McKenzie Street Children’s Centre

Our warm and homely child care centre in Wonthaggi provides quality education and care, from birth to 6 years of age.

Why families love our McKenzie Street Children’s Centre Wonthaggi:

• Your child will have the edge when it comes to preparing them for school with our leading Government-approved Kindergarten program.
• You can rest assured knowing that our long-serving educators will provide your child with the confidence to learn and grow
• We provide fantastic and unique programs that your child will be sure to enjoy, including our Beach Kinder program and regular Sport program.
• Our high-quality programs encourage social interactions between all children, enabling them to make friends for the years to come.
• With large outdoor learning environments, children have plenty of space to explore and play with friends
• We also provide nappies and nutritious meals for healthy growing bodies
• Our Wonthaggi centre is conveniently open from 6:30 am to 6:30 pm
• Join our warm and loving family, where your child will learn and make friends for life!

Tash

I began my career in early learning in 2017 and joined the team at Mackenzie Street Children’s Centre in 2024. I hold a Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care and a Bachelor of Early Childhood Teaching.

Working with children has always been a passion of mine. What I love most about my job is the opportunity to engage with the children, their families, and my colleagues. Every child is unique, and their needs constantly evolve. As educators, we are constantly learning alongside the children, requiring us to be adaptable and quick-thinking. I believe that by showing kindness, understanding, empathy and maintaining high expectations, we can inspire children to achieve great things.

Attending a dedicated early childhood education and care centre provides children with a more successful future. It enables them to build new relationships, engage in diverse play situations, follow different routines, and supports their transition to school. Importantly, school readiness is about developing the skills necessary to learn the ABCs and 123s, not just memorising them.

We are a team of 25, with members possessing a range of skills, qualifications, and experience. We support our families by offering a free coffee machine in our foyer and often provide muffins for breakfast. We also have a community pantry at the front with a hygiene station and non-perishable foods. Building good relationships with our families starts from the first impression. We prioritise open and honest communication, recognising that families know their children best.

Rooms 

Our Wonthaggi centre provides care for the following age groups:

Facilities

Our Wonthaggi service provides the following facilities:

• Nappies included
• Breakfast
• Morning tea
• Lunch
• Afternoon tea
• Fruit bowls in rooms
• Door code security
• Petting zoo/animals
• Sustainability program
• Veggie garden
• On-site parking
• In-house cook (all food preferences catered for)
• Halal meal options
• Fully air-conditioned
• Large, natural play environments
• Water play area
• Early Childhood Teacher
• Government Approved Kindergarten Program

A centre tour is a convenient way to experience the centre of your choice and meet with our qualified educators at a time suitable to your family schedule. Nurture One also offers the virtual tour option in all our centres. Click here to book a tour online.

On the day of the tour, you’ll have the opportunity to 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.

Nurture One’s Family Support team will add your child’s name to our waitlist if one of our centres is currently full in your child’s age group. We will then contact you as soon as a place becomes available.

We also do monthly check-ins to review the availability, and you will receive a text message confirming if you’re still happy to remain on the waitlist each month. If you would like to get an update at any point, you’re welcome to reach out on our Web Chat or give us a call.

Our Family Support team can also help you find more G8 early learning centres near you, with the same offerings at the Nurture One centre you are interested in that have immediate availability.

It’s common for a child to experience separation anxiety when they first start child care. When you’re getting ready to start child care, you can help your child overcome anxieties by visiting the child care centre together for a Stay and Play session, and easing into new routines at home.

Click here to read more tips about how to make the transition easier for your child.

Most of our Nurture One child care and early education centres offer the following:

• Nappies and wipes
• Sunscreen and hats
• 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 the need for families to provide documentation.