Guardian Childcare & Education Elsternwick

  • Keeping children safe always comes first. All of our team are committed to uphold the highest standards of child safety. Read our approach here
  • With new lower fees & enhanced CCS benefits it’s the perfect time to join our welcoming centre community.
  • At our recently refurbished Guardian Elsternwick, we are proud of our quality learning, incredible resources, and the care and attention we provide each child.
  • Your child will be in the best hands with us, and our centre will soon become their second home. They will never want to leave!

Book a tour today to see what makes our Centre special & have all your questions answered

Elsternwick NQS Rated Exceeding by ACECQA

Our centre has been recognised as ‘Exceeding’ the National Quality Standard. This is the highest rating you can receive from a regulatory authority assessment and we are proud to deliver an exceptional service to the children and families who attend our centre.

Elsternwick Map Image

HOURS

Mon to Fri 7:00am to 6:30pm

ADDRESS

241 Kooyong Road Elsternwick, VIC, 3185

SPACES AVAILABLE NOW ACROSS ROOMS

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Check out our fantastic indoor and outdoor learning spaces your child will enjoy

Welcome to our Centre

Welcome to Guardian Elsternwick, where your family is at the heart of all we do. Our long day care centre is proud to be rated Exceeding, offering a high standard of education from our nursery through to our government-funded Flying Start to School kindergarten program.

What makes our Elsternwick childcare unique?

• Our recently refurbished indoor spaces are bright and filled with quality, age-appropriate resources.
• An expansive outdoor area invites adventure, featuring a treehouse, water pumps and a creek bed
• Our To BE Me learning programs meet each child where they are, supporting their individual development. Our team understands and encourages your child at every stage

We are a leading daycare that provides a nurturing environment where your child’s safety and wellbeing come first. Join the leading childcare provider in the area!

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Elsternwick Centre Manager Image

Meet our Centre Manager Yessica and team

"Our goal is to ensure all children are respected for who they are and what magical knowledge they bring to the centre."

Daily Fees

Value for quality care. See our daily fee and your CCS-reduced cost

View Daily Fees

Our Flying Start to School program provides a specialised 2-year curriculum for children aged 3 to 5. Our unique program has two stages - Becoming Me for 3 year olds and Being Me for 4 year olds. Using developmental milestones and continuous monitoring of your child's progress, this program is designed to make sure your child gets a flying start to school. Read more HERE

Flying start to school

Where children are supported to be brave, curious, and bold in their learning, for the best possible start to life.

Reviews from Google

4.7
(22)
Steph L
Steph L
10:59 01 May 25
My child has been attending Guardian Elsternwick since he was around 10 months old – he’s now 2.5 years old. All the educators are lovely and caring, and we have been very happy with our child’s experience and time spent at the centre. The environment feels warm, welcoming and fun. The educators seem happy themselves and friendly with each other as well, and I think the fact that some of the staff have been there for many years speaks volumes about the workplace culture.
Dave W.
Dave W.
01:49 03 Sep 24
Great staff. Great facilities. Getting in and out of the onsite parking can be a little tricky at busy times but is not a problem.
Falyn D.
Falyn D.
03:24 10 Jun 24
Alice H.
Alice H.
06:42 21 May 24
There is such a friendly culture at this centre. The staff are so in tune with the children and the activities and resources provided are extremely well planned out. We are so happy here and only have positive things to say!
Sophie G.
Sophie G.
02:13 05 Mar 24
The centre is always clean and tidy. The people who work here are genuinely invested in the families that attend and creating a community of care. The carers who looked after our son were incredibly kind and understood his needs. We are only leaving because we are moving and are sad to do so.This centre is first class.
Belinda H.
Belinda H.
11:44 05 Sep 23
Hands down the best childcare centre around. My daughter loves it there and learns so many new skills! We always feel welcome by the amazing staff.
Lisa I.
Lisa I.
01:40 16 Aug 23
Lovely place
Z S.
Z S.
23:01 18 Apr 23
Deb M.
Deb M.
04:10 11 Apr 23
Christie B.
Christie B.
00:19 28 Jan 23
My daughter started here at 6 months old. We have been incredibly happy with all of the staff and the rooms/building/outdoor areas are lovely! I feel very safe and comfortable leaving my now 16 month old here, and she loves it. Communication has been a strong point from all staff, from admin to room leaders and even the occasional casual staff member. They have done so well creating a warm and friendly environment.
Rhi S
Rhi S
03:58 04 Oct 22
My son has been going to this centre for 7 months. In this time the educators have become like a second family. They are so caring and friendly. Their communication is fantastic from the leadership of the centre manager to the educators. I am always comfortable knowing my son is in a safe and caring environment where he can excel.
Theekshna De S.
Theekshna De S.
11:19 03 Aug 22
Excellent childcare centre with wonderful staff. We moved our toddler out to another centre which was closer to home and ended up moving him back to Guardian Elsternwick despite the distance, as it is so well managed, with regular known staff who really care about the kids.Our toddler loves his time at daycare and is happy to be back!
AnaQuesadaEle S.
AnaQuesadaEle S.
02:08 26 Apr 22
Our child is very happy, he is learning a lot and building his confidence in a new language with new friends and educators, so we are very proud of him but also very happy with the choice of the centre and everything they are doing to push him through this new experience.
Zena I.
Zena I.
02:18 01 Feb 22
Generosity W.
Generosity W.
11:09 31 Aug 20
Such caring staff! they know every child individually and the centre is clean, well organised and extremely welcoming. I feel 100% safe leaving my child with them in every way because I know they will be both protected and cared for.
Felicity G.
Felicity G.
00:38 31 Aug 20
Moved my baby here after a disappointing experience at another childcare. Could not be happier with the level of care my daughter now has. Great staff and lovely environment.
Lucas M.
Lucas M.
09:30 30 Aug 20
Both our kids attend Guardian Elsternwick, we adore the friendly and personable staff. They have always been accommodating, open and warm, very attentive to our kids needs and flexible. Highly recommend them!
Ellen L.
Ellen L.
04:16 28 Aug 20
This is the place to send your kids! Our son has been attending since he was about 11 months old and we have had such positive experiences. All the educators and staff are amazing, showing genuine care and interest in seeing the little people grow and develop. My son is now in his final year there and he just loves it. There is a wonderful culture throughout the whole centre and the children learn so much about being a part of a community. Couldn’t be happier that this is where our son has spent his earliest years.
Amy P
Amy P
11:03 18 Aug 20
Friendly staff and lovely educators , a great child care centre in the community.
Ben R.
Ben R.
08:35 06 May 17
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Rhythm of the Day

We know children (and families) like routine. Whilst no two days of learning are ever the same - here's what a day at Guardian might look like.

Morning

Our friendly Nursery team of familiar educators will be there to greet you and support your baby to settle in for the day.  Breakfast time is available & families are welcome to stay and enjoy with the children. This is also a great chance for conversation to share what is important and how your baby’s night at home was.

Mid-Morning

Our nursery learning environments are set up indoors and outdoors for your baby to engage with a variety of planned experiences while they interact with our team such as exploring picture books, singing songs together. We also offer morning tea.

Middle of the Day

Dependent on the needs of every baby, we time lunch to suit the children. Team members will support your child to eat and/or have a bottle, and when they are ready, are gently settled for sleep or rest. With an open-door policy, families can enjoy lunch/bottle time with your baby if you wish.

Mid-Afternoon

Our nursery planned experiences (both indoor and outdoor) continue and there are opportunities for movement, playing games, more books and songs, or sensory exploration. Afternoon snack is provided.

End of Day

We’ll have your baby’s belongings ready for you at pick up time. The Nursery team will share information about your baby’s day and their learning, preparing you and your child for a smooth transition to your evening. Please grab a piece of fruit or snack on the way out!

What's included in the Guardian Experience

From nutritious meals and engaging learning programs —it’s all covered in your daily rate. No hidden extras, just peace of mind for you and a great day for your child.

Hat, wetbag and sunscreen

Hat, wetbag and sunscreen

5 meals per day

5 meals per day

All incursions and excursions

All incursions and excursions

Nappies, wipes and formula

Nappies and wipes

Storypark parenting app

Storypark parenting app

Long day care hours year around

Long day care hours year around

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Frequently asked questions

What we do to keep children safe

Create Safe Spaces & Practices

  • Nappy change areas are designed to have visibility windows and are set up for maximum supervision
  • Our policies also cater for team members being in sight or sound of another team member at all times.
  • Safety embedded in daily programs – by conducting daily checklists, comprehensive risk assessments, and more
  • personal phones or devices are not allowed in learning spaces.

Safe People Who Follow Safe Policies

  • Working With Children Checks for all team members. Automatic alerts if a WWCC is revoked and team member not eligible for shifts
  • Rigorous reference checks – must provide previous line managers for their past roles
  • Annual compulsory Suitability Declarations to confirm ongoing fitness to work with children
  • Mandatory reporting and speaking up – report concerns immediately and all concerns will be investigated fully
  • Ongoing mandatory training in child safety, including annual refreshers and leadership-specific modules

Controlling Access to our Centres

  • Multiple levels of security in all centres
  • All visitors must sign in and present photo ID before entry
  • All tradespeople must provide a WWCC & complete Guardian-specific induction.

Read more here

Daily Fee Information

Daily Rates

Our daily rates are all inclusive and have no additional charges for incursions / excursions or any of our learning programs. The rates shown are an estimate based on using Childcare Subsidy (CCS) subsidised hours. The CCS helps lower your out-of-pocket costs, with subsidy rates dependant on your individual family eligibility levels.

What You Might Pay After CCS
Age of Room Daily Rate 60% Subsidy 80% Subsidy
Nursery (0–2) $175.00 $79.10 $47.13
Toddler (2–3) $175.00 $79.10 $47.13
Kinder (3–5) $175.00 $79.10 $47.13

The Victorian Government offers funding to provide families up to 15 hours of Free Kindergarten a week, in addition to the Childcare Subsidy. The funding offsets the fees for three and four-year-old children that are part of the centre’s long day care Kindergarten program. Families will save up to $2,101 a year for children aged three-years-old and above in eligible long day cares in 2025. Ask for more details when you tour the centre.

What should I bring, and what do you provide?

What we Provide

  • Nappies and wipes
  • Bed linen
  • Guardian hat
  • SPF 50+ sunscreen
  • All nutritious meals and snacks

What to Bring

  • Water bottle
  • Spare change of clothing, labelled
  • Soft toy or comfort blanket for nap time
  • Baby's bottles for formula or breastmilk

Who are the team that will be looking after my child?

Elsternwick Centre Manager Image

Yessica and team

Our Centre team, led by our experienced Centre Manager Yessica, prides themselves on creating a great sense of community for all families.

Each role in the Centre is designed to work together to help create a nurturing environment for every child in each of our learning spaces.

In our Nursery Room, the dedicated team has a special role in creating secure attachments, routines, and strong relationships. Unique to Guardian nurseries is our Baby Ambassador, who is your go-to person for you and your baby’s first 12 months with us. They will know every detail about your baby: how breast or bottle milk is managed, how they like to eat, their sleeping routines, the nappies they wear, and more. With babies as young as six weeks in the Centre, it’s the Baby Ambassador’s job to work with families and Educators to help make our Nursery feel just like home.

Our Educators across the age groups work together to create fun, stimulating, and age-appropriate experiences for every child in their care. They are dedicated, experienced professionals who are allocated to a specific room so they can get to know each child individually and support their learning and development.

As part of our 2-year Flying Start to School program, we have degree-qualified Teachers who use the latest teaching practices to help your child build essential practical and social skills, ensuring they’re ready for their next big adventure—school!

Each room has a Lead Educator or Teacher who is responsible for planning and implementing an effective ongoing cycle of planning, documentation, and evaluation of the room’s learning program.

At the core of the Centre is our Cook—make sure you check out their daily menu when you visit. They help make food part of the learning journey and love seeing how children respond to new and exciting flavours.

The team is supported by a strong Leadership Team, including an Assistant Centre Manager and an Educational Leader.

Every role at the Centre is as important as the next.

How will you share updates about my child’s day?

Great communication is vital in our collaborative partnerships with families at the Centre. We have a variety of different ways we communicate with you about your child’s learning and progress:


  1. Storypark app - Stay connected to your child's day with regular updates, including photos and learning insights

  2. Pick-up and drop-off updates – Our Educators will share highlights from their day, including experiences they enjoyed, mealtimes, and naps to support your evening routine.

  3. In-room learning exchange displays make our weekly learning plans easy to see so you know what your child will be learning.

  4. Centre Newsletters – Great for community connection and wider Centre and team updates.

  5. Development documentation and meetings for your individual child’s progress.


But remember our door is always open.

What are the main features of this Centre

  • We offer numerous outdoor environments that are developmentally appropriate where the children can explore and interact at their own pace, and create their own spaces. The downstairs yard is littered with trees that offer ample shade, and a lovely expansive deck joins all rooms.
  • An open spacious yard that offers endless exploration in the form of sandpits, an outdoor kitchen, a river bed and our tree house.
  • Two natural yards offer endless fun in the form of sandpits, decking, a construction patch for digging and an outdoor kitchen. The children especially love tending to the vegetable patches they created and having the fruits of their labour included in their daily meals.
  • Joy of Reading – We provide children with the opportunity to develop a genuine passion for reading at an early age. Through teaching about different kinds of books and words, and fostering a literary understanding, children can develop the healthy habit of reading, providing various developmental benefits.
  • Cooking – We’re all about healthy nutrition, and our on-site chef prepares meals daily for the children to enjoy. We encourage children to engage in the food preparation process and develop confidence in playing an active role in their nutrition. Children regularly help select ingredients, prepare food, ask questions and learn about the various food groups and nutrients.
  • Sustainability – Providing our children with an understanding of sustainability and a passion for the environment is important for us, so we engage in various activities and learning experiences that teach children about recycling and looking after the planet.

Our Learning Programs

Learning should be fun! Learning through play encourages children to explore and understand their world at their own pace. It helps build their knowledge, develop confidence, and embrace curiosity.

Learning should be fun! Learning through play allows children to build their knowledge, develop confidence, and embrace curiosity.

Kindergarten Program

No state fee relief information available.

Out and about

Through excursions, children are supported to expand their world, to get to know their community, and have a sense of belonging. Their learning thrives when they feel safe, welcome, and that they belong.

STEM

Children discover the wonders of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics through age-appropriate activities that are designed to foster curiosity and develop foundational skills like problem-solving and creativity.

Cooking

Cooking experiences teach numeracy by counting ingredients, and weighing and measuring quantities and volume, while managing these tasks supports independence and confidence.

Ella Language

Learning languages through Early Learning Languages Australia (ELLA) supports brain development and social skills and creates opportunities to celebrate cultural diversity.

Joy of Reading

Reading aloud to children each day inspires imagination and supports thinking. Books with rhythm, rhyme and word patterns make stories more playful and memorable.

Sustainability

From growing veggies and foraging in the garden for that day’s meal ingredients to learning about recycling, children learn about being part of a community, connecting to their environment and understanding their impact on the world.

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What our families say about the centre

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