Childcare in Essendon — how to get a place and when to start

If you live in Essendon, Moonee Ponds, Strathmore, Aberfeldie, Airport West, Niddrie, Avondale Heights, Keilor East, Ascot Vale, Flemington, Maribyrnong or Travancore and you're thinking about childcare for a baby or toddler — the most important thing you can do right now is start looking. The inner-north and inner-west corridor of Melbourne has a well-established undersupply of quality early childhood places relative to the number of families who want them. My Stars Essendon opened in 2025, bringing a high-quality family-owned centre to the area — but our places, like those at any quality provider, fill ahead of schedule.

How competitive is childcare in Essendon and surrounds?

The suburbs around Essendon — particularly Moonee Ponds, Strathmore and Niddrie — are among Melbourne's most sought-after for young families. Proximity to the city, good schools, established community infrastructure and strong property values all contribute to a demographic that places very high demand on quality childcare. At the same time, inner-suburb locations make it difficult to build new large-scale centres, so supply has not kept pace with demand.

At My Stars Essendon, we see enquiries come in from families whose child is still months away from starting — and in many cases, from families still expecting. This isn't parents being overly cautious: it reflects the genuine reality of the local market. The families who get the places they want are the ones who register interest early.

When to register, by your child's age

• Still pregnant: never too early — registering interest now costs you nothing
• Newborn to 3 months: ideal time, especially if you're targeting the infant (White) Room
• 3–6 months: still good timing for most rooms
• 6–12 months: toddler places (Rainbow Room) may have availability; infant room may be waitlisted
• 12–24 months: Green Room (pre-kinder, 2–3 years) enquiries can begin at this stage
• 2–4 years: Orange Room (kinder program, Free Kinder) — get in touch to confirm 2026/2027 availability

What makes a quality childcare centre in Essendon?

In a market where demand is high, it can be tempting to take the first available place. But spending a few extra weeks finding the right fit for your child is almost always worth it. Here's what separates quality centres from average ones — and what we'd encourage any family in Moonee Valley to look for.

• NQS rating — at minimum Meeting NQS (My Stars Essendon holds Meeting NQS, meaning we fully meet the national standard across all seven quality areas)
• Consistent, experienced educators — high staff turnover is a red flag in early childhood settings
• A structured educational program aligned with the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF)
• Clear, daily communication with parents (we use the OWNA parent app)
• A transparent approach to fees, Free Kinder and CCS — no surprises on your statement
• A genuine settling-in process that meets your child where they are
• The ability to tour before you commit — we always offer this

The Essendon and Moonee Valley suburbs we serve

My Stars Essendon was established to serve the genuine gap in quality childcare across the Moonee Valley corridor. Families we currently work with come from Essendon, Essendon North, Essendon West, Aberfeldie, Moonee Ponds, Strathmore, Strathmore Heights, Airport West, Niddrie, Tullamarine, Gladstone Park, Avondale Heights, Keilor East, Ascot Vale, Flemington, Maribyrnong and Travancore. If your morning routine goes anywhere near Essendon, chances are we're on the way.

Essendon parents ask us about settling in

A question we hear often from first-time parents in Moonee Ponds and the surrounding suburbs is about settling. What happens on the first day? How long does it take for a child to feel comfortable? The honest answer varies — some children settle in days, others take a few weeks. What makes the difference is consistency: the same educators, the same routine, the same warm welcome. My Stars has a structured settling program that starts before your child's first full day, so neither you nor your child walks in cold.

We also know that for working parents in Airport West, Keilor East or Avondale Heights who need to be at work by a certain time, the settling period can feel stressful. Our team manages this carefully — staying in contact with you through OWNA so you know how your child is going even when you can't be there.