At Meraki Early Learning Centre, we are dedicated to continuous improvement of creating a safe and nurturing environment that prioritises the well-being of each child. We adhere to child-safe standards to ensure that every child feels loved, accepted, and secure in our care.

Child Safe: Our play-based learning environment is carefully designed with child safety in mind, both indoors and outdoors. We recognise the importance of fostering a sense of belonging and family among friends, ensuring that children can truly be themselves in a supportive atmosphere. In our commitment to children's health and well-being, we follow child-safe practices and provide a balanced indoor and outdoor program. Safety measures are implemented in our play spaces to minimise risks, and our experiences are designed to encourage physical and cognitive development in a secure setting.

Family Engagement: Building strong relationships with families is a top priority for us, and we understand that collaboration between educators and parents is essential for a child's optimal development. Our team of familiar faces, always greet parents and caregivers and children by name, ensuring a warm and personalised connection. Parent involvement is encouraged through learning platforms, fostering a sense of community and shared experiences.

Inclusive & Culturally Responsive: Incorporating inclusive and culturally responsive elements into our programs is a thoughtful practice aimed at reflecting the neurodiversity and cultural backgrounds of each child including but not limited to Aboriginal and Torre Straite Islander Cultures. We strive to create an environment that celebrates differences through intentional teaching and scaffolded learning. Natural resources and upcycled materials are used to enhance the learning environment, creating a homely feel that aligns with child-safe standards.

Empowerment: Empowering children to make decisions about their bodies and environment is a core principle in our approach. We involve them in the decision-making process, promoting agency and self expression while ensuring that their choices align with safety guidelines.

Nutrition: Our commitment to nutrition aligns with child-safe standards, as our chef provides home-cooked meals that cater to diverse dietary requirements. We follow the guidelines set by the Australia Government Health Department to meet each child's daily nutrient intake. Self-help skills are taught to encourage children to have control over their portion sizes, promoting healthy habits from an early age.

Community: Being an integral part of the local community is fundamental to promoting a sense of belonging and identity for the children. We prioritise community engagement, fostering strong connections, supportive relationships, and a continuous learning environment. Meraki Early Learning Centre is dedicated to embedding child-safe standards into every aspect of our practices to ensure the well being and development of each child in our care, while also integrating sustainable practices to protect the environment for future generations. 

At Meraki Bayswater, our Government Funded 3 and 4 Year Old Kindergarten Program offers a rich, play based curriculum designed to inspire confident, capable and creative learners. Our programs run between 9am and 5pm, giving families flexibility while ensuring children receive a full, immersive kindergarten experience led by qualified educators who truly know and understand them. We focus on creating meaningful learning opportunities that strengthen each child's sense of identity, belonging and independence, all within a warm and nurturing environment.

Our 3 and 4 Year Old Program is intentionally crafted to support each child's development across all domains including social, emotional, cognitive, physical and creative. Through hands on exploration, inquiry based projects and purposeful play, children learn to problem solve, collaborate, communicate and express themselves with confidence. Our educators observe, plan and scaffold learning using the Early Years Learning Framework, ensuring every child is supported at their own pace and celebrated for their unique strengths and interests.

What makes Meraki’s program truly special is our emphasis on relationships and consistency. With a dedicated and permanent team, children benefit from secure attachments and trust filled connections that support deeper, more meaningful learning. Our environments are designed to feel homely, calming and inspiring, reflecting our Meraki philosophy of teaching with soul, creativity and intention. Whether children are engaging in art, music, outdoor play, storytelling or group projects, every experience is grounded in warmth, respect and purpose.

Families can feel confident knowing their child is receiving a high quality early learning experience supported by government funding, without compromising on the personalised care and community feel that Meraki is known for. Our extended program hours mean children have ample time to immerse themselves in learning, build friendships and experience the rhythm of a full kindergarten day without feeling rushed. At Meraki Bayswater, we are proud to offer a program where children flourish, families feel supported and learning is filled with joy, curiosity and connection.

At Meraki Bayswater, child safety is at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to providing a secure, trustworthy and protective environment where every child feels safe, respected and valued. Our practices are guided by the Victorian Child Safe Standards, and we take great pride in ensuring these standards are not just policies on paper but actions embedded in our everyday routines, interactions and decision making. Families can feel confident knowing that safety, wellbeing and dignity are always our highest priorities.

Our team of permanent educators are thoroughly trained in child safety requirements including mandatory reporting, reportable conduct, supervision practices, safe environments and identifying early signs of harm or distress. We believe that a strong and stable team creates safer outcomes for children, and at Meraki Bayswater we do not rely on external agency staff. This ensures consistency, familiarity and secure relationships, allowing educators to truly understand each child and recognise even the smallest changes in behaviour or mood.

We create calm, predictable and nurturing spaces where children feel empowered to speak up, express their feelings and build trusting relationships with adults. Our program includes intentional teaching around emotions, body awareness, consent and recognising safe and unsafe situations, all delivered in age appropriate and empowering ways. We encourage children to develop confidence in their own voice and understand that they have the right to feel safe at all times.

Our environments are designed with safety at the forefront. From Sunsmart practices to safe sleep procedures, detailed risk assessments and high quality supervision, we ensure every part of the day supports a culture of safety and care. Families are partners in this process, and we maintain open communication about policies, updates and any concerns, knowing that child safety is strongest when it is shared. At Meraki Bayswater, we stand firmly in our commitment to providing a protected, supportive and nurturing place where children can grow, explore and thrive with confidence.

At Meraki Bayswater, our curriculum is carefully designed to nurture the whole child, blending play based, child led learning with intentional, thoughtful experiences that inspire curiosity, creativity and confidence. We draw from the Early Years Learning Framework and complement it with our Meraki philosophy, ensuring every learning opportunity is meaningful, joyful and tailored to the individual child. Our hygge inspired environments are warm, calming and inviting, encouraging children to feel safe and supported as they explore, create and develop new skills.

Our approach goes beyond traditional early learning, recognising that children thrive when learning is connected to relationships, emotional wellbeing and real world experiences. Educators at Meraki intentionally observe and reflect on children’s interests and strengths, scaffolding experiences that build problem solving, critical thinking and social skills. From sensory play and nature exploration to art, music and storytelling, every activity is crafted to foster confidence, independence and a lifelong love of learning.

We believe that strong, trusting relationships are the cornerstone of effective education. Our permanent team of educators forms consistent, meaningful connections with each child and their family, ensuring continuity of care and a deep understanding of every child’s individual needs. In our spaces, children are encouraged to express themselves, take risks in a safe environment and develop resilience, empathy and collaboration skills, building the foundations for success both in and out of the classroom.

At Meraki Bayswater, the curriculum is not just about teaching skills, it is about creating an environment where children can flourish. Every element, from our cosy, natural materials to our thoughtfully designed routines, supports wellbeing, exploration and growth. Families can feel confident that their child is part of a program that values their individuality, nurtures their curiosity and supports them to become confident, capable and joyful learners, ready to thrive now and in the future.