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The Nest Early Education Centre of Excellence

Updated 2026-09-08 · 4,371 reviewed · 189 listed · Scored from 17 Google reviews · How we rank ›

4.8(17) 72 low data composite score See reviews on Google ✓ Google-verified
Kindergarten & Preschool ProgramsFamily Day CareLong Day CareBefore & After School Care
The Nest Early Education Centre of Excellence
Location
Southport
Services
Kindergarten & Preschool Programs, Family Day Care, Long Day Care
Reviews
17
Ranking
#68 in Kindergarten & Preschool Programs
Best for
Families seeking continuity of care from infancy through kindergarten with strong focus on nature-based learning.

Google Business Profile is the source for the business data shown here, last checked 2026-09-08. Details taken from their website were fetched 2026-09-08.

What do customers say?

Families report deep satisfaction with the quality of care, citing educators who know each child individually and invest in their development across four years of attendance. The Nest's strengths centre on fresh meals prepared by an on-site chef, excursions involving nature and aged care visits, and a culture of genuine care that makes parents feel secure from day one.

One family's poor first-day experience stands out: staff were unprepared and unwelcoming, and the owner's response disappointed them further. Most other feedback is extremely strong, with long-term families particularly vocal about the centre's impact on their children's confidence and learning.

Based on limited recent reviews, so treat this as low-confidence.

Praised for
  • caring and attentive educators
  • nurturing environment and genuine warmth
  • fresh nutritious food prepared on-site
  • strong focus on nature and community excursions
  • clean, well-designed facilities
caring-educatorsqualified-staffclean-facilityexcellent-routine-updatesnutritious-mealsengaging-activitiesresponsive-management
Best for: Families seeking continuity of care from infancy through kindergarten with strong focus on nature-based learning.

What stands out?

  • on-site professional chef preparing fresh nutritious meals
  • nature-focused learning with community visits and aged care connections
  • educators remain with children over multiple years
  • immaculate, thoughtfully designed facilities

Worth knowing

  • Director named Merryl and previously Bec
  • Educator Sarah mentioned for language support and cultural care
  • Educator Kristy and Marian named for exceptional attentiveness
  • On-site professional chef prepares meals daily
  • Children rarely get sick
  • Custom safety checks developed for individual children's needs
  • Visits to local aged care homes and sports programs arranged

How it compares

  • Rated 4.8 against a 4.78 average across the 150 kindergarten & preschool programs businesses listed here.
  • Has more Google reviews than 33% of the businesses in this directory.

How the score was calculated

How We Score
Star rating 85
Review volume 55
Review recency 77
Review sentiment 58
Profile completeness 100
Verification 30

Rating breakdown

5
16
4
0
3
0
2
0
1
1

Frequently asked questions

Does the centre have a chef?
Yes, a professionally trained chef prepares fresh meals on-site daily. Parents report children request recipes to replicate at home.
What learning approach does the centre use?
The Nest uses the Reggio Emilia philosophy for early learning, with strong emphasis on nature exploration, creative play, and community connections.
Do children develop close relationships with the same educators?
Yes, reviewers note educators stay with children over years, building strong bonds and individual knowledge of each child's needs.

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Parents consistently describe staff who treat each child as an individual, observe carefully, and communicate openly about progress. The centre maintains high cleanliness standards, invests in learning spaces (STEM room, science room), and creates a welcoming atmosphere where kids thrive and families feel supported.

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Benowa Early Learning Centre
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Benowa Early Learning Centre

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Benowa Early Learning Centre divides reviewers sharply: 75% rate it five stars, praising warm staff, activities, and meals; 21% give one or two stars, citing heavy staff turnover, unsafe understaffing in afternoons (sometimes one educator supervising), and feeling unheard. Families who stay speak of a loving community; those who leave often cite exhaustion over constant staff changes or safety concerns.

Kindergarten & Preschool ProgramsLong Day CareBefore & After School Care

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Last updated 2026-09-08