Guardian Childcare & Education Essendon

  • At Essendon you’ll feel confident that your child is thriving; building their confidence in our great outdoor learning spaces which include a water pump, a wooden fort, and vibrant vegetable gardens. Your child deserves the best.
  • Take a tour with us, and you’ll see why so many families love us. A sense of belonging to our strong community, quality learning and the best experience each day for your child – we have got it all.
  • Don’t miss out! Come and see for yourself not just our beautiful spaces, and incredible 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

Essendon Map Image

HOURS

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

ADDRESS

138 Hoffmans Road Essendon, VIC, 3040

SPACES AVAILABLE NOW ACROSS ROOMS

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Check out our fantastic indoor and outdoor learning spaces your child will enjoy

Welcome to our Centre

Guardian Childcare & Education Essendon is located near Strathmore, Brunswick West, Maribyrnong and Niddrie; making it a great option for local families wanting high-quality childcare close to home or on the way to the CBD for work. Our light-filled and spacious long day care Centre in Essendon has a resident pet turtle and guinea pigs, a water pump, a fort, vegetable gardens, and a range of age-specific studios and spaces. 

 At Guardian Essendon children are encouraged to explore and learn, with the added benefit of our Kindergarten Program led by qualified Early Childhood Education Teachers who are there to help prepare your child for the exciting transition to school. In fact, Preschoolers at Guardian Essendon were recently treated with an Indigenous Art and Music Lessons as part of the curriculum. 

 Our Essendon childcare centre offers: 

  • Quality learning programs such as Joy of Reading, Cooking and Sustainability 
  • Extensive outdoor space for children to explore 
  • 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 6.30am to 6.30pm 

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 us for more information when you visit our Centre. 

As part of our unique Visible Learning Program, families have the chance to gain an in-depth understanding of their child’s learning. Easily accessible for families, our Learning Exchange Display provides the opportunity for our Teachers and Educators to share with you any updates on their progress every day. You will also have the chance to share with us your own personal goals and visions for us to implement, having direct input in your child’s educational journey! 

Families will also be given access to our family communication app Storypark, where we will share with you any significant updates in your child’s day, as well as any other important updates that happen in the centre – ensuring that you’re always connected, even when you’re not here. 

Children at our Essendon Centre get out and about on excursions into the local Essendon community, including cafes, fruit shops, pet stores, and supermarkets. Our community-minded team also organise a range of fundraising events for the children to be involved in. 

Our on-site cook prepares five nutritionally balanced meals using seasonal ingredients every day. To further explore food at the Centre, our Educators host hands-on cooking classes to help the children extend their knowledge of nutrition and encourage them to try new foods. 

Why not come and meet the team, book a tour and have a look around our wonderful childcare Centre today? We’d love to show you why Guardian Essendon is the perfect learning environment for your child. At Guardian, we believe that together, we can create life-long learners. 

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Essendon Centre Manager Image

Meet our Centre Manager Jane and the team

"We prioritize creating a safe and stimulating space that encourages curiosity, creativity, and exploration, while also instilling important values such as empathy, respect, and resilience."

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

Flying start to school

Where children are supported to be brave, curious, and bold in their learning, for the best possible start to life.

Reviews from Google

4.1
(23)
Caitlyn C.
Caitlyn C.
03:05 04 Apr 25
Guardians Essendon has to be the best childcare in the West. They are a super clean and tidy centre.I specifically am so impressed with my sons educator Natalie she goes above and beyond to provide the best care for all the kids, their days are filled with new activities and things to do.Highly recommended Guardians Essendon.
Jenny D.
Jenny D.
10:57 26 Mar 25
I am incredibly grateful for the amazing care and support my children have received at this daycare. The educators truly go above and beyond to create a nurturing and enriching environment that has made a lasting positive impact on both my daughter and son.As a parent of a child with ASD, I am especially thankful for the warmth, patience, and understanding shown towards my son. From the moment he started, the educators took the time to tailor their approach to his individual needs, ensuring that he felt safe, comfortable, and empowered. Their commitment to setting him up for success was evident in everything they did, and it played a crucial role in his smooth transition when he started primary school.The daycare has such a welcoming atmosphere, and it’s clear that the educators truly care about each child’s development. They’ve provided my children with not only the academic foundations they need, but also the emotional and social skills to thrive. I am beyond grateful for everything they’ve done for my family. Thank you for being such an integral part of my children's journey!
Rozlin B.
Rozlin B.
02:05 14 Feb 25
Jodie E.
Jodie E.
22:19 31 Jan 24
The staff are all very caring and supportive. From the office staff, to the educators, the teachers and not to forget the wonderful cook...everyone is quite nice and supportive with parents and the children. The learning has been wonderful for both our children and they have flourished. We love this centre and highly recommend it to families.
ANN MARIA J.
ANN MARIA J.
02:10 22 Dec 23
Deanna
Deanna
02:49 22 Nov 23
My husband and are very thankful for the wonderful team at Guardian Childcare Essendon!Our little one started at the centre when he was 11 months old. This was our first time using a childcare facility and we found the transition to be smooth due to the fabulous support of the team at Guardian Essendon!The team spent time getting to know our little one through orientation and over time, they have adjusted their approach in line with his developmental milestones to help him settle in.Their communication with us has been fantastic. They have encouraged us to keep the open line of communication with them. We are never left worrying about how our little one is going.We love that they provide a large variety of learning experiences for the little ones there . There are a combination of indoor activities, singing and outdoor play. We see the joy our little one experiences being there with the huge smile on his face. He loves it!To the wonderful team at Guardian Essendon and especially the nursery educators, thank you for your wonderful care, support and warmth you show families. We appreciate it very much.
Giulz S.
Giulz S.
06:59 10 May 23
CHI Z.
CHI Z.
02:31 23 Dec 22
My kids have attended Guardian Essendon for more than a year. The services provided by the centre is well above nearby centres as we have tried a few in the area over the last 5 years.Some of the amazing things about this centre are:- The centre manager is so kind and would always respond to all emails/requests in a timely manner. She will offer help and be flexible with arrangements if she can.- They have educators who have been with the centre for many years. My daughter's educator in the toddler room this year is a super star, she comes up with the most creative and amazing activities for the kids, as well as a high quality educational program that really teach kids some vital skills.- Communication from the centre's management and the educators is the best I've experienced. They would let you know in advance about staff arrangements, special events and any issues with your kids. They also share regular updates of the kids development. I just received my daughter's end of year book, the pages are so thoughtfully created with lots of beautiful photos and information, it really brought tears to my eyes reading through it.And if you ask my kids who is their favorite person, they will always say the educators' name!
Breanna M.
Breanna M.
04:47 13 Sep 22
Thanks Marianne and the team for always taking such good care of my girls. It makes leaving them each day a little easier knowing they are with really good people who genuinely care for them.
Shannon G.
Shannon G.
07:49 26 Oct 21
All of the educators are lovely and our daughter loves them all. When we were choosing a childcare for our daughter we wanted to see how she responded to the environment. The minute she went straight to Jess we knew she would be in good hands and it was where she wanted to be. We love the centre
Skye D.
Skye D.
11:12 23 Jul 20
It's such a challenging time right now within our current environment with COVID-19. My husband and I just wanted to give a shout out to the new Assistant Centre Manager Marianne and her team of educators. They are all doing such a great job. Their level of care, professionalism along with their ability to communicate effectively certainly gives that confidence we need as parents when leaving our son in their care. We recently transitioned from another centre and wish we did this much sooner, they have made our transition effortless always going above and beyond to make it easy when our son suffers with separation anxiety. Thank you to Marianne and the team!
JCF
JCF
05:28 23 Jul 20
Both my kids attend (my daughter for 3 years now) and we are really happy there. The educators are welcoming, friendly, great with kids and adapt to their individual needs. I have always felt comfortable talking with the educators and or managers if i have needed to address something. Bianca the Manager (or most recent manager) was fantastic and really made great changes - otherwise, i think we would have changed places with the manager who was running it before (over 3 years ago now). It's a humble daycare and most importantly, our kids are happy, learning and enjoy going.
Maria L.
Maria L.
08:48 17 Feb 19
Best centre for children
Jane G.
Jane G.
06:01 09 Feb 19
We have found the Centre Manager Bianca, to be amazing! We have had our daughter there for 2 years and she sufers with separation anxiety. But Bianca and the caring Educators have always made sure that our drops offs have gone smoothly and Bianca has ensured that the communication channels are open at all times.She runs a fabulous centre and is a very professional operator!
Jennifer C.
Jennifer C.
07:38 24 Jul 18
Melissa C.
Melissa C.
13:01 04 Apr 18
10 star trulyMy daughter has attended the Essedon Early Learning Centre for almost a year and currently still attends.She is currently attending 5 days a week nearly 55 out of 60 hours in 5 days so this is her and my second home one would say.Each and every day my child comes home and I can see the quality of Education she is receiving from all the fantastic educators that teach her in her early learning to the chef that provides the perfectly cooked nutritious meals each day for her to the amazing management staff that organise everything and make everything possibleTruly inspirational the way they always keep us informed of everything that is upcoming and present to keep the highest standards both personally and professionally when representing the centre.Especially Bianca the centre managerShe is the perfect person to represent this Centre I could not be happier with everything that she has done and continues to do for my childs development.I respect each and every person that works in the Centre my daughter loves attending and rarely wants to leaveeach and every educator had had an impact on my daughter's life and I can highly recommend this early learning centre and my child will attend here until she goes to primary school that is certaincould not be happier⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Essam R.
Essam R.
08:03 04 Apr 18
We have moved to this place this year and so far our daughter is having a great experience. The place is well equipped with a big range of activities for the kids on a daily basis. Also the educators are very good as well as the centre management which we found them very helpful during the signing up process and later on with handling all of queries. The working hours and the fact that they are only off on public holidays is handy specially around the Christmas holidays.
Tim J.
Tim J.
08:24 03 Jan 24
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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.

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

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

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Frequently asked questions

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

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

Essendon Centre Manager Image

Jane and the team

Our Centre team, led by our experienced Centre Manager Janethe, 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

The light-filled and spacious Guardian Essendon Centre has a resident pet turtle and guinea pigs, a water pump, a fort, vegetable gardens, and a range of age-specific studios and spaces.

At Guardian Essendon children are encouraged to explore and learn, with the added benefit of a Kindergarten Program led by quality teachers who are there to help prepare your child for the exciting transition to school. In fact, Preschoolers at Guardian Essendon were recently treated with an Indigenous Art and Music Lessons as part of the curriculum.

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.

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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