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Welcome to Lemon Tree

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Guardian Childcare Lemon Tree

Google Reviews

(54)
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  • 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.
  • We’re the proud winner of the Gold Family Choice Award 2026, based on ratings from the Family Satisfaction Survey and independent Google Reviews.
  • Our Lemon Tree centre offers an expansive outdoor area for adventure, featuring a sandpit, bike track and a productive veggie garden.
  • Our centre feels like home, where each day is exciting, from our nursery to our leading 2-year kindergarten program.
Lemon Tree NQS Rated Exceeding by ACECQA

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.

2 Grattan St Carlton, VIC, 3053

Mon to Fri 7:30am to 6:00pm

Spaces available now across rooms

Premium Lemon Tree Childcare Centre

Lemon Tree Centre Manager Image

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."

Daily Fees

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

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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 Lemon Tree 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 Carlton, Fitzroy, Collingwood, Parkville, Carlton North, and Melbourne.

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 Carlton 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.

We Care More. The Guardian Difference.

A new era in early learning.

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Premium Learning Spaces

Inspiring environments for curious minds.

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Where care meets peace of mind.

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Building lifelong healthy habits with every bite.

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2 year Preschool / Kinder program for school readiness.

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Partnership with families & community

Stay connected, every step of the way.

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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.

Google Reviews

(54)
A C.
5 months ago
I sent my daughter to Lemon Tree from 9 months old through to 5 years old and I couldn't have chosen a better place for her to spend her early years. At every stage, the team were professional, nurturing, fun and welcoming and it always felt like we were part of their community. Their communications were excellent and they shared how activities each day were aligned to their learning framework. The chef always put so much thought and energy into creating an interesting, varied and nutritious menu each week. I couldn't recommend Lemon Tree highly enough and will always be grateful for their care of my daughter for those years.
Response from the owner:Thank you for sharing such a thoughtful reflection on your daughter’s early years with us. It means so much to hear how supported your family felt from 9 months through to school age, and that the team’s care, communication and learning experiences made such a positive impact during that important time.
Lea L.
5 months ago
It’s hard to put into words what this child care center has meant to our family over the last 10 years. What started as a place we trusted with our children has truly become an extension of our family. From the moment you walk through the door, you feel it. The staff doesn’t just know your child’s name they know your name. You’re greeted with warmth, genuine smiles, and the kind of care that can’t be taught. They hug our kids, show them love and affection, and at the same time provide the structure and discipline they need to grow into respectful, confident little people. They have helped us raise three children over the past decade, and that says everything. The consistency and low staff turnover have made such a difference. We’ve had the privilege of getting to know and trust incredible caregivers like Imalka, Chetna, Jiin, Lily, and Angela. They aren’t just staff members they are mentors, role models, and part of our village. The open floor plan creates a welcoming, connected environment where you can feel the positive energy the moment you step inside. It’s a space filled with laughter, learning, and love. And we can’t forget the food! The meals are not only nutritious but genuinely delicious. My children still talk about and miss Danny’s cooking that says a lot coming from kids! Knowing they were being fed healthy, well-prepared meals every day gave us such peace of mind. Choosing child care is one of the biggest decisions a parent makes. Looking back, it’s one of the best decisions we ever made. We are forever grateful for the care, dedication, and heart they’ve poured into our children and our family. ❤️
Response from the owner:Thank you so much, Lea, for your beautiful words and for trusting us with your family for the past 10 years. It has truly been an honour to be part of your children’s journey and to watch all three of them grow into confident, capable individuals. We are so proud of the strong relationships built with Imalka, Chetna, Jiin, Lily and Angela, and it means so much to hear that our team has felt like part of your village. Creating a warm, connected environment where children feel loved, supported and guided is at the heart of what we do. We will also be sure to share your kind words about Danny’s cooking. Knowing the children still talk about his meals makes us smile. Thank you again, Lea. Your trust and loyalty over the years mean more to us than words can say.
Janet C.
8 months ago
Our experience with Guardian Lemontree has been fantastic. From the nursery team all the way to the kinder team, the whole team has just been amazing. We have had the pleasure of watching both our children go through the centre and be given the same high quality level of care, support and guidance from the team. They have both built and continue to build such great relationships with all their educators. Our youngest is in the junior kinder room now and absolutely thriving, thank you Jnr K team (Jiin, Tamanna, Kryzzy, Christine and Nick) for helping her feel safe and helping her become more confident every day! Drop offs are a little less teary now :) Thank you Tamanna for the progress reports from the To Be Me program. We love reading feedback on how our little one is progressing and demonstrating her skills. I find the reports really help us to understand how we (at home) can help her continue developing these skills. Being able to look back through the individual reports is really a great way to see the growth and changes in interests over the years. Keep up the great work team, we are lucky to have you!
Response from the owner:Thank you, Janet, for sharing such a thoughtful and detailed review. It is wonderful to hear how positive your experience has been across each age group and how consistently supported both of your children have felt over the years. Your kind words about the relationships they have built with their educators and the confidence your youngest is developing mean so much. It is lovely to hear how valuable you find the To Be Me progress reports, especially in helping you understand her learning and how you can continue supporting her at home. Knowing that drop offs are becoming a little easier is also very heartwarming. Thank you for recognising the dedication of the team and the care they bring to each day. Your feedback is truly appreciated.
Cheryl L.
8 months ago
Amazing staff and childcare centre. Both my children enjoyed their time there! The level of care and teaching allows me to feel safe for me to leave them under their care.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Cheryl! We’re so glad both your children enjoyed their time with us and that you felt confident in the care provided. Your feedback is greatly appreciated.
Brett N.
9 months ago
We’ve been really happy with the lemon tree family. All the staff and educators and chefs have been genuinely considerate and lovely. We couldn’t be happier with our son’s development since he started at lemon tree. Particularly his language and personability have excelled. We could not be happier with Lemon Tree.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Brett! We’re delighted to hear your son’s development has been so positive, especially his language and confidence. It’s wonderful to know you appreciate the caring team and the welcoming environment. Thank you for sharing your experience!
aahuti M.
9 months ago
Response from the owner:Thank you, Aahuti, for your 5-star rating! We appreciate your support and look forward to continuing to provide a wonderful experience for your family.
Steph K.
9 months ago
Our bub is in the nursery room at Lemontree and absolutely loves it! We love the detailed curriculum that lemontree provides (he knows sign language!) and all the detailed updates on my bub's learning in the program. Vivie, Sandy, and Ahuti are absolutely amazing dedicated educators and we couldn't be happier with their care!
Response from the owner:Thank you, Steph! We’re thrilled your little one loves the nursery program and that you appreciate the detailed curriculum and updates on his learning. It’s fantastic to hear he’s even learned sign language! Your kind words about Vivie, Sandy, and Ahuti mean so much—they truly are dedicated educators. Thank you for sharing your experience!
Giulia
9 months ago
At Guardian Lemon Tree, you're more than a CCS number, you're part of the family, and what a privilege it is to be able to send our daughter here. We can't thank our nursery family (Vivie, Sandy and Ahuti) enough for the support as we've commenced at Lemon Tree this year. Our daughter was 7 months old when she stared and it was an emotion transition for all of us, but each day, our nursery family and the greater Lemon Tree team (Chetna, Jin, Luna, Savi and Nick just to name a few) have shown us so much love and care and have nurtured and supported our daughter during this transition. It truly is a team effort. As first time parents, and not knowing what to expect from putting your most precious gift into someone else's care, no question has been too silly. The team have taken time to listen to what we're doing at home and replicating these routines in our daughter's day-to-day, helping her to reach milestones. It's never just dropping your child off and leaving, the team always ask how you're week/day/you are, taking a genuine interest in how we spend time as a family and what's important to us. They share their personal celebrations or activities with us and it's been a joy bonding with each of our Nursery Team . They are one of a kind.
Response from the owner:Giulia, thank you for such a heartfelt review! We’re so pleased your family feels part of our community and that your daughter’s transition has been supported every step of the way. It’s wonderful to hear how our team has worked closely with you to replicate routines, help her reach milestones, and make you feel comfortable as first-time parents. Building those strong connections means everything to us—thank you for trusting us.
Jess H.
9 months ago
Highly rate Lemontree and all the educators who work there! Thanks team for all your hard work and dedication to the kids and community.
Response from the owner:Thank you so much, Jess, for sharing your feedback. It is wonderful to hear how highly you rate the educators and the support they provide each day. Your acknowledgement of their hard work and dedication to the children and the wider community is truly appreciated. Thank you again for taking the time to leave this review.
Ann C.
9 months ago
We’ve had a wonderful experience with Lemontree and the nursery team. Vivie, Sandy, Ahuti and the team have always been so accomodating to our child’s needs, even playing mandarin songs and learning to speak to our child in key mandarin words to make him feel more at home. Being a small team means there is more care and a lot of thought put into our child’s curriculum and development. We especially appreciate the detailed daily updates and written reports. It’s been wonderful having our child there and seeing him develop amazing relationships with the team. Would highly recommend. Thank you Lemontree and the nursery team!
Response from the owner:Ann, thank you for sharing your experience. We’re so pleased the team’s efforts to make your child feel at home—like playing Mandarin songs and learning key words—have made a difference. It’s great to hear you value the detailed updates and the thoughtful approach to curriculum and development. Your kind words and recommendation are truly appreciated by Vivie, Sandy, Ahuti, and the whole team. We're so glad that you're part of our community!
Luca N.
9 months ago
I’d like to take a moment to express our appreciation for the incredible work that Nick, Winnie, Luna, and the whole toddler team have done over the past year. Their love, care, and dedication have been evident every day, and our child has truly grown attached to them. At home, our child would often mention their names out of the blue, always with a big smile, a clear sign of the bond they built together. We know the memories and the foundation they created will stay with our little one. Thank you again for everything. We’re looking forward to continuing the journey.
Response from the owner:Thank you so much Luca, for your beautiful message. We’re incredibly grateful for your kind words and thrilled to hear how much your child has connected with Nick, Winnie, Luna, and the entire toddler team. It’s lovely to know that their care and dedication have made such a lasting impression, those spontaneous mentions at home and big smiles say it all. Building strong, trusting relationships is at the heart of what we do, and it’s wonderful to hear that your child feels so supported and happy. We’re excited to continue this journey with your family and look forward to many more special moments ahead.
Lily C.
11 months ago
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your positive review! Lily We're thrilled that you're having a great experience at our centre, and we truly appreciate your support.
Anna L.
1 year ago
To impart your young cubs into the trust and care of others takes trust and courage. Yet, the beautiful team at Lemon Tree made that process and the days, weeks, months and years beyond, such a joyful experience. The bond and connection the carers had with our children truly aided their growth and development. The community of fun and adventure they foster for the children has built true friendships. And the stability and united culture among the team is noticeable. Lemon Tree is a special place and we are very grateful our children had the blessing of spending time there.
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your review! We're happy to hear that your experience with us has been so positive. It's wonderful to know that our team has made such a meaningful impact on your children's growth and development. We strive to create a nurturing and adventurous environment, and it's gratifying to see that reflected in your feedback. Your kind words about our team's bond and the friendships fostered here mean a lot to us. We're grateful for the trust you've placed in us and are delighted that your children enjoyed their time at our centre. Thank you for being a part of our community!
Chetna S.
1 year ago
Lemon Tree has been my first home for the past 19 years, and I couldn’t be more grateful for the journey I’ve had here. The warm and welcoming environment, the incredible team that feels like family, and the strong sense of community make this place truly special. I’ve loved every moment—watching families grow, building relationships, and working alongside such dedicated and passionate people. Looking forward to many more amazing years ahead! Highly recommend Lemon Tree to anyone looking for a nurturing and supportive space. 💛🌿
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your heartfelt review Chetna! We're incredibly grateful for your 19 years of dedication and the wonderful journey we've shared together at Lemon Tree. It's heartwarming to hear that our warm and welcoming environment, incredible team, and strong sense of community have made this place feel like home for you. Watching families grow, building relationships, and working alongside such passionate people truly makes Lemon Tree special. We're excited for many more amazing years ahead and deeply appreciate your high recommendation. Thank you again for your kind words and for being such an integral part of our community!
Daniela Bustamante O.
1 year ago
Emma W.
2 years ago
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.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your feedback about our centre in Lemon tree! We are so happy to hear that you enjoyed your time with us. At Guardian, we’re all about partnering with our families to deliver the best quality outcomes for our children and really appreciate your review.
Adam R.
2 years ago
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.
Response from the owner:Thank you Adam for your 5-star rating for our centre in Lemon Tree. We really appreciate your positive review and look forward to creating a great experience at Guardian over many more days to come!
Jessica H.
2 years ago
Lucy M.
2 years ago
Wonderful staff and facilities, we love it
Response from the owner:Thank you so much Lucy for your wonderful review of our Lemon Tree centre. We very much appreciate this.
Giselle T.
2 years ago
Ashley R.
2 years ago
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!
Response from the owner:Thanks for the awesome review, Ashley! We work hard to meet expectations like yours, and always strive to find ways to improve our centres. Glad to you hear you have had such a great experience!
Lauren K.
3 years ago
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.
Response from the owner:Thank you Lauren for your 5-star rating for our centre in Lemon Tree. We really appreciate your positive review and look forward to creating a great experience at Guardian over many more days to come!
Dimity S.
3 years ago
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!!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your feedback about our centre in Lemon Tree! We are happy to hear such good things about you and your little one’s experience with us. At Guardian, we’re all about partnering with our families to deliver the best quality outcomes for our children and really appreciate your review.
Ali C.
3 years ago
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.
Response from the owner:Thanks for the awesome review, Ali! We work hard to meet expectations like yours, and always strive to find ways to improve our centres. Glad to you hear you have had such a great experience!
Mohammad I.
4 years ago

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.

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) $210.21 $119.30 $88.99
Toddler (2–3) $210.21 $119.30 $88.99
Kinder (3–5) $207.79 $116.88 $86.57

The Victorian Government offers funding to provide families up to 15 hours of Free Kindergarten a week, in addition to the Childcare Subsidy. The funding offsets the fees for three and four-year-old children that are part of the centre's long day care Kindergarten program. Families will save up to $2,101 a year for children aged three-years-old and above in eligible long day cares. 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 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.

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.

Guardian Centres Nearby

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