Guardian Childcare & Education Essendon

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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.
  • 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.

138 Hoffmans Road Essendon, VIC, 3040

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

Limited Spaces Available

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Modern indoor and outdoor learning spaces

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."

Daily Fees

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

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Welcome to Guardian Essendon, where your family is at the heart of all we do. Our experienced team provides a nurturing environment with high-quality educational programs, from our nursery rooms through to our government-funded Flying Start to School kindergarten program. At our daycare each child’s growth and learning is celebrated at every step.

At our Essendon childcare centre, your child will enjoy:

• Spacious studios with quality, age-appropriate resources that engage and inspire.
• An expansive outdoor area featuring a water pump, wooden fort, vegetable gardens, and our resident pet turtle and guinea pigs!
• Our To BE Me program, where educators support each child’s individual development, building their confidence for the big step to school.

We provide a premium early learning centre where your child’s safety and wellbeing come first. We look forward to welcoming you to our community.

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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

(29)
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Aswin S.
Nothing but positive to say. This was our child's first childcare experience, while she took a while to get used to it, the support from the educators was outstanding. She's grown more confident, independent and looks forward to going to the care.

We could tell she truly enjoyed her days as she'd come home and pretend to eat, play and even nap just like she did at the centre.

If we weren't moving away, we would've continued without a doubt. Choosing Guardian was one of the best parenting decisions we made. Heartfelt thanks to Josie, Nui, Faye and the entire time for their care and warmth.

Highly recommended for anyone looking for a supportive environment, especially if it's your child's first time in care.
Rachel C.
My sons, Jaxon and Orlando, have been attending Guardian Childcare in Essendon — Jaxon for 2.5 years and Orlando for 1 year. From the moment we arrive each day, we’re always greeted with such warmth and excitement. The boys absolutely love going in and are always so happy to see their educators and friends.

Over time, they’ve built strong and meaningful connections with their educators.. each one caring, patient, and genuinely invested in their growth and happiness. There’s one educator in particular who has made an incredible impact on both of them — Thomas.

Thomas has gone above and beyond to support our boys individually. He always takes the time to share updates, insights, and important information about their progress, things that every parent values and appreciates. Jaxon has always felt especially comfortable with Thomas, particularly during drop-offs when settling in can be a little challenging. Thomas always has a calm and reassuring way of helping Jaxon feel at ease and confident in his environment.

He has become not only a trusted educator but also a true friend and role model to the boys. It’s safe to say he’s their favourite!

We’re so grateful for the nurturing, positive, and joyful environment the entire team provides. It gives us great peace of mind knowing our boys are surrounded by people who truly care about them every single day.
Asema S.
I am very happy and delighted with the centre management. All the educators are friendly and professional. Especially Anu and Palak they are so caring and trustworthy. My child feels happy and confident during drop-off and pick-up, which means a lot to me.
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your kind words, Asema! We're glad to hear that you and your child feel so supported and welcomed at our centre. Knowing that drop-offs and pick-ups are a positive experience for your little one truly means the world to us. Anu and Palak will be overjoyed to hear your appreciation; they both bring so much heart and dedication to their work, and it's wonderful to see that reflected in your child's happiness and confidence. We’re grateful to have such engaged and encouraging families like yours as part of our community. It really does make all the difference.
prerna P.
My son moved to Guardians an year ago and I cannot be happier about how well he was supported during the transition. The educators, centre manager and the lovely chef.. they are all wonderful. As an allergy mom finding a childcare where the allergy is looked after seriously is paramount and the staff here went an extra mile to ensure that not only my son’s allergy needs are met but he also felt inclusive during activities around food.
I’d highly recommend the centre.
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your kind and detailed feedback Prerna! We’re so pleased to hear that your son’s transition into our centre has been such a positive experience. Supporting children and families through these important moments is something our entire team takes to heart. We especially appreciate your recognition of our approach to allergy care, ensuring every child feels safe, included, and respected is a top priority. Thank you for your trust and recommendation.
Jason B.
My child has been attending the centre here in Essendon for a few years, and this is his last year. I can’t overlook how much he has blossomed over the years with the wonderful support from all the educators. I’m very proud of my child and grateful for the amazing team in his room, especially the teacher who was awarded Teacher of the Year within Guardian. It’s a great achievement and a wonderful experience for all of us.
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for sharing your journey with us Jason! It has been a privilege to watch your son grow and thrive over the years with us. We are incredibly proud of the strong bonds formed and the support our educators have provided along the way. A special thank you for acknowledging our Teacher of the Year, Kymberley, this recognition reflects the dedication and care our team brings to every child’s experience. We are so grateful to have been part of your son's early learning journey!
Caitlyn C.
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.
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your wonderful review! It's great to know that you find our centre clean and tidy. We're especially delighted to hear your kind words about Natalie. She truly is dedicated to providing the best care and engaging activities for the children. Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we look forward to continuing to support your son's growth and development.
Jenny D.
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!
Response from the owner:Thank you so much Jenny for your incredibly kind and heartfelt review! We're overjoyed to hear that your children have had such a positive experience with us. Our educators are truly dedicated to creating a nurturing and enriching environment, and it's wonderful to know that their efforts have made a lasting impact on both your daughter and son. We are especially grateful for your appreciation of the warmth, patience, and understanding shown towards your son with ASD. Tailoring our approach to meet each child's individual needs is a priority for us, and it's heartening to hear that this has helped your son feel safe, comfortable, and empowered. We're thrilled that our commitment played a crucial role in his smooth transition to primary school. Your kind words about our welcoming atmosphere and the care we provide for each child's development mean the world to us. We're so glad to have been a part of your children's journey, providing them with the academic, emotional, and social skills they need to thrive. Thank you again for your gratitude and for sharing your positive experience. If there's anything more we can do to support you and your family, please don't hesitate to reach out. 😊
Rozlin B.
Jodie E.
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.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your great review for our centre in Essendon. We are so happy to hear that we are meeting your expectations, Jodie. We will continue to provide the best possible care for our families and children 😊 ​
ANN MARIA J.
Deanna
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.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your feedback about our centre in Essendon! 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. ​
Giulz S.
CHI Z.
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!
Response from the owner:Thank you Chi for your great review for our centre in Essendon! 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 😊
Breanna M.
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.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your feedback about our centre in Essendon! 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 we really appreciate your review.
Shannon G.
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.
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
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.
Best centre for children
Jane G.
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.
Melissa C.
10 star truly
My 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 possible
Truly 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 manager
She 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 leave
each 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 certain
could not be happier
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Essam R.
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.
jade
This centre has come leaps and bounds, been here since 2021 and can say the current team is truly child focused. So happy that there has been a massive improvement with management, diligent and responsive. I cannot wait to see what the next year holds for this team and children. Thank you Josie, management and kinder team for constantly making my children feel safe, confident and respected as their own people.
Response from the owner:Thank you so much Jade, for your ongoing support and kind words. It’s wonderful to hear your recognition of how much the centre has grown since 2021 and that the current team’s child-focused approach is making such a positive impact. We’re especially grateful for your recognition of Josie, our management team, and the educators in the kinder room. Creating a safe, respectful, and empowering environment for every child is at the heart of what we do, and we’re excited for what the future holds too. Thanks again!
Tim J.
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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!

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 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) $188.92 $88.85 $55.49
Toddler (2–3) $188.92 $88.85 $55.49
Kinder (3–5) $186.54 $86.47 $53.11

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.

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.

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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