Take a short video walk-through of the classrooms, outdoor spaces, and daily rhythm, then book an in-person tour when you're ready.
About this centre
Childcare and kindergarten in Mornington, designed for joyful learning.
Located on the corner of Nepean Highway and Strachans Road, Explorers Early Learning Mornington offers long day care and funded kindergarten for children aged 6 weeks to school age.
Here, childhood is full of wonder. Children feel known, supported and free to learn through curiosity, connection and joy.
Guided by our Learning for Life curriculum and inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach, our Mornington early learning centre nurtures confidence, creativity and belonging through meaningful, play-based learning.
With thoughtfully designed indoor spaces, engaging outdoor play areas, a central Piazza, fresh meals prepared daily and nature-rich experiences including Bush Kinder and Explorers Somerville excursions, children have space to explore, imagine and grow in ways that feel safe, joyful and connected.
Whether you’re looking for childcare or kindergarten in Mornington, a nurturing babies program, a supportive toddler program or funded kindergarten within long day care, our team is here to support your family every step of the way.
What you'll find here
Why families choose Explorers Mornington.
Reggio Emilia inspired
Our Learning for Life curriculum is child-led and play-based, shaped around what each child is curious about right now.
Integrated kindergarten
Three- and four-year-old kinder runs on-site, led by qualified Kindergarten Teachers. No separate drop-off, no extra fees.
Fresh food, every day
Our chefs prepare a nutritionist-designed menu in-house, using fresh local produce. Allergies and cultural needs catered for.
Indoor / outdoor flow
Children choose where they learn: open verandas, gardens, and dedicated outdoor classrooms are part of every day.
Family Hub
Accept offers, reconfirm your waitlist, and message the team, from your phone, whenever it suits you.
Programs
Programs for every stage of early learning.
From your baby's first days to the year before school, every classroom runs our Learning for Life curriculum: child-led, play-based, and grounded in the Early Years Learning Framework.
Choosing the right childcare is one of the most important decisions a family can make. At Explorers, child safety and wellbeing are embedded into every part of our practice, from secure entry systems and supervision procedures to the respectful, trusting relationships we build with every child. Our educators are trained in First Aid, CPR, asthma and anaphylaxis management, and our safety practices are supported by clear policies, regular risk assessments and a strong culture of care. Most importantly, we create environments where children feel emotionally safe, deeply supported and genuinely known.
At Explorers Mornington, learning extends beyond the classroom. Children may take part in Bush Kinder, local excursions, incursions, music, movement, visual arts and community experiences that help them connect with the world around them.
“We are absolutely thrilled with Explorer’s Early Learning Mornington. From the moment we joined, we’ve felt genuinely welcomed and part of a caring, supportive community. The facilities are fantastic, beautifully set up, engaging, and thoughtfully designed for little learners.
The educators are exceptional. Every teacher we’ve encountered is warm, attentive, and clearly passionate about what they do. The activities they organise are creative, varied, and go above and beyond, there’s always something meaningful and enriching happening. My son especially loves the bush kinder excursions and sing along with the singing teacher, Katie.
Our child is genuinely happy to go each day, which says everything. He’s made lovely friendships and comes home excited to share what he’s learned. The level of communication and reporting is also outstanding, we really appreciate the thoughtful updates and insight into what is happening each day.
We couldn’t be happier with the centre and highly recommend it to any families looking for a warm, community-focused early learning environment.”
“The care and kindness at this centre is like no other. Every single staff member acknowledge and welcome you every day and are so excited to see the children. We love getting our photos at the end of the day and hearing what nourishing meals the children have eaten together. It’s such peace of mind as working parents to be able to drop your children off knowing they are in great hands and enjoying the wonderful activities and play with their friends while we head to work 🥰”
“Amazing centre. The staff, curriculum, food and communication is outstanding. My kids look forward and get excited to come in each day which says a lot in itself. Even on weekends they want to go in. Cannot fault Mornington Explorers. Very blessed to have found such a beautiful place for my kids to thrive and feel safe in”
“The Explorers staff have been so supportive and welcoming to our son Wilbur. He loves his days in the Kingfishers room. The centre is filled with incredible learning and play facilities. There’s always a new activity being set up. The outdoor area is equally inspiring. I’m so pleased we found a place our child can enjoy and we can feel at ease with. Thanks Explorers team!”
“We are very happy at explorers! I have my 2 kids going there and have been for some time now. the space is great and having an outdoor area for each room is perfect for my children as they just thrive outside. Plus the convenience of not having to think about lunchboxes is a huge win, they have a chef onsite that sorts fresh food for the kids! And I can’t forget about the educators my daughter always comes home talking about Hollie, Kira, Han & Aaron! And my son just loves Verity. They all have great communication and Summer loves to get a cuddle from Hollie at drop offs! Highly recommend”
Use our Child Care Subsidy calculator to estimate your out-of-pocket childcare costs and understand how much support your family may be eligible to receive.
Can't find what you're after? Our Family Support Team is happy to help, give us a call or browse all FAQs.
Where is the centre located?
Explorers Mornington is conveniently located right on the corner of Nepean Highway and Strachans Road.
Is there onsite or off-street parking for pickups and drop-offs?
The nearest train station is Frankston Station, from there, you can take a bus that stops near our location. There are also several bus routes that pass along Nepean Highway.
What age groups do you cater for?
Explorers Mornington provides early education and care for children aged 6 weeks to school age, including babies, toddlers and funded 3 and 4-year-old kindergarten.
Do you offer funded kindergarten?
Yes. Explorers Mornington offers funded 3 and 4-year-old kindergarten within long day care. Our kindergarten programs are delivered by qualified Early Childhood Teachers and supported by our broader Learning for Life curriculum.
Is there a waitlist?
Availability can vary depending on the age group and time of year. Places in nursery and kindergarten programs can fill quickly, so we encourage families to register their interest early and speak with our Mornington childcare team about current availability.
Do children at Mornington take part in Explorers Somerville experiences?
Children at Explorers Morningtong engage in experiences connected to Explorers Somerville, our nature-based learning precinct designed to deepen children’s connection to nature, sustainability, creativity and Country.
The nearest train station is Frankston Station, from there, you can take a bus that stops near our location. There are also several bus routes that pass along Nepean Highway.
What safety measures are in place?
Our Mornington childcare centre has secure entry systems, supervision procedures, regular risk assessments and clear medical management protocols. Outdoor spaces are designed with age-appropriate equipment and closely supervised by trained educators. Educators are trained in First Aid, CPR, asthma and anaphylaxis management, and child safety is embedded into our everyday practice.
Do you provide meals?
Yes. Children are provided with fresh, nutritious meals prepared daily by our in-house chef. We cater for allergies, intolerances, cultural preferences and individual dietary needs.
Do you offer outdoor learning or sustainability experiences?
Yes. Children at Explorers Mornington take part in outdoor play, gardening, recycling and sustainability experiences. Our educators help children explore eco-conscious habits in ways that feel practical, joyful and age-appropriate.
What are the qualifications and experience levels of the educators at Explorers Mornington?
Our teachers are not only highly qualified, but they also bring a creative spark to everything they do. They’re passionate about early childhood education and work hard to create a fun, exciting environment that keeps kids eager to learn.
How does Explorers Mornington accommodate children with dietary restrictions or allergies?
We have an in-house chef who prepares fresh meals everyday, so if your child has any specific dietary restriction or food allergies, we can easily accommodate them. Just reach out to us and we’ll make sure to take your child’s needs into consideration when preparing their meals.
In what ways are families encouraged to participate in their child's learning journey at Explorers Mornington?
Families have an important role in their children’s education, which is why we provide regular updates. We also enjoy inviting families to join in the excitement through special events and activities that bring everyone together in the learning experience!
What measures are in place to ensure the safety and well-being of children, especially during outdoor activities?
Our outdoor spaces are built for fun and designed for safety! Our outdoor spaces feature safe and age-appropriate equipment, while all outdoor activities are properly supervised so your child can play safely.
Booking a tour
What to expect when you visit.
30 minutes, in person, with the Centre Director. Bring your child if you can, they often tell us more than we can.
1
Pick a time
Tours run during the day in 30-minute slots so you can see the classrooms in flow, not staged.
2
Walk the centre with us
The Centre Director shows you each classroom, talks through routines, and answers your questions.
3
Register your interest
If it feels right, we'll save your details and walk you through the waitlist. No commitment.
Inside the centre
A walk through Explorers Mornington.
The classrooms, gardens, and spaces your child will get to know.
Ready when you are
Come and see Explorers Mornington for yourself.
Pick a tour time that fits: mornings, afternoons, or after work. We'll send you a calendar invite and a private Family Hub link, no password needed.
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