contact us using the form below.

Fees

Long Day Care Program (Rooms 7 – 9)
Hours: Available from 7:30am – 6:30pm
Daily Fee (not including CCS): $160

Integrated Kindergarten Program (Rooms 3, 4, 5 & 6)
Hours: Available from 7:30am – 6:30pm
Daily Fee (not including CCS): $160

Three-year-old (funded) Kindergarten (Rooms 1 & 2)
Hours: 6 hours per week (during school terms 8.30am – 2.30pm)
Term Fee (with current Health Care Card): No charge

Four-year-old (funded) Kindergarten (Rooms 1, 2 & 4)
Hours: 15 hours per week (during school terms)
Term Fee (with current Health Care Card): No charge

Extended (Kindergarten) Care 
Daily Fee (not including CCS): $51

Holiday program (provided for sessional children from Rooms 1, 2 & 4)
Hours: Available from 7:30am – 6:30pm
Daily Fee (not including CCS): $160

Playgroup (2.5 hour session per week)
Annual Fee (January – December) $128

From 2023, free kindergarten will be available for all three and four year old children enrolled at Gowrie Victoria sessional kindergarten programs. For children enrolled in our integrated kindergarten programs you will receive a kindergarten subsidy (approximately $2000) that will offset the kindergarten program component of your out-of-pocket fees, this will be applied directly to your account in instalments over the year.

Maternal & Child Health Nurse

Free services are available to all families with children from birth to school entry age. The service offers guidance and support on parenting issues, child health and development, breast feeding and nutrition, maternal health, child accident and injury, immunisation and family planning.

For more information contact:

Maribyrnong City Council
Maternal and Child Health Services
Corner Hyde and Napier Streets
Footscray, Victoria 3011

Ph: 03 9688 0501
Email: BookMCH@maribyrnong.vic.gov.au

Maribyrnong City Council – Maternal and Child Health

Quality Improvement Systems: National Quality Framework (NQF)

The National Quality Framework (NQF) came into effect on the 1 January 2012. This has involved the introduction and implementation of the Education and Care Services National Regulations (2011), theEducation and Care Services National Law Act (2010) and the National Quality Standard (NQS) (2011). Children’s education and care services covered under the Education and Care Services National Law are assessed and rated against the NQS. This important reform continues to deliver a higher standard of care for children in the critical areas of education, health and safety and will provide clear and comprehensive information for families so they can choose the best services for their child. The National Quality Standards (NQS) are linked to the National Early Years Learning Framework (2009) and the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (2nd ed. 2016) which recognises that children learn from birth. The process reflects a uniform approach to assessment and reporting across the range of service settings. Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority undertakes the assessment and rating process. It is also the point of contact for any questions services may have about the assessment and rating process. In September 2015, the service was assessed under the National Quality Standards, and received Meeting the National Quality Standard.

For more information on the National Quality Standard, see: www.acecqa.gov.au.

Information Sharing Reforms

The Victorian government is progressing 3 interrelated reforms that are integral to reducing family violence and promoting child wellbeing or safety. From April 2021, additional organisations and services were prescribed under all 3 reforms and this includes Early Childhood Education and Care services.

The initial point of contact for Information Sharing is the Early Learning Manager who can be contacted via phone or email:

Clare Court
9314 7886
clarecourt@gowrievictoria.org.au