Open 7:00am to 6:30pm
Monday to Friday
HOURS
Mon to Fri 7:00am to 6:30pm
ADDRESS
3 Flockhart Street Abbotsford, VIC, 3067
SPACES AVAILABLE NOW ACROSS ROOMS
Welcome to our Centre
Welcome to Guardian Childcare & Education Abbotsford! Our spacious, bright and welcoming childcare and long day care centre in Abbotsford provides leading learning programs in a nurturing environment for children aged six weeks to six years.
- Quality learning programs such as Joy of Reading, Cooking and Sustainability
- Engaging indoor learning spaces full of quality educational resources
- Expansive outdoor play spaces with a sandpit, rooftop garden, mud play and exciting play structures
- On-site Chef providing fresh snacks and meals daily
- Nappies, SPF 50+ sunscreen, high-quality formula and bed linen provided
- Extended hours of care each weekday from 7.00am to 6.30pm
Meet our Centre Manager
Bec
I love the quote ‘ educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all’. I believe as early an educator our first focus should be displaying love, compassion and kindness. Having these three core values front of mind creates an inclusive environment where all children feel safe and supported. I love being able to role model an inclusive mindset for not only our children but our community.
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.
Centre Highlights
Our Abbotsford childcare centre offers:
- Quality learning programs such as Joy of Reading, Cooking and Sustainability
- Engaging indoor learning spaces full of quality educational resources
- Expansive outdoor play spaces with a sandpit, rooftop garden, mud play and exciting play structures
- On-site Chef providing fresh snacks and meals daily
- Nappies, SPF 50+ sunscreen, high-quality formula and bed linen provided
- Extended hours of care each weekday from 7.00am to 6.30pm
- A spacious early learning Centre with modern, warm, and inviting learning and play areas that children will love.
- 120 place centre includes a rooftop garden where children engage in our Gardening and Sustainability program, mud play, sandpit play and other outdoor exploration.
- Located in Melbourne’s inner north, the Centre is convenient for families commuting into the CBD for work; one-hour free parking is available and close to multiple tram stops.
- Multicultural team of Educators and Teachers who speak many different languages, to reflect the rich cultural diversity of the local community.
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.
Samantha B.
02:06 06 Feb 24
The staff and teachers are so lovely, I know my son is in safe hands! They do heaps of activities to keep the children engaged. Lots of outdoor play. My son comes home exhausted but happy!
Michael J.
08:44 23 Dec 23
Outstanding daycare! Loved the open spaces between the rooms which provided plenty of fresh air and the ability for children to play outside no matter the weather. The whole team are very friendly and caring. They looked after our two boys so well and we were sad to leave. They also have plenty of extra days and allow you to swap public holidays - something many others don’t offer. Highly recommended!
Ryan C.
21:09 17 Nov 23
My son loves attending. He has close relationships with his teachers and educators. During the orientation process everyone supported my son and me through this settling in stage. All the educators were happy and introduced themselves and Management was friendly and made this process easy for my family.
Furry T.
10:53 11 Aug 23
Amazing facilities, program and wonderful educators.We walked into this centre and was welcome by the centre manager with a very warm welcoming.Our son is thriving and it’s been two weeks in the three year old kinder room.Thank you to the dedicated staff for going above and beyond for our little guys first two weeks. The daily updates of his learning help make the day easier knowing he is loved and cared for.Thank you Bec and the team.
Jemma M.
09:01 19 May 23
My son attended Guardian from 20 months to just before his 4th birthday. The centre was amazing for our family, always caring and supportive. We saw our son really begin to flourish in his social skills quite fast, despite spending a large chunk of time in lockdown from a young age and being an only child. Thanks to Guardian, he has developed in to an amazing young man, who shows amazing kindness and care with others (and is a bit of a whizz at puzzles!). I couldn't recommend this centre any higher!
Danielle B.
02:56 19 Oct 22
Fantastic, dedicated and consistent staff who are wonderful with the children and help create a warm, welcoming environment.
Daniel M.
23:43 12 Jul 22
We sent our son to Guardian Abbotsford for about 9 months (only changed centres because we've bought a house far away). It is a fantastic centre with wonderful staff. For nervous first timers sending their small child to childcare it was great comfort to know he know he was being cared for by such dedicated educators. We can only hope our next centre is as good!
Emma W.
11:27 15 Jun 22
A wonderfully supportive centre. The level of communication and care is above and beyond.Handled all the challenges that Covid presented with honesty and clear instructions.Well done! We are so glad that Guardian is apart of Grace's weekly routine.
Luisa F.
09:10 26 Oct 21
We've been at this centre for 2 years now and our experience has been fabulous. The educators are amazing with the children. They really work incredibly hard to ensure the children have different learning experiences on a daily basis. The centre admin staff comunicate very effectively with the community and its also very much appreciated. Everyone is extremely friendly and the overall experience has made me proud that my son enjoys going there.
Trinity S.
11:05 21 Oct 21
Florence and C.
21:26 25 Feb 21
Our boys have been at Guardian since 8 months (1 is currently in Prep and the other still in care) I can not fault the team. They have been professional, responsive and super resilient. They have been incredibly supportive and so helpful during drop off as my son had a difficult time readjusting going back to care. I highly recommend Guardian, meet the educators and see the centre.
Yasmeen A.
02:06 18 Feb 21
My daughter went to guardian abbotsford for 2,5 yrs. In those years she turned from a shy little toddler into a talktive little lady with a wild imagination. She loved it, the educators and management are amazing, helpful and professional. I cant recommend them enough.
Katherine H.
09:39 22 Dec 20
Today was my daughter’s last day at this centre and I’m writing this review to show my appreciation. From the first day, the educators and other team members have shown so much care, compassion and dedication. It’s a very close knit community that I expect is hard to find elsewhere. It certainly reassured me about leaving my little girl each day.
Anthony S.
03:31 21 Sep 20
My daughter has been attending this centre since she was 5 months old, and we have had such a positive experience. They understood how difficult it was to leave a baby with near strangers, but made us feel comfortable with the decision through constant communication and daily updates. The educators are wonderful, and she has developed amazing relationships with them and the other children. We receive daily updates which include photos, and it's clear to see how much she's grown and developed over the last 18 months with them. Couldn't recommend more highly!
Eva X.
01:30 13 Dec 19
Our experience with Explorers Abbostford has been really good. My son is with them for 8 months since 1 year old and it's really sad to say goodbye because I am taking maternity leave soon, have to change him to a childcare close to our home. But after back to work, will definitely send him back to this center. The room leader, teachers and management team all really good and friendly. My son loves being part of the big family and he build a strong relationship with teachers and kids here.
JT
05:30 19 Oct 19
Our experience with Explorers Abbostford has been really good. In the last two year and half, teachers always provide daily photo and reports about our son and the activities of the day, they have been very supportive with our son in order to reinforce his confidence, to explore new skills and to integrate with other kids and make friends. We really appreciate the multi cultural environment of Explorers and their Reggio Emilia approach which fits very well with the personality of our son. We are very happy with the staff, teachers work very hard, taking care of kids is not an easy task, however, they still manage to have an smile at the end of the day and comment how our son did during the day. Many thanks Explorers.Access to the facilities is controlled by several security systems, there is plenty of car park accessed by remote control in a garage, and kids can play outside in safe environment, there is a newsletter every week with the different information and there is an app to access the photos of your kid.
Aneesh N.
04:03 15 Oct 19
Kylie S.
06:22 14 Oct 19
Finding a great child care centre is a challenge for all parents. When I returned to work part time we were planning to send our son to a large centre close to our home, but didn't proceed at the last minute because we were not confident in the staff. A friend from my mother's group suggested we look at Explorers. Wow. We were instantly hooked. The small numbers of children on each level and grouping children by age gave us such confidence to leave our 1 year old in their care. He has now been there for 18 months and loves it. The skills and confidence that he continues to gain in his language and social development always impresses us. We were so happy with Explorers that our second child has attended since 6 months of age. It's particularly difficult to leave a young baby with strangers, but we knew the staff and were confident in their care. All the staff have all been amazing - room teachers, management, administration. We couldn't ask for a better child care centre for our kids.
beatrice T.
06:36 21 Feb 23
Edit: Management has changed since and many educators have left, will need to give it awhile to see how things pick up again.- -We have had 2 children come through this centre and could not speak highly enough of the care and attention that every educator has shown us in the last 5 years. Both my children have built very strong bonds with the educators they have had each year. Admin staff are very responsive and helpful, we have had no communication issues whatsoever in our time here.We always recommend Guardian Abbotsford to new families who move into the neighbourhood. Keep up the good work team!