Open 8:00am to 6:00pm
Monday to Friday
Closed on Public Holidays
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.
HOURS
Mon to Fri 8:00am to 6:00pm
Closed on Public Holidays
ADDRESS
51 Allara Street Canberra, ACT, 2601
SPACES AVAILABLE NOW ACROSS ROOMS
Welcome to our Centre
Guardian Childcare & Education Allara Street is bursting with exciting, resource-rich environments, including an indoor/outdoor program, herb and vegetable gardens, and sustainably sourced outdoor resources.
Read More
Meet our Centre Manager
Hayley
I believe it’s a privilege to be a part of a child’s learning journey in their first 5 years. Through care, education and play, it truly is a magical time.
Where children are supported to be brave, curious, and bold in their learning, for the best possible start to life.
Rhythm of the Day
With endless possibilities, there’s never a dull moment at Guardian and no two days are the same. Here’s what a day at Guardian might look like.
With endless possibilities, there’s never a dull moment and no two days are the same.
Handover time with children, families and our friendly Educators. There's a chance for conversation to share what's important for the day/what's happened the night before at home.
Breakfast time where families are welcome to stay and enjoy breakfast with the children.
As children are arriving and families are coming and going, there's an opportunity for play as well as family grouping, open-plan play and multi-age grouping.
There's an opportunity for children to come together and enjoy morning tea.
Following morning tea, the planned experiences continue. This includes both indoor and outdoor programs.
There's an opportunity for children to come together for lunch. With an open-door policy, families are able to join the centre for meals and excursion if they wish.
For children who want to, or need to, there's an opportunity to sleep, rest or relax. For children who don't need to rest, there are planned experiences, which are more likely to be outdoors.
Children come together for afternoon tea in small groups or with siblings (they can also rest and play together, too). This time also presents an opportunity to reflect on the day.
As families arrive to pick up children, there's an opportunity to speak to Educators and share information about the day.
Some centres offer early tea or light snack at the end of the day, which they can grab as they leave the centre. We’re mindful of how routines vary at home, so if throughout the day, we notice children look tired, food will be provided.
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
5 meals per day
All incursions and excursions
Nappies, wipes and formula
Storypark parenting app
Long day care hours year around
Helpful Information
Opening Hours
What to Bring
What we Provide
- Nappies and wipes
- Bed linen
- Guardian hat
- SPF 50+ sunscreen
- High quality baby formula
- 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
Our Educators
Our team of Educators are committed and passionate about ensuring your child will be safe, nurtured and cared for every day. At Guardian, children are encouraged to engage in interest-led play that creates learning and meaningful experiences.
Our Educators seek to optimise diverse learning opportunities and implement the Curriculum as framed by the Early Years Learning Framework.
You and Your Child
All Guardian Centres provide a Centre-to-Family communication platform so families can maintain contact with their children’s experiences through photos, stories and learning outcomes.
Our Centres use Storypark and each family is provided with a secure login to access on their computers, mobiles or apps.
More about Guardian Allara Street
If you’re looking for family day care in Canberra then take a tour at Guardian Allara Street and discover how we create our award winning, unique innovative learning environment.
Guardian Allara Street is rated as Exceeding the National Quality Standard (NQS) for Childcare. An Exceeding rating means the service is performing above and beyond the requirements of the NQS. The three Exceeding NQS themes are used to determine if approved education and care services exceed each of the fifteen NQS quality standards – the three themes include ‘Embedded in service operations’, ‘Informed by critical reflection’ and ‘Shaped by meaningful engagement with families and/or the community’.
Services must demonstrate these themes in practice for a standard to be rated as Exceeding NQS. In addition, there are seven Quality Areas. To be rated Exceeding NQS overall, all Quality Areas must be at least Meeting NQS, and four or more Quality Areas must be Exceeding NQS, with at least two of these being Quality Areas 1, 5, 6 or 7. The Quality Areas are:
- Educational program and practice
- Children’s health and safety
- Physical environment
- Staffing arrangements
- Relationships with children
- Collaborative partnerships with families and communities
- Governance and leadership
Read more about the National Quality Standard for Childcare.
At Guardian Allara Street we prioritise working with families, not just children because we understand that a true family childcare service should focus on childhood education as well as connecting your young ones to the community and preparing them for school.
With extended standard hours and a goal to create the best educational programs for children in the country, we’re here for you during those crucial Preschool years.
We offer a curriculum broader than just literacy and numeracy, including language, art, music, social skills, sport, sustainability and much more. With a strong focus on family involvement, engagement and communication, Guardian Allara Street also offers a solid team of experienced educators who are passionate about their roles, and this is reflected in the genuine interest they take in each and every child and family. We love building connections with the families at our Centre, and endeavour to learn as much as we can about them.
We value the role of families as a child’s first teacher and we’re committed to developing trusting relationships by listening and responding to families about all aspects of their child’s learning and development. So, our approach is focused on the latest research and insights into how children learn best, and the specific skills they will need to thrive in the 21st Century.
We have an on-site cook who prepares all meals fresh each day, using seasonal and healthy ingredients. We also grow a range of fresh ingredients at most of our Centres, that the children love getting involved with – often harvesting those vegetables and herbs to use in the Centre kitchen as part of their learning about nutrition and wellness. It’s a real playground to plate experience!
Allara Street is one of six leading Guardian childcare Centres in Canberra and the ACT. Our other Centres are located at Bruce, Forde, Forrest, Gungahlin and Wanniassa. While there are multiple day care providers in Canberra, Guardian is special and does things differently. Take a tour with us today and discover more.
Areas that this Centre services
Guardian Childcare Allara Street services a number of local areas, including: Braddon, Campbell, Ainslie, O’Connor and Acton.
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.
2 yr Kindergarten Program
Our specialist two-year kindergarten program is led by degree qualified Teachers in a long day care setting. Children explore and understand their world in an environment of safety and security. It’s where they develop the foundational literacy and numeracy skills to thrive.
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.
Gyb T.
23:20 18 Jul 24
Highly recommend Guardian childcare Allara street. Our son started to join the centre since he was 3 and been going to the centre for almost 2 years now. All the educators and staffs are very attentive and my son has made a beautiful relationship with his educators. Especially Carmen. She has been very supportive and we can see how cares for every children. The manager Hayley is amazing. We’ll also send our daughter to the centre too when she’s a bit older 😊❤️
ayla E.
10:49 10 Jul 24
Guardian Allara has exceeded all expectations. Centre manager Hayley, all the amazing educators, the curriculum, food and family connection are all fantastic! My daughter has made some beautiful relationships with the educators and peers and I’m so grateful.
Caitlin C.
09:52 30 Jan 24
Guardian is fantastic and we're so happy our family chose the centre. The staff are so attentive to every child, no matter which room they are in. They engage with families and really promote a community feel to the place. We love the wide range of activities and how the eductors include the families and keep them up to date on plans. Our toddler is learning something new every day - would recommend!
Kirsten K.
09:22 05 Dec 23
A very supportive environment for little ones to flourish. We love the educators, the environment, the activities and the support we receive. Communication is excellent and our little is thriving. Thank you! Can't think of a better place for our little one to be exploring and learning!
Elise R.
03:14 03 Dec 23
My two sons have been attending Guardian Allara St since they were 9 months old (now aged 4 and 2). The educators at Allara St are not only exceptional in the care they provide the children, but clearly love being early childhood educators. They design learning experiences to suit all the children, ensuring each one is supported and met where they are up to. There's also lots of time for unstructured play and the development of core socialisation skills amongst their peers. Children are taught age appropriate self-help skills like serving their meals or drinks, and washing their hands.The food provided to the children is nutritional and the menu is varied so they can try new things each week.Importantly, communication from the Centre is always clear and timely, and they are always willing to listen to, and follow up on, any concerns.I would highly recommend choosing Guardian Allara St to care for the most important people in your life.
Buddini K.
06:04 13 Jun 23
Bella T.
01:39 18 Apr 23
davidn
10:55 18 Mar 23
Very good facilities. Staff are friendly and great with kids. Not easy to park for drop off and collection. My fine was $172! My daughter very happy with them.
Mark B.
02:53 25 Feb 23
Guardian Allara is an excellent daycare. Modern and with the highest level of accreditation, they have provided excellent care for our little one from the time she was 9 months old. Very well run with competent and caring educators.
Matt C.
06:25 21 Feb 23
The educators at Allara St have been sensational with my son. He is in 5 days and loves it. He has formed strong connections with different educators and other kids, and enjoys all the different activities they provide. They allow the kids to explore and engage with the world in many different ways, including getting their hands dirty.It's more than just baby-sitting - they actively teach and build on skills, so he comes home with new words and interests. I'm aiming to set up a space at home so my son has a similar opportunity to play like he does at daycare.
Jody L.
03:17 14 Feb 23
An amazing centre with amazing educators. We were nervous to start our childcare journey but Hayley, Caitlin and their wonderful team of educators have made the transition so easy. Our daughter now jumps out of our arms to give her educators cuddles during our drop offs, a sentiment on just how nurturing and positive their relationships are with the children. The environments are set up in a beautiful way and the educational programs are planned to support childrens learning no matter what stage they are at, our little girl has hit most of her milestones early with the help of the Allara street team. Highly reccommend this service to anyone who wants to start their childcare journey in a safe, welcoming and homely centre.
Kathleen D.
03:18 01 Nov 22
Great carers, activities, food and outdoors play
shilpa K.
10:01 09 Aug 22
jyoti R.
07:38 19 Jul 22
Very friendly staff… love to see my daughter’s progress day by day..
Zoe E.
03:05 09 Nov 21
Our first experience with a daycare centre and cannot fault Guardian on Allara. First class staff and educators who are passionate about their roles. The centre is welcoming, fun and an excellent environment for child development.
SR
23:46 06 Nov 21
Guardian Allara St is home to a wonderful team of educators who are passionate about the well-being of the children! My son absolutely enjoys coming in to the centre each week and is thriving from the various play based activities they have each day! 😀❤️ Could not commend this centre highly enough to other families who are looking to start their little one’s journey to education!
Violet B.
11:00 26 Oct 21
Sophie B.
09:24 29 Sep 21
A fantastic centre full of love, professionalism and fun. As first time parents, we have been blown away with the support and quality of care that we have received from all the wonderful educators at Allara Street. The educators are unbelievably kind and welcoming, which is shown in how quickly the children gravitate to them, highlighting the safe and warm environment Allara street have created. We really value the time and effort the centre put into knowing their families, always asking how they can make sure they are doing their absolute best for not only your child, but for the whole family. The Storypark updates are always a delight to read each day, to discover what the children have gotten up to throughout the day. 10/10 recommend this centre!
Matthew C.
03:15 28 Jul 20
We highly recommend this centre, a little gem tucked away in the city centre that should not be overlooked. We are so happy with our decision to send our 7 month old here. The staff are dedicated, enthusiastic and attentive in their work. They are passionate about providing meaningful development opportunities for children across all ages and highly skilled in their roles. As parents who have experienced four different Canberra childcare centres with our first child, we can confidently say that this centre is by far the best managed, with the highest qualifications for staff. Enrolling our child in amongst the COVID-19 pandemic was daunting, but the management and staff made this transition easy, comfortable and safe. Their management of the health and wellbeing of the children, staff and families during this time has been excellent. We’ve also noticed that our son’s personality has grown and flourished since starting here; he’s become incredibly social, increased in confidence and is really happy. Best childcare we’ve experienced in over 5 years.
Dione S
09:35 09 Dec 19
Overall, an excellent centre. Strong, experienced management team. Caring, passionate, professional and engaged educators. Great resources and outdoor play area. Healthy menu, with a cook who carefully caters to all dietary requirements. My kids have been attending the centre for four years and I couldn't ask for anywhere better.
Candice M.
03:41 03 Dec 19
Allara Street ELC has nurtured and cared for our three children over the past seven years and we are so happy and impressed with the high quality care and professionalism at the centre. The educators genuinely love and care for the children, always have their best interests at heart and always go above and beyond the call of duty. It’s not just a job for the educators here, you can see that they genuinely love what they do and no request is ever a problem. We value the family-like feel of the centre and we know that our children are getting the best care every day.
Francesca L.
20:40 21 Nov 19
I love working at Allara street. The children's best interest comes always first; the team is supportive and management gives you all the instruments you need to succeed. I cannot imagine working elsewhere.
Linda W.
07:43 23 Sep 19
The childcare centre has high quality facilities. The outdoor area is spacious and has appellate decoration and view. It is in a convenient location with prominent sign at the entrance. Staff are friendly and keep the place secure with locked doors and speakers at the entry.
Dlea 1
11:22 17 Jul 19
We are very happy with Allara Street, my child has attended full time for the past 3 years and is upset to miss a day.I'm exceptionally happy with the commitment and passion all staff bring to child development targeting physical (sensory), social, emotional and cognitive development via variois engaging methods.Leadership at this centre is well structured and filtered down by a great active centre Director through well considered policy and procedure.My employer does not partner with Allara Street however with the occasional phone call staff were able to accurately predict a suitable opening for me within my timeline.The centre is always clean and staff happy, no problem or ask is to much for these professionals!So lucky to have found Allara Street.
sara
21:11 18 Feb 19
Very happy with this centre and my kids are happy here
Tris B
04:08 18 Aug 17
Mia C.
01:04 31 Jul 19
Have been really happy with Allara St for my son. The educators are great and very engaged, the quality of food is excellent and my son has a great day every day he is there. Highly recommend.