Header Image

Welcome to Manly West

Guardian Childcare Manly West

Google Reviews

(32)
View
  • Safety always comes first at Guardian Childcare. Every member of the team is fully committed to upholding our child safety approach, ensuring a safe environment for all children.
  • Our brand-new centre in Lota offers expansive outdoor areas with bike track, sandpit, climbing zones and room for children to play and explore.
  • With five spacious indoor learning spaces across two levels, we also offer a range of extracurricular activities such as sports, music, and language classes to help broaden children's interests and talents. 
  • Our centre feels like home, where each day is exciting, from our nursery to our leading 2-year kindergarten program.

215 Whites Road Lota, Brisbane, QLD, 4179

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

Spaces available now across rooms

Book a Tour Enquire Now Call Us Now

Premium Manly West Childcare Centre

Manly West Centre Manager Image

Meet our Centre Manager Amy and team

"Seeing a child achieve their goals, big or small, is incredibly rewarding, and we love celebrating these milestones with our young learners."

Daily Fees

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

View Daily Fees

Guardian's Flying Start to School program delivers a Government-approved Kindergarten program within long day care hours, providing flexibility, holiday coverage, continuity of Educators and access to the same Government funding available through other providers. Read more >

At Guardian Manly West, your family is at the heart of all we do. Our daycare centre offers a nurturing environment and high-quality education for the communities of Lota, Manly, Manly West, Wynnum, Thorneside, Birkdale, and Chandler.

From our nursery through to our government-funded Flying Start to School long daycare kindergarten program, we provide a place where your child’s learning and growth are celebrated.

The families of Lota and surrounding suburbs choose our centre because of our inspiring indoor spaces, filled with quality, age-appropriate resources, and our personalised, sector-leading To BE Me learning milestones program.

Book a Tour Enquire Now Call Us Now

We Care More. The Guardian Difference.

A new era in early learning.

Learn More

Premium Learning Spaces

Inspiring environments for curious minds.

Learn More

Where care meets peace of mind.

Learn More

Building lifelong healthy habits with every bite.

Learn More

2 year Preschool / Kinder program for school readiness.

Learn More

Partnership with families & community

Stay connected, every step of the way.

Learn More
To Be Me

A new era in early learning. To BE Me is our exclusive learning program designed for each age & stage of a child's first years, tailored to their age, interests & strengths. Their pathway is personalised, with every milestone captured to makes the link between play & learning clear & memorable.

Babies Toddlers Kindergarten

Google Reviews

(32)
Jami R.
2 weeks ago
We couldn’t speak more highly of this centre and the incredible team who make it such a special place for our little girl. From our very first experience at the stay-and-play session and introductions, we were made to feel so welcome, comfortable and supported. That same warmth and genuine care has remained consistent throughout the past six months of attending the centre, and we couldn’t be happier with our decision. The educators are truly beautiful people who are not only friendly and welcoming but genuinely care about the children, their development and their individual needs. It is so reassuring as a parent to know your little one is surrounded by people who are so dedicated. Kate, the centre manager, and her team are second to none. The centre is run like a tight ship, with such a high standard of care, organisation and communication. You can see the pride they take in what they do, and it is evident that creating the best possible environment for the children is at the heart of everything. What really sets this centre apart is their commitment to continually improving. They actively seek feedback from families, genuinely listen and implement new ideas, activities and experiences for the children. Even the babies are included in exciting activities and excursions, which speaks volumes about the effort and thought that goes into making every day meaningful. After a previous negative experience at another centre, where things just didn’t feel right, finding this centre has been such a breath of fresh air. We now feel completely at home, and there is no greater comfort as a parent than knowing your child is safe, happy & loved when you can’t be there yourself. We are so grateful to Kate and the entire team for everything they do. It takes a very special group of people to create an environment where both children and families feel so welcomed and valued, and this centre does exactly that. We wholeheartedly recommend them to any family looking for a daycare that goes above and beyond. An absolute credit to the team, and a centre we feel very lucky to be part of!
Kate O.
2 weeks ago
Everyone at this facility has been so welcoming and wonderful to my little guy. Drop off's can be so hard sometimes and they help make it feel safe and wonderful. My little man is always smiling every day he is there!!!!
Danny V.
2 weeks ago
We are very happy to be part of Guardian Childcare! Manly West . :) Liam started when he was 10 months old, and now, at 1 year and 4 months, he feels happy, confident, and secure. His teachers have supported his transition with lots of love, cuddles, and care. As an Australian 🇦🇺- Colombian 🇨🇴 family, we feel very lucky to have teachers who speak Spanish to Liam, helping him feel comfortable and understood. The English-speaking teachers or all others teacher are also amazing!. We really appreciate how the teachers and manager listen to our concerns and suggestions and respond so positively. We can see their commitment and dedication every day. Thank you to the whole team for taking such wonderful care of our little boy!
Kirsty
2 weeks ago
We couldn’t be happier with making the switch to Guardian. Since my son has started here in just over a month we’ve already noticed massive changes in his behaviour and routine! The teachers in the toddler room are so good at what they do and have such a positive impact on the children and it really does show. The atmosphere is welcoming, the food they serve them is great and the day to day activities and learnings they do with the kids really does help their little minds grow. We really love this centre and couldn’t recommend it enough!
Eric R.
2 months ago
My son loves it and comes home telling me the funnest stories. The team are great and management since change over is amazing
Response from the owner:Thank you, Eric, for sharing your experience. It’s wonderful to hear that your son loves coming in and comes home with plenty of fun stories to tell you. Knowing children are enjoying their days and are excited to share those moments at home means so much to our team. We also really appreciate your kind feedback about the team and the positive difference you’ve noticed since the change in management.
Elisha O.
2 months ago
Response from the owner:Thank you, Elisha, for your 5-star rating. We really appreciate your support and are so pleased to know you’ve had a positive experience with us.
Ebony H.
4 months ago
My 9month old absolutely loves his time at this daycare centre, all the staff are incredible with the kids and communicating with the parents. I highly recommend this centre if you’re looking for somewhere to send your baby.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Ebony, for your lovely review. We're so pleased to hear your little one is loving his time with us and that you've felt supported through our team's care and communication. It means so much to know you would recommend us to other families. Thank you for trusting us to be part of your baby's early learning journey.
Amy F.
4 months ago
We couldn’t be happier with our experience at this daycare centre. The staff in the toddlers’ room truly go above and beyond every single day. They create such a fun, nurturing environment and are always finding creative and engaging ways for the toddlers to learn, explore, and grow. The food is also amazing, with a great variety of healthy, delicious meals that our child genuinely enjoys. A special mention to the admin team, who have been absolutely wonderful throughout our journey. They are incredibly helpful, approachable, and always willing to go the extra mile to ensure every transition is as smooth and stress-free as possible for both children and parents. It’s such a reassuring feeling knowing our child is cared for by such a dedicated and passionate team. We highly recommend this centre to any family looking for a warm, supportive, and high-quality early learning environment!
Response from the owner:Thank you, Amy, for your wonderful review. We're so pleased to hear your child is thriving in our toddler room and enjoying the creative learning experiences and delicious meals each day. It's also lovely to know our admin team has helped make every step of your family's journey smooth and welcoming. Thank you for your recommendation and for trusting us to be part of your child's early learning journey.
Tracey U.
5 months ago
Kate and the team at Manly West are incredible. The support and communication they provide is amazing, and they are always so helpful. They genuinely go above and beyond and nothing ever feels like too much trouble. It’s clear they truly care, and it makes such a difference. Highly recommend.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Tracey, for your wonderful review. We are delighted to hear about your positive experience with Kate and the team. Providing strong communication, genuine support and building meaningful relationships with families is something we care deeply about, so it is lovely to know this has made a difference for you. We will be sure to share your kind words with Kate and the team, who will greatly appreciate the recognition. Thank you for your recommendation and for being part of our community.
Emma L.
5 months ago
Response from the owner:Thank you, Emma, for your 5-star rating. We are grateful for your support and for taking the time to leave us a review. Knowing that families have a positive experience with our team means so much to us. Thank you for being part of our community, and we look forward to continuing to support your family.
Tunde A.
6 months ago
The team at Guardian Manly West are absolutely amazing. We didn't know how below average our old daycare centre was until we switched to Guardian and it was like night and day. Not only are the staff, facilities and programs all well above top notch, our daughter has absolutely thrived under the support of her educators. In the short time she's been there she has absolutely blossomed in confidence, building lovely friendships and is learning new things daily. We literally could not be happier with this centre and are so grateful to our daughter educators for helping our little girl flourish ❤️
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your incredibly kind review, Tunde. We are so happy to hear your daughter has settled in so well and is thriving with the support of her educators. It means so much to know you have noticed such a positive difference in the care, programs and overall environment since joining our community. Watching children grow in confidence, build friendships and develop a love of learning is exactly what we strive for each day. Your beautiful words about the team and the impact they have had on your daughter truly mean a lot, and we are so grateful for your trust and support.
Frank M.
6 months ago
Fantastic Childcare! Love the way they treat the kids, all the staff are amazing, wouldn’t look anywhere else for our child's care :)
Response from the owner:Frank, thank you for your lovely feedback, we’re so glad to hear you’re happy with the care your child is receiving and that the team has made such a positive impression, your support means a lot to us.
Annie B.
6 months ago
Our family transferred to Guardian Manly West after some difficulty with management at a local centre. My first question to the staff was about the culture, leadership and team dynamics. They quickly reassured me and substantiated this through their actions. I have a neurodivergent son and a baby who have experienced trauma from a young age due to losing their Father unexpectedly. The centre has supported us beautifully as a family and do what they can to help, knowing it’s hardly for me to keep on top of emails etc. Aside from this, the educators are beautiful, kind, loving and tailor their care according to each child’s needs. As with all centres, there is sometimes turnover of staff however this is unavoidable in this industry.
Response from the owner:Annie, thank you so much for sharing your experience, it truly means a lot to hear how supported your family has felt, especially during such a difficult time, we’re so glad the team has been able to provide a caring and understanding environment for both your children, and that the culture, leadership and consistency have come through in a way that reassured you, it’s lovely to hear the educators are tailoring their approach to meet each child’s individual needs, and we really appreciate your understanding around staff changes, your feedback means a great deal to us.
The I.
6 months ago
My daughter is well cared for and is really enjoying her time at Guardian Manly West, Thanks Kate & Team
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind feedback, we’re so pleased to hear your daughter is enjoying her time and feels well cared for, I’ll be sure to pass your thanks on to Kate and the team.
Emma O.
6 months ago
Lovely centre, very clean, staff are welcoming and always engaged with the children
Response from the owner:Hi Emma, thank you for your kind words, we’re so pleased you’ve found the centre clean and welcoming, and it’s lovely to hear our team’s engagement with the children has stood out to you.
Levi C.
7 months ago
This place is amazing. The staff and teachers are great and I couldn't be happier. After a bad experience at another daycare which my wife and I had to pull our daughter from, this place has been a great from the start. They made us feel very welcome and our daughter is happy to go everyday, no more tears. I highly recommend this daycare. Keep up the great work.
Response from the owner:Thank you Levi for your kind feedback, we’re so glad your experience has been such a positive change and that your daughter now feels happy and settled each day, it’s wonderful to hear the team made you feel welcome from the start and supported your family, we truly appreciate your recommendation and trust in us.
Helen J.
9 months ago
Response from the owner:Thank you, Helen, for your five star review. We really appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback.
Kate L.
9 months ago
Response from the owner:Thank you so much, Kate, for the five star review. We truly appreciate you taking the time to share your experience.
Eloise J.
10 months ago
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ We couldn’t be happier with our son’s daycare. The educators are incredibly caring and genuinely take the time to listen to everything we’ve set up for him, which gives us so much peace of mind as parents. Communication is always clear and reassuring. Our son eats really well while he’s there, and it’s so comforting knowing his routine is respected. It’s amazing to see him learning new skills every day and coming home happy and settled. You can truly tell the staff love what they do and care deeply about the children and their development. Such a warm, supportive environment. we’re so grateful to have found this place!
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your lovely review, Eloise. We’re so pleased to hear how supported and reassured you’ve felt and that your son’s routine, care needs, and wellbeing have been so thoughtfully respected. It’s wonderful to know the clear communication, positive mealtimes, and daily learning experiences have given you peace of mind and that your son is coming home happy and settled. Your kind words about the team’s genuine care and passion for what they do mean a great deal, and we’re truly grateful to be part of your family’s journey.
Jasmine H.
11 months ago
I am so grateful for this incredible centre! The staff are unmatched in their care and interest in the children. They have created such a fulfilling environment for each child to explore and learn, plenty of time and space for individual play aswell as stimulating educational programs (we love the happy feet program on Fridays). My little one has thrived ever since starting and has hit milestones faster than I ever expected. Cannot recommend them enough!!!
Response from the owner:Thank you, Jasmine, for your beautiful feedback. It’s so rewarding to hear how positively your experience has been and how much your little one has thrived since starting. Our team is deeply committed to creating a nurturing environment where children feel supported, curious, and confident, so it’s wonderful to know this has supported your child’s development and milestones. We’re also delighted that the learning experiences, including Happy Feet on Fridays, have been such a highlight. Thank you for your kind recommendation and for trusting us with your child’s learning journey.
Tamika L.
11 months ago
Guardian was a game-changer for my child's development. They have catered to any and all needs we've had and helped us so much along the way.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Tamika! We’re so pleased to hear our centre has been a game-changer for your child’s development. It’s wonderful that the team has been able to cater to your needs and support you along the way. Your feedback means so much—thank you for sharing!
Tiffany F.
11 months ago
After transferring from another daycare in April the experience my family have had has been nothing short of amazing!! From the second you arrive you are always greeted with a friendly smile and a welcoming feeling!!! The educators always go above and beyond for the kids ensuring they are getting the most out of each day!!! My son is thriving and seeing this first hand makes me realise I have made the best decision for his future!!!
Response from the owner:We’re so happy to hear this, Tiffany! It’s wonderful that your transition in April was such a positive experience. Knowing you feel welcomed from the moment you arrive and that our educators go above and beyond for the children means the world to us. Seeing your son thrive and knowing you feel confident about his future is exactly what we strive for—thank you for sharing!
Ciara
12 months ago
My child started at the centre 2 months ago after we moved to the area. The team took the time to ensure he settled well by getting to know him as an individual. The staff are very friendly and provide nice updates at pick-up. The management are very approachable and helpful. My child is advancing well through the thoughtful development activities. The centre is always well organised and clean and I am also very pleased with the nutrious food options. The menu is full of variety. Thanks to the team and well done on a fab centre.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Ciara, for sharing such a thoughtful review. We’re delighted to hear your child has settled so well after your move, and our thoughtful approach in getting to know your little one supported this so well, that personal connection is something we value deeply. Your kind words about the friendly educators, approachable management, and the regular updates at pick-up mean so much to us. It’s wonderful to know you appreciate the thoughtful developmental activities, clean, organised environment and the nutritious, varied menu—we work hard to ensure every child feels safe, supported, and well cared for. Thank you for your trust and for recognising the effort that goes into creating a welcoming and enriching space for families. We're so glad you are part of our community!
Samuel N.
12 months ago
Guardian Manly West is an absolutely amazing Childcare Centre, with a dedicated group of Educators and Staff. They do an incredible job to provide a great experience for both kids and parents. From the moment you walk into the centre you are greeted by friendly staff, the centre is clean and presents very well and the educators go above and beyond to aid in your child’s development. We are so grateful to have such a great childcare centre nearby and would recommend to anyone.
Response from the owner:Thank you so much Samuel for taking the time to share this lovely feedback. It truly means a lot to us here at the centre. We absolutely love welcoming our families to the centre each day and it makes us so happy to know you feel that warm greeting, clean environment and genuine support from our educators. Our team work with passion and intention to support each child’s development and it’s wonderful to see this recognised. We are grateful to be part of your family’s early learning journey and we truly appreciate your recommendation.
Natalie D.
1 year ago
I cannot speak highly enough of this incredible team. Amy, Kate and Aine have done an outstanding job in opening a brand-new centre and creating an environment where best practice and the wellbeing of our precious children are always the top priorities. Over the last 7 months, both of our daughters have absolutely flourished at Guardian Manly West. They are confident, capable learners who love coming each day and are developing such a strong sense of belonging. Our youngest daughter has multiple allergies, and the care and attention given to her needs have been exceptional. I’m consistently consulted about her dietary requirements to ensure that she is safe, included and supported every day. Thank you Amy, Kate, Aine and the incredible educators who make Guardian Manly West such a wonderful learning environment.
Response from the owner:Good day Natalie, thank you so much for your beautiful words! It means a lot to our entire team to know the care, dedication, and love we put into our centre leaves a long lasting positive impact. Amy, Kate, Aine, and all our educators are so proud to support your daughters’ growth and learning each day. We’re especially glad to hear you feel supported with your youngest’s allergy needs, it’s so important to us that every child feels safe, secure & supported each day.
Book a Tour Enquire Now Call Us Now

Rhythm of the Day

We know children and families like routine, so you will always receive a warm welcome each morning and an invitation to stay for breakfast. At the end of the day, a smooth transition is assured with your child’s belongings ready for you after a day that fulfils your child's interests and curiosity. In between, the day is filled with new and exciting experiences to engage young minds as part of their early childhood education. Here’s a glimpse of what a day of play-based learning at our childcare centre often looks like.

Morning

Breakfast time provides a great chance for you to share what is important and how your baby’s night at home was.

Mid-Morning

Your baby will enjoy engaging in both our indoor and outdoor nursery environments with planned experiences like songs and story time, followed by morning tea.

Middle of the Day

Your baby’s lunch times will suit their needs, and with our open-door policy, families are welcome to enjoy lunch/bottle time with your baby. When your baby is ready, they are gently settled for sleep and rest.

Mid-Afternoon

Our planned indoor and outdoor nursery experiences continue with the chance for movement, games and more books and songs, with an afternoon snack provided.

End of Day

The Nursery team are eager to share information about your baby’s day and their learning, preparing you and your baby for a smooth transition to your evening.

Book a Tour Enquire Now Call Us Now

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) $194.12 $90.22 $55.59
Toddler (2–3) $192.97 $89.07 $54.44
Kinder (3–5) $189.54 $85.64 $51.01

The Queensland Government offers funding to provide families up to 15 hours of free kindergarten a week. The funding off sets the fees for children who turn four years old by 30 June in the year before they attend primary school. This support is in addition to the Child Care Subsidy and can help to lower your out-of-pocket fees. Ask for more details when you tour the centre.

What do you provide?

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

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.

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
Flying start to school

Our Flying Start to School kindergarten program is lead by degree qualified Teachers in a long day care setting. Our specialist two-year program is committed to supporting your child as they prepare for big school. We focus on nurturing their confidence, making friends and social emotional growth while also supporting their abilities in reading, writing, counting, and thinking skills. Whether it’s building with blocks, practicing their first letters, or learning to share with friends, every experience is carefully designed to support your child’s development.

Our Centre is a recipient of funding as part of the QLD Government’s Free Kindy
Program. Eligible children who turn four years old by 30 June can receive up to 15hrs of free kindergarten a week (40 weeks per year) to reduce your out-of-pocket fees. Ask for more
details when you tour the centre.

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.

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.

Book a Tour Enquire Now Call Us Now
Book a Tour Enquire Now