Childcare for Montrose families in the foothills
From the foot of Mt Dandenong to Meraki ELC Mooroolbark — rated Exceeding the National Quality Standard.
Montrose families live right at the foot of Mt Dandenong, and many tell us they want early learning that feels warm, personal and connected to community. Meraki ELC Mooroolbark is our closer centre for Montrose: rated Exceeding the National Quality Standard, with a long-standing team who have cared for local children since 2019.
Why Montrose families choose Meraki Mooroolbark
- •Rated Exceeding the National Quality Standard
- •Long-standing team focused on community and continuity
- •Funded Three and Four Year Old Kindergarten
- •Beautiful indoor and outdoor learning environments
- •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 Montrose 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 Montrose
Meraki ELC also welcomes families from these nearby suburbs.
Life in Montrose
Montrose has a village feel, with bushland, walking tracks and the Dandenong Ranges right on its doorstep. Children who grow up here love the outdoors, and our outdoor play spaces give them plenty of room to explore.
Why Meraki Mooroolbark
Families choose Mooroolbark for community, continuity and confidence: the same educators from the nursery to kinder, an Exceeding rating, chef-prepared meals and funded kinder inside long day care.
Montrose families who travel towards Bayswater or Knox for work may also like Meraki Bayswater and its Curiosity Approach rooms.
Getting to Mooroolbark
Montrose has no train station, so most families drive. Local roads towards Kilsyth and Mooroolbark lead to our Manchester Road centre, and Mooroolbark station on the Lilydale line is nearby if you continue on by train.
Programs for Montrose children
Long day care from 6 weeks, then funded Three and Four Year Old Kindergarten led by qualified Early Childhood Teachers. Visit our Mooroolbark kindergarten page for program details and Free Kinder funding.
Useful pages for Montrose families:
Montrose parent questions
Which Meraki centre is closest to Montrose?+
Meraki ELC Mooroolbark at 101–103 Manchester Road is our closer centre for most Montrose families.
Is there public transport from Montrose to Meraki?+
Montrose has no train station, so most families drive. Mooroolbark station on the Lilydale line is close to our Mooroolbark centre.
Do Montrose children get funded kinder at Meraki?+
Yes. Eligible children can attend funded Three and Four Year Old Kindergarten at Meraki Mooroolbark, with Free Kinder funding of up to $2,563 per child, per year.
Everything parents ask first
Meraki Mooroolbark at a glance
Hours, ages, rooms, fees, subsidy and funded kinder — the details Montrose 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 Montrose
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 Montrose — 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 Montrose 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 Montrose
Come and see why local families are choosing Meraki Mooroolbark. Tours take around 30 minutes and you'll meet our team.