Business Details
21 Years
experience
Trusted Child Care & Early Education on the Gold Coast
Established in 2005, A Head Start Childrens Centre has dedicated itself to redefining excellence in early childhood education and care. Our mission focuses on enriching each child's potential for excellence by creating environments that nurture social, emotional, physical, and intellectual development. With two boutique centres in Currumbin and Burleigh Heads, we combine natural surroundings with innovative educational approaches to prepare children for school and life. Our commitment to quality is demonstrated through our Exceeding National Quality Standard rating across all seven quality areas. We employ the HighScope curriculum alongside elements of the Abecedarian Approach Australia, ensuring our programs remain at the forefront of early childhood education.Our educators, known for their longevity and dedication, create warm, homely environments where children feel safe to explore and learn. Testimonials consistently highlight our exceptional staff-child relationships, innovative Kindybook documentation system, and the academic success of our graduates. We maintain small class sizes to ensure personalized attention, with our Currumbin centre accommodating 60 children daily and Burleigh Heads serving 70 children. Our centres have received industry recognition, including the 2021 KindiCare Excellence Award for Queensland's best childcare centre. Through continuous observation and program development, we ensure no child falls through the net while fostering a love of learning that lasts a lifetime.
Services
Early Education
Kindergarten Program
Performing Arts
STEAM Education
Excursions
Details
- Year established: 2005
Highlights and features
- Two boutique centres with natural play environments
- Experienced educators with low staff turnover
- Award-winning curriculum combining HighScope and Abecedarian approaches
- Proven academic success in primary school preparation
- Real-time learning updates through Kindybook software
Associations and certifications
- National Quality Standard
- KindiCare Excellence Awards
What people say
Excellent care
Outstanding educational program
Safe environment
Low staff turnover
Academic success
Services
Early Education
Our early education programs focus on holistic development for children aged 16 weeks to 5 years. Using evidence-based HighScope and Abecedarian approaches, we create stimulating environments that foster cognitive, social, and emotional growth. Our small class sizes ensure personalized attention while preparing children for successful school transitions.
Kindergarten Program
Our Queensland Government-approved Kindergarten program delivers structured learning for preschoolers. With a focus on literacy, numeracy, and social skills, our curriculum exceeds national standards. Educators use real-time documentation through Kindybook to track progress and ensure school readiness.
Performing Arts
Integrated performing arts activities develop children's creativity and self-expression. Through music, dance, and drama, we enhance motor skills, confidence, and collaborative abilities. Our programs align with educational standards while making learning enjoyable and engaging for young children.
STEAM Education
Our STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) approach nurtures curiosity and problem-solving skills. Hands-on experiments and technology exploration create foundational STEM concepts in age-appropriate ways that connect with children's everyday experiences.
Excursions
Regular educational excursions extend learning beyond the classroom. These carefully planned outings connect with curriculum themes while developing children's observational skills and community awareness in safe, supervised environments.
People
Dr Laurel Scanlan
Founder
Dr Laurel Scanlan established A Head Start with a vision for excellence in early childhood education. Holding a PhD and business degree with First Class Honours, she combines academic expertise with practical experience to create nurturing learning environments that prepare children for lifelong success.
Questions
What age groups do you cater for?
We care for children from 16 weeks to 5 years old at both our Currumbin and Burleigh Heads centres.
What educational approaches do you use?
Our curriculum combines HighScope techniques with elements of the Abecedarian Approach Australia, both evidence-based early childhood education methods.
How do you communicate with parents?
We use Kindybook software for real-time updates and documentation of children's learning and development progress.
What makes your centres unique?
Our boutique centres offer small class sizes, natural play environments, and a proven track record of academic success in primary school preparation.
Are you government approved?
Yes, we hold an approved Queensland Government Kindergarten program and are rated 'Exceeding' the National Quality Standard across all seven quality areas.
Reviews (5)
Alison Foster
Mar 21, 2021
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I have worked at A Head Start Currumbin for over 7 years and it certainly stands out among the other early childhood centres on the Coast. With a warm, welcoming team of passionate educators and a very supportive and professional director I couldn't ask for a better work environment. The children and families that have come through our centre are a great reflection of the values we maintain at A Head Start. A great sense of community has been created within our centre here in beautiful Currumbin.
Shanelle Everest
Mar 13, 2021
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A Head Start Currumbin is an excellent Kindy that offers a beautiful environment for your child to thrive in. The staff at the center take on a professional approach and show genuine interest and connection with each individual child and their families. The facility allows the children to follow their curiosity and sense of adventure with the amazing outdoor area.
Chelsea Winning
Mar 11, 2021
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Positive:Professionalism,Quality,Reliability
A Head Start Currumbin is a beautiful centre with many long term educators who pride themselves in providing the best care and learning opportunities for the children and families within the service.
A Head Start Currumbin is a beautiful centre with many long term educators who pride themselves in providing the best care and learning opportunities for the children and families within the service.
Georgia Mckeering
Oct 11, 2019
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I have found the centre to be a homely and nurturing environment. The three all inclusive meals and the provided nappies are a godsend! Very lovely educators.
Cassia Cruz
Jun 20, 2019
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Both my kids attend the centre and they have been there since babies. The centre is lovely and well maintained, but the best thing about the centre? The staff!!!! The educators are fantastic - their communication with parents is outstanding and I love how they are firm but so lovely at the same time. They are a great role model to the kids and some of them treat the kids as their own. If I ever had a problem? Yes, of course! But the way they take your feedback is great. They act straight away and address your concerns leaving you with no more worries.
