Mernda Childcare & Kindergarten
Mernda Childcare Campus Overview
Only About Children Mernda is a purpose-built campus, providing high quality early learning and care for 108 nursery, toddler and kinder aged children in the local community.
The beautiful indoor and outdoor environments are abundant in natural educational resources and designed to encourage play-based learning for every child’s developmental stage and individual curiosities. OAC Mernda is also home to some adorable pet chickens and a loveable turtle. We enjoy excursions to the local council offices for art exhibitions; local schools for school readiness events & bush kinder at our Mernda community garden. Plus, we have annual visits from an elder who delivers a smoking ceremony with the children and team.
Conveniently located near public transport, local schools and with on-site parking, the campus provides easy accessibility for families.
Why Choose Our Mernda Childcare Centre?
- Exceeding-rated centre: Recognised under the National Quality Standard as a centre that goes above and beyond the standard requirements, delivering exceptional care and education for their children.
- All-inclusive nutrition and care: A dietitian-designed seasonal menu with fresh, nutritious meals prepared daily on-site by our dedicated campus cooks, supporting your child’s health and wellbeing. Plus, our daily app diary updates, nappies, formula, bedding, sunscreen and more.
- Play-Based Grow Curriculum: Our innovative Grow Curriculum supports Nursery, Toddler and Preschool children through intentional teaching in small groups, with ongoing monitoring of each child’s progress.
- Occasional Care: OAC Flexi offers parents and guardians flexible, short-notice care in full-day or part-day sessions for children ages 12 weeks to 5 years.
At Only About Children Mernda, we offer More Than Childcare. Our unique approach to early years learning goes beyond education to encompass the health, social development and wellbeing of every child in our care. We call it The OAC Way.
Our Mernda Learning Spaces
We are located at 2 Wellington St, Mernda 3754. Conveniently located near public transport, local schools and with on-site parking, the campus provides easy accessibility for families.
Interested in learning more? The best place to start is with a tour or call today us on 138 622.
Nursery Program in Mernda (6 weeks – 2 years)
What’s Included in Our Mernda Nursery Program:
- Purpose-built indoor and outdoor spaces for infants aged 6 weeks -2 years
- Calm sleeping rooms following safe sleep practices.
- Dietitian-designed baby menus with all meals and snacks included.
- Essentials included: nappies, cots, linen, sunscreen and more.
- Gentle play-based learning through our Grow Curriculum
Download the Only About Children Nursery Room Guide to learn more about our infant care approach.
Mernda Toddler Program (2-3 years)
Only About Children Mernda our Toddler rooms provide a calm, nurturing environment where children aged 2-3 years can explore, play and grow. Led by passionate educators, our toddler program in Mernda supports early development through play-based learning and structured group activities.
Each toddler room is designed to promote creativity, problem-solving and social interaction, giving your child the confidence to explore and connect with peers.
What’s Included in Our Mernda Toddler program:
- Age-appropriate learning spaces for children aged 2-3
- Structured and unstructured activities through our Grow curriculum
- Small group learning for deeper engagement.
- All meals and snacks includes, designed by a qualified Dietitian.
- Dedicated sleep and rest rooms for calm, quiet time.
Download the Only About Children Toddler Room Guide to learn more about our program and daily routines.
Mernda Kindergarten Program (3-5 years)
At Only About Children Mernda, our kindergarten program is designed to give children aged 3-5 the strongest start to school. Led by qualified early childhood teachers, we focus on building school-ready skills through a balance of structured learning and play. Our Mernda kindergarten is part of the Victorian Government Free Kinder program, plus recognised with the Kinder Tick.
What’s Included in Our Mernda Kindergarten program:
- A play-based Grow curriculum covering literacy, STEM, sustainability, art, and music
- Individual learning and development plans with regular progress check-ins
- School-ready structure with core learning hours from 9am–3pm
- Long daycare hours for added flexibility and social growth
- Fully aligned with the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) and the National Quality Standard (NQS).
- Health and Social Development support in preparation for school, including free Vision Screening
Download the Only About Children Kindergarten Room Guide to explore how we support your child’s school transition.
Helpful Information
Meet Our Campus Team
Hayley George
Campus Director
Hayley has worked in early childhood education for over 12 years and is passionate about ensuring every child feels valued and respected. With a Diploma of Early Childhood and a strong belief in the Reggio Emilia approach, she encourages creativity, self-expression and child-led learning at every opportunity.
As Campus Director at Only About Children Mernda, Hayley brings a bright, positive energy to her role. She thrives on mentoring and inspiring her team and is committed to creating a nurturing environment where children and educators feel supported to grow.
A proud local and mum to two beautiful girls, Hayley is deeply connected to her community. Outside of work she enjoys Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and wrestling, finding energy and balance through movement and focus.
Hayley George
Campus Director
Hayley has worked in early childhood education for over 12 years and is passionate about ensuring every child feels valued and respected. With a Diploma of Early Childhood and a strong belief in the Reggio Emilia approach, she encourages creativity, self-expression and child-led learning at every opportunity.
As Campus Director at Only About Children Mernda, Hayley brings a bright, positive energy to her role. She thrives on mentoring and inspiring her team and is committed to creating a nurturing environment where children and educators feel supported to grow.
A proud local and mum to two beautiful girls, Hayley is deeply connected to her community. Outside of work she enjoys Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and wrestling, finding energy and balance through movement and focus.
Hayley has worked in early childhood education for over 12 years and is passionate about ensuring every child feels valued and respected. With a Diploma of Early Childhood and a strong belief in the Reggio Emilia approach, she encourages creativity, self-expression and child-led learning at every opportunity.
As Campus Director at Only About Children Mernda, Hayley brings a bright, positive energy to her role. She thrives on mentoring and inspiring her team and is committed to creating a nurturing environment where children and educators feel supported to grow.
A proud local and mum to two beautiful girls, Hayley is deeply connected to her community. Outside of work she enjoys Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and wrestling, finding energy and balance through movement and focus.
Sophie Trovato
Educational Leader
Sophie has been working in early childhood education for 14 years. Her journey began after many years supporting neurodivergent children, where she discovered a deep passion for early learning and wanted to expand her impact in a new way.
With a Diploma of Early Childhood and a strong belief in the Reggio Emilia approach, Sophie champions creativity, self-expression and child-led learning. As Educational Leader at Only About Children Mernda, she finds great joy in mentoring her team and helping others achieve success in their own careers.
Sophie is a proud mum to two beautiful girls and loves planning family adventures and holidays in her spare time.
Sophie Trovato
Educational Leader
Sophie has been working in early childhood education for 14 years. Her journey began after many years supporting neurodivergent children, where she discovered a deep passion for early learning and wanted to expand her impact in a new way.
With a Diploma of Early Childhood and a strong belief in the Reggio Emilia approach, Sophie champions creativity, self-expression and child-led learning. As Educational Leader at Only About Children Mernda, she finds great joy in mentoring her team and helping others achieve success in their own careers.
Sophie is a proud mum to two beautiful girls and loves planning family adventures and holidays in her spare time.
Sophie has been working in early childhood education for 14 years. Her journey began after many years supporting neurodivergent children, where she discovered a deep passion for early learning and wanted to expand her impact in a new way.
With a Diploma of Early Childhood and a strong belief in the Reggio Emilia approach, Sophie champions creativity, self-expression and child-led learning. As Educational Leader at Only About Children Mernda, she finds great joy in mentoring her team and helping others achieve success in their own careers.
Sophie is a proud mum to two beautiful girls and loves planning family adventures and holidays in her spare time.
Gallery
Contact Us
- Open hours: Mon-Fri 6:30am – 6:30pm
- Phone: 138 622
- 2 Wellington St, Mernda 3754, VIC
Important Information
Under these standards, childcare services are assessed and rated against the seven quality areas, 18 standards, and 58 elements that make up the NQS. Click here to see a summary table of the NQS quality areas, standards, and elements.
Meet our Campus Director
Hayley George
Hayley has worked in early childhood education for over 12 years and is passionate about ensuring every child feels valued and respected. With a Diploma of Early Childhood and a strong belief in the Reggio Emilia approach, she encourages creativity, self-expression and child-led learning at every opportunity.
As Campus Director at Only About Children Mernda, Hayley brings a bright, positive energy to her role. She thrives on mentoring and inspiring her team and is committed to creating a nurturing environment where children and educators feel supported to grow.
A proud local and mum to two beautiful girls, Hayley is deeply connected to her community. Outside of work she enjoys Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and wrestling, finding energy and balance through movement and focus.
Hayley has worked in early childhood education for over 12 years and is passionate about ensuring every child feels valued and respected. With a Diploma of Early Childhood and a strong belief in the Reggio Emilia approach, she encourages creativity, self-expression and child-led learning at every opportunity.
As Campus Director at Only About Children Mernda, Hayley brings a bright, positive energy to her role. She thrives on mentoring and inspiring her team and is committed to creating a nurturing environment where children and educators feel supported to grow.
A proud local and mum to two beautiful girls, Hayley is deeply connected to her community. Outside of work she enjoys Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and wrestling, finding energy and balance through movement and focus.
Hayley George
Campus Director
Hayley has worked in early childhood education for over 12 years and is passionate about ensuring every child feels valued and respected. With a Diploma of Early Childhood and a strong belief in the Reggio Emilia approach, she encourages creativity, self-expression and child-led learning at every opportunity.
As Campus Director at Only About Children Mernda, Hayley brings a bright, positive energy to her role. She thrives on mentoring and inspiring her team and is committed to creating a nurturing environment where children and educators feel supported to grow.
A proud local and mum to two beautiful girls, Hayley is deeply connected to her community. Outside of work she enjoys Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and wrestling, finding energy and balance through movement and focus.
News and Views
Kinder Children at OAC Mernda Explore Gardening and Seed Planting
Our OAC Mernda community came together for International Picnic Day, enjoying a fun-filled afternoon of connection, conversation and belonging.
Picnic Fun and Family Connections at OAC Mernda
Our OAC Mernda community came together for International Picnic Day, enjoying a fun-filled afternoon of connection, conversation and belonging.