Childcare near Chirnside Park at Meraki Mooroolbark
An Exceeding-rated centre with a long-standing team, just south of Chirnside Park.
Chirnside Park families looking for childcare usually weigh up convenience against quality. Meraki ELC Mooroolbark offers both: it is our closest centre to Chirnside Park and it is rated Exceeding the National Quality Standard. Our long-standing team has cared for local children since 2019, and we are built around community, continuity and confidence.
Why Chirnside Park families choose Meraki Mooroolbark
- •Rated Exceeding the National Quality Standard
- •Long-standing team caring for local children since 2019
- •Funded Three and Four Year Old Kindergarten
- •Five chef-prepared meals daily, included in the fee
- •Open 6:30am–6:30pm, 50 weeks a year
About Meraki Mooroolbark
Meraki Early Learning Centres — Mooroolbark is located at 101-103 Manchester Road, Mooroolbark VIC 3138. We're open monday to friday, 6:30am – 6:30pm, caring for children aged 6 weeks to 6 years. Our practice is grounded in slow pedagogy, child-led learning and respectful relationships with families.
Programs available to Chirnside Park families
3 Year Old Kindergarten
Funded program led by qualified Early Childhood Teachers.
4 Year Old Kindergarten
Free Kinder — preparing children for school with confidence.
Long Day Care
6 weeks to 6 years, 6:30am–6:30pm with all meals included.
Chef-Prepared Meals
Five nutritious meals daily, freshly made on-site.
Childcare near Chirnside Park
Meraki ELC also welcomes families from these nearby suburbs.
Why Mooroolbark suits Chirnside Park
Meraki Mooroolbark on Manchester Road is the natural choice for Chirnside Park. Families value the continuity of the same educators from the nursery through to kinder, the Exceeding rating, and having funded kinder, meals and full-day care on one site.
Programs for Chirnside Park families
Children can start long day care from 6 weeks. From three, they can join funded Three Year Old Kindergarten, then Four Year Old Kindergarten, led by qualified Early Childhood Teachers and delivered inside long day care. See our Mooroolbark kindergarten page for program details and Free Kinder funding.
Getting to Manchester Road
Chirnside Park has no train station, so drop-off is usually by car via Maroondah Highway and Manchester Road into Mooroolbark. Parents who commute by train can continue from Mooroolbark station on the Lilydale line.
Around Chirnside Park
Chirnside Park is best known for its large shopping centre on Maroondah Highway, with the Yarra Valley on its doorstep for weekend family outings.
Useful pages for Chirnside Park families:
Chirnside Park parent questions
Is there an Exceeding-rated childcare centre near Chirnside Park?+
Yes. Meraki ELC Mooroolbark, at 101–103 Manchester Road, is rated Exceeding the National Quality Standard and is our closest centre to Chirnside Park.
Is there a train from Chirnside Park to Meraki Mooroolbark?+
Chirnside Park has no train station, so most families drive. Mooroolbark station on the Lilydale line is handy if you continue on to work by train.
Can Chirnside Park children attend funded kinder at Meraki?+
Yes. Meraki Mooroolbark runs funded Three and Four Year Old Kindergarten inside long day care, with Free Kinder funding for eligible families.
Everything parents ask first
Meraki Mooroolbark at a glance
Hours, ages, rooms, fees, subsidy and funded kinder — the details Chirnside Park families compare before booking a tour.
| Address | 101-103 Manchester Road, Mooroolbark VIC 3138 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (03) 9727 3806 |
| Opening hours | Monday to Friday, 6:30am – 6:30pm (closed weekends and public holidays) |
| Ages cared for | 6 weeks to 6 years |
| Care types | Long day care, funded 3 Year Old Kinder, funded 4 Year Old Kinder, school-readiness program |
| Rooms | Nursery, toddler and kindergarten/preschool rooms grouped by age |
| Meals | All meals and snacks included in the daily fee, prepared on-site by our chef |
| Fees | Daily fee includes meals, nappies-free of extra charges and all program costs — call for the current daily rate |
| Child Care Subsidy | Approved service — eligible families can receive up to 90% CCS off the daily fee |
| Free Kinder funding | Victorian Free Kinder funding applied to 3 & 4 Year Old Kindergarten places |
| Enrolment | Enrolling now — book a tour to check current-day availability or join the waitlist |
Fees, Child Care Subsidy & Free Kinder
Meraki Mooroolbark is a government-approved child care service, so eligible families can claim Child Care Subsidy of up to 90% off the daily fee through Services Australia. Our 3 & 4 Year Old Kindergarten places also carry Victorian Free Kinder funding, which reduces kinder costs further.
Because funding rates change each year, we quote current fees directly — call (03) 9727 3806 and we'll work out your likely out-of-pocket cost per day.
What's included in the daily fee
- Breakfast, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea and a late snack, cooked fresh on-site
- Funded 3 & 4 Year Old Kindergarten programs led by qualified Early Childhood Teachers
- All learning resources, art materials and incursions
- Sunscreen, hats and bed linen
- Daily updates, photos and learning documentation through our family app
No hidden extras for meals, nappies or program costs.
Getting here from Chirnside Park
Parking & drop-off
On-site parking directly off Manchester Road, with pram-friendly access to the front entry.
By train
A short drive from Mooroolbark Station on the Lilydale line, convenient for city commuters.
By bus
Manchester Road bus routes connect families from Lilydale, Croydon, Kilsyth and Chirnside Park.
Childcare in Chirnside Park — parent questions
How much does childcare cost at Meraki Mooroolbark?+
Our daily fee covers everything your child needs for the day — all meals and snacks cooked on-site, nappies and wipes, sunscreen, hats, bed linen and every program cost including our funded kindergarten programs. Fees change with Victorian and Commonwealth funding, so call (03) 9727 3806 for today's daily rate and we'll estimate your out-of-pocket cost after Child Care Subsidy.
Can I use the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) here?+
Yes. Meraki Mooroolbark is an approved child care service, so eligible families can claim Child Care Subsidy of up to 90% of the daily fee through Services Australia. Your rate depends on family income and activity level — we'll help you set up your enrolment confirmation in myGov.
Is funded kindergarten available at Meraki Mooroolbark?+
Yes. We deliver funded Three Year Old and Four Year Old Kindergarten led by qualified Early Childhood Teachers, with Victorian Free Kinder funding applied. Kinder runs inside our long day care hours, so there are no separate drop-offs or mid-day pick-ups.
Do you have vacancies for Chirnside Park families?+
Availability changes weekly and varies by age group and day of the week. Call (03) 9727 3806 or book a tour and we'll confirm which days are open in your child's room, or add you to the waitlist for your preferred days.
What are the opening hours and when are you closed?+
We're open Monday to Friday, 6:30am to 6:30pm — long hours that suit shift work and city commutes. We're closed on weekends and Victorian public holidays.
How do I get to Meraki Mooroolbark and is there parking?+
On-site parking directly off Manchester Road, with pram-friendly access to the front entry. A short drive from Mooroolbark Station on the Lilydale line, convenient for city commuters. Manchester Road bus routes connect families from Lilydale, Croydon, Kilsyth and Chirnside Park.
Book a tour from Chirnside Park
Come and see why local families are choosing Meraki Mooroolbark. Tours take around 30 minutes and you'll meet our team.