Kilsyth childcare with two Meraki options
Meraki Mooroolbark to the north, Meraki Bayswater to the south — and funded kinder at both.
Kilsyth sits between our two centres, which gives local families a genuine choice. For most Kilsyth households, Meraki ELC Mooroolbark is the natural fit: it is rated Exceeding the National Quality Standard, its long-standing team has cared for local children since 2019, and it offers long day care and funded kinder from 6:30am to 6:30pm.
Why Kilsyth families choose Meraki Mooroolbark
- •Between our two centres — Mooroolbark and Bayswater
- •Meraki Mooroolbark is rated Exceeding the National Quality Standard
- •Funded Three and Four Year Old Kindergarten at both centres
- •Chef-prepared meals included in the daily fee
- •Open 6:30am–6:30pm Monday to Friday
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 Kilsyth 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 Kilsyth
Meraki ELC also welcomes families from these nearby suburbs.
Mooroolbark or Bayswater?
If you live in northern Kilsyth or head towards Croydon or Lilydale for work, Meraki Mooroolbark is usually the easier trip. If you are on the southern side near Bayswater North or travel towards Knox, Meraki Bayswater — with its Curiosity Approach rooms — is a realistic alternative. We are happy to show you both.
Getting to our centres from Kilsyth
Kilsyth has no train station, so drop-off is usually by car. Hull Road and Mt Dandenong Road lead towards Mooroolbark, while Canterbury Road and Dorset Road head towards Bayswater. Both centres are close to a train station if you continue on by rail.
Local life in Kilsyth
Kilsyth sits in the foothills of the Dandenong Ranges, with bushland reserves and walking tracks close by — perfect for families who love time outdoors.
Programs for Kilsyth children
Long day care from 6 weeks, then funded Three and Four Year Old Kindergarten led by qualified Early Childhood Teachers, all inside long day care. Visit the Mooroolbark kindergarten page for details.
Useful pages for Kilsyth families:
Kilsyth parent questions
Which Meraki centre is best for Kilsyth?+
Most Kilsyth families choose Meraki Mooroolbark, which is rated Exceeding. Families on the southern side of Kilsyth sometimes prefer Meraki Bayswater. Both offer the same hours and funded kinder.
Is there a train station in Kilsyth?+
No. Most Kilsyth families drive to drop-off. Meraki Mooroolbark is near Mooroolbark station on the Lilydale line, and Meraki Bayswater is beside the Belgrave line.
Is there funded kinder near Kilsyth?+
Yes. Both Meraki centres run 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 Kilsyth 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 Kilsyth
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 Kilsyth — 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 Kilsyth 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 Kilsyth
Come and see why local families are choosing Meraki Mooroolbark. Tours take around 30 minutes and you'll meet our team.