This week marks a very special milestone for Happy Home Childcare Mooloolaba as it proudly celebrates 21 years of nurturing, inspiring and educating Sunshine Coast children.
Owner and educator Annie Scanlan never imagined that what began as a practical decision to support her young son through high school would become her life’s passion.
Before opening Happy Home, Annie enjoyed a successful corporate career in event management, marketing and public relations, working across major events, tourism, hospitality and business development. But when her son reached high school, she made the courageous decision to leave the corporate world and establish a family day care business from her Mooloolaba home, allowing her to be present during those important teenage years.
“The original plan was always to return to marketing once my son had finished Year 12,” Annie laughs. “But toddlers are a bit like the mafia — you get in and you just can’t get out!”
Twenty-one years later, Annie has no regrets.
What started as a small family day care has evolved into a beautiful, purpose-built, Montessori-inspired learning environment where children are encouraged to explore, create, discover and develop through play in a calm, nurturing setting.
Over the past two decades, Happy Home has welcomed hundreds of local children through its gates, many of whom have grown into adults with families of their own. Annie has had the privilege of watching generations of families grow, with siblings returning years later and lifelong relationships being formed along the way.
At the heart of Happy Home Childcare Mooloolaba
Happy Home has become known for its thoughtfully designed learning experiences, nature-based play, creative arts, STEM activities, practical life skills and its strong belief that children learn best through curiosity, kindness and meaningful relationships.
For Annie, the greatest achievement isn’t simply reaching 21 years in business—it’s the privilege of playing a small part in shaping confident, resilient and happy young people.
“Every child who walks through my gate leaves a footprint on my heart. Watching children grow from shy toddlers into confident school students is something I’ll never take for granted. It’s been the greatest privilege of my career.”
As early childhood education has evolved, so too has Happy Home. The service continues to embrace contemporary educational practices while remaining true to its original philosophy: providing children with a safe, loving environment where they are encouraged to become capable, independent and confident learners.
While many businesses come and go, Happy Home has remained a trusted part of the Mooloolaba community for more than two decades—a testament to Annie’s unwavering dedication, passion and genuine love for children.
As Happy Home celebrates its 21st anniversary, Annie says she is simply grateful.
“I’ve been incredibly fortunate to spend every day doing something I genuinely love. To every family who has trusted me with their most precious gift—their children—thank you. Happy Home wouldn’t be celebrating 21 years without your support, and I feel incredibly honoured to have shared in so many childhood memories.”
After all these years, Annie still smiles when she hears little feet running through the gate each morning, proof that sometimes life’s greatest adventures begin with a plan that was never meant to last.
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