Childcare near Mooroolbark
Long daycare & funded kindergarten — Meraki ELC Mooroolbark, right here in Mooroolbark
Looking for childcare or kindergarten in Mooroolbark 3138? Meraki ELC Mooroolbark is right on Manchester Road — a purpose-built long day care and funded kindergarten service for children aged 6 weeks to 6 years. Local families choose us for our calm, hygge-inspired environments, qualified Early Childhood Teachers leading every kinder room, chef-prepared meals included in the daily fee, and the simplicity of having Free Kinder delivered inside long day care. With 6:30am–6:30pm hours 50 weeks a year, we suit Mooroolbark parents commuting to Lilydale, Croydon, Chirnside Park and the city alike.
Why Mooroolbark families choose Meraki Mooroolbark
- •Right in Mooroolbark 3138 — 101-103 Manchester Road
- •Government-funded Three and Four Year Old Kindergarten (Free Kinder)
- •Free Kinder delivered inside long day care — no double drop-offs
- •Open 6:30am–6:30pm Monday to Friday, 50 weeks a year
- •Five chef-prepared meals daily, included in the all-inclusive fee
- •Qualified Early Childhood Teachers in every kindergarten room
- •Therapy dog Molly visits weekly — a calming presence for children
- •Child Care Subsidy (CCS) accepted to reduce out-of-pocket fees
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 Mooroolbark 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 Mooroolbark
Meraki ELC also welcomes families from these nearby suburbs.
Dates, vacancies & bookings
Opening dates and current availability
Everything you need before you enquire — when we're open, when the 2027 kindergarten intake starts, and how to check the exact days available in your child's room.
Availability last reviewed 1 September 2026
Centre open now
Open daily
Meraki Mooroolbark is open Monday to Friday, 6:30am – 6:30pm at 101-103 Manchester Road.
Tours running weekly
Weekdays, by appointment
Tours run most weekdays during centre hours. Book a time below and an educator will walk you through every room.
2027 kindergarten intake
Enrolments open now
Funded 3 & 4 Year Old Kindergarten places for 2027 are being offered now, starting at the beginning of Victorian Term 1, 2027.
Enrolment start dates
Any week of the year
Long day care start dates are flexible — children can begin any week once a place is confirmed, with orientation visits beforehand.
Centre closures
Public holidays & Christmas–New Year
We close on Victorian public holidays and for a short break over Christmas and New Year. Exact closure dates are confirmed with families each year.
Room-by-room vacancies
| Room | Ages | Days | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nursery | 6 weeks – 2 years | Call for today's available days | Enquire for days |
| Toddlers | 2 – 3 years | Call for today's available days | Enquire for days |
| 3 Year Old Kinder | 3 – 4 years | 2027 funded places being offered now | Enquire for days |
| 4 Year Old Kinder | 4 – 6 years | 2027 funded places being offered now | Enquire for days |
Day availability changes as families adjust their bookings. For today's exact vacancies, call (03) 9727 3806 or send the enquiry form below — we'll reply with the days open in your child's room.
Enquire about a place
Tell us your child's age and the days you need — our Mooroolbark team will come back to you with availability and fees after Child Care Subsidy.
Prefer to talk? (03) 9727 3806
Book a tour time
Choose a day and time that suits you and walk through every room with an educator.
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Everything parents ask first
Meraki Mooroolbark at a glance
Hours, ages, rooms, fees, subsidy and funded kinder — the details Mooroolbark 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 Mooroolbark
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 Mooroolbark — 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 Mooroolbark 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 Mooroolbark
Come and see why local families are choosing Meraki Mooroolbark. Tours take around 30 minutes and you'll meet our team.