Open 7:30am to 6:00pm
Monday to Friday
Guardian Childcare & Education
Lemon Tree
- Proud winner of the Family Choice Award 2025. As determined by our existing families rating their experience of our Centre via Family Satisfaction Survey and independent Google Reviews. Click here for more detail
- We know you want the best for your child. At Guardian Lemon Tree we are proud of our quality learning, incredible resources, and the care and attention we provide each child. You have to come and see us.
- Choose us, and watch your child explore, learn, and thrive with confidence, guided by passionate Educators and strong family connection.
- Don’t miss out! Come and see for yourself not just our beautiful spaces, and amazing team, but the amazing sense of community we share. The leading childcare in the area.
Book a tour today to see what makes our Centre special & have all your questions answered
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 7:30am to 6:00pm
ADDRESS
2 Grattan St Carlton, VIC, 3053
SPACES AVAILABLE NOW ACROSS ROOMS
Check out our fantastic indoor and outdoor learning spaces your child will enjoy
Welcome to our Centre
Guardian Childcare & Education Lemon Tree is bursting with resource-rich environments for early learning. Following a recent Centre-wide renovation, this modern Centre is an oasis of learning for children aged from six weeks to six years. The children are able to explore and learn through modern resources, natural play structures and a range of age-specific play areas.
- 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, bike track and veggie garden
- On-site Chef providing fresh snacks and meals daily
- Highly experienced Educators and degree-qualified Teachers
- Nappies, SPF 50+ sunscreen, a hat and bed linen provided
- Extended hours of care each weekday from 7:30am to 6:00pm
Meet our Centre Manager Lily and team
"As a team, we understand the profound value of community. Just as a strong community fosters trust, respect, and responsibility from an early age, we believe in creating an environment where children feel loved, nurtured, and supported. Together, we help them grow into the best version of themselves and reach for the stars."
Our Flying Start to School program provides a specialised 2-year curriculum for children aged 3 to 5. Our unique program has two stages - Becoming Me for 3 year olds and Being Me for 4 year olds. Using developmental milestones and continuous monitoring of your child’s progress, this program is designed to make sure your child gets a flying start to school. Read more HERE
Where children are supported to be brave, curious, and bold in their learning, for the best possible start to life.
Emma W.
11:39 11 Jul 24
We loved our year at Lemon Tree and are so sad to say goodbye to the wonderful educators who have made a home away from home for our son. He got so much love and care in the nursery room and thrived in the toddler room. This is a truly special place, with special people.
Adam R.
06:38 07 Jul 24
Absolutely loved our time at Lemon Tree. Our daughter went from strength to strength as she moved through the baby and toddler room. Lily and the whole team are really fantastic educators providing exceptional care and support. We're moving overseas for a period, but will be picking up where we left off when we return.
Jessica H.
02:51 14 May 24
Lucy M.
02:44 14 May 24
Wonderful staff and facilities, we love it
Giselle T.
02:47 24 Apr 24
Ashley R.
02:47 09 Feb 24
Our daughter spent four years here and we cannot speak highly enough of the incredible team at Lemon Tree. If you're looking for a place where your child will thrive (and you can be confident that they'll always be cared for and loved), look no further!
Lauren K.
22:47 29 Jan 24
Our son has just finished nearly 5 years at Lemon Tree and is off to school. If I could give Lily and the whole team more than 5 stars I would. We could not have asked for a more welcoming, safe and fun place for our kids to learn and grow. I cannot thank them or recommend them enough.
Jiin K.
02:32 09 Nov 23
I LOVE the spirit of team Lemon tree! It feels like I got my family here away from my home. Everyone welcomes whoever walks in. Even families are so friendly which helps me to feel a sense of belonging to this community. I feel loved and privileged to work here with a bunch of lovely people!
Dimity S
03:20 08 Nov 23
Our little one has been attending Lemon Tree for the past ~12 months and absolutely loves it. We love everything about this centre, everyone is so caring and we know our child is being so well looked after and supported. We looked at 10-12 centres before deciding on Lemon Tree and know it was the right decision for our family. The centre will work with you to ensure your child is thriving- be it through the orientation process, food allergies/sensitivities, sleep, returning after sickness, transitioning rooms etc. There is a very strong focus on education and setting your child up for their schooling years which is also incredibly important! Thank you to all the staff for being so amazing!!
Ali C.
12:40 21 Mar 23
My daughter loves the Centre and the staff, is welcomed and engaged throughout the day, eats and plays well and comes home happy. I'm regularly kept in the loop and I understand her learning objectives each week.
Mohammad I.
01:14 19 Jul 22
Annabelle W.
03:28 22 Feb 22
Yvette van de M.
05:46 16 Nov 21
Jamie H.
10:24 12 Jul 21
The perfect childcare centre! Lemon Tree has been an invaluable part of our lives for over 2 years. The careers are beautiful, nurturing, positive role models who have genuine meaningful connections with all the children. The centre is organised, clean and safe. The chef is a magician when it comes to nutritional fancy meals for kids. At first I worried there wasn’t enough grass & dirt, but quickly realised the stuff that mattered was the culture created by the centre staff, kids and their families, not grass! Plus there is dirt, plants, sand, water play and all kinds of activities. Our child would regularly come home in a second pair of clothes after joyfully playing in all manner of messy tactile world things!! The staff and kids love being there, our child loved the place like family. They really cared about our child’s happiness and development. Sadly we recently moved from Melbourne but we will forever love the wonderful Lemon Tree community. There’s no other like it.
Catherine L.
08:53 18 Dec 20
Our two children have been at Lemontree for 18 months and are now heading off to school. The kinder program has been a wonderful experience for them and has definitely prepared them for what lies ahead. They have thrived and enjoyed it so much. And to be honest, we have too. We love the community that is Lemontree. The teachers, the stories, the chats, the food, the environment are all brilliant. We'll miss it. But we're grateful to have had it.
Elizabeth R.
10:08 14 Nov 20
Our son has blossomed into a confident, happy and curious little man since commencing childcare at the Lemon Tree. He loves being there and my partner and I are so pleased to have found such a caring and nurturing environment for him to enjoy whilst we are at work.
Bronte C.
09:20 12 Nov 20
We have been sending our nearly 2-year-old to Lemon Tree for over a year and we could not be happier with this decision. The staff are so warm and friendly, and incredibly responsive to our wishes as a family. There is a real emphasis on good communication and community, which we have really loved, and this has been particularly remarkable in 2020 with the additional stresses around Covid. Our child has really blossomed and developed strong bonds with the carers. Highly, highly recommended!
Susie B.
03:26 12 Nov 20
Our three year old daughter has been attending Lemon Tree for around 18 months now after transferring from another centre. In short - there is no comparison. She is so well loved and cared for by the amazing staff at the centre and each day comes home brimming with stories, creative play ideas, and happy memories. We get a glimpse in the daily photos and posts so feel well-connected with what is happening in the room. And such a friendly and welcoming community vibe as soon as you enter the centre.
Rodolphe R.
23:44 11 Nov 20
Great center that makes my boys really happy. Always amazed on how much learning the team teaches them. Highly recommended
adrian S.
05:08 10 Nov 20
I've been been sending my daughter here for almost a year and she loves it. She gets up in the morning excited to be at lemontree.The food is amazing, thanks ishi! the staff are all lovely, happy to see the kids and there is a really consistent group.I couldn't recommend them enough, I went to inspect quite a few before settling on lemontree and the fitout and environment are way ahead of the other daycare in the inner city.
Maria C.
01:54 08 Nov 20
Andrew
01:53 08 Nov 20
Madeleine R.
05:04 05 Mar 20
Lemontree is an incredible daycare - gorgeous staff, beautiful space and my daughter comes home so happy every day. They also have a great app so you can keep up to date with what’s happening every day and the food looks chef quality - I’ve never seen better looking fruit plates! It’s a really happy vibe and you will definitely feel at ease sending your most precious family members there. Highly recommend!
Jesse-Lee S.
07:42 11 Dec 19
Having visited the Journey School in Boulder, Colorado USA - my partner and I were recommended to visit Lily and Kyleigh at the Guardian Lemon-Tree for a walk in and review. To be honest, we were completely astonished at the open air area that eloped the buildings environment.An open space with a one square meter opening directly to the open sky and the weather that Melbourne routinely brings, makes any child realise the wonder of the open world without leaving their space.The adventure that begins continues once the stairs are climbed by patter of little limbs, a grass space complete with sand pits, wooden blocks and a polytechnic display of primary and secondary colours provided any child a sense of amazement and wonder. Positioned with a east facing open sky the hidden dark spaces are great for the old school projector to highlight anything your child can find and find they will! The "wood room" leaves nothing to be desired, as a 32yo man, you could have left me to my own devices with the amount of wooden toys at my disposal (beer required however). I could count no less than a hundred pieces of wooden wedges, blocks, train pieces, and engineering degrees at the age of two.Hopefully the extensive waiting list will diminish for when my partner and I expect our next child.
Lea Lee (.
10:58 10 Dec 19
I am a mother of two and after my second baby started to look around for a child care centres around the Carlton and Melbourne CBD area. I toured probably about 7 childcare centres and found Lemon Tree. I felt a bit apprehensive leaving my children to strangers but had to go back to work. The staff at a lemon tree made me feel at ease and I felt my children were loved. Six years later I have one child that still attend the centre and it has become a second home to my children. The staff are friendly. The children are well looked after and fed well and even though my oldest doesn’t attend the centre anymore the staff will still ask her for a cuddle. There are reviews that say it’s high turn over of staff but in the 6 years we have attended the centre there are lots of staff that have still remained. Also Lily the centre manager is lovely and very approachable if you have any concerns she is usually there if not Chetna is around to talk to. So HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! GREAT EDUCATORS! Also there are very few childcare centres in the CBD that have outdoor space. But this centre has a beautiful outdoor space upstairs. So facilities are great!
Ayesha E.
22:21 30 Nov 19
Our son has been at Lemontree since he was 7minthe old, and I cannot speak highly enough of the care, love & support we have all received. It’s a lovely community & we would recommend it to any new parents.
Carly N.
07:52 29 Nov 19
We could not recommend Lemontree and the fabulous staff more highly. We have two children attending - one has been with the centre for 2.5 years, our youngest recently started and loves his days there.This is their second home and they adore the team at Lemontree.The staff are attentive and caring, and while education is a high priority, the children's happiness and wellbeing is always No.1.All the staff including management know every child by name and greet them with a smile every morning. : )
Katelyn N
05:32 29 Nov 19
The team at Lemon Tree are like an extension of our family. We found Lemon Tree during a desperate time, after our second born suffered a horrific accident at 14mths while in care at another child care centre. So we scrutinised and questioned every minute detail when we had our walkthrough and orientation. We found every member of the Lemon Tree team supported our child’s transition post-op to Lemon Tree. Now in pre-kinder, we work collaboratively with our child’s carers and speech therapist to support our child’s speech/communication, which had been affected by the accident. We proactively receive feedback by a member of the team after every session, community posts and photos - they welcomed my calls during the day (sometimes more than one!). Even when we were told that Lemon Tree was closing for renovations, they helped transition us to one of Guardians other centres and the staff kept themselves available to us to answer questions and address concerns in the interim. It was without a doubt for us that we would be rejoining Lemon Tree when they re-opened. We now have two children attending Lemon Tree, where morning drop-off can sometimes be difficult because every child is different but if you trust the team and work with them, your child will settle and find the confidence to explore independently - but safely with guided learning experiences.
Jacqui F.
04:30 29 Nov 19
Our daughter has been attending Lemontree for the last few months and the team have been nothing short of amazing. We are a particularly challenging family as we are still working through our daughter's allergies and other health issues. Management have been so accommodating with her safe foods, check in with us regularly and are so patient with our requests. The nursery room leaders genuinely care about the babies and we have been so impressed with all her learnings in such a short time. The facilities are lovely and I can see how happy our bubba is there.
John H.
04:07 29 Nov 19
Liah C.
08:44 08 May 18
My son August has been attending Lemon Tree since he was 10 months old. We have been so thrilled with the centre. All the educators are professional loving careers of August and all the children in their care. Sarah the manager sends out clear communication and is very easy to get a hold of whenever you need to speak to her. We love the story park online service where the room educators update parents throughout the day on what their little ones have been up to. You get to see pictures and hear stories which while your at work makes your day go by that little bit quicker. I would highly recommend this centre to any parent looking for a professional, warm, caring, fabulous environment for your child.
Tahnee W.
11:33 12 Apr 18
Our children have attended Lemon Tree for the last four years. We have had a fantastic experience with wonderful, caring and enthusiastic educators across all the rooms. The staff turnover seems to have been very low, meaning that our children have developed strong bonds with the staff and have become confident little people. Wouldn't hesitate to recommend Lemon Tree.
djhare
23:08 19 Feb 18
Sarah and her team are fantastic. Our little one had a great time each day at Lemon Tree, the carers are brilliant and attentive, and we always knew our kid was in the best hands. Would recommend to anyone.
Eleni P.
22:08 05 Feb 18
So happy we found this place. My children are loved and cared for and they run the centre so well.
Celine W.
10:07 25 Jan 17
I went to many schools and while lemon tree does not have the shine that I saw in many other places, it has the love - and that was what I wanted for my baby. He went in to at six months and I didnt know what to expect but I saw how much my little man loved the girls working there and was totally happy!! he has a wonderful group of friends and he is so adored. That meant more to me than the premise and the promise. He is loved, cared for and we treat lemon tree as family
Clara Čarija (.
21:38 29 Sep 15
Our daughter finally enjoys daycare, she had previously gone to a daycare in the city and was upset every day. Now she is engaged and happy, the staff are friendly and informative. The manager is lovely and genuinely cares about the quality of care. I highly recommend this daycare from my daughter's experience.
Anastas M.
05:17 01 Apr 14
Nazret A.
02:01 14 Jun 17
Rhythm of the Day
We know children (and families) like routine. Whilst no two days of learning are ever the same - here's what a day at Guardian might look like.
Whilst no two days of learning are ever the same - here's what a day at Guardian might look like.
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
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.
Learn More About Our Centre
Guardian Childcare & Education Lemon Tree is a boutique 60 place centre, catering for children aged four months – five years of age. Each child’s individual needs are taken into consideration when settling, planning and programming for them, and our Educators are very experienced at supporting you and your child feel comfortable in your new surroundings. The heritage of the old Lemon Tree hotel is captured in our environments, igniting a feeling of warmth and familiarity.
Our environments and learning experiences presented to the children are reflected in the research and knowledge of emergent curriculum, Reggio Emilia and the National Australian Early Years Learning framework. We foster curiosity, creative thinking and a passion for learning through our learning experiences.
Children’s learning is fostered and enhanced through exploration, play and experimentation, whilst being challenged and supported by their educators. Your child will love their day at Lemon Tree with our friendly and passionate team of Educators. We encourage Educators and families to work together to ensure a happy and productive time whilst children are in our care.
Our Educators take the time to provide families with up to date information on their child’s day and developmental progress. Our Educators are selected for their qualifications and expertise in the early childhood field and we pride ourselves on the quality of our care and the warm and secure learning environment we provide.
Your child’s learning and development will benefit greatly from the interaction with educators and other children at the centre. We make sure that our curriculum and school readiness program fits within the Commonwealth Government’s Early Years Learning Framework and National Quality Standards.
We offer a range of excursions for all age groups including visits to the Carlton Gardens, The Children’s Museum, our local bookstore for story time sessions and walks around Lygon Street. These excursions link us to the local community, and our eight seater pram is ideal for getting our babies out and about into the local area. Our culturally diverse team brings a worldly perspective to our programs and give children an opportunity to explore other cultures and traditions.
Our menu is developed in line with nutrition Australia’s guidelines for children, and we use fresh and seasonal produce to provide a healthy range of meals for your child. Encouraging our children to participate in healthy food choices, and supporting growth and development through nutrition and a healthy lifestyle.
We cater our services at the centre to make life easier for our busy families. We provide you with the necessities such as nappies, sunscreen hats, and bedding for nap times.
Introducing Guardian’s Summer Rain Program
From November to January, five Guardian Centres – 101 Collins, Kids Time Mckinnon, Rivergarden, Richmond and St Kilda Road – are running a Summer Rain Program with bespoke experiences for children from 0 to 5 years. Run in and around the art ateliers at each of the five centers, the program is designed by Multidisciplinary Artist, Heidi Weatherald. From visual arts, science and technology to dramatic play and literacy, no two days will look the same.
A taste of the experiences in the program
- Science, sensory, technology and music
- Science and literacy
- Puppetry, engineering sculpture, and song
- Sculpture and Song
- Science, poetry, and music
- Visual arts and storytelling
Are you interested in participating in our Summer Rain Program? Book a tour today.
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
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 VIC Government’s Free Kinder Program. Eligible children aged three years and above will receive up to $2101 in additional subsidies 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.
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.
What our families say about the centre
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