Childcare for Lilydale families, one stop from home
Meraki ELC Mooroolbark — Exceeding-rated long day care and funded kinder next door to Lilydale.
Lilydale and Mooroolbark are neighbouring stations on the Lilydale line, so Meraki ELC Mooroolbark is an easy fit for Lilydale families. Our Manchester Road centre is rated Exceeding the National Quality Standard, and it is known for community, continuity and confidence — a long-standing team who have cared for local children since 2019.
Why Lilydale families choose Meraki Mooroolbark
- •Lilydale and Mooroolbark are neighbouring stations on the Lilydale line
- •Rated Exceeding the National Quality Standard
- •Long-standing team since 2019
- •Funded Three and Four Year Old Kindergarten
- •Five chef-prepared meals daily, included
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 Lilydale 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 Lilydale
Meraki ELC also welcomes families from these nearby suburbs.
Programs for Lilydale children
We care for children from 6 weeks to 6 years. Long day care runs 6:30am to 6:30pm, and from three children can join funded Three Year Old Kindergarten, then Four Year Old Kindergarten, led by qualified Early Childhood Teachers. Kinder is delivered inside long day care, so kinder hours, meals and full-day care all happen on one site.
Why Lilydale families choose Meraki Mooroolbark
Parents tell us they value knowing the same educators will be with their child year after year. Our Exceeding rating, chef-prepared meals and the ease of one drop-off make Mooroolbark the natural choice for Lilydale.
Our Bayswater centre is much further south, so for Lilydale we usually recommend Mooroolbark.
Travelling from Lilydale
By train, Mooroolbark is the stop before Lilydale on the Lilydale line. By car, Maroondah Highway links the two suburbs.
About Lilydale
Lilydale is the gateway to the Yarra Valley, with Lilydale Lake a favourite spot for picnics, walks and playgrounds, and a busy shopping precinct around the station.
Useful pages for Lilydale families:
Lilydale parent questions
Is there childcare near Lilydale station?+
Meraki ELC Mooroolbark is one stop along the Lilydale line from Lilydale station, at 101–103 Manchester Road, Mooroolbark.
Does Meraki Mooroolbark offer 3 year old kinder for Lilydale children?+
Yes. Funded Three Year Old Kindergarten runs inside long day care, led by a qualified Early Childhood Teacher, with Free Kinder funding for eligible families.
How is Meraki Mooroolbark rated?+
Meraki ELC Mooroolbark is rated Exceeding the National Quality Standard.
Everything parents ask first
Meraki Mooroolbark at a glance
Hours, ages, rooms, fees, subsidy and funded kinder — the details Lilydale 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 Lilydale
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 Lilydale — 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 Lilydale 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 Lilydale
Come and see why local families are choosing Meraki Mooroolbark. Tours take around 30 minutes and you'll meet our team.