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’s not there.” As a long-term client of Temple & Webster Trade+Commercial, she adds, “Some of the products have been in other services for years and are still there—so I know they are really good quality.” 

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.

Simple Online Ordering & Support 
With numerous centres to manage and tight turnaround times during new service setups, Nicole needs a supplier that makes procurement straightforward. The Temple & Webster Trade+Commercial website makes finding, specifying, and ordering the right products fast and frustration-free. “Navigating the website’s very easy. It’s comprehensive. I always look at specifications, and it’s really clearly explained.” Product suggestions, visual guides, and a dedicated point of contact also help streamline the experience.
 

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.”  

To learn more about our project offerings, visit templeandwebster.com.au