Guardian Childcare & Education South Yarra

(Formerly River Garden)

Guardian Childcare & Education South Yarra boasts a range of resource-rich environments, including a spacious rooftop garden and yard featuring a water pump, a creek bed and natural climbing structures. The Centre also includes a Wellness Centre with a daily yoga program, and an ‘Invention’ Centre where children are encouraged to explore and learn.

And even though the Centre itself has more than enough to keep the children happily entertained and learning, Guardian South Yarra also has a wonderful excursion program. Children have the opportunity to get out and about into the local community, visiting favourite local attractions such as Rockley Gardens, Como Park, Prahran Markets, Chapel Street and our local library.

The first five years of your child’s life are incredibly important when it comes to social and emotional development, and setting them up with a love of learning that lasts a lifetime. That’s why, at Guardian South Yarra, we’re focused on teaching children how to learn versus just ticking a box. This approach to education comes to life in our Kindergarten Program, which is led by qualified teachers who are there to help prepare your child for the exciting transition to school.

Guardian South Yarra are proud to have such a culturally diverse team, and celebrate a variety of cultural events and holidays throughout the year which provides the children with a unique insight into the world around them and the many different people who make up a community.

We work with an esteemed catering company at Guardian South Yarra, preparing five nutritionally balanced meals using seasonal ingredients each day. The children are fortunate to enjoy their meals in the dedicated piazza while socialising with their friends and educators, with shared mealtimes being an important cornerstone of the Guardian philosophy.

Begin the adventure at Guardian South Yarra today by booking a tour to explore the centre or speaking with our team about the high quality care and curriculum on offer.

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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

Fee Information

Age Group Daily Fee
Under 3 years $173.00*
Over 3 years $172.00*

*Price before the government rebate. To calculate what Child Care Subsidy you might get back, click here.

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 (9)

  • L

    Lauren Simpson

    - 8 months ago

    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

    - 12 months ago

    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

    - 1 year ago

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

  • S

    Sloane

    - 1 year ago

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

  • C

    Charlotte Ching

    - 2 years ago

    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

    - 2 years ago

    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

    - 2 years ago

    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

    - 2 years ago

  • M

    Mirela Albert

    - 5 years ago

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