The Client

Story House Early Learning is a leading long daycare provider with over 50 centres across Victoria, NSW and Queensland.
 

The Challenge

When it came time to furnish their new Doreen 2 centre—catering to up to 110 children a day—Story House’s National Partnerships & Operations Manager, Nicole Spillman, wanted to move away from the typical clinical feel of a freshly opened service and create a homely learning environment.

With six rooms across the centre, from nursery, toddler and kindergarten rooms to staff spaces and family consultation areas, Nicole needed a supplier that could offer a wide range of functional, child-friendly products that aligned with her vision. At the same time, affordability and durability were essential in a busy childcare setting.


 

The Solution

Style that feels like home: Temple & Webster Trade+Commercial provides a range that helps Story House create environments truly reminiscent of home. Nicole and her team can source pieces that make spaces feel nurturing and familiar. “I want things that echo the home; beautiful natural tones, soft, textural rugs and furnishings that make the spaces feel cosy,” she says. 

Even in the nursery, homely touches are considered down to the last detail. Full-sized dining tables make mealtimes feel familiar, while soft armchairs support educators during bottle feeds, replicating the care children receive at home. These are the kinds of thoughtful, home-inspired touches Temple & Webster’s range helps bring to life.

Durable quality at a practical price point: In busy childcare centres, aesthetics need to go hand in hand with performance. Products must stand up to daily wear, yet be affordable enough to replace if needed. For Nicole, Temple & Webster Trade+Commercial’s price-quality balance allows for both flexibility and peace of mind. “They’re beautiful pieces. I’m not going to keep coming back if the quality isn’t there," she says.

A wide range with safety in mind: From staff rooms to nurseries, Temple & Webster Trade+Commercial offers the variety needed to furnish every corner of a childcare centre, without juggling multiple suppliers. With thousands of products across categories, Nicole can create cohesive, functional spaces tailored to each room.

Because safety and practicality are essential in childcare, the range makes it easy to find pieces that are stylish and built for daily use—whether wipeable surfaces, durable finishes, or fabrics suited to children with medical conditions. “Having children with medical conditions like asthma, you've got to think about things like the fabric of soft furnishings, and if they're easily able to be washed,” says Nicole. "I can purchase things from Temple & Webster similar to what the children have at home. It makes the connection between home and the care environment more seamless.”
 

Results

With Doreen 2 now complete, Story House has created a service that looks and feels like home from the moment families walk through the door. Nicole highlights how the environment Temple & Webster Trade+Commercial helped create plays a vital role in making families feel secure and confident about enrolling their children.

“The feedback has been amazing from families and from our internal teams,” she says, adding, “Any parent will select a childcare service based on how they feel within the space and the overall vibe — that’s what drives enrollment, for sure.”


 

Discover Inspiring Solutions For Any Space with Temple & Webster Trade+Commercial

You'll find furniture and decor to suit any project at Temple & Webster. As a Trade+Commercial member, you’ll enjoy exclusive pricing and access to beautiful products designed to leave a lasting impression.

Let us help you transform your space today. Sign up to the Temple & Webster Trade Program.