Our Centre
Our Community
Timetable & Fees
Our philosophy
Our play-based, interest-driven learning programs are carefully designed to support the individual needs, strengths, and interests of every child. We value the rich diversity of our families and warmly welcome them to share their cultural backgrounds, helping to enrich our learning environment and strengthen our sense of community.
Our experienced and caring teaching team enrich learning experiences to each child's interests and developmental stage, fostering independence and a strong sense of belonging. Through teamwork and shared dedication, we create nurturing and inclusive learning environments where every child can thrive.
Mernda Villages Kindergarten is a place where children can thrive socially and emotionally, building confidence and a love for learning that results in a smooth transition to school.
What makes us special?
At Mernda Villages Kindergarten, we
- are proud to have a team of passionate and dedicated Educators who are strong in both mind and spirit. Each member of our team brings something special to the Kindergarten, creating a warm, inclusive environment where your child can thrive.
- have a wide range of interests and expertise, which means your child will enjoy learning experiences across many areas – from gardening and sustainability to cooking, numeracy, science, literacy, and IT. This rich variety helps spark curiosity and supports every child’s growth and development in meaningful ways.
- provide an environment that is fun, engaging, interesting and challenging
- view children as capable and competent active participants in their own learning; therefore, being responsive to children’s ideas and co-constructing knowledge, providing children with choices, input into decisions, time and strategies
- acknowledge parents/guardians as the child’s first teacher
- recognise and respect individual parenting styles, and parents/carers as children’s first teachers
Our spaces and environment
A warm and connected community
At our Centre, families, children, and educators come together to build a supportive and inclusive community. It's a place where everyone feels a true sense of belonging.
Real experiences from our community
My Son always love to go there with happy face. Staff are very kind and...
... friendly nature. Most welcoming environments for kids as well as parents.
My younger son enjoy his time at Mernda Village.
I love that the staff are always so open, I feel welcomed at the centre!
My child is so happy to come to Mernda Villages Kinder - when he is happy I am...
... happy.
I have been working at Mernda Villages Kindergarten for 12 years. I am...
... passionate about supporting the team and ensuring that we are providing our children and families with a safe environment, one where the children feel comfortable, safe and secure that we will listen to their needs. Nothing is more important to me than the Rights of the Child and that we are listening to families.
2026 Timetable for 3 Year Olds
Kangaroos Group
• Monday, Wednesday & Friday: 9.15am - 2.15pm
Koala Group
• Tuesday & Thursday: 8.30am - 4.00pm
Wallaby Group
• Monday & Wednesday: 8.30am - 4.00pm
2026 Timetable for 4 Year Olds
Bilby Group
• Monday & Wednesday: 8.30am - 4.00pm
Echidna Group
• Tuesday, Thursday & Friday: 9.00am -2.00pm
Rosella Group
• Monday, Wednesday & Friday: 9.00am -2.00pm
Wombat Group
• Tuesday & Thursday: 8.30am - 4.00pm
Emu Group
• Tuesday, Thursday & Friday: 9.15am -2.15pm
Fees
The Victorian Government provides funding to support children to access a high-quality kindergarten program in the two years before they start school. This helps to ensure all Victorian children get the best start to life.
From 2023, the Victorian Government is making kindergarten programs free for three and four-year-old children – saving you and your family up to $2,500 per year for their program. Free Kinder is a critical component of the Victorian Government’s Best Start, Best Life reform.
FAQs
How will my child be supported for school transition?
Educators at Mernda Villages Kindergarten work closely with families regarding children’s skills and readiness for transition to school. Each family is provided with a Transition Statement during Term 4, which is an overview of your child’s development, interests, strengths and suggestions to help with transition. A copy of this is forwarded to your child’s school, with your permission.
We have strong connections with local schools and work to ensure a smooth transition for each of the children in our care. When possible we visit Mernda Primary School and St. Josephs Primary School to begin the connection with older students.
What is your curriculum?
We provide a play-based curriculum, all our activities are based on the interest and the development of the children. We believe that children will learn through play.
An example of this is when children are playing in our home corner they are learning about true life experiences, they are beginning to understand and learning about sharing toys and equipment, they are extending their play skills and they will move from solitary play to onlooker play to parallel and associative play, then to co-operative play. They begin to develop body awareness and self-help skills i.e. with dress-ups.
Do I need to pack sunscreen?
As a sun-safe organisation we provide child-friendly sunscreen, however if your child has sensitive skin please feel free to provide your preferred brand.
Contact us