Child care centres in Southport: ranked picks
Southport has a dense cluster of early learning centres, from boutique operators to larger chains near the Health & Knowledge Precinct. This list ranks them using our methodology, which weighs Google ratings alongside the substance of parent reviews, not just star counts.
Many Southport centres sit close to the hospital and university precinct, which shapes demand for extended hours and infant places. Expect a mix of long-established family-run centres and newer builds with purpose-designed learning spaces, some within walking distance of the Broadwater and local schools that feed into kindergarten transitions.
21 businesses, scored on rating, review volume, recency, sentiment and listing completeness. How we score › · View on map ›
At a glance
| # | Business | Score | Rating | From | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kindy House Early Learning Labrador | 88 | 5 (52) | — | kindergarten preschool |
| 2 | Imagine Childcare & Kindergarten Southport | 86 | 4.9 (36) | — | Individualised attention, STEM learning |
| 3 | Sanctuary Early Learning Adventure Southport - Health & Knowledge Precinct | 84 | 5 (21) | — | All-inclusive care, spacious facilities |
| 4 | Goodstart Early Learning Labrador - Gordon Street | 79 | 4.7 (29) | — | kindergarten preschool |
| 5 | Goodstart Early Learning Labrador - Olsen Avenue | 75 | 4.7 (29) | — | kindergarten preschool |
| 6 | The Nest Early Education Centre of Excellence | 72 | 4.8 (17) | — | Nature-based learning, chef-prepared meals |
| 7 | My Cubby House Early Learning | 80 | 4.6 (52) | — | Inclusion, varied programs |
| 8 | Labrador Playschool Early Learning Centre | 80 | 5 (22) | — | kindergarten preschool |
| 9 | Story House Early Learning Southport | 78 | 4.7 (79) | — | Structured curricula, specialty programs |
| 10 | Enrich Early Education | 85 | 5 (25) | — | Montessori-style settling, daily updates |
| 11 | Carey Lane Early Learning Centre | 76 | 4.2 (63) | — | Staff continuity, daily photo updates |
| 12 | Bauer Street Community Children's Centre | 80 | 4.9 (29) | — | kindergarten preschool |
| 13 | BlueBerries Childcare | 80 | 4.6 (31) | — | kindergarten preschool |
| 14 | Southport Junior Campus | 80 | 5 (22) | — | kindergarten preschool |
| 15 | LEAD Childcare Southport | 78 | 4.8 (21) | — | long day care |
| 16 | Benowa Early Learning Centre | 68 | 4.1 (24) | — | kindergarten preschool |
| 17 | Southport Child Care Centre | 67 | 5 (10) | — | kindergarten preschool |
| 18 | Olsen Avenue Community Children’s Centre | 68 | 5 (18) | — | occasional care |
| 19 | Little Scribblers | 67 | 5 (130) | — | kindergarten preschool |
| 20 | Labrador Child Safety Service Centre | 53 | 3 (8) | — | special needs inclusion |
| 21 | North Gold Coast Early Years Centre | 61 | 4.6 (23) | — | kindergarten preschool |
Ranked picks
Kindy House Early Learning Labrador
score 88/100Families repeatedly credit Kindy House with creating a warm, nurturing environment where children flourish.
Imagine Childcare & Kindergarten Southport
score 86/100Parents highlight close observation of each child, strong communication, and new STEM and science rooms that back up the near-perfect rating.
Sanctuary Early Learning Adventure Southport - Health & Knowledge Precinct
score 84/100A perfect five-star record from parents who praise the beautiful, spacious grounds and staff responsive to individual needs including neurodivergence.
Goodstart Early Learning Labrador - Gordon Street
score 79/100Nearly all families praise the educators for genuine warmth and attentiveness, with children eager to return daily.
Goodstart Early Learning Labrador - Olsen Avenue
score 75/100Most families describe a deeply nurturing centre where children thrive emotionally and developmentally, with educators who are warm, experienced, and genuinely invested in each child's journey.
The Nest Early Education Centre of Excellence
score 72/100A Reggio Emilia approach, an on-site chef, and aged-care visits stand out, though one arrival experience drew a sharp complaint.
My Cubby House Early Learning
score 80/100Families with additional needs report genuine support, plus swim, music, and nature play, despite some criticism of a disorganised tour.
Labrador Playschool Early Learning Centre
score 80/100All 22 reviews are five-star.
Story House Early Learning Southport
score 78/100Beach kinder and chef-prepared meals draw strong loyalty, but recent one-star reports of supervision failures are worth reading closely.
Enrich Early Education
score 85/100A perfect rating reflects Montessori-trained staff, daily app photo updates, and meals and nappies included in the fee.
Carey Lane Early Learning Centre
score 76/100Low staff turnover and chef-prepared, Nutrition Australia approved meals stand out, with holiday closure fees the main complaint.
Bauer Street Community Children's Centre
score 80/100Bauer Street has earned strong loyalty from families, who consistently praise the long-standing staff for genuine affection, daily updates, and a close-knit feel.
BlueBerries Childcare
score 80/100Parents consistently describe a warm, nurturing place where staff genuinely invest in children's wellbeing and learning.
Southport Junior Campus
score 80/100All 22 reviews award five stars.
LEAD Childcare Southport
score 78/100Families consistently praise the educators' warmth and genuine investment in each child's growth, with many noting the centre's particular strength in helping anxious children settle confidently.
Benowa Early Learning Centre
score 68/100Benowa 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.
Southport Child Care Centre
score 67/100All ten reviews are five-star.
Olsen Avenue Community Children’s Centre
score 68/100All 16 reviews are five-star.
Little Scribblers
score 67/100Most families report their children settle quickly and thrive in a warm, attentive environment where staff genuinely know each child.
Labrador Child Safety Service Centre
score 53/100Five-star reviewers credit the service with identifying domestic abuse and protecting children in crisis; one-star reviewers (mostly from people describing themselves as affected parents) allege the centre removes children unjustly, ignores parent concerns, and places them inappropriately with foster carers.
North Gold Coast Early Years Centre
score 61/100Staff create a family-like atmosphere with strong support for parents and children.