Elsternwick Childcare & Kindergarten
Reviews from Google
caroline Yu1751076609
charlene asaris1742851414
Sofie Day1720498449
Bradley Von harten1720077506
Shelley Amar1707368821
Pinkapin pin1705573679
The kindergarten staff is very professional
Each child is treated in a very personal and special way, The centre provides food during all day, provide a lot of creative and diverse activities, giving lot of love and patience also to the parent and to the child
Everything is very organized and managed in an exceptional way
Thank you for all this years
Our kids grew up and developed in the best way we could ask for.
We appriciate you very much
angel kalantarov1705573271
It felt like a second home for us. Our children got a lot of love, support, education, and good values they using them every day.
We are very thankful for the special and individual attention you gave to each of our children !
Michelle B1691142877
yariv baruch1689556262
First and foremost, Etty, the centre manager, is a fantastic person who always makes us feel at home when we drop our kids and pick them up. Etty has always communicated with us about our kids and helped us whenever we enquired.
The staff at Only About Children are absolute gems. Their genuine passion for early childhood education is palpable, and it reflects in their interactions with both children and parents. Every educator we encountered was warm, friendly, and highly skilled in engaging children at different developmental stages. They foster a sense of belonging, ensuring each child feels safe and loved, which significantly eased my concerns as a parent.
The curriculum at Only About Children is outstanding. Much thought and expertise have gone into designing age-appropriate activities that stimulate children's curiosity and promote holistic development. From arts and crafts to imaginative play, outdoor adventures, and music and movement sessions, there's a perfect blend of structured learning and free play. My child came home every day excitedly, eager to share all the new things they had learned.
Another aspect that sets Only About Children apart is its focus on nutrition. The centre provides healthy and balanced meals prepared on-site by their dedicated chefs. I was pleasantly surprised to see a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, and wholesome ingredients incorporated into the menu. The commitment to nourishing growing bodies and minds is truly commendable.
The facilities at Only About Children are top-notch. The classrooms are spacious, well-organized, and filled with age-appropriate learning resources. The outdoor play areas are safe, stimulating, and thoughtfully designed to encourage exploration and physical activity. The centre’s commitment to maintaining a clean and hygienic environment is highly visible, providing peace of mind to parents like me.
Communication with the centre is exceptional. Regular updates, including photos and progress reports, keep parents informed about their child's development and activities. The open-door policy encourages parental involvement, and the staff is always approachable and willing to address any concerns or questions promptly.
Lastly, the sense of community at Only About Children is remarkable. They organise regular events and gatherings that bring families together, fostering a supportive network and creating lasting friendships. The dedication to building a strong community of parents, educators, and children is truly inspiring.
In conclusion, I wholeheartedly recommend Only About Children for early education. Their exceptional staff, engaging curriculum, focus on nutrition, excellent facilities, effective communication, and a strong sense of community make it the perfect place for children to thrive. My child's growth and happiness since joining Only About Children speak volumes about the centre’s commitment to providing the best early education experience. Thank you, Only About Children, for creating such a nurturing and enriching environment for our little ones!
Maryam Anhari1686735984
I was so grateful to have had Niro as my mentor. I had the chance to observe and learn from her, which was an invaluable experience. She gave me opportunities to plan and implement daily activities, which allowed me to develop my skills as an early childhood teacher.
I would highly recommend Only About Children Elsternwick to other students looking for a placement.
Maria Laftsis1685529349
Vanessa Kezerle1684918176
The staff have been absolutely amazing and lovely to deal with and our daughter comes home smiling and happy everyday.
Her growth and development is always blowing us away.
We couldn’t appreciate more the level of care that is taken for our daughter and all the little ones.
Amy Kate1684805200
It's also clean, has modern resources but also utilises recycled materials, and according to my toddlers, has really yummy food!
sammy meltz1670400754
Elouise Davis1670371621
Fiona Solomons1669948560
Shae Roberts1669592896
Lindsay Van Rooyen1669162263
Sharon Gross1663238518
Very caring staff, individual attention to Children’s needs. I can’t fault the place! Highly recommend it. Friendly and down to earth.
Etty is like a mum to the kids & knows where everyone is at. She knows is aware that parents want to know how their children are doing and uses an app so we can see how much they eat, sleep, poo etc! - Also daily photos!
While we go to work it’s a huge piece of mind to know they are safe & HAPPY here!!!!
Keren Yalouz1661907545
Laurie Peters1660097273
Amelia Chia1653550763
Pixi Shelzer1644801223
Anna Niazov1643670251
I could not recommend your place early learning centre enough to you.
Nina M1638320671
Timothy Scholl1632775640
Deepak Kumar1626268494
Alison Brodribb1619009735
The rooms are bright and tidy, and they feel like they have plenty of room - even when they're filled with about a dozen toddlers roaming around.
Every time I pick her up, she's happily engaged - either with another child, an activity or a staff member. Even when I pick her up right at the end of the day, the staff always look fresh and enthusiastic, and they always sound like they're thrilled to know my daughter.
All in all, I couldn't ask for a better place to send my daughter.
Emma Harty1612334927
Pritpal Chhabra1599022403
My daughter has been attending for over a year and absolutely loves it.
Their facilities, activities they run are fantastic and the level of care provided has always been above our expectations.
Centre takes lead from the children and build on their curiosity rather than taking a cookie cutter approach.
They have been excellent in their communication with parents during this pandemic.
Highly recommend to all parents, especially to the new scared ones ;), like we were at the start before sending our daughter to any childcare.
Abbie Pickering1576714840
Edit for update: My daughter has been at Our Place Early Learning centre for 7 months now and we LOVE it. The staff are gentle, caring and kind, my daughter talks about her favourite educator all the time at home (mid way through her gibberish) it is super sweet!
We are extremely hands on when putting our little one to sleep, I was very nervous about how nap time would go but the educators have been extremely happy to give her a cuddle when she needs it!
They are always doing fantastic activities like bathing the dolls and dinosaurs, painting, play dough etc.
The centre use the storypark app so we always get photos of our little one playing, I’m pretty sure my parents love these photos as much as I do!
They go above and beyond, I would highly recommend this centre!
Chana Deutsch1574989218
Fiona Flynn1556968810
Laura Salsbury1556876771
C P1549788409
The educational leader was very friendly and informative.
This is an awesome place, all the staff are welcoming and supportive, and all the children are loved and also engaging in activities. 10000stars recommend!
My daughter started day care at 10 months old and she is loving being part of the Only About Children. My mum guilt has melted away since dropping her off for breakfast and being updated during the day with all the fun activities that she has been involved in. Being there has further developed her emotionally and socially. I aim to raise a strong, secure little girl who is curious and encouraged to learn – and OAC Elsternwick has the same values!
Highly recommend - we love this centre, all the educators and staff are amazing! My child is well cared for and loved, and has learnt so much during her time here. Special shout out to Shweta - we love you!
Amazing location for children, my child has learnt so much from basic skills to major social skills, highly recommended
This Centre is absolutely fantastic. We have moved here in the past year from another Centre and we couldn’t be happier. Our child is now in the pre school room and he loves it. They learn the coolest things and do a million great activities. Jess and Etty who run the Centre are incredible and the communication is always flowing. We love the room leaders and all the educators as much as our son does!
We love this place
The kindergarten staff is very professional
Each child is treated in a very personal and special way, The centre provides food during all day, provide a lot of creative and diverse activities, giving lot of love and patience also to the parent and to the child
Everything is very organized and managed in an exceptional way
Thank you for all this years
Our kids grew up and developed in the best way we could ask for.
We appriciate you very much
We are very happy we choose that centre!!
It felt like a second home for us. Our children got a lot of love, support, education, and good values they using them every day.
We are very thankful for the special and individual attention you gave to each of our children !
We love OAC Elsternwick. Etty and the team take such wonderful care of our son who has struggled with daycare drop offs. Etty is so kind and warm and genuinely cares about the children attending and she is also so helpful and quick at responding to any questions we may have. Special thank you to the wonderful Enza and the Toddler 1 team who have helped our little boy so much throughout this year, we are so grateful to have this amazing team care and educate him!
We recently had the pleasure of enrolling my 2nd child at Only About Children in Elsternwick. I cannot express enough how impressed I am with the exceptional early education they provide. With our first child, from the moment we walked through the doors, it was evident that this centre is genuinely dedicated to nurturing and developing young minds in the most caring and supportive environment.
First and foremost, Etty, the centre manager, is a fantastic person who always makes us feel at home when we drop our kids and pick them up. Etty has always communicated with us about our kids and helped us whenever we enquired.
The staff at Only About Children are absolute gems. Their genuine passion for early childhood education is palpable, and it reflects in their interactions with both children and parents. Every educator we encountered was warm, friendly, and highly skilled in engaging children at different developmental stages. They foster a sense of belonging, ensuring each child feels safe and loved, which significantly eased my concerns as a parent.
The curriculum at Only About Children is outstanding. Much thought and expertise have gone into designing age-appropriate activities that stimulate children's curiosity and promote holistic development. From arts and crafts to imaginative play, outdoor adventures, and music and movement sessions, there's a perfect blend of structured learning and free play. My child came home every day excitedly, eager to share all the new things they had learned.
Another aspect that sets Only About Children apart is its focus on nutrition. The centre provides healthy and balanced meals prepared on-site by their dedicated chefs. I was pleasantly surprised to see a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, and wholesome ingredients incorporated into the menu. The commitment to nourishing growing bodies and minds is truly commendable.
The facilities at Only About Children are top-notch. The classrooms are spacious, well-organized, and filled with age-appropriate learning resources. The outdoor play areas are safe, stimulating, and thoughtfully designed to encourage exploration and physical activity. The centre’s commitment to maintaining a clean and hygienic environment is highly visible, providing peace of mind to parents like me.
Communication with the centre is exceptional. Regular updates, including photos and progress reports, keep parents informed about their child's development and activities. The open-door policy encourages parental involvement, and the staff is always approachable and willing to address any concerns or questions promptly.
Lastly, the sense of community at Only About Children is remarkable. They organise regular events and gatherings that bring families together, fostering a supportive network and creating lasting friendships. The dedication to building a strong community of parents, educators, and children is truly inspiring.
In conclusion, I wholeheartedly recommend Only About Children for early education. Their exceptional staff, engaging curriculum, focus on nutrition, excellent facilities, effective communication, and a strong sense of community make it the perfect place for children to thrive. My child's growth and happiness since joining Only About Children speak volumes about the centre’s commitment to providing the best early education experience. Thank you, Only About Children, for creating such a nurturing and enriching environment for our little ones!
I recently completed a six-week placement in the kinder room at Only About Children Elsternwick. My experience was incredibly positive. Etty the centre manager and the staff were friendly and professional. They were always willing to answer my questions and provide guidance when needed.
I was so grateful to have had Niro as my mentor. I had the chance to observe and learn from her, which was an invaluable experience. She gave me opportunities to plan and implement daily activities, which allowed me to develop my skills as an early childhood teacher.
I would highly recommend Only About Children Elsternwick to other students looking for a placement.
We absolutely love this early learning centre. Our daughter is thriving in the kindergarten program and we are so confident in her school readiness . The kindergarten teachers are wonderful , engaging and of the highest quality. Etty, the Centre director is open, honest and always available. We will miss this wonderful community when we go to school. Thank you for all that you do!
We’ve been taking our daughter here since she was 11 months old and she’s now almost 2 and a half and we’ve been so happy!
The staff have been absolutely amazing and lovely to deal with and our daughter comes home smiling and happy everyday.
Her growth and development is always blowing us away.
We couldn’t appreciate more the level of care that is taken for our daughter and all the little ones.
We adore this centre, and the amazing educators are the reason why. Caring, inclusive, supportive. They also take the time to get to know the children's whole families and take an interest in them.
It's also clean, has modern resources but also utilises recycled materials, and according to my toddlers, has really yummy food!
We are so happy we found Your Place, we could not have asked for a better start to childcare and education for our son. The warmth starts with Etty and trickles down through each educator we have come across over his time there. We feel he has found his second home and flourished in ways we could not have imagined when he started at 17 months old, we can tell he feels so safe and happy there as he runs into the building each morning, and we love that every teacher knows his name and greets us with a smile. We also appreciate the healthy menu provided, our son eats more there than he has ever eaten at home! Nothing is too big an ask and we appreciate the constant communication and support through learning to trust other people with taking care of our baby! We highly recommend Your Place as a nurturing, humble, clean, warm environment and can’t wait for our daughter to have the same journey starting soon.
We have had the most wonderful experience with our daughter at Your Place ELC. I was so nervous about sending out 11mo to creche for the first time, and the staff made the process so seamless and easy, and before we knew it we were dropping Esme off with a smile on her face at the beginning of each day. It's amazing to see how much her social skills, language and eating skills have developed since she's been spending time in such a warm and caring environment. Cannot recommend Your Place enough :)
Your Place is a fantastic Creche. It is very well run and the educators are all excellent. My son has been really happy there. I would recommend it to anyone.
I have been using day care for 10+ years and would have to say Your Place has by far been the best! Management is fantastic (and really know each child and family), there is minimal staff turnover and the educators operate a fantastic program. Highly recommend!
Been attending your place for 3 years now and it has been absolutely amazing. Genuine care for the kids and their development. Looked at many other day cares and honestly you can't compare.
Our son, an only child has had a wonderful crèche experience here.
Very caring staff, individual attention to Children’s needs. I can’t fault the place! Highly recommend it. Friendly and down to earth.
Etty is like a mum to the kids & knows where everyone is at. She knows is aware that parents want to know how their children are doing and uses an app so we can see how much they eat, sleep, poo etc! - Also daily photos!
While we go to work it’s a huge piece of mind to know they are safe & HAPPY here!!!!
My son has been at Your Place ELC for two years in the Kinder and Pre-school classes and I cannot speak highly enough of the centre. I know I leave him in golden hands every day. The educators are caring and committed and invest in my son's education and development. There are regular incursions and excursions which are so valuable. It's a very clean, welcoming, professionally run centre (which starts with the most dedicated director) and I couldn't ask for more.
This is an independent Day Care, that is so professional and so well run! Every teacher knew my kids names whether they were in their class or not. Etty and the team are all so caring, and fun and they really know and care for all the kids. The food and facilities are first class, and the centre is always clean and looked after. We can’t thank you enough for how well you looked after our kids the last few years!
Very friendly educators who genuinely care for our daughter. Light filled, very clean and well run independent childcare centre. We have witnessed our daughter become very social and energetic. She now really enjoys the outdoors. We are sad that our daughter is leaving Your Place as we are moving. Thanks to the entire team for making such a positive experience for our family.
My youngest has been at the centre for 2 years and we have never once had an issue. In fact, they keep exceeding our expectations! The centre is extremely clean, they take COVID safety very seriously, they are attentive to the parents and amazing at communicating. Most importantly, my daughter has an absolute ball there every day. She took her first steps at the centre and the staff called me straight away and excitedly told me everything and sent me videos. A truly magical place.
My kids have been in this centre for 3 years now. I could not be happier with the care that is provided here. The staff are extremely attentive and caring.
I could not recommend your place early learning centre enough to you.
We absolutely enjoy our journey in Your Place ELC. Both of my children attend the centre. Staff are very professional and supportive. Age-appropriate learning is facilitated in all age groups. I will definitely recommend this centre to my friends!
Etty, Kayla, Mini and Marina and the rest of the team here are exceptional at what they do. Our little fuller’s skills and abilities exploded after starting here. He always ran in the door ready to go. Barely got a chance to say goodbye. It was incredibly sad to leave such warm, fun and skilful people. They helped us so much as parents too throughout the most difficult times during lockdown. Anyone would be lucky to have a spot for their kid here of any age.
Freya loves going to Childcare and is always greeted by staff with a smile. We always feel that she is going to her second home. Staff is super friendly and always keeps us updated with Freya's day to day run down. Extremely happy with their service.
My daughter has been attending Your Place since she was four months old, and absolutely loves it there. The centre manages to strike a perfect balance between focussing on her core developmental skills while still encouraging her independent nature.
The rooms are bright and tidy, and they feel like they have plenty of room - even when they're filled with about a dozen toddlers roaming around.
Every time I pick her up, she's happily engaged - either with another child, an activity or a staff member. Even when I pick her up right at the end of the day, the staff always look fresh and enthusiastic, and they always sound like they're thrilled to know my daughter.
All in all, I couldn't ask for a better place to send my daughter.
We started our daughter in the middle of COVID and couldn’t be happier with our experience. The staff have been amazing. They provide great experiences for the children, the communication through the apps is fabulous, the management is friendly and efficient and most importantly, our daughter has been loved and nurtured and has shown such great progress under their care. Highly recommend.
The educators and leaders at the centre are phenomenal humans.
My daughter has been attending for over a year and absolutely loves it.
Their facilities, activities they run are fantastic and the level of care provided has always been above our expectations.
Centre takes lead from the children and build on their curiosity rather than taking a cookie cutter approach.
They have been excellent in their communication with parents during this pandemic.
Highly recommend to all parents, especially to the new scared ones ;), like we were at the start before sending our daughter to any childcare.
Just secured a place for our little girl at Our Place Elsternwick. We were extremely nervous about starting our LO (14 months old) in daycare for the first time, but feel much more comfortable after visiting Our Place and doing a trial this morning. Our little one played with the other bubs and had lunch with them. Food was delicious, centre was clean, staff are friendly and attentive, and the rooms have a very warm and calm vibe. Looking forward to starting our daycare journey with Our Place Elsternwick.
Edit for update: My daughter has been at Our Place Early Learning centre for 7 months now and we LOVE it. The staff are gentle, caring and kind, my daughter talks about her favourite educator all the time at home (mid way through her gibberish) it is super sweet!
We are extremely hands on when putting our little one to sleep, I was very nervous about how nap time would go but the educators have been extremely happy to give her a cuddle when she needs it!
They are always doing fantastic activities like bathing the dolls and dinosaurs, painting, play dough etc.
The centre use the storypark app so we always get photos of our little one playing, I’m pretty sure my parents love these photos as much as I do!
They go above and beyond, I would highly recommend this centre!
Our son has been attending Our Place since July. It's always daunting sending your baby off to creche in the care of others but Our Place has been so warm, caring and loving and he loves going every day! Can only speak highly of all the educators and the friendly administration team. Our baby has also learned so much over the past few months and thoroughly enjoys the Sensory Wednesday activities!
My 2 girls attend Our Place, they are 4 and 16 months old. The staff are excellent, the girls love going there and I am very happy to send them there. My 4 Year old wakes up on Saturday morning and asks to go there, she is learning to count in Mandarin and regularly learns how to cook various things at Our place. There is no expense spared and the food is gorgeous with their own chef on site. I highly recommend this centre
Incredible Day Care Centre!! They go above an beyond with everything they do. My daughter is very well cared for and very happy there. OurPlace is a breath of fresh air compared to another centre she used to attend locally and it was much more reasonably priced. No expense is spared on anything they do including activities for the kids like yoga or playball. She’s even learning Manderine at the age of 3. They even put on evenings for the parents without kids like wine and cheese evenings. My daughter has so much fun there, she’s excited to go everyday and never wants to leave when I pick her up!! Honestly parents, look no further, from my experience you cannot beat anything like OurPlace, I’m one happy parent of many and believe me I’m usually the biggest critique.
Today I went with my wife to the opening day, what a lovely experience from the centre.
The educational leader was very friendly and informative.
Elsternwick Childcare Campus Overview
Only About Children Elsternwick offers premium early learning for children aged 6 weeks to 5 years. Our purpose-built campus features six indoor age-based rooms and outdoor play areas designed to encourage curiosity, creativity and growth. Well-established and much-loved by local families, OAC Elsternwick has built a strong reputation for its dedicated educators and high-quality care. Many of our team have been part of the Elsternwick community for years, providing a welcoming and nurturing environment where children can thrive.
Why Choose Our Elsternwick Childcare Centre?
- Exceeding-rated educators: Recognised under the National Quality Standard for outstanding staffing arrangements and strong child-educator relationships.
- All-inclusive nutrition and care: A dietitian-designed seasonal menu with fresh, nutritious meals prepared daily on-site by our dedicated campus cooks, supporting your child’s health and wellbeing. Plus, our daily app diary updates, nappies, formula, bedding, sunscreen and more.
- Dedicated Outdoor Yards: Each age group has its own outdoor yard, allowing children to confidently lead their own play, explore, and create.
- Age-Based Indoor Rooms: We have six indoor rooms tailored to different age groups. These spaces are thoughtfully designed to support learning and development, with a strong focus on safety and natural elements.
- Play-Based Grow Curriculum: Our innovative Grow Curriculum supports Nursery, Toddler and Preschool children through intentional teaching in small groups, with ongoing monitoring of each child’s progress.
- Occasional Care: OAC Flexi offers parents and guardians flexible, short-notice care in full-day or part-day sessions for children ages 12 weeks to 5 years.
At Only About Children Elsternwick, we offer More Than Childcare. Our unique approach to early years learning goes beyond education to encompass the health, social development and wellbeing of every child in our care. We call it The OAC Way.
Our Elsternwick Learning Spaces
Where to find us
Our Elsternwick childcare campus is located at 296 Glen Eira Road, Elsternwick, VIC 3185. We are situated on the west side of Glen Eira Road, just a short walk from the intersection with Orrong Road. The campus is conveniently located near a variety of local cafes, restaurants, and shops, as well as Harleston Park. The nearest train station, Elsternwick Station, is just a 10-minute walk away, and several tram stops are located nearby for easy access to public transportation
Interested in learning more? The best place to start is with a tour or call us today on 138 622.
Nursery Program in Elsternwick (6 weeks – 2 years)
At Only About Children Elsternwick Nursery, our nursery provides a safe, nurturing environment for infants aged 6 weeks to 2 years. Our dedicated educators focus on building strong emotional foundations through play, care and connection.
What’s Included in Our Elsternwick Nursery Program:
- Purpose-built indoor and outdoor spaces for infants aged 6 weeks -2 years
- Calm sleeping rooms following safe sleep practices.
- Dietitian-designed baby menus with all meals and snacks included.
- Essentials included: nappies, cots, linen, sunscreen and more.
- Gentle play-based learning through our Grow Curriculum
Download the Only About Children Nursery Room Guide to learn more about our infant care approach.
Toddler Childcare Program in Elsternwick (2-3 years)
At Only About Children Elsternwick our Toddler rooms provide a calm, nurturing environment where children aged 2-3 years can explore, play and grow. Led by passionate educators, our toddler program in Elsternwick supports early development through play-based learning and structured group activities.
Each toddler room is designed to promote creativity, problem-solving and social interaction, giving your child the confidence to explore and connect with peers.
What’s Included in Our Elsternwick Toddler program:
- Age-appropriate learning spaces for children aged 2-3
- Structured and unstructured activities through our Grow curriculum
- Small group learning for deeper engagement.
- All meals and snacks includes, designed by a qualified Dietitian.
- Dedicated sleep and rest rooms for calm, quiet time.
Download the Only About Children Toddler Room Guide to learn more about our program and daily routines.
Elsternwick Kindergarten Program (3-5 years)
At Only About Children Elsternwick, our kindergarten program is designed to give children aged 3-5 the strongest start to school. Led by qualified early childhood teachers, we focus on building school-ready skills through a balance of structured learning and play. Our Elsternwick kindergarten is part of the Victorian Government Free Kinder program, plus recognised with the Kinder Tick.
What’s Included in Our Elsternwick Kindergarten program:
- A play-based Grow curriculum covering literacy, STEM, sustainability, art, and music
- Individual learning and development plans with regular progress check-ins
- School-ready structure with core learning hours from 9am–3pm
- Long daycare hours for added flexibility and social growth
- Fully aligned with the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) and the National Quality Standard (NQS).
- Health and Social Development support in preparation for school, including free Vision Screening
Download the Only About Children Kindergarten Room Guide to explore how we support your child’s school transition.
Helpful Information
Childcare Subsidy
For more information, visit our Childcare Subsidy Information (CCS)
Our Learning Spaces
Contact Us
- Open hours: Mon-Fri 7:00am – 6:30pm
- Phone: 138 622
- 296 Glen Eira Rd, Elstenwick, Victoria 3185
Under these standards, childcare services are assessed and rated against the seven quality areas, 18 standards, and 58 elements that make up the NQS. Click here to find out more about the NQS quality areas, standards, and elements.
Meet our Acting Campus Director
Shuk Man (Dara) Luu
Shuk Man (Dara) Luu is the Acting Campus Director at Elsternwick, bringing seven years of experience in early childhood education. She holds a Master of Teaching in Early Childhood and has been part of the Only About Children family since 2021.
Dara is dedicated to creating a safe, inclusive, and inspiring environment where children can thrive and families feel supported. She values the opportunity to mentor educators, nurture a positive team culture, and work collaboratively to deliver high-quality early learning experiences. Her approach is child-led and play-based, recognising each child’s capability, curiosity, and individuality.
Fluent in English, Mandarin, and Cantonese, Dara embraces the power of strong relationships with families, educators, and the wider community. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, spending time in nature, and is also a qualified Pilates instructor.
Shuk Man (Dara) Luu is the Acting Campus Director at Elsternwick, bringing seven years of experience in early childhood education. She holds a Master of Teaching in Early Childhood and has been part of the Only About Children family since 2021.
Dara is dedicated to creating a safe, inclusive, and inspiring environment where children can thrive and families feel supported. She values the opportunity to mentor educators, nurture a positive team culture, and work collaboratively to deliver high-quality early learning experiences. Her approach is child-led and play-based, recognising each child’s capability, curiosity, and individuality.
Fluent in English, Mandarin, and Cantonese, Dara embraces the power of strong relationships with families, educators, and the wider community. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, spending time in nature, and is also a qualified Pilates instructor.
Shuk Man (Dara) Luu
Acting Campus Director
Shuk Man (Dara) Luu is the Acting Campus Director at Elsternwick, bringing seven years of experience in early childhood education. She holds a Master of Teaching in Early Childhood and has been part of the Only About Children family since 2021.
Dara is dedicated to creating a safe, inclusive, and inspiring environment where children can thrive and families feel supported. She values the opportunity to mentor educators, nurture a positive team culture, and work collaboratively to deliver high-quality early learning experiences. Her approach is child-led and play-based, recognising each child’s capability, curiosity, and individuality.
Fluent in English, Mandarin, and Cantonese, Dara embraces the power of strong relationships with families, educators, and the wider community. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, spending time in nature, and is also a qualified Pilates instructor.
Here’s what our families have to say
This is an awesome place, all the staff are welcoming and supportive, and all the children are loved and also engaging in activities. 10000stars recommend!
My daughter started day care at 10 months old and she is loving being part of the Only About Children. My mum guilt has melted away since dropping her off for breakfast and being updated during the day with all the fun activities that she has been involved in. Being there has further developed her emotionally and socially. I aim to raise a strong, secure little girl who is curious and encouraged to learn – and OAC Elsternwick has the same values!
Highly recommend - we love this centre, all the educators and staff are amazing! My child is well cared for and loved, and has learnt so much during her time here. Special shout out to Shweta - we love you!
Amazing location for children, my child has learnt so much from basic skills to major social skills, highly recommended
This Centre is absolutely fantastic. We have moved here in the past year from another Centre and we couldn’t be happier. Our child is now in the pre school room and he loves it. They learn the coolest things and do a million great activities. Jess and Etty who run the Centre are incredible and the communication is always flowing. We love the room leaders and all the educators as much as our son does!
We love this place
The kindergarten staff is very professional
Each child is treated in a very personal and special way, The centre provides food during all day, provide a lot of creative and diverse activities, giving lot of love and patience also to the parent and to the child
Everything is very organized and managed in an exceptional way
Thank you for all this years
Our kids grew up and developed in the best way we could ask for.
We appriciate you very much
We are very happy we choose that centre!!
It felt like a second home for us. Our children got a lot of love, support, education, and good values they using them every day.
We are very thankful for the special and individual attention you gave to each of our children !
We love OAC Elsternwick. Etty and the team take such wonderful care of our son who has struggled with daycare drop offs. Etty is so kind and warm and genuinely cares about the children attending and she is also so helpful and quick at responding to any questions we may have. Special thank you to the wonderful Enza and the Toddler 1 team who have helped our little boy so much throughout this year, we are so grateful to have this amazing team care and educate him!
We recently had the pleasure of enrolling my 2nd child at Only About Children in Elsternwick. I cannot express enough how impressed I am with the exceptional early education they provide. With our first child, from the moment we walked through the doors, it was evident that this centre is genuinely dedicated to nurturing and developing young minds in the most caring and supportive environment.
First and foremost, Etty, the centre manager, is a fantastic person who always makes us feel at home when we drop our kids and pick them up. Etty has always communicated with us about our kids and helped us whenever we enquired.
The staff at Only About Children are absolute gems. Their genuine passion for early childhood education is palpable, and it reflects in their interactions with both children and parents. Every educator we encountered was warm, friendly, and highly skilled in engaging children at different developmental stages. They foster a sense of belonging, ensuring each child feels safe and loved, which significantly eased my concerns as a parent.
The curriculum at Only About Children is outstanding. Much thought and expertise have gone into designing age-appropriate activities that stimulate children's curiosity and promote holistic development. From arts and crafts to imaginative play, outdoor adventures, and music and movement sessions, there's a perfect blend of structured learning and free play. My child came home every day excitedly, eager to share all the new things they had learned.
Another aspect that sets Only About Children apart is its focus on nutrition. The centre provides healthy and balanced meals prepared on-site by their dedicated chefs. I was pleasantly surprised to see a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, and wholesome ingredients incorporated into the menu. The commitment to nourishing growing bodies and minds is truly commendable.
The facilities at Only About Children are top-notch. The classrooms are spacious, well-organized, and filled with age-appropriate learning resources. The outdoor play areas are safe, stimulating, and thoughtfully designed to encourage exploration and physical activity. The centre’s commitment to maintaining a clean and hygienic environment is highly visible, providing peace of mind to parents like me.
Communication with the centre is exceptional. Regular updates, including photos and progress reports, keep parents informed about their child's development and activities. The open-door policy encourages parental involvement, and the staff is always approachable and willing to address any concerns or questions promptly.
Lastly, the sense of community at Only About Children is remarkable. They organise regular events and gatherings that bring families together, fostering a supportive network and creating lasting friendships. The dedication to building a strong community of parents, educators, and children is truly inspiring.
In conclusion, I wholeheartedly recommend Only About Children for early education. Their exceptional staff, engaging curriculum, focus on nutrition, excellent facilities, effective communication, and a strong sense of community make it the perfect place for children to thrive. My child's growth and happiness since joining Only About Children speak volumes about the centre’s commitment to providing the best early education experience. Thank you, Only About Children, for creating such a nurturing and enriching environment for our little ones!
I recently completed a six-week placement in the kinder room at Only About Children Elsternwick. My experience was incredibly positive. Etty the centre manager and the staff were friendly and professional. They were always willing to answer my questions and provide guidance when needed.
I was so grateful to have had Niro as my mentor. I had the chance to observe and learn from her, which was an invaluable experience. She gave me opportunities to plan and implement daily activities, which allowed me to develop my skills as an early childhood teacher.
I would highly recommend Only About Children Elsternwick to other students looking for a placement.
We absolutely love this early learning centre. Our daughter is thriving in the kindergarten program and we are so confident in her school readiness . The kindergarten teachers are wonderful , engaging and of the highest quality. Etty, the Centre director is open, honest and always available. We will miss this wonderful community when we go to school. Thank you for all that you do!
We’ve been taking our daughter here since she was 11 months old and she’s now almost 2 and a half and we’ve been so happy!
The staff have been absolutely amazing and lovely to deal with and our daughter comes home smiling and happy everyday.
Her growth and development is always blowing us away.
We couldn’t appreciate more the level of care that is taken for our daughter and all the little ones.
We adore this centre, and the amazing educators are the reason why. Caring, inclusive, supportive. They also take the time to get to know the children's whole families and take an interest in them.
It's also clean, has modern resources but also utilises recycled materials, and according to my toddlers, has really yummy food!
We are so happy we found Your Place, we could not have asked for a better start to childcare and education for our son. The warmth starts with Etty and trickles down through each educator we have come across over his time there. We feel he has found his second home and flourished in ways we could not have imagined when he started at 17 months old, we can tell he feels so safe and happy there as he runs into the building each morning, and we love that every teacher knows his name and greets us with a smile. We also appreciate the healthy menu provided, our son eats more there than he has ever eaten at home! Nothing is too big an ask and we appreciate the constant communication and support through learning to trust other people with taking care of our baby! We highly recommend Your Place as a nurturing, humble, clean, warm environment and can’t wait for our daughter to have the same journey starting soon.
We have had the most wonderful experience with our daughter at Your Place ELC. I was so nervous about sending out 11mo to creche for the first time, and the staff made the process so seamless and easy, and before we knew it we were dropping Esme off with a smile on her face at the beginning of each day. It's amazing to see how much her social skills, language and eating skills have developed since she's been spending time in such a warm and caring environment. Cannot recommend Your Place enough :)
Your Place is a fantastic Creche. It is very well run and the educators are all excellent. My son has been really happy there. I would recommend it to anyone.
I have been using day care for 10+ years and would have to say Your Place has by far been the best! Management is fantastic (and really know each child and family), there is minimal staff turnover and the educators operate a fantastic program. Highly recommend!
Been attending your place for 3 years now and it has been absolutely amazing. Genuine care for the kids and their development. Looked at many other day cares and honestly you can't compare.
Our son, an only child has had a wonderful crèche experience here.
Very caring staff, individual attention to Children’s needs. I can’t fault the place! Highly recommend it. Friendly and down to earth.
Etty is like a mum to the kids & knows where everyone is at. She knows is aware that parents want to know how their children are doing and uses an app so we can see how much they eat, sleep, poo etc! - Also daily photos!
While we go to work it’s a huge piece of mind to know they are safe & HAPPY here!!!!
My son has been at Your Place ELC for two years in the Kinder and Pre-school classes and I cannot speak highly enough of the centre. I know I leave him in golden hands every day. The educators are caring and committed and invest in my son's education and development. There are regular incursions and excursions which are so valuable. It's a very clean, welcoming, professionally run centre (which starts with the most dedicated director) and I couldn't ask for more.
This is an independent Day Care, that is so professional and so well run! Every teacher knew my kids names whether they were in their class or not. Etty and the team are all so caring, and fun and they really know and care for all the kids. The food and facilities are first class, and the centre is always clean and looked after. We can’t thank you enough for how well you looked after our kids the last few years!
Very friendly educators who genuinely care for our daughter. Light filled, very clean and well run independent childcare centre. We have witnessed our daughter become very social and energetic. She now really enjoys the outdoors. We are sad that our daughter is leaving Your Place as we are moving. Thanks to the entire team for making such a positive experience for our family.
My youngest has been at the centre for 2 years and we have never once had an issue. In fact, they keep exceeding our expectations! The centre is extremely clean, they take COVID safety very seriously, they are attentive to the parents and amazing at communicating. Most importantly, my daughter has an absolute ball there every day. She took her first steps at the centre and the staff called me straight away and excitedly told me everything and sent me videos. A truly magical place.
My kids have been in this centre for 3 years now. I could not be happier with the care that is provided here. The staff are extremely attentive and caring.
I could not recommend your place early learning centre enough to you.
We absolutely enjoy our journey in Your Place ELC. Both of my children attend the centre. Staff are very professional and supportive. Age-appropriate learning is facilitated in all age groups. I will definitely recommend this centre to my friends!
Etty, Kayla, Mini and Marina and the rest of the team here are exceptional at what they do. Our little fuller’s skills and abilities exploded after starting here. He always ran in the door ready to go. Barely got a chance to say goodbye. It was incredibly sad to leave such warm, fun and skilful people. They helped us so much as parents too throughout the most difficult times during lockdown. Anyone would be lucky to have a spot for their kid here of any age.
Freya loves going to Childcare and is always greeted by staff with a smile. We always feel that she is going to her second home. Staff is super friendly and always keeps us updated with Freya's day to day run down. Extremely happy with their service.
My daughter has been attending Your Place since she was four months old, and absolutely loves it there. The centre manages to strike a perfect balance between focussing on her core developmental skills while still encouraging her independent nature.
The rooms are bright and tidy, and they feel like they have plenty of room - even when they're filled with about a dozen toddlers roaming around.
Every time I pick her up, she's happily engaged - either with another child, an activity or a staff member. Even when I pick her up right at the end of the day, the staff always look fresh and enthusiastic, and they always sound like they're thrilled to know my daughter.
All in all, I couldn't ask for a better place to send my daughter.
We started our daughter in the middle of COVID and couldn’t be happier with our experience. The staff have been amazing. They provide great experiences for the children, the communication through the apps is fabulous, the management is friendly and efficient and most importantly, our daughter has been loved and nurtured and has shown such great progress under their care. Highly recommend.
The educators and leaders at the centre are phenomenal humans.
My daughter has been attending for over a year and absolutely loves it.
Their facilities, activities they run are fantastic and the level of care provided has always been above our expectations.
Centre takes lead from the children and build on their curiosity rather than taking a cookie cutter approach.
They have been excellent in their communication with parents during this pandemic.
Highly recommend to all parents, especially to the new scared ones ;), like we were at the start before sending our daughter to any childcare.
Just secured a place for our little girl at Our Place Elsternwick. We were extremely nervous about starting our LO (14 months old) in daycare for the first time, but feel much more comfortable after visiting Our Place and doing a trial this morning. Our little one played with the other bubs and had lunch with them. Food was delicious, centre was clean, staff are friendly and attentive, and the rooms have a very warm and calm vibe. Looking forward to starting our daycare journey with Our Place Elsternwick.
Edit for update: My daughter has been at Our Place Early Learning centre for 7 months now and we LOVE it. The staff are gentle, caring and kind, my daughter talks about her favourite educator all the time at home (mid way through her gibberish) it is super sweet!
We are extremely hands on when putting our little one to sleep, I was very nervous about how nap time would go but the educators have been extremely happy to give her a cuddle when she needs it!
They are always doing fantastic activities like bathing the dolls and dinosaurs, painting, play dough etc.
The centre use the storypark app so we always get photos of our little one playing, I’m pretty sure my parents love these photos as much as I do!
They go above and beyond, I would highly recommend this centre!
Our son has been attending Our Place since July. It's always daunting sending your baby off to creche in the care of others but Our Place has been so warm, caring and loving and he loves going every day! Can only speak highly of all the educators and the friendly administration team. Our baby has also learned so much over the past few months and thoroughly enjoys the Sensory Wednesday activities!
My 2 girls attend Our Place, they are 4 and 16 months old. The staff are excellent, the girls love going there and I am very happy to send them there. My 4 Year old wakes up on Saturday morning and asks to go there, she is learning to count in Mandarin and regularly learns how to cook various things at Our place. There is no expense spared and the food is gorgeous with their own chef on site. I highly recommend this centre
Incredible Day Care Centre!! They go above an beyond with everything they do. My daughter is very well cared for and very happy there. OurPlace is a breath of fresh air compared to another centre she used to attend locally and it was much more reasonably priced. No expense is spared on anything they do including activities for the kids like yoga or playball. She’s even learning Manderine at the age of 3. They even put on evenings for the parents without kids like wine and cheese evenings. My daughter has so much fun there, she’s excited to go everyday and never wants to leave when I pick her up!! Honestly parents, look no further, from my experience you cannot beat anything like OurPlace, I’m one happy parent of many and believe me I’m usually the biggest critique.
Today I went with my wife to the opening day, what a lovely experience from the centre.
The educational leader was very friendly and informative.
