Now open · Charlestown

Boutique long daycare in Charlestown.

Family-owned childcare with small groups, meals cooked on-site, nappies, and every incursion included. Enrolments open for 2026 — and we'd love to show you around.

6 weeks – 6 years Mon–Fri · 7 to 6 Family-owned
A child peeking out from behind an arch
Currently enrolling
Family-owned
Director-led tours
No surprise fees
See inside

A short walk-through of the centre.

Inside Lumio Early Learning Charlestown
Program

Three programs,
paced for real children.

Each room follows one of three soft threads, with educators trained for that age and that age only. We don't run "mixed" rooms — your child knows their teachers and their teachers know them.

Ages 0 – 2

Junior Labs

Sensory play, language exposure, a secure base. Two-to-one ratio in the nursery. Educators trained in infant development. Cooked meals from six months.

Ages 2 – 4

World Ready

Outside time every day. Real tools, real materials. Project-based curiosity. Daily yoga & music. The age children first learn to share — and we lean in.

Ages 4 – 6

I AM Ready

School-readiness with literacy and numeracy paced for real four- and five-year-olds. Partnership with Charlestown East PS for transition visits.

Every day, included

No surprise
add-ons. Ever.

One daily childcare fee covers everything. No extra invoice for the chicken hatching program or for nappies or for a stuffed sandwich costume on book week.

Fees

Fully inclusive,
transparently priced.

The same fee covers everything in the list above. Most families pay significantly less after the Child Care Subsidy — call us and we'll walk you through what your family is likely to pay out-of-pocket.

Ages 0 – 2 · Nursery & infants
$175 / day
11 hours · 7am – 6pm · fully inclusive
Ages 2 – 6 · Toddlers & pre-K
$165 / day
11 hours · 7am – 6pm · fully inclusive

Most families pay significantly less after the Child Care Subsidy (CCS), based on family income and activity. Children aged 3+ may also be eligible for NSW Start Strong fee relief. We'll happily walk you through what applies to your family on a tour or over the phone.

Book a tour →
Mackinley, director of Lumio Early Learning Charlestown, smiling in a cream blazer
Our Director

Mackinley

Twelve years in early learning, three of them building Lumio. Mackinley is on the floor most days — she'll likely be the one to show you around, and she'll remember your child's name next time you call.

— Mackinley, Director
What families say

In their own words.

Five-star Google reviews from Lumio families — and from our sister centre, Charlestown East Preschool (soon to become Lumio Charlestown Preschool). Same team, same care, same Mackinley.

★★★★★

“Couldn't be any happier with Lumio… Lumio has exceeded my expectations. The staff are amazing! … I can't recommend them enough.”

Tahneal T. · Lumio Charlestown
★★★★★

“We are now a month into Lumio and we have a completely new daughter… Drop off is a breeze… we have even had pickups where she has asked to stay and not come home.”

Jamie B. · Lumio Charlestown
★★★★★

“The welcoming, nurturing environment and small number of kids have suited our daughter so well — the structure and organised activities have really helped her.”

Carla P. · Charlestown East Preschool
Questions

The honest
answers.

The ones we get most often. If yours isn't here — give us a call.

What hours are you open?

Monday to Friday, 7am – 6pm. We're closed weekends and public holidays. We don't offer overnight, casual, or half-day bookings — permanent bookings only keeps group sizes consistent.

What ages do you take?

Six weeks through six years — childcare for every stage from nursery to pre-K. We split into three age-grouped programs (Junior Labs, World Ready, I AM Ready) so educators are trained for the specific developmental window in their room.

How small are your groups?

Our ratios meet or exceed NSW requirements. Nursery is 2 educators to every 4 babies; toddlers 1:4; pre-K 1:10. We intentionally cap each room below licensed capacity.

How does the Child Care Subsidy work?

Most families qualify for some level of CCS. The amount depends on family income and the activity test. The Services Australia estimator (linked above) gives an accurate number for your family — or call us and we'll walk you through it on the phone.

Do you offer casual or half-day bookings?

No — permanent bookings only at this stage. It lets us hold consistent group sizes and lets your child build real bonds with their educators.

Is there a waitlist?

For some rooms, yes. Best to call us to check current availability for your child's age group — we'll be honest with you about it.

Come and see for yourself

We'd love to show
you around.

Tours take about thirty minutes. Children welcome. No follow-up sales pressure — just a walkthrough and an honest CCS estimate for your family.

Families come to Lumio for childcare from across Newcastle's south and Lake Macquarie — Charlestown, Warners Bay, Kotara, Adamstown, New Lambton, Cardiff, Hillsborough, Belmont and the surrounding suburbs.