Childcare Mooroolbark — Meraki Early Learning Centres
A home of heart, creativity and soul
Community · Continuity · Confidence
Rated Exceeding the National Quality Standard
Meraki Mooroolbark is independently rated Exceeding the National Quality Standard (NQS) by ACECQA. A long-standing team has been caring for local children since 2019, so families enjoy continuity of educators from nursery through to funded kindergarten — and the confidence that comes with it.
Before you visit
What to expect on your Mooroolbark tour
Watch this short preview to see our welcoming learning spaces, meet our educators, and discover the calm, home-like environment your child will experience when you visit Meraki Mooroolbark. Tours are a great chance to ask questions, explore our rooms, and feel confident before enrolment.
Our Mooroolbark Service
At Meraki, we believe that the best learning happens through play! That's why our Mooroolbark service is filled with engaging, hands-on experiences that spark curiosity and inspire growth. Give your child the very best start in an environment where play leads the way to learning.
We're proud to welcome families to our early learning service in Mooroolbark — a warm, nurturing, and inspiring space designed to support children and families every step of the way. Our centre is more than just a place to learn, it's a home away from home where children feel safe, supported, and excited to explore.
Why Mooroolbark families choose Meraki
- •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
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.
Take a look inside
Meraki Mooroolbark Centre Tour
Step inside our light-filled learning spaces and meet the team caring for your child every day.
Trusted since 2019
A Long-Standing Part of the Mooroolbark Community
Meraki Mooroolbark is a purpose-built, family-owned service that has been proudly caring for and educating local children since 2019. With space for up to 104 children each day across two light-filled levels, we have grown into a trusted part of the Mooroolbark community — a place where curiosity is encouraged, relationships are cherished, and learning is embraced as a joyful and lifelong journey.
Our PhilosophyMeraki Child Care Features
Long Daycare
From 6:30am – 6:30pm
Infant to Preschool
6 weeks to 6 years
Qualified Educators
Warm, passionate, dedicated
A Quality Curriculum
Fostering growth and development
Molly the Therapy Dog
Creating a safe and relaxed environment
The Stages of Learning
In the sensorimotor stage, birth to two years, babies start to build their understanding of the world through their senses — touching, grasping, watching and listening. They also begin to develop a sense of object permanence, meaning they understand that objects exist even when they cannot see them.
In the preoperational stage, two to seven years, children develop language and abstract thought. This means they can think about concepts and ideas that are not physical. They also begin to engage in symbolic "pretend play", drawing pictures and talking about things that happened in the past.
Our well-resourced learning environments are based on Vygotsky's Sociocultural Theory, encouraging children to learn through hands-on experiences, with our qualified team supporting them to progressively increase their skills and understanding of the world.
A Sense of Belonging
A sense of belonging is what we want for each child. We provide permanent play spaces in each room to create consistency and predictability. We believe that learning environments should reflect the children's learning and be displayed for their families to see — this provides the vibrant colour to each environment.
Childcare & Kindergarten Qualifications
Each learning environment has a Diploma Qualified educator leading the team and permanent qualified Assistant Educators. We believe there are multiple teachers in each environment and our planning structure reflects this. Planning time is allocated to each team every week and they decide how this will be shared.
It is a requirement that all educators working with children have obtained either their Certificate III in Children's Services, their Diploma of Children's Services, or are a trainee working towards their qualifications. All trainees are paired with a mentor in our team to help guide them while they study.
Visit our Mooroolbark centre
101-103 Manchester RoadMooroolbark VIC 3138
Childcare near Mooroolbark
Meraki Mooroolbark also welcomes families from these nearby suburbs.
Expression of Interest
Ready to find out more or book a tour at our Mooroolbark centre? Get in touch and we'll be in contact shortly.
Mooroolbark — Frequently Asked Questions
Bookings, hours and what to expect at our Mooroolbark centre.
Where is Meraki ELC Mooroolbark located?+
We are at 101-103 Manchester Road, Mooroolbark VIC 3138 — easily accessible from Lilydale, Croydon, Kilsyth and Chirnside Park.
What are the opening hours at Mooroolbark?+
Monday to Friday, 6:30am to 6:30pm. We are closed weekends and public holidays.
What ages do you care for at Mooroolbark?+
We care for children from 6 weeks to 6 years, including funded Three and Four Year Old Kindergarten.
Do you offer government-funded kindergarten in Mooroolbark?+
Yes — our Mooroolbark service delivers funded Three and Four Year Old Kindergarten led by qualified Early Childhood Teachers.
Are meals included at Mooroolbark?+
Yes. Breakfast, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea and a late snack are freshly prepared on-site by our chef and included in the daily fee.
Is Meraki Mooroolbark rated Exceeding?+
Yes. Our Mooroolbark service is independently rated as Exceeding the National Quality Standard (NQS) by ACECQA.
Does Meraki Mooroolbark have vacancies right now?+
Availability changes weekly as families adjust their days. Our nursery, toddler and kindergarten rooms all take enrolments for children 6 weeks to 6 years — call (03) 9727 3806 or send the enquiry form on the Mooroolbark page and we will confirm the exact days open in your child's room.
When does the 2027 kindergarten program start at Mooroolbark?+
Funded 3 and 4 Year Old Kindergarten places for 2027 are being offered now, with the program beginning at the start of Victorian Term 1, 2027. Kindergarten is delivered inside long day care, so there are no double drop-offs.
When can my child start at Meraki Mooroolbark?+
Long day care start dates are flexible — children can begin any week once a place is confirmed, with orientation visits beforehand.
How do I book a tour of the Mooroolbark centre?+
Call (03) 9727 3806, email mooroolbark@merakielc.com.au, or use the Contact page to request a tour time that suits your family.