6 WEEKS – 2 YEARS
Little Ribbons
A Gentle BeginningWarm relationships, responsive care and opportunities to explore at their own pace. Sensory exploration, music, movement and simple routines build confidence and independence.
OPENING EARLY 2027
RIBBONS & ROCKETSEARLY LEARNING CENTRE
Early Learning &
Childcare in Merrylands
Fostering the Joy of Childhood...
Growing, Discovering, Becoming.
A new early learning experience is coming to Merrylands. A family-owned centre where little personalities are celebrated, curiosity is nurtured, and every child belongs.
JOIN OUR WAITLIST
Be one of our founding families.
Family-owned. Family-focused.Care that feels personal
6 weeks to 6 yearsA beautiful beginning for every age
8 Smythe Street, MerrylandsIn the heart of your community
Opening Early 2027Join us from the very beginning
WELCOME TO RIBBONS & ROCKETSA place to feel
A place to feel
known and belong.
Children deserve more than a place to spend the day.
They deserve a place where they are known by name, where their ideas are listened to, where their curiosity is encouraged and where they feel safe enough to be themselves.
That’s the thinking behind Ribbons & Rockets. As parents ourselves, we know how much it matters to feel comfortable with the people caring for your child.
Helen, one of our founders with 26 years of education & teaching experience, works on site as our Assistant Centre Director and Educational Leader. Alongside our Centre Director, Catherine, she builds relationships with your family from your very first visit.
From our family, to yours.The Ribbons & Rockets team
Little moments.
Lifelong beginnings.
Lifelong beginnings.
OUR APPROACH
Learning through play at our Merrylands childcare centre
More Than Childcare. A Place to Grow.
Our approach begins with relationships. When children feel safe, secure and valued, they are more confident to explore, ask questions, try new things and develop their independence.
Every Child is Unique
We take the time to understand each child — their personality, interests, strengths, needs and developing independence.
Experience You Can Trust
Our educational leadership brings extensive experience in education, compliance, child safety and quality care.
Learning Through Play
Exploration, imagination and meaningful play aligned with the Early Years Learning Framework.
Everyone Belongs
We welcome diverse cultural backgrounds and create an environment where every child feels included, respected and valued.
Growing in Every Direction
Supporting social, emotional, physical, language, cognitive and creative development through everyday experiences.
Ready for Their Next Adventure
Building confidence, independence and the skills for their next stage, including school readiness.
THE WONDER IN EVERY DAYLearning Through Play.
Learning Through Play.
Growing Through Experience.
At Ribbons & Rockets, learning doesn’t always look like sitting at a desk.
Sometimes it looks like negotiating with a friend, asking a big question, building a tower, creating something from scratch, running outdoors or discovering something for the very first time.
Explore.Curiosity starts with discovery.
Connect.Learning happens through relationships.
Become.Every experience shapes who they are.
Our play-based programs follow the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF), Australia’s national guide for early childhood educators to promote and support children’s learning.
“Sometimes the most important learning
doesn’t look like a lesson at all.”
OUR ROOMS & CENTREChildcare rooms from
Childcare rooms from
6 weeks to 6 years
From your child’s first days away from home to preparing for school, each room is designed for a stage of their development.
2 – 3 YEARS
Twinkle Tots
Curiosity Starts to Take Centre StageCooperative play, creative experiences, nature exploration and hands-on learning encourage children to problem-solve, communicate and explore their growing world.
3 – 4 YEARS
Rising Rockets
Growing Confidence. Growing Connections.Stories, music, creative arts and outdoor exploration support friendships, language, early literacy and numeracy, problem-solving and physical development.
5 – 6 YEARS
Starlight Scholars
Final Starlight Scholars room copy to be supplied.
Thoughtful spaces,
practical details.
Environments where children can learn, play, move, create and connect — both indoors and outdoors.
JOIN OUR WAITLISTThree levels
Each with its own unique playground.
Purposeful learning environments
Age-appropriate spaces for play, creativity and discovery.
Easy arrival & access
Basement parking and lift access for easier drop-off and pick-up.
Filtered water
Available throughout the building.
EVERYDAY CARE & NUTRITIONEvery child has
Every child has
their own story.
Your child’s routines, interests and needs matter. We work with you to understand what helps them settle, how they like to explore and where they need support. We want every child and family to feel welcome and included.
Good food for busy little days
Our on-site chef prepares fresh meals and snacks each day. We’ll discuss your child’s dietary requirements and how we can support them.
Everything they need for the day
Every child receives a Ribbons & Rockets Welcome Pack. Meals and snacks are included each day, plus nappies and wipes in Little Ribbons.
Everyone Catered For
Meals and snacks served each day cater for all dietary needs and any special requirements your child may have.
OUR TEAMMeet the people behind
Meet the people behind
Ribbons & Rockets
Family ownership, experienced educational leadership and people who genuinely care about children.
Catherine Khalil
Centre Director & Nominated Supervisor
Catherine has worked in early childhood education and care since 2010. She holds a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care and a Bachelor of Education, and is completing her Early Childhood Teacher qualification. As Centre Director and Nominated Supervisor, Catherine puts your child’s safety, wellbeing and learning at the heart of her work. She values learning through play, caring relationships and close partnerships with families, so you feel welcomed, heard and involved in your child’s day.
Helen Dalakakis
Assistant Centre Director & Educational Leader
Founder and Company Director
Helen is a qualified primary school teacher with 26 years of experience educating children, and three years as a Compliance Manager in Outside School Hours Care.
At the heart of Helen’s philosophy is a simple belief: every child deserves to feel safe, known, valued and loved. She is passionate about strong partnerships with families and building a bright long-term future for Ribbons & Rockets.
Steve Curtis
Founder and Company Director
Steve Curtis brings experience in education and business to Ribbons & Rockets. Before moving into business, he spent nearly a decade as a high school mathematics teacher, developing patience and a lasting commitment to young people’s learning. As the approved provider of Kids Kapers, Steve also brings experience in operating a children’s care service. His hands-on, family-focused approach puts quality care, safety and wellbeing first, with an emphasis on building trusting relationships with you and your family.
Family-ownedEYLF-aligned programsInclusive environmentMove to LearnSchool readinessIndividualised care
A LITTLE MORE TO KNOWQuestions about
Questions about
childcare in Merrylands
Choosing care is a big decision. We’re here to help.
Talk to our teamBE PART OF THE BEGINNINGJoin our
Join our
childcare waitlist.
With our opening planned for early 2027, we’d love to hear what you’re looking for in early learning for your child.
Tell us when you’d like them to start and the days you need. Our team will contact you with availability, fees and next steps.
Free to join, with no obligation
Be among the first to hear about places
A warm welcome from our family to yours
RIGHT HERE IN YOUR COMMUNITYFind Ribbons & Rockets
Find Ribbons & Rockets
in Merrylands
8 Smythe Street, Merrylands NSWRibbons & Rockets Early Learning Centre
Monday to Friday, 7:00am to 6:00pmPlanned opening hours · early 2027
Childhood Is an Adventure.
Let’s Make It a Beautiful One.
The first friendships. The big questions. The messy hands. The discoveries that make their eyes light up. The proud little moments when they do something all by themselves.
Fostering the Joy of Childhood... Growing, Discovering, Becoming.
JOIN OUR WAITLIST