Guardian Childcare & Education South Yarra

Welcome to Guardian Childcare & Education South Yarra, a spacious and light-filled centre. Our childhood education programs are focused on play-based learning, and our spacious day care and child care centre provides a nurturing and stimulating environment for children aged six weeks to six years of age, supporting them to discover the world in a safe and secure way.

Our South Yarra child care centre is just four kilometres from Melbourne CBD, and is conveniently situated for families living or working in surrounding suburbs Prahan, Prahran East, Cremorne, Richmond and Toorak.

Our exciting, resource-rich environments include:

  • Passionate Educators who focus on relationships with children and families
  • Expansive learning spaces with a ‘Wellness Centre’ for daily yoga, and an ‘Invention Centre’ to inspire curiosity, fun, and a sense of belonging
  • Engaging outdoor environment with spacious rooftop garden and yard featuring a water pump, a creek bed and natural climbing structures.

Supported through a caring, dedicated team of University-qualified Teachers and Educators, our South Yarra day care and child care centre is an inclusive learning environment for children where a personalised approach to learning opportunities ensures children are supported to be bold, creative, and curious in their learning journey.

We celebrate our culturally diverse team at our South Yarra early learning centre with a variety of events throughout the year, extending on the children’ knowledge about the community around them.

Regular excursions allow children to get out and about into the community, visiting local attractions such as Rockley Gardens, Como Park, Prahran Markets, Chapel Street and the public library.

Children attending our South Yarra early childhood centre will also have the chance to see the same familiar faces as they move on up from our nursery room, into our South Yarra Kindergarten program, designed specifically to help prepare your child transition from early learning to primary school.

As part of our unique Visible Learning Program, families will also have the chance to gain an 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 our centre – ensuring that you’re always connected, even when you’re not here.

If you’re looking to begin the adventure and are wanting to explore, book a tour and meet our team at Guardian Childcare & Education South Yarra today!

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Read more information about the centre

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Rhythm of The Day

With endless possibilities, there’s never a dull moment at Guardian and no two days are the same. Here’s what a day at Guardian might look like. Please note, this will vary depending on centre opening hours.

  • From 7:30am

    Handover time with children, families and our friendly Educators. There’s a chance to share what’s important for the day and any news from home.

  • From 7:30am

    Breakfast time where families are welcome to stay and enjoy breakfast with the children.

  • Morning

    An opportunity to play and discover with open-plan play in family groups and multi-age groupings.

  • Morning

    Planned experiences. This is where the Guardian difference comes to life. Alongside our Educators your child’s exploration leads to learnings in numeracy, literacy, language, critical thinking, problem solving, leadership, social skills, technology, creative arts and much more.

  • Morning tea

    An opportunity for children to come together for a healthy snack, often they help prepare their food alongside our carers and chef.

  • Mid-morning

    Individually tailored to your child’s needs and curiosity the planned experiences continue, this includes both indoor and outdoor programs.

  • Lunch

    Another nutritious meal expertly prepared by our chef. Families are invited to join the children for meals and excursions if they wish.

  • Afternoon

    If your child wants to, or needs to sleep, it’s time to rest and recharge. For children who don’t need to rest the planned experiences continue, in most cases outdoors.

  • Afternoon tea

    Another chance for the children to come together and re-fuel in small groups. There is also an opportunity to rest or play together and reflect on the day.

  • Pick-up

    As you arrive to pick up your child, there’s a chance to speak with our Educators and share news about the day. Our Storypark App also allows you to stay in touch 24/7 wherever you are.

  • End of day

    Your child is encouraged to grab a light snack before they leave the centre. We’re mindful of how routines vary, throughout the day if we notice your child looking tired food will be provided.

Helpful Information

Opening Hours

Open 7:30am to 6:30pm
Monday to Friday

Good to Know - What to Bring

What we Provide

  • Sunscreen, hat and an environmentally friendly bag.
  • Five nutritionally balanced meals including: Breakfast, Lunch, Morning and Afternoon tea and a late Snack at the end of the day
  • Nappies
  • Bibs
  • Bedding
  • Free drop off and pick up parking zone

What to Bring

  • Spare change of clothing
  • A family photo
  • Formula and bottles

Our Educators

Our team of Educators are committed and passionate about ensuring your child will be safe, nurtured and cared for every day. At Guardian, children are encouraged to engage in interest-led play that creates learning and meaningful experiences.

Our Educators seek to optimise diverse learning opportunities and implement the Curriculum as framed by the Early Years Learning Framework.

You and Your Child

All Guardian Centres provide a Centre-to-Family communication platform so families can maintain contact with their children’s experiences through photos, stories and learning outcomes.

Our Centres use Storypark and each family is provided with a secure login to access on their computers, mobiles or apps.

Learn More About Our Centre

Guardian Childcare & Education South Yarra is ideally placed to help families manage their work/life balance with an all-inclusive service, including a high quality, nutritious and varied menu for our children prepared by our in-house chef and served in our mezzanine dining area.

Our team of Bachelor-trained teachers lead our caring, professional and highly-skilled educators in all of our spaces, which are equipped with the highest quality Reggio Emilia-inspired learning resources and programs for all levels of early childhood development in line with the Guardian Curriculum.

In addition to the enriched indoor active play spaces for children, this centre offers your child a unique and welcoming environment with many amazing learning spaces for children. This includes a picturesque roof top garden and an outdoor Invention Centre classroom that will provide children with endless possibilities for creation and design.

With our regular Out-And-About excursions, all children are able to explore areas of our local community such as the Library, the Yarra River, Prahran Market and nearby parks and gardens. Our youngest children are also out and about in our 8-seat pram.

Introducing Guardian’s Summer Rain Program

From November to January, five Guardian Centres – 101 Collins, Kids Time Mckinnon, Rivergarden, Richmond and St Kilda Road – are running a Summer Rain Program with bespoke experiences for children from 0 to 5 years. Run in and around the art ateliers at each of the five centers, the program is designed by Multidisciplinary Artist, Heidi Weatherald. From visual arts, science and technology to dramatic play and literacy, no two days will look the same.

A taste of the experiences in the program

  • Science, sensory, technology and music
  • Science and literacy
  • Puppetry, engineering sculpture, and song
  • Sculpture and Song
  • Science, poetry, and music
  • Visual arts and storytelling

Are you interested in participating in our Summer Rain Program? Book a tour today.

Reviews from Google (14)

  • I

    isabelle chai

  • J

    Jenita S

  • S

    Shweta Dua

  • N

    Napatnan Kurvatcharawong

  • J

    Joanna Kelly

    The staff and management of this day care are fantastic. They respond so well to my children's needs and have supported us as a family for 3 years. The community ... Read More

  • L

    Lauren Simpson

    We loved being a part of the River Garden family! High quality facilities and educators. Admin staff always went above and beyond also, including being very flexible and accommodating. I ... Read More

  • X

    xiao Nana

    We have been in river garden for 2years already, it’s the best childcare in Melbourne. Really friendly staff and educators with love in the heart. The educators is stable not ... Read More

  • S

    Samantha Drew

    Great service from Amy today, she went above and beyond ✨

  • S

    Sloane

    Belated review. We loved Rivergarden! Wonderful caring staff and gorgeous spaces. Shout out to Rabia, such an exceptional educator.

  • C

    Charlotte Ching

    My daughter loves going here- she has a great relationship with all of her carers, enjoys the wonderful outings that they have planned and has learnt and developed so much ... Read More

  • K

    Kathy R

    Great facilities with lovely staff and manager. They do lots of activities to engage children. Makes life a lot easier dropping off my daughter there knowing she's been well ... Read More

  • L

    Lynn V

    Lovely childcare with great facilities. The rooftop playground is great! My little girl loves Teacher Joana who is very kind and patient to the kids.

  • A

    Aadi Sachdeva

  • M

    Mirela Albert

Begin the Adventure at Guardian

To explore the centre, chat with our team of Educators and learn more about our high-quality curriculum, book a tour now.

Book a Tour Enquire Now Call Us Now