Mernda Childcare & Kindergarten
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.
Conveniently located near public transport, local schools and with on-site parking, the campus provides easy accessibility for families.
Children & families at our Mernda campus enjoy –
- Excursions to the local council offices for art exhibitions; local schools for school readiness events & bush kinder; Mernda community garden.
- Annual visits from an elder who delivers a smoking ceremony with the children and team.
- Passionate educators and allied health specialists who are focused on creating a learning space where families and children can learn and grow together.
- A leading nutrition, health and wellbeing offering which includes a Dietitian designed seasonal menu and fresh meals prepared daily in-house by our campus cooks
- All-inclusive offering including our daily app diary updates, nappies, formula, bedding, sunscreen and more.
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 innovative play-based Grow Curriculum gives Nursery, Toddler and Preschool children the best opportunity to develop their growing minds during their early years. It includes:
- Left Brain Logic – Literacy & Language, Exploration & STEM (Science, Tech, Engineering & Math) and Sustainability
- Right Brain Creativity – Music, Dramatic Play and Art
- Health and Wellbeing – Physical Activity and Nutrition
- Social Development – Trust, Respect & Relationship and Resilience & Mindfulness
Our Grow curriculum is delivered via intentional teaching in dynamic small group learning environments where children’s successes, skills and challenges are monitored on an ongoing basis.
Our 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.
Mernda Nursery (6 weeks – 2 years)
At Only About Children Mernda Nursery, our passionate educators focus on laying a foundation for enduring curiosity, confidence and a love of learning. Our Mernda Nursery caters to the care and development needs of infants aged 6 weeks -2 years.
The Mernda Nursery focuses on safe sleep practices developed by qualified Family Health Nurses and Consultants. Our nursery is a safe and stimulating environment that encourages your child to explore and play and implements both structure and a nurturing environment with our exceptional caregiving and play routines.
Our Mernda Nursery Program includes:
- Age 6 weeks -2 years appropriate indoor/outdoor learning environments.
- Sleeping rooms with a focus on positive sleep practices.
- Dietitian designed baby menus with all meals and snacks included.
- Baby essentials such as nappies, cots, linen, and sunscreen.
- Balanced structured and unstructured play-based learning – Grow curriculum
For more information, download the Only About Children Nursery Room Guide
Mernda Toddlers (2-3 years)
Our Only About Children Mernda campus is focused on giving your child a calm and welcoming environment that balances play, exploration, and learning. Our Toddler rooms are led by passionate educators who create play-based learning activities designed to provide toddler-aged children with nurturing experiences that encourage growth and development.
Our Toddler rooms are safe, supportive spaces that facilitate creative exploration. Each space is expertly designed to encourage younger children to explore, solve problems, create, construct and interact with peers.
Our Mernda Toddler program includes:
- Age 2-3 years of appropriate learning and playing environments.
- Balanced structured and unstructured play-based learning – Grow curriculum
- Small group learning activities.
- Dietitian designed menus with all meals and snacks included.
- Calm sleeping and resting rooms.
For more information, download the Only About Children Toddler Room Guide
Mernda Kindergarten (3-5 years)
Only About Children Mernda Kindergarten is focused on creating quality experiences that place your child in the best position to begin school. Our nurturing kindergarten educators give special emphasis on building school-ready skills, such as Literacy & Language, Exploration & STEM (Science, Tech, Engineering & Math), Sustainability, Music, Dramatic Play and Art. We aim to make your child’s transition to school as smooth as possible by providing balanced, small group learning activities that build independence and resilience along with academic skills.
Our team of highly-skilled educators and health specialists work together to create an integrated journey that enhances your child’s learning and development. Individual learning plans are created to empower each child with skills that will help them reach their full academic and social potential.
Mernda Kindergarten Program
- Provides an innovative curriculum focused on left brain logic and right brain creativity
- Includes both structured and unstructured play-based learning that considers the child’s individual interests and development
- Provides an ‘Individual Learning and Development Plan’ for every child with 6 monthly check-ins with families
- A learning focus from 9am to 3pm to prepare children for typical school hours and routine whilst providing the flexibility of long hours for social development and play
- Is guided by the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) and the National Quality Standard (NQS) for childcare.
- Includes Health and Social Development support in preparation for school, including complementary Vision Screening
- We use the Kinder Tick at Only About Children Mernda because we’re an approved provider of a Victorian Government funded kindergarten program. That means our service delivers a play-based learning program, led by a qualified early childhood teacher.
For more information, download the Only About Children Preschool Room Guide
Helpful Information
Campus Director
Hayley George
Campus Director
Our Campus Director Hayley has been working at the campus for 5 years. Hannah is a hands-on, passionate director who enjoys spending time on the floor in order to build relationships with the children as well as the families.
Gallery
Contact Us
- Open hours: Mon-Fri 6:30am – 6:30pm
- Phone: 138 622
- 2 Wellington St, Mernda 3754, VIC
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.
