Childcare and kindergarten in Wonthaggi, VIC
McKenzie Street Children’s Centre offers long day care and a kindergarten program for children aged 6 weeks to 6 years, conveniently located for families in Wonthaggi, North Wonthaggi, South Dudley and St Clair.
Mud kitchen, fruit trees and edible garden
Children have access to two large outdoor spaces with a mud kitchen, two sandpits, a bike track, decking areas, an edible Indigenous garden and established fruit trees. These spaces encourage active play, exploration and hands-on learning outdoors.
Bright classrooms with natural resources
Each classroom is easily accessible, filled with natural light and equipped with natural resources. The learning spaces are designed to support play-based experiences, creativity, group learning and quieter moments throughout the day.
Long-standing educator team
Our long-standing, highly trained educators create a calm and familiar environment for children. Consistent relationships help children feel comfortable, safe and supported as they learn, play and build confidence.
Individual Learning Plans
Each child has an Individual Learning Plan based on their interests, strengths and developmental goals. Educators work with families to review and update the plan, so it continues to reflect each child’s learning and needs.
Kindergarten with school transition support
Our Government-approved kindergarten program helps children build confidence, independence and skills for school. Our centre maintains strong connections with local schools, who visit the service to help kindergarten children prepare for the move to school.
Cricket oval outings and sports
Children regularly use the local cricket oval for outings and sports activities. These experiences give children space for movement, teamwork and active play while helping them connect with familiar places in their community.
Fresh meals by our in-house chef
Our in-house chef prepares breakfast, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea and a late snack each day. Meals and snacks are planned for variety and balance, with allergies and individual dietary requirements catered for.
Family updates and communication
Families receive daily updates through our family app, including routines, play, learning and highlight photos. Educator conversations and regular updates help families stay connected with their child’s day.
Secure your place today
Book a tour to experience the centre and confirm availability for your child.
Meet our Centre Manager
Age-appropriate early learning
0-2 years
Nursery
In our Nursery room, also known as the Seedlings Room, children are gently supported as they settle into care and build secure relationships with familiar educators.
The program supports each child’s developmental milestones through responsive care and age-appropriate play, helping children feel safe, valued and ready to explore.
Children experience:
- Support with the transition into care
- Play that supports physical, emotional and cognitive development
- Individual guidance as they reach key milestones
- Familiar educators who help children feel secure
2-3 years
Toddler
In our Toddler room, also known as the Foliage Room, children begin building more independence while developing their language and social skills.
Educators create a supportive environment where children can connect with peers, practise daily routines and build confidence in their growing abilities.
Children experience:
- Toilet training and self-help routines
- Peer play and early friendships
- Language development through everyday interactions
- Opportunities to practise independence
- Trusted relationships with educators
3-4 years
Pre-Kinder
In our Pre-Kinder room, also known as the Buds Room, children continue developing independence, social confidence and a stronger sense of belonging within the room community.
Educators support children as they build trusted relationships, develop self-help skills and prepare for more structured learning in kindergarten.
Children experience:
- Name recognition
- Group play and peer relationships
- Self-help skills in daily routines
- Social learning within a room community
- Early preparation for kindergarten routines
4-6 years
Kindergarten
In our Kindergarten room, also known as the Flowers Room, children prepare for school with support from Bachelor-qualified Early Childhood Teachers.
The program builds literacy, numeracy, social skills, independence and emotional readiness through structured learning experiences. Children are supported to feel confident academically, socially and emotionally as they prepare for their transition to school.
Children experience:
- School-readiness routines and structured learning
- Responsibility for belongings and daily tasks
- Lunchbox days to practise school routines
- Connections with local schools
- Kinder information evenings for families
- Transition statements to support their move to school
Fees
The Child Care Subsidy can reduce your daily out-of-pocket fee by up to 95% depending on your family’s entitlements.
Nursery
0 – 2 years
$182.65/day
Toddler
2 – 4 years
$182.65/day
Kindergarten
4 – 5 years
$159.30/day
Child Care Subsidy Estimator
Discover how much child care subsidy you may be entitled to by entering the fields below.
2026 3-Day Guarantee
From 5th January 2026, based on the information you have entered, here's an estimate of your CCS entitlements and your out-of-pocket costs.
Total Fees
$0.00
Estimated CCS Fee Subsidy
$0.00
Kindergarten/Preschool Subsidy
$0.00
Out of Pocket Cost (what you pay)
$0.00
Matrix Out of Pocket Cost
Is your CCS working for you? Check the out-of-pocket cost matrix per child against session lengths and weekly days below. Please note: The table in the matrix only shows out-of-pocket costs after CCS (Child Care Subsidy).
| Child 1 | 1 Day | 2 Days | 3 Days | 4 Days | 5 Days |
|---|
*Kindergarten/preschool subsidy applied: $0.00
Frequently asked questions
A centre tour is a convenient way to experience the childcare centre of your choice and meet with our qualified educators at a time that is suitable for your family’s schedule. Click here to book a tour online.
On the day of the tour, you can observe practices and interactions within the centre environment. You’ll be able to see all the rooms and playgrounds, ask the team members any questions you have in mind, and get all the information you need to make the best decision for your child.
Enrolling is simple, and our Family Support Team will guide you through each step.
First, find your local centre and book a tour so you can meet the team and explore the learning environment. If the centre is the right fit and a place is available, you’ll receive an enrolment offer for your child. If a place is not currently available in your child’s age group, we can add your child to the waitlist and keep you updated.
To finalise your enrolment, you’ll complete an online enrolment form through a secure link sent by our Family Support Team. You’ll also need to provide key details and documents, including your child’s birth certificate, Medicare details, immunisation history statement and, if eligible, your Child Care Subsidy details.
Before your child’s first day, you may be invited to attend a Stay and Play session. This gives your child time to explore the centre, meet their educators, and start feeling comfortable in their new environment. Once your paperwork is complete, your child is ready to start their early learning journey with us.
Starting child care is a big milestone, and a little preparation can help your child feel more comfortable and confident.
Before your child’s first day, you can talk positively about their new centre, explain what their day might look like, and practise small routines such as packing their bag, saying goodbye, washing hands and sitting down for meals. You may also like to visit the centre with your child, meet their educators and ask our team about what to bring on the first day.
When your child starts, our educators will take the time to get to know your child’s routine, interests, comfort items and individual needs. Settling in looks different for every child, so we work closely with families to help children feel safe, supported and ready to learn.
Most of our child care and early education centres offer nappies and wipes, sunscreen and hats, as well as nutritious meals prepared by our in-house cook. Some centres also provide sheets and formula, so you may not need to remember to pack them.
For nursery children, be sure to bring: nappy rash cream, dummies, bottles and teats, comfort toys or blankets, three spare outfits, spare socks and a plastic bag for wet clothes.
For toddlers and preschool or kindergarten-aged children, it’s best to bring: spare underwear, water bottle or sippy cup, sun hat, closed-toe shoes, two spare outfits, spare socks and a plastic bag for wet clothes.
Plus, anything else your individual child may need, such as breast milk, a sleeping bag, a comforter or medication.
It’s best to speak to your centre of choice for a full list of everything included.
Nurture One uses Xplor Home as our family communication app. It is the best and easiest way to keep track of your child’s day.
After you enrol your child with the centre, you can utilise Xplor Home to book child care days, manage your account, receive the photographs that capture your child’s learning, learn about your child’s progress, as well as keep up-to-date with upcoming centre events and important information.
If your child shows signs of an infectious illness when they arrive at the centre or becomes sick during the day, you may be notified that you need to make alternative arrangements or pick up your child from the centre and keep them home until they are no longer infectious. While we understand that this can be inconvenient, Nurture One is committed to maintaining a healthy environment and reducing the risk of infection for all children.
Under the Child Care Subsidy (CCS), families are allowed 42 absence days per child, per financial year. These can be taken for any reason, including public holidays and when children are sick, without requiring families to provide documentation.
Contact us
We look forward to welcoming your family.