This is our third year at this centre and we are still happy with it (and hoping our younger daughter will start there next year). My husband and MIL were both very sceptical of formal childcare initially, but they were quickly won over by how caring and knowledgeable the staff are. All of the staff do really seem to like the kids and care about their happiness. They all know the children's names (even the ones not in their room). They are easy to talk to and respectful of your concerns. And the food there is great! (Big gold stars to the Centre Cook who poaches her own chicken to make the sandwiches for lunch - I was very impressed by her dedication!)

My three year old son started at Dawson St this year and loves it. This is the first centre that we have tried that he loves and we love. This is the first centre that hasn't told us that they all cry for a while but he'll get used to it. Instead the staff acknowledged that not all children take to child care. All of the staff are lovely - very interactive with the children and seem genuinely interested in the children. No sense of burn out, great vibe to the whole place, lovely happy children who have been engaged and taught well. They were very supportive and had a great sense of what my son needed to settle in and flourish in this environment. They give me excellent feedback on my son's day and progress and don't lie to me as other centres have done. We have tried 3 other centres and they were all disasters - this place is truly exceptional!

Approximate cost: $77 a day