Open 7:00am to 6:00pm
Monday to Friday
HOURS
Mon to Fri 7:00am to 6:00pm
ADDRESS
4-8 Waine St Freshwater, NSW, 2096
SPACES AVAILABLE NOW ACROSS ROOMS
Check out our fantastic indoor and outdoor learning spaces your child will enjoy
Welcome to our Centre
Welcome to Guardian Childcare and Education Freshwater, an expansive, light-filled centre near the beach. Our childhood education programs are focused on play-based learning, where our spacious day care and child care centre provides a nurturing and stimulating environment for children aged six weeks to six years of age, supporting them to discover the world in a safe and secure way.
- Highly experienced Educators and degree-qualified Teachers
- Bright, vibrant learning spaces full of resources designed to inspire
- Extensive outdoor space for children to explore
- On-site Chef providing fresh snacks and meals daily
- For babies, nappies, SPF 50+ sunscreen, a hat and bed linen are provided in our nursery room
- Extended hours of care each weekday from 7am to 6pm
Meet our Centre Manager Sarah
Our Centre Managers are the heart of our Centres. Leading our Teachers and Educators to deliver the highest quality care and education to all children.
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 and wipes
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
- 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
Learn more about Guardian Freshwater
Guardian Childcare and Education Freshwater offers the warmth and comfort of a family home, in Sydney’s northern beaches. It’s great for families in Freshwater as well as the surrounding suburbs of Queenscliff, North Manly, Manly Vale and Fairlight.
Our purpose-built outdoor space is accessible from every classroom and has plenty of room in which to run, ride and explore. Our Freshwater daycare and child care centre offers a nurturing and stimulating early childhood education environment for children aged six weeks to six years, helping them explore the world safely. Filled with bright, engaging materials, our Freshwater child care encourages children to satisfy their curiosity and discover the exciting world around them.
Children are supported through their early childhood education to explore and develop their social and emotional skills through their early learning journey by a dedicated team of university-qualified Teachers and Educators. They create learning experiences in a nurturing environment that fosters creativity and imagination in a safe environment for young age groups.
Guardian Freshwater is open from 7am to 6pm every weekday, so each family is provided with plenty of flexibility for the hours they work and the time they choose to drop off and pick up their child. During drop-off or pick-up times, we encourage you to stay for a little while and spend some time exploring the learning environment.
Our Early Childhood Educators and qualified Early Childhood Teachers are here to guide you through the various play materials and indoor learning spaces at the Centre. We focus on your child’s learning and align our approach with children’s interests to foster a love for education. We encourage each local Northern Beaches family to get involved in their child’s care and education, ensuring they feel happy and supported as they learn and grow.
For nursery children, we provide nappies, SPF 50+ sunscreen, a hat and bed linen. Our on-site chef prepares nutritious snacks and meals daily, using seasonal ingredients to ensure children receive a balanced diet.
For children aged three and four, we have a preschool program led by university-qualified Teachers that can support your child in their preparation for the step up into primary school. Our preschool curriculum is based on leading child development research and demonstrates our commitment to providing the best possible start to life for your child through quality child care services.
Our Freshwater child care centre early childhood education program is led by early childhood professionals called Educational Leaders who guide teaching and learning in a flexible and research-supported way. The leading curriculum supports discovery and gives children the best start to life, as well as being aligned with the National Quality Standard.
Through our high-quality preschool program, children have the opportunity to learn some of the skills that are often only introduced in early primary school. We begin learning and exploring shapes, numbers and letters through fun, play-based activities.
We develop each child’s literacy and numeracy skills to help them feel confident and prepared during the challenging leap into primary school. Our high-quality program supports the needs and routines of each of our families, and we ensure each child’s cultural and family background is supported and encouraged.
We’re committed to children’s nutrition, and our on-site cook prepares each meal fresh and packed with all the nutrients that children need at their age. We encourage children to engage in food preparation and to ask questions about where their food comes from, why it’s good for them, and how they can eat it. We also encourage exploration of the cultural heritage behind different foods, helping promote diversity and inclusion from an early age.
As part of our unique Visible Learning Program, families have the chance to gain an in-depth understanding of their child’s learning. Easily accessible for families, our Learning Exchange Display provides the opportunity for our Teachers and Educators to share with you any updates on their progress every day. You will also have the chance to share with us your own personal goals and visions for us to implement, having direct input in your child’s educational journey!
Families will also be given access to our family communication app Storypark, where we will share with you any significant updates in your child’s day, as well as any other important updates that happen in the centre – ensuring that you’re always connected, even when you’re not here.
Why not come and meet the team and have a look around our Centre today? We’d love to show you why Guardian Childcare and Education Freshwater is the perfect learning and child care environment for your child. At Guardian, we believe that together, we can give young children the best start to life.
We look forward to welcoming you soon!
Centre Highlights
With a range of exciting, resource-rich environments – including beach-themed outdoor spaces – children are encouraged to explore and learn at Guardian Freshwater. The light-filled and spacious Centre also has non-stinging bees, worm farms, a boat, alfresco dining areas, and a range of age-specific learning spaces.
- Highly experienced Educators and degree-qualified Teachers
- Bright, vibrant learning spaces full of resources designed to inspire
- Extensive outdoor space for children to explore
- On-site Chef providing fresh snacks and meals daily
- For babies, nappies, SPF 50+ sunscreen, a hat and bed linen are provided in our nursery room
- Extended hours of care each weekday from 7am to 6pm
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.
Preschool Program
Our specialist two-year kindergarten/preschool 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.
Helen A.
19:51 26 Nov 24
I really can’t thank everyone at The guardian enough they go above and beyond. Our daughter was very nervous when she first started and hated goodbyes but they were so caring and helped her through it. They would even ring me to let me know she was all settled and happy so I wouldn’t worry. Our daughter has made some amazing friends and adores her educators. We all hold such fond, special memories from here, thank you.
Julie D.
22:04 17 Oct 24
My children started attending this center early on, and we absolutely loved it! We were really sad to leave when we moved, as the staff and educators were incredible. Our kids formed strong connections with them. I can’t recommend this center highly enough!
Carolina J.
05:12 21 May 24
I have had the most beautiful, experience with Guardian. The team have been so lovely and go above and beyond to support the families. My little girl adores all of the teachers and staff there and they are always happy to see her, giving her all the love and cuddles while I am away at work. They keep me updated through the app about her day & I am always delighted to see what they're up to when a notification comes through with photos and videos. I always see everyone happy and smiling and it's a beautiful environment they create for the children that allows them to come into their own personality and understanding of the world. Sofia has matured so much from all the incredible programming they do & it often makes me giggle to see the different experiences they have in their day from science experiments to going shopping, training for the olympics (LOL), dancing & cooking. As a mum, it can be worrying going away for hours on end to work, but I am always reassured that I am doing thew right thing for me and for Sofia when I see how much she learns and how happy she is at the end of each day. It's very cute and also very important for me to have these lovely people in my life and in Sofia's life and I could not be more grateful and happy with their service.
Elizabeth R.
01:59 21 May 24
Guardian is the best Center for childe
Paula L.
02:32 05 Mar 24
Ria F.
22:06 04 Feb 24
Our Kids had an absolute amazing time at the Guardian in Freshwater. The Educators all really enjoy their job and gave us a great feeling to leave the kids with them. The program in each room also makes sure to find the right balance between playful learning and just play, so you feel the kids have an awesome time but also develop really well.
Carmen S.
09:42 26 Jan 24
I can't express enough gratitude for the wonderful care my daughter Olive has received at Guardian Freshwater. The staff are not just professional but genuinely caring, creating a warm and nurturing environment. As full-time working parents, we have really appreciated the level of service; from nutritious meals to continuation of care throughout the holiday periods. Thank you for being an exceptional daycare that goes above and beyond, we will miss you guys!
Cristian V.
23:15 24 Nov 23
Megan P.
03:51 07 Jun 23
We have loved everything about Freshie Guardian. It has been the best space for our son to start daycare in. We are moving overseas, and I'm worried we won't ever find a daycare this amazing again -- the bar has been set high. Sarah is extremely organized, and our son was in the Possoms room, where Novi and her team welcomed him into their family. It feels great to drop him off knowing he's so happy and excited to run in and hug his teachers, and comes running over to us at pick up time with a huge smile. They provide updates and photos throughout the day and know him and his funny quirks so well. The educators at Freshie Guardian have loved our little guy as their own during his time there. We are so thankful to have found such an amazing community of people at this centre.
Fernanda M.
02:12 18 Apr 23
The main reason to give 5-starts is that I really like the educators. They seem to be warm, caring and respectful towards the children. Also, the premises look great and I love the the food Mia cooks (whish I could take her food home).
Dominika P.
01:11 07 Mar 23
I am very happy with this daycare. The manager Sarah and girls in my daughters class are just amazing and always very helpful
Cale and C.
02:04 13 Dec 22
We could not be more happy with the experience we've had a Freshwater Guardian. Our daughter Aggy loves the centre and it's staff and we are very sad to be leaving (we are moving towns). The genuine care and interest the staff have for our daughter is amazing, the centre is very well equipped and from the photos we see the food is brilliant. Could not recommend more highly.
Carolina Jimenez O.
04:42 22 Nov 22
Simon Christopher R.
04:38 11 Nov 22
We had a fantastic experience with this centre. Children really enjoy going here and there is great food and lots of outdoor play.
Dushka A.
10:39 15 Aug 22
We love our day care! We absolutely love the staff very caring and professional ladies. The food is cooked on the premises always healthy great menus every days for the kids. The layout of the day care is fantastic with lots of outdoor space protected from the sun and rain.There is always great open communication with the educators.And the manager off course Sarah , a fantastic lady always ready to help always trying to accomodate everyone with anything she can. Thank you!
Carolina J.
02:03 09 Aug 22
I love guardian & the staff. All have been such a wonderful support and I enjoy regular updates on Storypark of how my little angels day is going and her activities.
Li C.
01:12 21 Jun 22
The educators are wonderful. They gave my daughter the warmest welcome and help her fit in the new environment so well. My greatest appreciations.
Paz Rodriguez P.
03:09 22 Mar 22
Amazing centre! The manager and educators are GREAT! They are always paying the necessary attention to each kid and they are really keen to make them learn and feel comfortable in this new environment. Thanks team! 💛
Faye R.
03:13 15 Mar 22
Our 10 month old baby has settled into the centre very well. The staff provide the highest standard of education and care and the management and on site chef are amazing!
Mia C.
06:34 09 Nov 21
Outstanding in every way
Kaitlin S.
03:06 24 Sep 21
We are so happy with this daycare for our 15 month old! We moved her from a previous daycare we were not thrilled with and couldn't be happier with our decision. Our girl is so happy to be dropped off every morning and I pick her up with a big smile on her face every afternoon.The teachers are so wonderful, she adores Lilly & Novi who run her room as well as the teachers from all the other rooms. It’s incredible that everyone in the Centre knows her and gives her so much love & support.The educational development programs are wonderful. She has picked up so many new words and loves the arts & crafts and fun experiments they do. The outdoor spaces are amazing and shaded so that the kids can be outside the majority of the year. It’s surrounded by huge trees so feels like they are in the bush and it protects them from the elements.We feel so lucky to have found this gem of a daycare for our girl. Thank you, Sarah!
Mark W.
01:39 14 Sep 21
My wife and I would not hesitate to recommend the Guardian Freshwater. Sarah has built a simply fantastic centre. Every child there looks happy, cared for and supported and you feel part of a community rather than just paying for a service.Our educator for our one year old daughter was Katie who took time to build a relationship with our nervous little girl. She is now thriving and this is without a doubt down to love, care and play Katie and the entire Guardian team have for the kids, the centre and for the industry.The team also take the time to answer questions and support us during the nervy few weeks of starting daycare. We never felt rushed or panicked. The centre also keeps parents updated each day through Storypark.Through the nervousness of the pandemic, the centre has remained a safe and secure place. It is clean and well maintained.Food is freshly prepared each by Chef Mia and is a wonderful varied mix of nutritional meals.We are unfortunately leaving the area so won’t be able to continue daycare here. My wife and I though, in a heartbeat, would recommend The Guardian. We are deeply saddened to leave and the development of our daughter for the four months she has been here will never be forgotten.Do not hesitate to have your children join this centre. We honestly could not thank Sarah and Katie enough.
Ben C.
02:51 02 Sep 21
My two kids go here, 1 and 2 yr olds. Its a great set up with the kids outdoors a lot but in the shade which I'm a big fan of. Educators are engaged with the kids. And the food, next level. I've never seen anything like it. Mia is a great asset to the team.
Gemma H.
05:08 30 Aug 21
Our little boy started at Guardian Freshwater when he was 8 months old and has been attending for almost 5months now.We really took our time selecting the right daycare for River due to extra attention he requires and we are so thrilled with our choice.Sarah and the team were willing to put a plan together, take on the extra responsibility and able to offer extra support which made us feel at ease immediately.The app is a fantastic way to see what they've been upto during the day which is such a wonderful and exciting notification to receive whilst I'm at work. It also shares daily photos of the delicious meals by Mia and developmental information every week.Sarah has been fantastic to deal with, so flexible and she does such a wonderful job. Nothing appears too much trouble, her responsiveness is immediate and its clear her Guardian family are her passion.With not having any other family here and the impact of Covid making all of our lives a little difficult its such a relief to have such a warm centre to look after your little one and take the pressure off. Again Sarah and the team have really tried to support the community in such a safe way aswel as offer innovative ways to support families.I really think when selecting the right childcare it comes down to the people and immediate feel you get when you're in there and I can't recommend this gorgeous centre enough.Thank you Sarah, Trish, Katie and Chantel (and all the other members) for your constant love and care for River.
Cara S
07:07 12 Apr 21
Guardian at Freshwater is a lovely centre with caring staff. It feels like a big family. Sarah and her team do a wonderful job at catering the curriculum to suit the children’s interests and they provide a supportive environment for the kids to grow and learn. The quality of the food served is also really high. Highly recommend!
Deirdre S.
02:42 17 Jul 20
A beautiful center run by an amazing, incredibly personable, understanding, and caring director. Petra has been a source of warmth and support for our little family, which has made being so far away from our extended families a little bit easier. She is a true gem.I cannot rate Guardian at Freshwater highly enough.
Sindy F.
06:32 22 Jun 20
Guardian Freshwater have such a fabulous team of educators and staff that we consider a natural extension of care and development opportunities for our child. I always have a happy and excited toddler telling me about all the fun play and delicious (and healthy!) meals at the end of each day. The centre chef is brilliantly creative with presenting healthy meals in a way that even the fussiest of eaters will want to try!The educators and centre director are extremely warm, friendly and openly communicative, encouraging strategies that work closely with each family to ensure needs, individual goals of your child and any concerns are addressed.The centre provides open play spaces with child led opportunities for learning through play, drawing from each child's interests while providing a framework for achieving age appropriate developmental milestones. It's a very child focused and communities driven environment and ticks all of our boxes and more!Highly recommend considering Guardian Freshwater if you are looking for a nurturing child care centre.
Lisa M.
00:00 16 Jun 20
I can not recommend Guardian Freshwater / Blueys highly enough. I went to view quite a few centres prior to finding Blueys and from the moment I walked through the door I knew I had found the perfect place for my then 12 month old daughter. When I arrived to do the tour I was greeted by the centre director Petra who I instantly felt a warmth from and connected with - something I had been seeking but had struggled to find elsewhere.There was a calm vibe throughout the whole place and it just felt like a 'safe haven' for my child. That was almost a year ago and I have never regretted my decision to enrol my daughter here. The staff are all incredible, the quality and variety of the food they get is out of this world and my daughter couldn't' be happier. We recently had to take her out due to Covid and this was a really hard time for us as we knew she would miss it so much but during this period we remained in regular contact with the centre and were constantly provided with craft/care packages to take home. We will be forever grateful for all the support and guidance they showed us during this tough time. So much love for this centre and feel very lucky to have the support and love from Petra and the team.
Emma H.
11:10 15 Jun 20
My son has benefited immensely from the education, love and care shown by all the team at Guardian Freshwater. The staff are always very professional and are clearly very experienced and place great pride in the critical role they play in the development of the children in their care.
Alison L.
05:28 12 Jun 20
There is no denying the centre went through a rocky patch when takeover in 2019. However with the wonderful Petra (Centre Director) at the helm Guardian Freshwater has returned to its glory days! The staff are wonderful and love the kids to bits 😁 The resident cook whips up delicious and nutritious food that I often drool over when I see it through Storypark. Our son feels safe and loved at the centre and is thriving! Well done team 👏
Kate G.
00:58 12 Jun 20
Both our boys attend Guardian Freshwater... We feel this centre is exceptional. The educators are warm, connected and passionate about what they do. The boys are thriving. Petra the centre director is instrumental in evolving the centre into one that is high performing. Her drive and attention to detail is fine tuned into everything the centre does and standS for. All levels at the centre have been so professional and on the front foot with the Covid-19 policies and government changes there has been no room for ambiguity here. They room leader and centre director picked up on our eldest eyesight and fortunately we got him tested as he needed glasses. My husband and I cant say enough good things about this centre. If you are looking for a new centre you and your kids will be more than happy here!!!!
Rachael H.
00:08 12 Jun 20
I can’t recommend Guardian Freshwater highly enough. The staff are so nurturing and passionate about what they do, and my kids love them. Every afternoon at pick-up you receive a detailed run down on your child’s day, delivered with such enthusiasm, no matter which staff member is working that day - what your child ate, did, who they played with, how long they slept for etc. It shows real care and dedication in looking after the kids who attend, as well as dedication to engaging them in learning. Each day/week has a learning theme with activities designed to get the kids involved in a particular subject matter and real-world problem-solving. Definitely worth seeing if you can get your child in! 5 stars ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Rachel M.
02:10 12 Jun 18
Both my boys attended and love it, brilliant centre, lovely staff, and great healthy food.
Sio C.
06:42 23 Mar 18
Shila Larrys L.
11:19 26 Mar 17
Priscilla L.
09:20 30 Nov 16
Darren C.
22:32 25 Oct 16
victor M.
08:31 03 Sep 16