Our History

Local Prebbleton residents Melissa Brain and Rodger Searle established Prebbleton Childcare & Education Centre in year 2000. At this stage Prebbleton was no more than green paddocks with a local dairy! Melissa worked as supervisor at Prebbleton Playcentre for 5 years and fell in love with the community and the area. Through her passion of working with children and seeing the need for a childcare centre in the area she teamed up with local resident and business man Rodger Searle and together they renovated and created a wonderful space for children to learn & grow in the heart of Prebbleton. As Prebbleton grew and grew and grew so did the demand for child spaces in the centre. Originally the under two area was located at the back of the preschool and catered for 8 children. As we all know there is much for than 8 children under the age of 2 in Prebbleton and the wider community - hence the creation of Prebbleton Nursery in 2004. In 2005 South Hornby School Principle approached Melissa and Rodger to see if they would like to take on a new project – to re-open the small centre that was built on the school grounds. With much anticipation and excitement Hornby Childcare & Education Centre was opened. In 2007 a 3rd owner was brought into the company – Gemma, Melissa's daughter. She begun as a cleaner at the centre (aged 15 and too young to work on the floor with the children!) On her 17th birthday Gemma was finally allowed to work with the children - a job she was very passionate about (much more than cleaning)! Working closely together as a team Melissa and Gemma hope that your experience at our centres will be fun, worthwhile and memorable. We strive to offer you peace of mind that your child is receiving top quality care and education in a safe and stimulating environment. Thank you for choosing our centres.

- Melissa, Rodger & Gemma