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Turtle Cove Early Learning Centres

Welcome Families

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Providing quality Education and Care with a family focus including Centre Based Care, Before and After School Care & School Holiday Programs in Geraldton, Western Australia.
  • About us

Where learning, laughter, & care come together

Turtle Cove Early Learning Services is a private, family-owned organisation that has been supporting children and families in the coastal regional community of Geraldton, Western Australia, since 2004. Operating four Education and Care services, Turtle Cove is guided by a Christian-based philosophy and is committed to providing high-quality care and education that extends beyond traditional childcare. Through our motto, “More Than Just Childcare,” we strive to support the broader Geraldton community by fostering meaningful relationships, nurturing children’s development, and creating a welcoming environment where children, families, and educators experience a genuine sense of belonging. We take pride in cultivating a warm, supportive culture that feels like an extension of each family’s village—one where children are nurtured, families are valued, and educators are empowered to thrive both personally and professionally.
Our Centre Based Care services and Vacation Care program are open 51 weeks of the year from 6:15am to 5:45pm. Our After School Care program operates at Wandina Primary School from 3:00pm to 6:00pm during school terms. All services are closed on weekends and Public Holidays
Lighthouse by the beach

Family-owned & community-focused

Locally owned, trusted by Geraldton families, and built on genuine care and open communication.

Purpose built Services

All Centre based Services offer age appropriate rooms, outdoor play and spaces that support each developmental stage.

Continuity of care that truly matters

Children build secure relationships, bonds and attachments with familiar educators, including several with over a decade of Service within the organisation.

  • icon Our philosophy icon

A caring philosophy that guides everything we do

At Turtle Cove, our approach is grounded in Christian values that inspire us to care for others with love, kindness, respect, compassion, and forgiveness. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive community where children, families, and educators feel welcomed, valued, and connected.

We believe in nurturing the whole child with a holistic approach, supporting not only their learning and development but also their emotional wellbeing, confidence, resilience, and ability to build positive relationships. Through play-based experiences, exploration, creativity, and meaningful interactions, children are encouraged to develop important life skills and a lifelong love of alearning.

Working in partnership with families and the wider community, we strive to be more than just childcare. We provide a safe and enriching environment where children are supported to develop strong values, including empathy, respect, and consideration for others. Through continuous reflection and professional growth, our team remains dedicated to delivering high-quality education and care that helps every child thrive and feel a genuine sense of belonging within the Turtle Cove family.
  • icon Our programs icon

Tailored care and learning for every age and stage

Turtle Cove offers programs for babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-aged children, with age-appropriate environments and play-based learning that help each child feel safe, confident, and excited to come each day.

  • 3 months – 2 years

Jellyfish

A gentle start in a calm, nurturing space

The Jellyfish Room lays the foundation for confident, curious, and capable little learners by providing the care, security, and opportunities they need to thrive during their earliest years.

Our Jellyfish Room provides a warm, nurturing environment for up to 12 babies aged between 3 months and 2 years with a strong focus on secure attachments, responsive caregiving, comfort, and early sensory exploration. We understand that every child develops at their own pace, which is why our program is tailored to each child’s individual needs, routines, and developmental
milestones.

Through loving relationships with familiar educators, play-based learning experiences, and strong partnerships with families, we create a safe and supportive environment where babies feel settled, valued, and loved. We welcome families to continue their preferred feeding routines, whether through breastfeeding, formula, or expressed breast milk, and are happy to work alongside families as children begin their solids journey and explore new tastes and textures.

Children are welcome to bring comfort items and sleeping bags from home, and all rest times are supported in accordance with safe sleep and rest practices. The room also features two
dedicated cot rooms, providing a calm and restful environment to support sleep needs. Families are welcomed to use modern cloth nappies or disposable nappies for their babies.

  • 2–3 years

Starfish

Encouraging independence, curiosity, and confidence.

Toddlers are supported to explore, communicate, and try new things through play, routines, and lots of hands-on learning.

The Starfish Room is an engaging environment with an emphasis on exploration designed for curious toddlers as they develop their independence, confidence, and social skills. Through an intentional play-based learning program, children are encouraged to explore, make choices, and build a strong sense of self in a safe and supportive setting.

A key focus of the Starfish Room is supporting children’s developing self-help, toileting, and hygiene skills. Our experienced educators work closely with families to guide and support each child’s growing independence and self-help journey, incorporating strategies used at home to promote consistency. Through encouragement, and positive reinforcement, children are supported to build confidence, independence, and autonomy in their daily routines.

Children enjoy a rich variety of planned indoor and outdoor learning experiences, including art, craft, music and movement, language development, sensory exploration, and free play. Through meaningful routines, engaging learning opportunities, and nurturing relationships, educators support children’s emotional development, communication skills, decision-making abilities, and overall wellbeing as they continue their journey towards becoming capable and independent learners.

  • 3–6 years

Clownfish

Preparing little learners for a confident start to school.

Our kindy-style Clownfish program builds early literacy, numeracy, social skills, and problem-solving through engaging, play-based experiences.

Our educators foster a love of learning with our Step into School program focused on setting a strong foundational bridge to Kindy and formal schooling. Through intentional teaching and playbased learning experiences, children build early literacy and numeracy understandings, self-help
skills, resilience, leadership qualities, and problem-solving abilities. We believe school readiness is about much more than academics, and our program empowers children to become capable, confident, and enthusiastic learners who are ready for their next stage of education.

Many children in the Clownfish Room grow and thrive alongside the same group of peers, developing strong friendships and meaningful connections that often continue into Kindy. As many of our children go on to attend the same local schools within the Geraldton community, alongside familiar faces this continuity supports their transition to kindy making it a smoother and more positive experience for both children and their families.

Our Clownfish Room program also allows families to retain the flexibility that Centre based care offers as they aren’t restricted to ‘school hour’ and term timetables that formal 3-year-old programs offer. Families who are eligible for Child Care Subsidy (CCS) can continue to access these benefits, helping to make high-quality early learning and care more affordable while supporting the needs of busy families.

  • Up to 13 years

Out of School Hours & Vacation Care

Fun, friendships, and flexibility for busy families.

After school care, plus exciting holiday programs with activities, excursions, and opportunities to relax, play, and connect.

Our play and leisure-based program empowers children to develop a strong sense of agency by encouraging them to make choices, express their ideas, and actively contribute to their experiences and environment. Guided by children’s interests, we provide a diverse range of engaging opportunities including incursions, excursions, themed events, sport, STEM experiences, and creative arts activities. These enriching experiences support children’s ongoing growth, learning, and development in a fun and relaxed environment beyond the traditional classroom setting.

Please note our After School and Vacation Care Service runs directly from the school hall at Wandina Primary only.

Contact us
Toddler in pink t-shirt holding the watering can and toy carrot, and a teacher in turtle cover uniform smiling for the photo.
  • icon The Turtle Team icon

Caring Educators, Lasting Connections

At Turtle Cove, we believe meaningful relationships are at the heart of a child’s early learning journey. By providing consistency and continuity of care, children have the opportunity to develop secure connections with familiar educators who understand their individual personalities, strengths, interests, and developmental needs.

Many of our educators have been valued members of the Turtle Cove community for five, ten, and even more than twenty years. This continuity has allowed them to develop enduring relationships
with families, often welcoming and caring for younger siblings and supporting families throughout multiple stages of their Turtle journey. Their dedication and longevity help create a warm, stable, and nurturing environment where children feel a strong sense of belonging and confidence. For families, this continuity provides reassurance, knowing they are greeted each day by trusted educators who genuinely care about their child’s wellbeing and development.

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Our educational program, supported by EarlyWorks

Our educational program is guided by the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) and shaped by each child’s interests, strengths, and developmental needs. Through play-based learning, children are encouraged to explore, ask questions, build independence, and develop a strong sense of self, while educators intentionally embed values such as empathy, gratitude, and care for others into everyday experiences.
To support strong partnerships with families, we use EarlyWorks, a secure online platform that keeps families connected to their child’s day. Educators share daily updates on routines, photos, and learning highlights, while learning journals and individual learning cycles capture progress and personalised goals. Families are encouraged to communicate directly with educators, staying informed, involved, and connected throughout their child’s early learning journey.
Our centres are accredited and rated as Meeting the National Quality Standards.

Strong partnerships with families

We value families as children’s first educators and work closely with them through open communication, shared decision-making, and mutual respect.

Healthy food and nutrition

All meals for Centre-Based Care are prepared onsite using fresh, local, and seasonal ingredients, supporting children’s health, growth, and wellbeing.

Learning through everyday moments

Mealtimes and daily routines are meaningful learning opportunities where children build independence, social skills, and healthy habits in a supportive environment.

Inclusive and respectful community

Guided by Christian values, we celebrate diversity and foster a safe, welcoming environment where every child and family feels valued and supported.

Commitment to continuous improvement

We regularly reflect on and improve our practices through our Quality Improvement Plan, guided by feedback and aligned with the National Quality Standards.

  • icon Schedule a Visit icon

Visit Turtle Cove and Meet Our Educators

We encourage all prospective families to book a walk-through of our service to see whether Turtle Cove is the right fit for your family. This visit provides a valuable opportunity to spend time with our educators, experience our environment and daily routines, and ask any questions you may have.
Understanding your child’s individual needs and creating an environment that supports those needs is essential. Our educators work closely with families to gather important information and ensure a smooth and positive transition between home and the early learning environment. Open communication between families, children, and educators is key to building a safe, secure, and supportive setting where children can thrive.
We offer tours during the following times:
  • 9:00am – 11:00am
  • 2:00pm – 4:00pm
  • 3:30pm – 5:00pm (OSHC service)
Schedule a Visit
Teacher and Child in pink t-shirt in the garden area, exploring plants.

Judges’ Choice Award

2015 Mid West Business Excellence Awards

Services Employer of the Year

2011 MWCCI Vocational Training in Schools Awards

Small to Medium Business of the Year

2008 Mid West Business Excellence Awards

Best Customer Service – Business

2010 Mid West Business Excellence Awards

National Quality Standards

Rated Meeting at all services

  • icon Awards & recognition icon

Proudly recognised for quality care and service

Our commitment to excellence in early education and customer service has been recognised across the Mid West region. These awards reflect the dedication of our team and the trust families place in Turtle Cove.
Aboriginal doll in a traditional print dress displayed with Indigenous Australian symbol cards and a decorated plant pot in a childcare learning area
  • icon Testimonials icon

Real stories from families who trust Turtle Cove

“The standards of care at Turtle Cove are outstanding. The friendly, caring staff are always so attentive and considerate to the child’s needs. They provide daily feedback on our little boy’s activities and are very informative of his progress and development. It’s heartening as a parent that your child loves going to his daycare and looks forward to seeing all his little friends and carers there.”

– Dr Mairead Stafford

“Both our children have attended Turtle Cove since they were 12 months old and absolutely love it. Turtle Cove was the first daycare centre I visited when I started looking at daycare centres for our daughter. After seeing Turtle Cove, I didn’t bother looking at any more as everything was so clean, the staff so welcoming and the children so happy. All the amazing staff work very hard to create a wonderfully caring and nurturing environment and the extra touches by owners Marilyn, Phil, Andy and Andrew make all Turtle Cove families feel special. Nothing is ever too much trouble. We feel very lucky to have found such an exceptional centre in Geraldton and look forward to several more years of being part of the Turtle Cove family.”

- Dave & Clare

“Thank you for all the valuable support you gave our son. You helped him grow in so many ways. The kindness you have shown will remain with us always.”

– Deb & Maurice

“As a family, we’ve been incredibly grateful for the After School Care and Vacation Care programs at Turtle Cove over the last nearly 12 years. The variety of activities offered—from sports and craft to hands-on projects—has kept our children engaged and excited to attend each day. We really value how the children are given a voice in choosing what they’d like to do, especially during vacation care, which makes the experience feel even more special and inclusive. The programs are always well-organised, with consistent planning and clear communication that makes things super easy for parents. Most importantly, all the educators are fun, attentive, and genuinely care about the children’s wellbeing. Turtle Cove has provided a safe, exciting, and enriching environment that supports both our children and our family. We’d be lost without them!”

– Carrie

“Over the last 4 years it has been such a pleasure to have been part of the Turtle Cove extended family. From Jellyfish, Starfish to Clown Fish – every person at Turtle Cove should be proud for the brilliant professional care they give.”

- Happy Family

“Thank you so much for taking such great care of our son in his first year of childcare. Turtle Cove has such a homely feel to it. Your warm, friendly and inviting environment made such a tough transition for us seem so much easier.”

- Ashley & Vaughan