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Welcome to Elsternwick

Guardian Childcare & Education Elsternwick

Google Reviews

(25)
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  • Keeping children safe always comes first. All of our team are committed to uphold the highest standards of child safety. Read more about our approach to child safety.
  • With new lower fees & enhanced CCS benefits it's the perfect time to join our welcoming centre community.
  • At our recently refurbished Guardian Elsternwick, we are proud of our quality learning, incredible resources, and the care and attention we provide each child.
  • Your child will be in the best hands with us, and our centre will soon become their second home. They will never want to leave!
Elsternwick 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.

241 Kooyong Road Elsternwick, VIC, 3185

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

Limited Spaces Available

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Modern indoor and outdoor learning spaces

Daily Fees

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

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Welcome to Guardian Elsternwick, where your family is at the heart of all we do. Our long day care centre is proud to be rated Exceeding, offering a high standard of education from our nursery through to our government-funded Flying Start to School kindergarten program.

What makes our Elsternwick childcare unique?

• Our recently refurbished indoor spaces are bright and filled with quality, age-appropriate resources.
• An expansive outdoor area invites adventure, featuring a treehouse, water pumps and a creek bed
• Our To BE Me learning programs meet each child where they are, supporting their individual development. Our team understands and encourages your child at every stage

We are a leading daycare that provides a nurturing environment where your child’s safety and wellbeing come first. Join the leading childcare provider in the area!

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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.

Babies Toddlers Kindergarten

Google Reviews

(25)
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Hannah B.
Cannot recommend this centre enough. As a first-time mum, putting your baby into care comes with so much anxiety, but the team in The Vines room made our whole family feel completely at ease. Our son has absolutely thrived here, some days he doesn’t even want to come home!
We are genuinely so sad to be leaving this beautiful centre.
Response from the owner:Thank you for sharing such a heartfelt review, Hannah. It means so much to hear how supported your family felt from the very beginning and how much confidence the team in The Vines room has given you as a first time parent. Knowing your little one has thrived and sometimes does not even want to leave is a truly special reflection of the care and connection he has experienced. We are grateful for your kind words and wish your family all the very best in this next chapter.
Romy L.
Words will not be able to express how grateful we are for guardian Elsternwick. We toured many other centres and had actually enrolled our child at another centre - and then we were recommended guardian Elsternwick and fell in love so much that we swapped immediately.

Our little girl was in the care of the vines room from four months old - and there couldn’t have been a better place for her care. We were anxious about leaving her and sending her so early, however, we needn’t have worried as there could be no better childcare.

The staff, particularly Flor and Ravita, were absolutely exceptional. Management, including Nora and Marna and Yessica, were always so gracious, patient and happy to see you everyday.

We felt that our child was nurtured and valued every single day with genuine warmth and love. We were so lucky to have come across guardian Elsternwick and cannot recommend them enough for any family. This is a centre to go out of your way for and to travel to - it is absolutely exceptional.
Response from the owner:Thank you Romy for your incredibly kind and thoughtful review. We’re so glad you found your way to us after exploring other centres—and even making the big decision to switch after enrolling elsewhere. That trust and leap of faith is something we don’t take lightly, and we’re thrilled that your experience with us has been so positive. It’s wonderful to hear how supported you felt from the very beginning, especially entrusting us with your little girl from just four months old. We understand how emotional and nerve-wracking that decision can be, and we’re so happy that our team, particularly Flor and Ravita, helped ease those worries with their exceptional care and warmth. We’re also grateful for your kind words about our leadership team—who always strive to create a welcoming and nurturing environment for every family. Knowing that you felt genuinely valued and greeted with joy each day is exactly the kind of experience we aim to provide. Your recommendation and reflections are incredibly touching, and we’re so proud to have made such a meaningful impact. Thank you for being part of our community—we’ll always cherish the time we spent with your family.
Monique F.
As a grand mother and an educator before I retired, I find this child care centre well run with caring and enthusiastic staff.
Highly recommended.
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your kind recommendation Monique! It means a great deal to us, especially coming from someone with your background in education. We’re so pleased to hear that you find our centre well run and our team caring and enthusiastic. Creating a nurturing and engaging environment for children is at the heart of what we do, and your feedback is truly appreciated.
Steph L
My child has been attending Guardian Elsternwick since he was around 10 months old – he’s now 2.5 years old. All the educators are lovely and caring, and we have been very happy with our child’s experience and time spent at the centre. The environment feels warm, welcoming and fun. The educators seem happy themselves and friendly with each other as well, and I think the fact that some of the staff have been there for many years speaks volumes about the workplace culture.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your great review! We're happy to hear that your child has had such a positive experience at our centre. Our educators strive to create a warm, welcoming, and fun environment for all the children, and it's heartening to know that their efforts are appreciated. We're also glad to hear that you notice the friendly and supportive atmosphere among our staff. We believe that a happy team contributes significantly to the quality of care and education we provide. Your kind words about our workplace culture mean a lot to us. Thank you for being a part of our community and for sharing your experience!
Dave W.
Great staff. Great facilities. Getting in and out of the onsite parking can be a little tricky at busy times but is not a problem.
Response from the owner:Thank you Dave for your 5-star rating for our centre in Elsternwick. We really appreciate your positive review and look forward to creating a great experience at Guardian over many more days to come!
Falyn D.
Alice H.
There is such a friendly culture at this centre. The staff are so in tune with the children and the activities and resources provided are extremely well planned out. We are so happy here and only have positive things to say!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your feedback about our center in Elsternwick! We are so 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 outcome for our children and really appreciate your review.
Sophie G.
The centre is always clean and tidy. The people who work here are genuinely invested in the families that attend and creating a community of care. The carers who looked after our son were incredibly kind and understood his needs. We are only leaving because we are moving and are sad to do so.
This centre is first class.
Response from the owner:Thank you Sophie for your great review for our centre in Elsternwick. We are so happy to hear that we are meeting your expectations. We will continue to provide the best possible care for out families and children 😊
Belinda H.
Hands down the best childcare centre around. My daughter loves it there and learns so many new skills! We always feel welcome by the amazing staff.
Response from the owner:Thank you Belinda for your great review for our centre in Elsternwick. We are so happy to hear that we are meeting your expectations. We will continue to provide the best possible care for our families and children 😊
Lisa I.
Lovely place
Z S.
Deb M.
Christie B.
My daughter started here at 6 months old. We have been incredibly happy with all of the staff and the rooms/building/outdoor areas are lovely! I feel very safe and comfortable leaving my now 16 month old here, and she loves it. Communication has been a strong point from all staff, from admin to room leaders and even the occasional casual staff member. They have done so well creating a warm and friendly environment.
Rhi S
My son has been going to this centre for 7 months. In this time the educators have become like a second family. They are so caring and friendly. Their communication is fantastic from the leadership of the centre manager to the educators. I am always comfortable knowing my son is in a safe and caring environment where he can excel.
Theekshna De S.
Excellent childcare centre with wonderful staff. We moved our toddler out to another centre which was closer to home and ended up moving him back to Guardian Elsternwick despite the distance, as it is so well managed, with regular known staff who really care about the kids.
Our toddler loves his time at daycare and is happy to be back!
AnaQuesadaEle S.
Our child is very happy, he is learning a lot and building his confidence in a new language with new friends and educators, so we are very proud of him but also very happy with the choice of the centre and everything they are doing to push him through this new experience.
Zena I.
Generosity W.
Such caring staff! they know every child individually and the centre is clean, well organised and extremely welcoming. I feel 100% safe leaving my child with them in every way because I know they will be both protected and cared for.
Felicity G.
Moved my baby here after a disappointing experience at another childcare. Could not be happier with the level of care my daughter now has. Great staff and lovely environment.
Lucas M.
Both our kids attend Guardian Elsternwick, we adore the friendly and personable staff. They have always been accommodating, open and warm, very attentive to our kids needs and flexible. Highly recommend them!
Ellen L.
This is the place to send your kids! Our son has been attending since he was about 11 months old and we have had such positive experiences. All the educators and staff are amazing, showing genuine care and interest in seeing the little people grow and develop. My son is now in his final year there and he just loves it. There is a wonderful culture throughout the whole centre and the children learn so much about being a part of a community. Couldn’t be happier that this is where our son has spent his earliest years.
Amy P
Friendly staff and lovely educators , a great child care centre in the community.
Ben R.
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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.

Morning

Our friendly Nursery team of familiar educators will be there to greet you and support your baby to settle in for the day.  Breakfast time is available & families are welcome to stay and enjoy with the children. This is also a great chance for conversation to share what is important and how your baby’s night at home was.

Mid-Morning

Our nursery learning environments are set up indoors and outdoors for your baby to engage with a variety of planned experiences while they interact with our team such as exploring picture books, singing songs together. We also offer morning tea.

Middle of the Day

Dependent on the needs of every baby, we time lunch to suit the children. Team members will support your child to eat and/or have a bottle, and when they are ready, are gently settled for sleep or rest. With an open-door policy, families can enjoy lunch/bottle time with your baby if you wish.

Mid-Afternoon

Our nursery planned experiences (both indoor and outdoor) continue and there are opportunities for movement, playing games, more books and songs, or sensory exploration. Afternoon snack is provided.

End of Day

We’ll have your baby’s belongings ready for you at pick up time. The Nursery team will share information about your baby’s day and their learning, preparing you and your child for a smooth transition to your evening. Please grab a piece of fruit or snack on the way out!

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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) $175.00 $79.10 $47.13
Toddler (2–3) $175.00 $79.10 $47.13
Kinder (3–5) $175.00 $79.10 $47.13

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 in 2025. Ask for more details when you tour the centre.

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

What should I bring, and what do you provide?

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
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

Who are the team that will be looking after my child?

Elsternwick Centre Manager Image

Yessica and team

Our Centre team, led by our experienced Centre Manager Yessica, prides themselves on creating a great sense of community for all families.

Each role in the Centre is designed to work together to help create a nurturing environment for every child in each of our learning spaces.

In our Nursery Room, the dedicated team has a special role in creating secure attachments, routines, and strong relationships. Unique to Guardian nurseries is our Baby Ambassador, who is your go-to person for you and your baby’s first 12 months with us. They will know every detail about your baby: how breast or bottle milk is managed, how they like to eat, their sleeping routines, the nappies they wear, and more. With babies as young as six weeks in the Centre, it’s the Baby Ambassador’s job to work with families and Educators to help make our Nursery feel just like home.

Our Educators across the age groups work together to create fun, stimulating, and age-appropriate experiences for every child in their care. They are dedicated, experienced professionals who are allocated to a specific room so they can get to know each child individually and support their learning and development.

As part of our 2-year Flying Start to School program, we have degree-qualified Teachers who use the latest teaching practices to help your child build essential practical and social skills, ensuring they’re ready for their next big adventure—school!

Each room has a Lead Educator or Teacher who is responsible for planning and implementing an effective ongoing cycle of planning, documentation, and evaluation of the room’s learning program.

At the core of the Centre is our Cook—make sure you check out their daily menu when you visit. They help make food part of the learning journey and love seeing how children respond to new and exciting flavours.

The team is supported by a strong Leadership Team, including an Assistant Centre Manager and an Educational Leader.

Every role at the Centre is as important as the next.

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.

What are the main features of this Centre

  • We offer numerous outdoor environments that are developmentally appropriate where the children can explore and interact at their own pace, and create their own spaces. The downstairs yard is littered with trees that offer ample shade, and a lovely expansive deck joins all rooms.
  • An open spacious yard that offers endless exploration in the form of sandpits, an outdoor kitchen, a river bed and our tree house.
  • Two natural yards offer endless fun in the form of sandpits, decking, a construction patch for digging and an outdoor kitchen. The children especially love tending to the vegetable patches they created and having the fruits of their labour included in their daily meals.
  • Joy of Reading – We provide children with the opportunity to develop a genuine passion for reading at an early age. Through teaching about different kinds of books and words, and fostering a literary understanding, children can develop the healthy habit of reading, providing various developmental benefits.
  • Cooking – We’re all about healthy nutrition, and our on-site chef prepares meals daily for the children to enjoy. We encourage children to engage in the food preparation process and develop confidence in playing an active role in their nutrition. Children regularly help select ingredients, prepare food, ask questions and learn about the various food groups and nutrients.
  • Sustainability – Providing our children with an understanding of sustainability and a passion for the environment is important for us, so we engage in various activities and learning experiences that teach children about recycling and looking after the planet.

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.

To BE Me

To BE Me is our exclusive learning program designed for each age and stage of a child's first years. To BE Me sets the standard for early learning with a contemporary approach tailored to your child's age, interests and strengths. It sets easy to follow Development Pathways and encompasses our educational programs, room set-ups, daily rhythms and the way we support your child.

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.

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.

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What our families say about the centre

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