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?
- 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
Karla Luo
Campus Director
Karla brings nine years of experience in Early Childhood Education, including more than six years at our Mernda campus. She holds a Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education and a Bachelor in Management, and is passionate about creating meaningful learning experiences that support every child’s growth and development.
Karla believes all children have the right to access high-quality education in a safe, nurturing environment that embraces their curiosity. She values the important role families and educators play together in each child’s learning journey and is committed to fostering strong, respectful partnerships within the Mernda community.
As a multilingual educator who speaks English, Cantonese and Mandarin, and is currently learning Auslan, Karla brings a rich cultural perspective to her leadership. She has built close connections with the local community and takes pride in supporting educators to grow, thrive and feel confident in their practice.
Outside of work, Karla enjoys staying active and exploring new places. She loves reformer yoga, visiting local markets, going on road trips and travelling overseas.
Karla is dedicated to creating a warm, inclusive environment where children feel safe, confident and excited to learn and where families feel supported every step of the way.
Karla Luo
Campus Director
Karla brings nine years of experience in Early Childhood Education, including more than six years at our Mernda campus. She holds a Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education and a Bachelor in Management, and is passionate about creating meaningful learning experiences that support every child’s growth and development.
Karla believes all children have the right to access high-quality education in a safe, nurturing environment that embraces their curiosity. She values the important role families and educators play together in each child’s learning journey and is committed to fostering strong, respectful partnerships within the Mernda community.
As a multilingual educator who speaks English, Cantonese and Mandarin, and is currently learning Auslan, Karla brings a rich cultural perspective to her leadership. She has built close connections with the local community and takes pride in supporting educators to grow, thrive and feel confident in their practice.
Outside of work, Karla enjoys staying active and exploring new places. She loves reformer yoga, visiting local markets, going on road trips and travelling overseas.
Karla is dedicated to creating a warm, inclusive environment where children feel safe, confident and excited to learn and where families feel supported every step of the way.
Karla brings nine years of experience in Early Childhood Education, including more than six years at our Mernda campus. She holds a Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education and a Bachelor in Management, and is passionate about creating meaningful learning experiences that support every child’s growth and development.
Karla believes all children have the right to access high-quality education in a safe, nurturing environment that embraces their curiosity. She values the important role families and educators play together in each child’s learning journey and is committed to fostering strong, respectful partnerships within the Mernda community.
As a multilingual educator who speaks English, Cantonese and Mandarin, and is currently learning Auslan, Karla brings a rich cultural perspective to her leadership. She has built close connections with the local community and takes pride in supporting educators to grow, thrive and feel confident in their practice.
Outside of work, Karla enjoys staying active and exploring new places. She loves reformer yoga, visiting local markets, going on road trips and travelling overseas.
Karla is dedicated to creating a warm, inclusive environment where children feel safe, confident and excited to learn and where families feel supported every step of the way.
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
Karla Luo
Karla brings nine years of experience in Early Childhood Education, including more than six years at our Mernda campus. She holds a Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education and a Bachelor in Management, and is passionate about creating meaningful learning experiences that support every child’s growth and development.
Karla believes all children have the right to access high-quality education in a safe, nurturing environment that embraces their curiosity. She values the important role families and educators play together in each child’s learning journey and is committed to fostering strong, respectful partnerships within the Mernda community.
As a multilingual educator who speaks English, Cantonese and Mandarin, and is currently learning Auslan, Karla brings a rich cultural perspective to her leadership. She has built close connections with the local community and takes pride in supporting educators to grow, thrive and feel confident in their practice.
Outside of work, Karla enjoys staying active and exploring new places. She loves reformer yoga, visiting local markets, going on road trips and travelling overseas.
Karla is dedicated to creating a warm, inclusive environment where children feel safe, confident and excited to learn and where families feel supported every step of the way.
Karla brings nine years of experience in Early Childhood Education, including more than six years at our Mernda campus. She holds a Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education and a Bachelor in Management, and is passionate about creating meaningful learning experiences that support every child’s growth and development.
Karla believes all children have the right to access high-quality education in a safe, nurturing environment that embraces their curiosity. She values the important role families and educators play together in each child’s learning journey and is committed to fostering strong, respectful partnerships within the Mernda community.
As a multilingual educator who speaks English, Cantonese and Mandarin, and is currently learning Auslan, Karla brings a rich cultural perspective to her leadership. She has built close connections with the local community and takes pride in supporting educators to grow, thrive and feel confident in their practice.
Outside of work, Karla enjoys staying active and exploring new places. She loves reformer yoga, visiting local markets, going on road trips and travelling overseas.
Karla is dedicated to creating a warm, inclusive environment where children feel safe, confident and excited to learn and where families feel supported every step of the way.
Karla Luo
Campus Director
Karla brings nine years of experience in Early Childhood Education, including more than six years at our Mernda campus. She holds a Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education and a Bachelor in Management, and is passionate about creating meaningful learning experiences that support every child’s growth and development.
Karla believes all children have the right to access high-quality education in a safe, nurturing environment that embraces their curiosity. She values the important role families and educators play together in each child’s learning journey and is committed to fostering strong, respectful partnerships within the Mernda community.
As a multilingual educator who speaks English, Cantonese and Mandarin, and is currently learning Auslan, Karla brings a rich cultural perspective to her leadership. She has built close connections with the local community and takes pride in supporting educators to grow, thrive and feel confident in their practice.
Outside of work, Karla enjoys staying active and exploring new places. She loves reformer yoga, visiting local markets, going on road trips and travelling overseas.
Karla is dedicated to creating a warm, inclusive environment where children feel safe, confident and excited to learn and where families feel supported every step of the way.
Here’s what our families have to say
News and Views
Celebrating Harmony Week at OAC Mernda
Children at OAC Mernda celebrated Harmony Week by exploring diversity, inclusion and belonging through storytelling, conversations and creative activities.
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.