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See what our parents have to say
"Our daughter has been at SRMCC for about 18 months and she absolutely loves it. The staff are so caring and the education and learning experiences she receives are outstanding. Having come from a very large, for-profit centre it is so nice to be part of a small personalised, community-owned centre where the children at the absolute focus."
"I have had two children attend SRMCC since they were very young babies. As a busy working parent, I have had nothing but peace of mind that my children have been given the best attention and education. I highly recommend this service for all stages of your child's development because of their specialised programs for each stage. It is a lovely, welcoming community."
"I have had two children attending the centre over the last three years and it has been a fantastic experience for our family. The centre has great outdoor and indoor areas and a very professional and caring team."
Our Philosophy
Here at SRMCC, we have a team of compassionate, qualified educators who are committed to SRMCC and the learning and development of our children through happy and imaginative play within the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF).
The smaller size of our service allows all children to get to know and be comfortable with all the teachers, educators and other children.
We encourage and welcome all families who wish to be part of the centre and to offer their talents to enhance the learning of the children, teachers and educators alike.
Our approach to early learning and development is to nurture each child's initiative and curiosity, and also to help motivate them to participate in various experiences and challenges. It is during play that children learn and expand on life skills such as confidence, relationship building, emotional regulation, problem-solving, empathy and resilience.
Our Spaces / Environment
Across the road from Richmond High School, the centre is just minutes away from the centre of Melbourne. Many families walk to the centre, leave their prams in the storage area and jump on the tram to the city.
SRMCC has a wonderful outdoor play space backing onto the Richmond community oval. A sandpit, cubby with slide and play equipment are placed among beautiful big trees where the children can exercise their imaginations. We have a hands-on kitchen garden to grow herbs and vegetables used by our resident chef for a paddock to plate experience. There Is also a community-built home for feathered and furry friends.
SRMCC children love to be out and about among the local community, and we encourage excursions to the library, local schools, Citizens Park and Oval and outside community events.
At SRMCC, we offer the following rooms:
- Babies room (0-2 years)
- Toddles room (2-3 years)
- Kindergarten room (3-4 years)
Begin the Adventure at Richmond Childcare & Multicultural Children’s Centre
Inclusions
At our childcare centre, you’ll find that our facilities have been built with your child’s needs and safety in mind no matter their age. We are fully equipped to handle everything from nappies and bottles to nap time and excursions!
With our team of highly qualified and experienced educators, you can expect:
- Fees include freshly prepared meals, nappies and bottles.
- Quality long daycare
- Play-based childcare for 6-week to 6-year old’s including fully funded kindergarten program
- Natural outdoor play area with beautiful big trees and space for exploring
- Fresh seasonal meals by prepared by our resident nutritionist and cook
- Outdoor kitchen garden for a paddock to plate experience
- Resident Silkie chickens ‘Chickadee’ and ‘Nero’ – children are able to feed and look after them
- Language program
- StoryPark account for parents to track their child’s development
- Passionate and involved Parent Support Group (PSG)
Meet the team
"I love working at this Centre as it feels like a community. All staff know the names of all the children at the center, which his very unique. It feels like a home away from home."
"I enjoy nurturing and caring for children. I love seeing them develop and learn and grow."
Our programs are designed to support and promote a child’s development through active child-initiated play and educator-facilitated experiences. The program also reflects the Centre’s own principles and values towards the interests of the children, the educators, the community and the environment.
It is the belief of all teachers and educators at SRMCC that we are part of the community and should be familiarising our children with their suburban community and, when appropriate, moving further afield to explore the wider world.
Our qualified educators and support staff are incredibly dedicated to all the children in their care. Our staff engage with children to shape daily schedules, ensuring they have a choice about when to play, learn, eat and rest. We have a strong commitment to transparency and constantly communicate with parents around the sharing of documentation, ongoing evaluation and assessment and reflection of our planning cycle.
Our team are always ready to help any community body with a community initiative that may arise, where our input will be helpful and of benefit to the community.
Fees
Opening Hours
7.30am – 6.00pm, Monday to Friday
| Age | Daily Fee |
|---|---|
| Under 3 Year Olds | $154 |
| Over 4 Year Olds | $149 |
| 3 year old kindergarten | Free from 2023 - see below |
| 4 year old kindergarten | Free from 2023 - see below |
From 2023, the Victorian Government is making kindergarten programs free for three and four-year-old children – saving you up to $2,000 per year for each year of a kindergarten program your child attends in an integrated long day care setting. Free Kinder is a critical component of the Victorian Government’s Best Start, Best Life reform.
The Victorian Government’s Free Kinder payments will be deducted from the childcare fees that you pay, up to a value of $2,000 for a 15-hour program. If your child is enrolled in an Integrated Three-Year-Old Kindergarten at program for less than 600 hours per year, Free Kinder will be applied on a pro-rata basis.
Note: Our daily fees include freshly prepared meals, bottles, nappies, bedding, incursions, and excursions.
FAQs
How do you communicate with parents and guardians?
All families have access to Story Park. Storypark is communication tool that has been designed to help record and allow you to share in your child’s milestones and activities. You can also connect other members of your family to see your child’s photos and videos.
Are meals and snacks provided, or do children bring a lunchbox?
At SRMCC, the children are offered nutritious and healthy seasonal meals, including breakfast, morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea. All food is freshly prepared by the in-house chef, who is also a qualified nutritionist.
All children’s dietary requirements are accounted for, including allergies and intolerances.
How is food used to teach the children about healthy eating and nutrition?
We have discussions around nutrition with the children and have planted a garden as a way to show a cycle of ground to plate. Not only are children taught about where their food comes from and the benefits of healthy eating, but the children take part in weekly cooking lessons, and also learn about the value of growing your own produce in the centre’s vegetable garden.
What kind of activities do you offer?
We are committed to providing a stimulating and caring environment for all infants and children in our care. Through collaboration with our local community, we encourage exploration while embracing diversity and community inclusion in our play-based programs and activities:
- Children really enjoy creative arts using many open-ended materials such as playdough, feathers, paints and other soft materials, as well as participating in our music program
- Dressing up and imaginary play
- Partaking in STEM and STEAM projects
- Gymnastic and Yoga
- Watering plants and caring for the gardens
