Family Choice Award
Winner 2026
Guardian Childcare St Ives
4.7 on Google
Child Safe
Meeting NQS
Family Award Winner
Care that goes beyond the expected
A safe and nurturing start for your baby
Where curiosity becomes confidence
Ready for school and prepared for life
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No commitment, just come and see
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Have a question? Get in touch
6 Eastern Arterial Rd, St Ives NSW 2075
Convenient for families in St Ives, Gordon and Pymble
Enter via Hunter Avenue
Mon to Fri, 7:00am to 6:00pm
Spaces available now across rooms
6 weeks to 6 years
Why Guardian
Everything you'd expect from great childcare, and more
The basics, done well
Safe, secure environments with strict supervision ratios
Qualified, caring educators who know your child by name
Play-based learning aligned to the Early Years Learning Framework
Healthy meals prepared fresh on site every day
Beyond the basics Only at Guardian
Our exclusive learning program creates a personalised pathway for every child, capturing milestones and making the connection between play and learning visible through regular portfolio updates.
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Additional safety protocols, regular audits, comprehensive staff training, and a culture where child safety is everyone's responsibility. We set a higher bar because your child's safety isn't somewhere we cut corners.
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Every meal cooked fresh on-site by our chef using seasonal, nutritionist-designed menus. We cater for allergies and fussy eaters — gently building a positive relationship with food that lasts.
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Our government-funded two-year preschool program prepares children aged 3–5 for school — not just academically, but socially and emotionally. Children leave Guardian ready to thrive.
Learn more ›Your caring team with experience to match
Ishini
Centre Manager
15+ years in childcare
I treat every child here as if they were my own. That means a warm, secure environment where they feel confident to learn through play and the relationships around them. Beyond our own walls, I also mentor and support other Centre Managers, which I find hugely rewarding. A fun one for families? I'm actually quite scared of cats. At home I've got two daughters and a husband, and I'm always volunteering at their school.
I'm looking for care for my...
Your child's second home
Choosing childcare is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make and the team at Guardian St Ives is ready to support and reassure you. There are three separate outdoor areas here rather than one shared yard, so each age has space that suits it. Between them sit a bike track, a sandpit, a cubby house and a veggie garden, and children are outside for most of the day.
Come and meet our Centre Manager Ishini and the team. You’ll feel the difference.
A nurturing start
Handing over your baby for the first time is a moment you remember. At Guardian St Ives your baby has outdoor space scaled to them rather than borrowed from older children, and the same familiar educators each morning. Those two things together are what let a baby settle, and then begin to explore.
Come and meet our Centre Manager Ishini and Baby Ambassador Sandy. You’ll feel the difference.
Where curiosity thrives
A toddler’s day should end with dirt on their hands. At Guardian St Ives the cubby house and the sandpit are where that happens, with a bike track alongside for when your toddler wants speed instead. Having an outdoor area of their own means they are never waiting for a turn at it.
Come and meet our Centre Manager Ishini and the team. You’ll feel the difference.
Building confidence for life
The last year before school shapes how a child walks into the classroom. At Guardian St Ives our Teachers work across six indoor learning spaces and three outdoor ones, so children get used to moving between environments and settling into each. That adaptability is what school asks for first, well before any of the letters and numbers.
Come and meet our Centre Manager Ishini and the team. You’ll feel the difference.
What your child's day looks like here
Every day has a gentle rhythm, offering the security of routine with the excitement of discovery.
Welcome & morning feed
A warm greeting from their primary educator, who already knows your baby's cues. We'll follow your home routine. Whether that's bottle or breastmilk, a particular way of settling, or just a quiet cuddle to start the day.
Sensory exploration
Tummy time, textured play, music and gentle movement, all tailored to your baby's developmental stage. Sensory baskets, water play and natural materials support them to explore cause and effect at their own pace.
Rest time
Your baby's sleep routine comes with them. Educators follow individual cues and your settling preferences, whether that's a pat, a rock or their favourite comforter. We never override your rhythm.
Outdoor time
Fresh air in our safe outdoor spaces. Babies crawl on soft grass, feel different textures and watch the world go by.
Updates throughout the day
You'll get photo updates on the app so you can see how they're going. We know it's hard being apart, and we want you to feel connected.
Arrival & breakfast
A friendly welcome at the door. Toddlers settle into their day by choosing their first activity: building, drawing, or exploring whatever catches their eye. Breakfast is self-serve, an early step towards independence.
Morning adventures
Play-based learning guided by their curiosity: messy art, water play, building, storytelling. Our educators extend their interests into meaningful learning moments.
Lunch together
A Chef-prepared, nutritionist-designed meal eaten family-style. Toddlers pour their own water, serve themselves, and are gently encouraged to try new foods and enjoy mealtimes together.
Rest & quiet time
A wind-down with stories and soft music. Some children sleep, others enjoy quiet activities. We respect every child's rhythm.
Afternoon exploration
Outdoor play in our natural play spaces, afternoon tea, and creative projects. You'll get a photo update so you know how their day has been.
Morning welcome
Children arrive and choose their first activity: construction, drawing, the reading corner, or setting up a group project. Breakfast is available for those who want it.
Focused learning
Structured small-group sessions covering early literacy, numeracy, and creative arts through our Flying Start to School program. Every activity is intentional, and progress is tracked in individual school-readiness portfolios you can review anytime.
Outdoor discovery
Outdoor play with natural equipment and room to move. Preschoolers take safe risks, negotiate with friends, and develop physical confidence.
Lunch & rest
A family-style meal where children serve themselves and practise social skills. Rest time includes quiet activities, stories, and relaxation for those who need it.
Afternoon projects
Collaborative projects, art, music, and outdoor play. Children practise the skills that matter most on day one of school: concentration, cooperation, taking turns, and the confidence to try new things.
We know starting childcare is a big step
Starting somewhere new is a big step, for your child and for you. Here's how we make it easier for both of you.
Orientation visit Before your child's first day, you'll both visit the centre together. Your child gets to explore the room, meet their educators, and start getting familiar while you're right there.
Shorter first days We start with shorter sessions and gradually build up. There's no pressure to rush. Every child settles at their own pace.
A dedicated primary educator Your child is paired with one educator who becomes their go-to person: for comfort, for play, and for those wobbly moments at drop-off.
Photo updates when you need them If your child has a tough morning, their educator will send you a photo once they've settled. You'll see the smile yourself.
Leaving your baby for the first time is hard. We see it every day, and we never take it lightly. Here's how we make the transition as gentle as possible.
Meet your baby's primary educator Before day one, you'll meet the educator who will be your baby's go-to person. We'll learn your baby's feeding schedule, sleep cues, and comfort preferences.
Stay as long as you need Your first visits are together. You'll feed and settle your baby in the nursery while they get used to the sights, sounds, and smells of their new environment.
Gradual separation Short periods apart, building slowly. We follow your baby's lead. If they need more time, we take more time. There's no rushing this.
Constant connection You'll get photo and video updates throughout the day via the Storypark app. When your baby settles after a tough drop-off, we'll send you that smile so you can breathe.
Toddlers can be unpredictable at drop-off: clingy one day, sprinting in the next. That's completely normal. Here's how we support them (and you) through it.
Orientation visit together Your toddler explores the room, tries the toys, and meets their educators while you're right there. Familiar faces on day one make all the difference.
Consistent routines from day one We'll follow a rhythm your toddler can predict: meals, play, rest. Predictability builds security, especially in a new environment.
A go-to educator One educator becomes their safe person, the one they run to, the one who knows their favourite book and how they like to be comforted.
Drop-off support If mornings are tough, their educator will be at the door. A quick, confident goodbye works best, and we'll send you a photo once they've settled.
Starting preschool is exciting but can also be overwhelming: new friends, new routines, new expectations. Here's how we ease the transition.
Orientation and buddy system Your child visits before their first day and is paired with a “buddy”, a child who already knows the ropes and can show them around.
Choice and independence Preschoolers settle faster when they feel in control. From day one, they choose their own activities, their seat at the table, and their first project.
Building friendships Our educators actively connect children. They pair children with similar interests, set up small-group projects, and teach social skills like sharing and negotiating.
School readiness check-ins Regular updates on how your child is progressing toward school readiness: socially, emotionally, and academically. You'll know exactly where they stand.
What families say about us
★★★★★
Our family has been at Guardian St Ives for several years and we couldn’t be happier. The educators are wonderful and genuinely care about the children, and it’s clear how much they love what they do. Ishini and Shaoli have created such a warm, inclusive and supportive environment, and they are always approachable and caring. We’ve always felt that our kids are known, valued and in very good hands. We feel very lucky to have found such a great centre and would happily recommend Guardian St Ives to other families.
Google Review
★★★★★
From the moment we started, the educators have been warm, caring and genuinely attentive to our child’s needs. It’s clear that they take the time to get to know each child and make them feel comfortable, safe and supported. I particularly love how welcoming the educators are each day and how they communicate with us about our child’s activities, development and day-to-day experiences. The centre itself is spacious, bright and well equipped, with great indoor and outdoor areas for the children to explore and play. Our child enjoys going to Guardian, which gives us great peace of mind as parents. It’s lovely to see their confidence growing, making friends and becoming more independent. Overall, we’re very happy with Guardian St Ives and really appreciate the care, patience and effort the educators put into making it a positive experience for both the children and their families.
Google Review
Recognised by our families and our community
What's included every day
Hat, wetbag and sunscreen
5 meals per day
All incursions and excursions
Nappies and wipes
Storypark parenting app
Long day care hours year round
Frequently asked
We welcome children from 6 weeks to 6 years across four rooms: Nursery (6 weeks to 18 months), Toddlers (18 months to 2.5 years), Preschool (2.5 to 3.5 years), and Preschool (3.5 to 6 years). Each room is staffed by dedicated educators who specialise in that age group.
Daily fees are $197–$199 per day before Child Care Subsidy. Most families pay between $70–$102 per day after CCS.
Your actual cost depends on your family income and activity level. All fees are inclusive, with no extra charges for meals, nappies, excursions, or learning programs.
All educators hold current Working With Children Checks, are first aid certified, and complete regular child protection training. The centre has secure entry/exit systems, and we maintain educator-to-child ratios that meet or exceed national requirements. We're part of Guardian's Safety+ program with additional safety protocols.
All meals and snacks are included in the daily fee and prepared fresh on-site by our Chef using our Nutrition for Life program. We cater for allergies, intolerances, and cultural dietary requirements. Menus rotate seasonally and are designed by nutritionists.
A tour is the best way to know if a centre is right for your family, and it's nothing like a sales pitch. You'll spend 20 to 30 minutes walking through the rooms, watching how educators interact with children, and getting a feel for the environment. You'll meet Centre Manager Ishini and ask anything you like. Most families tell us they knew within five minutes. There's no commitment, no paperwork, and no pressure. Just a chance to see the centre in action.
Yes. We offer the government-funded two-year Flying Start to School preschool program for children aged 3 to 5. This program prepares children for school in a play-based learning environment, led by qualified early childhood Teachers.
Come and see for yourself
Meet Centre Manager Ishini and the team. See the spaces. Ask anything. No commitment, just a chance to see if we're right for your family.
Book a Tour
Just have a question? Send us an enquiry
or call
13 82 30
