Guardian Childcare & Education Mentone West

  • Keeping children safe always comes first. All of our team are committed to uphold the highest standards of child safety. Read our approach here
  • Proud winner of the Family Choice Award 2025. As determined by our existing families rating their experience of our Centre via Family Satisfaction Survey and independent Google Reviews.
  • Newly refurbished centre with stunning indoor and outdoor spaces that feel like a home away from home. Your child won’t want to leave!
  • 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

HOURS

Mon to Fri 6:30am to 06:30pm

ADDRESS

37 Venice Street Mentone, VIC, 3194

SPACES AVAILABLE NOW ACROSS ROOMS

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

Welcome to our Centre

At Guardian Mentone West, families are valued, with each child’s growth celebrated. Our childcare centre provides high-quality care and educational programs from our nursery through to our government-funded Flying Start to School kindergarten program.

What makes our Mentone West early learning centre special for your family?

• Stunning, newly refurbished indoor spaces with quality, age-appropriate resources that engage and inspire.
• An expansive outdoor area featuring a creek bed, water pump, and climbing fort for daily adventures.
• Our To BE Me learning programs meet each child where they are, supporting their individual development.

Families quickly discover a welcoming community at our daycare centre. We are committed to every child’s safety and wellbeing, creating a nurturing environment where children’s growth and learning is celebrated at every step. Join the leading childcare provider in the area!

Mentone West Centre Manager Image

Meet our Centre Manager Kimberley and team

"The first five years are the most important and integral years of a child's life."

Daily Fees

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

View Daily Fees
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. Read more here!

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

(36)
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Rose H.
Such an amazing experience sending our little one here, the educators are incredible, the management team are so lovely! We’re so happy with the centre.
Response from the owner:Thank you Rose for your kind words! We're absolutely thrilled to hear that you've had such a positive experience with our centre. Our educators and management team are passionate about creating a nurturing and supportive environment, and it means the world to us to know that it's making a difference for your little one. We're so grateful to have your family as part of our community!
Angie L.
We absolutely love Guardian Mentone West! The educators are so warm, caring, and genuinely invested in each child's well-being. My daughter settled in quickly and has thrived in their care. The center is always clean, bright, and filled with engaging activities. We especially appreciate the open communication from the staff and the regular updates we receive from the management team. Highly recommend!
Response from the owner:We’re so happy to hear that your daughter is loving her time with us. It means a lot to know she’s settled in quickly and is thriving — that’s exactly what we aim for! Our team puts a lot of heart into creating a warm, fun, and safe space for the kids, so it’s great to hear that’s coming through. And we’re glad the communication and updates are helpful — we love keeping families in the loop! Thanks again for the recommendation — we really appreciate it!
Jordan W.
Amazing childcare centre! The educators are fantastic.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! We're thrilled to hear that you’ve had such a positive experience with our childcare centre. Our educators are truly passionate about creating a nurturing and engaging environment for every child, and it means a lot to know their efforts are appreciated. We look forward to continuing to support your family!
Cam C.
My daughter has been going here 3 days a week. She is learning everyday to be ready for school. She loves talking about what she did at the center, it always sounds like she has fun! Her teacher is awesome and her educators are lovely and caring.
Response from the owner:Thank you for sharing this beautiful feedback! It means the world to us to hear how much your daughter enjoys her time here. Knowing that she talks about her day with excitement and joy is exactly what we hope for — learning through fun and meaningful experiences. We're so glad you feel supported by her teacher and our team of educators; they truly care deeply about every child’s growth and happiness. It’s a pleasure having your family as part of our centre, and we’re excited to keep supporting your daughter as she gets ready for school!
Kyle K.
Our daughter has been going here for the last couple of years and we could not recommend here enough to any parents looking for a daycare centre that they can trust for their little one. All of the educators genuinely care about the kids, and the fact that our little one comes home looking forward to going back to daycare again really make dropping her off so much easier each day.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your heartfelt recommendation! We're delighted to hear that your daughter enjoys her time with us and looks forward to coming back each day — that truly means the world to our team. Our educators are passionate about creating a nurturing and engaging environment, and it's wonderful to know that this has made a positive impact on your family. Thank you for trusting us with your little one — we’re so grateful to be part of her early learning journey!
Max A.
Amazing centre, the educators are very friendly, and the management were very helpful.
Response from the owner:We're thrilled to hear that you had such a positive experience with our centre. Our educators and management team are dedicated to creating a welcoming and supportive environment, and it's wonderful to know that it made a difference for you. We truly appreciate your feedback!
Emily H.
ross S.
Great childcare centre. Happy with the service. Thank you
Response from the owner:We really appreciate your lovely feedback! It’s wonderful to hear that you’re happy with our childcare centre. Supporting families and creating a nurturing environment for children is what we’re all about. Thanks again for your kind words!
Luke D.
Great services with amazing educators and fantastic management team
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! We're thrilled to hear that you had a great experience with our services, educators, and management team. Your feedback means a lot to us and motivates us to keep delivering the best possible support. We look forward to welcoming you back again soon!
Steph D.
We love Guardian Mentone West! Every room and each staff member we’ve interacted with over the last couple of years has been fantastic. Our daughter genuinely loves going to daycare, and it’s clear that’s because she’s having so much fun while constantly learning. We especially love receiving the daily updates about what activities they're doing with photos and a little story about their day. Highly recommend!
Response from the owner:It’s so lovely to hear how much your daughter enjoys her time with us! Knowing that she’s having fun while learning and growing is exactly what we strive for every day. We’re glad the daily updates help you feel connected to her experiences—it’s one of our favourite ways to share the joy and creativity happening in each room. Your kind words and recommendation truly mean a lot to our team.
Daniela M.
We are very happy with the service provided. Great carers and educators and the communication with the centre management is excellent. Both our children love their daycare and the activities provided are both fun and educational. We can definitely recommend Guardian West.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your feedback about our center in Mentone West! 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.
Kim M.
ravi S.
Chi N.
great centre with state of the art facility and well trained staff
Response from the owner:Thank you Chi for your 5-star rating for our centre in Mentone West. We really appreciate your positive review and look forward to creating a great experience at Guardian over many more days to come!
D L.
Great service, lovely, friendly and insightful educators that kiddo loves
Response from the owner:Thank you for your feedback about our centre in D! 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.
Dorsa S.
Guardian Mentone West is a beautiful centre with beautiful staff. I know this because I did tours of 16 childcare centres around the area, tried a couple before our 3YO son joined this centre .
Everyone is genuinely caring, it’s in their culture…treating every child as an individual and not just another kid. Listening to their needs and helping them settle. Making sure they are washed, well fed, relaxed, engaged and learning.
Response from the owner:Thanks for the awesome review, Dorsa! We work hard to meet expectations like yours, and always strive to find ways to improve our centres. Glad to you hear you have had such a great experience!
Emma L.
The Guardian is a great childcare centre. Both my son and daughter go there and they each love their teachers and the activities arranged for them each day. I’m kept informed through Storypark and get to see what they are up to each day. Wouldn’t send my kids anywhere else! Some days they don’t want to come home!!!!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your feedback about our centre in Mentone West! We are happy to hear such good things about you and your little one’s experience with us.
Lucy C.
Corinn C.
Our 3y/o moved here when we moved house and we have been so impressed with the level of care from the management staff to the room educators.
Staff are always going the extra mile for the children (for example building a diorama about my son’s favourite book) and for the families (providing free “rainy day” activities like arts and crafts and cakes in mugs!)
This is a wonderful place for children to begin their learning journey and we are so happy we found it. Thank you to all the wonderful Guardian, Mentone West team!
Vedrana S.
Great team of educators that sincerely care for our daughter. We've seen her develop so much and grow into a confident person over the last two and a half years whilst being in care there. She adores the educators, is developing a lot of social and life skills and there's nothing better than knowing that as a parents. Also really like the fact they have healthy food on site :)
Tracey S.
This is such a wonderful centre with the most friendliest, welcoming and warmest educators. We have been there for over 4 years and these educators go above and beyond for every child and parent. From the beautiful centre and outdoor facilities to the fun activity days and great food the kids enjoy it so much, I’m so genuinely glad we found Guardian Mentone West.
Kristen H.
Absolutely thrilled to be back at the centre, feels like home! We had Matthew our 8 year old enjoy the best start to his life with 5 wonderful years at the center, we shared so many great memories and now we are back to do it all again! So happy to be greated by many of same friendly, familiar and nurturing faces that will now cars for our beautiful baby girl Kya. Great to see same staff are still around a testament to a great team & leaders! I am so grateful to each and everyone of you for making life easier by giving me peace of mind that my child/children are loved & cared while I’m at work. Thank you 😊
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind feedback about our centre in Mentone West, Kristen! We are happy to hear such good things about the experience that you, Matthew, and Kya have had with us so far.
Ivy O.
Our little person joined the centre at 5 months old over a year ago and is thriving happily. I could not be happier knowing she is in the safest hands.
David N.
Our Grandson Eli has attended Guardian Mentone West since he was 5mths old (4 1/2 yrs). This is his last year before he goes off to school. What a wonderful place with fabulous carers & staff. Eli has loved his time at Guardian Mentone West and has a smile on his face every time we drop him off. I highly recommend this Childcare Centre if anyone is looking for their child. They treat all children as there own. Bec & Steph at reception are wonderful and will do anything for you. Thank you every staff member at Guardian Mentone West who cared for Eli.
Beiqi Peggy W.
My son loves going to childcare now everyday to meet and play with his best friends. We are happy with how he had grown and developed multiply skills with all the ongoing support and care and love from the educators. Centre has always displayed clean and welcoming vibe, educators are all nice. Just a few names to shout out: Maddie, manpreet, Sarah, Micakella, Tay, Nadine, Steph, Amy, Kat, Shonna and Bec!!! Thank you all for looking after my son Charlie and all the other kids. I’m sure kids all love you too!!!
Amy N.
We have been fortunate to have our children at Guardian Mentone West over the last 3 years and cannot recommend more highly. From the friendly faces that greet you everyday and know every member of the family by name, to their amazing educational knowledge, their enthusiasm for a dress up day or celebration, and the love and care shown to every single child in the centre. Not to forget their incredible "Baby Ambassador" who will look after your littlest one making the transition to childcare a breeze for both parents and bubs. The centre is always clean and the outdoor space is amazing for little inquisitive minds. Amazing effort to Bec, Steph and the rest of the team!
kelly W.
Genuine and caring team of professionals focussed on Children's daily experiences, learnings and well-being. Highly recommend this centre.
Chelsey U.
We have attended this centre for almost 4 years and both of my children have been supported by all of the educators and staff to grow and learn confidently in a fun and safe environment.
Educators are high quality and Management always works hard to continuously improve the centre and very much have our children’s best interests at the centre of their care.
Kate W.
Guardian have provided a caring and supportive environment for my little boy. I couldn't be happier with their gentle approach and the way they consider the needs of every family in their care.
Christine R.
Wonderful centre with amazing staff, who care and provide the children with a calm and fun learning environment. Highly recommend! Thank you Jes , Bec and team :)
simone L.
My daughter has been at Guardian for a number of years now and we love it! Her educators are kind and knowledgeable and take the time to cater for individual needs. It is great to know that my daughter feels safe and loved my the staff. The outdoor play area is fantastic and we love the Reggio Emilia ethos and feel it best suits children at this stage in their development.
Brant R.
Sally B.
I am so thrilled with the care my granddaughter receives at Guardian Mentone-West. I have seen a lot of centre's & this is by far one of the best. The environments are beautiful, the team here are fantastic & so welcoming & they do everything they can to ensure my granddaughter is happy & settled when she attends. Would highly recommend the centre.
Shaye
Great center and very friendly staff. My children went here in 2018 after leaving while on a pregnancy pause we are now back for 2020 and wouldn't have wanted to go anywhere else.
Dianne A.
Lovely staff in a wonderful setting.
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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

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) $195.62 $95.55 $62.19
Toddler (2–3) $195.62 $95.55 $62.19
Kinder (3–5) $194.41 $94.34 $60.98

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?

Mentone West Centre Manager Image

Kimberley and team

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

Guardian Mentone West is a welcoming, open-plan childcare centre located on Venice Street, just off Mentone Parade. Perfect for families seeking Mentone childcare, Mordialloc childcare, or childcare near Beaumaris, our centre caters to children aged six weeks to six years in a nurturing and stimulating environment. 

At Guardian Mentone West, we provide a safe and secure space filled with bright, engaging materials designed to inspire curiosity and exploration. Our experienced, university-qualified Teachers and Educators support children’s growth during these crucial early years, helping them develop social, emotional, and cognitive skills through creative and imaginative learning experiences. 

For families seeking Mentone kindergarten options, we offer a comprehensive long day care Kindergarten program for three and four-year-olds, supported by Victorian Government funding. Eligible families can save up to $2,050 a year in 2025, with up to 15 hours of Free Kindergarten per week in addition to the Childcare Subsidy. Ask us for more details during your visit. 

Open from 6.30 am to 6.30 pm on weekdays, Guardian Mentone West offers flexible drop-off and pick-up times, making it easy to fit childcare into your busy schedule. We encourage families to explore our learning environment during these times, where our Educators can guide you through the play materials and spaces to inspire learning at home. 

Whether you’re looking for Mentone childcare, Mordialloc childcare, or a nearby Mentone kindergarten, Guardian Mentone West is here to support your child’s early learning journey in a nurturing and engaging environment. Visit us today to learn more about our programs and explore how we can help your child thrive. 

Our family communication app, Storypark, provides you with photos and updates on your child throughout the day, offering you the opportunity to stay informed about your child’s early learning and development. We also set up different learning outcomes for the children through Storypark, which supports them in achieving developmental milestones and understanding new ideas. 

For children aged three and four, we have a kindergarten program led by university-qualified Teachers that can support your child in their preparation for the step up into primary school. Our kindergarten curriculum has the Victorian Government Kinder Tick, which demonstrates our commitment to providing the best possible start to life for your child through quality childcare services. 

Our program is led by specialist Educational Leaders who guide teaching and learning in a flexible and research-supported way. The leading curriculum supports discovery and gives children the best start to life, as well as being aligned with the National Quality Standard. It also comes with the benefit of long day care. 

Through our high-quality kindergarten program, children have the opportunity to learn some of the skills that are often only introduced in early primary school. We begin learning and exploring shapes, numbers and letters through fun, play-based activities. 

We develop each child’s literacy and numeracy skills to help them feel confident and prepared during the challenging leap into primary school. Our high-quality program supports the needs and routines of each of our families, and we ensure each child’s cultural and family background is supported and encouraged. 

At Guardian Childcare and Education Mentone West, we’re dedicated to providing the best start to life for your child. As your trusted local childcare and local day care centre, we offer a nurturing environment where children can grow, learn, and thrive.  

Our on-site cook prepares fresh, nutritious meals daily, packed with everything children need for their age. We encourage children to get involved in food preparation, learning about where their food comes from, why it’s healthy, and how to enjoy it. We also explore the cultural heritage of different foods, promoting diversity and inclusion from the start.  

As part of our unique Visible Learning Program, families can stay connected with their child’s education. Our Learning Exchange Display keeps you updated on your child’s progress and gives you the chance to contribute to their learning journey directly.  

Whether you’re searching for a Beaumaris early learning centre or Parkdale childcare, Guardian Mentone West provides the ideal setting for your child’s growth. Come meet our team and see why we’re the perfect choice for your family.  

We can’t wait to welcome you! 

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.

What our families say about the centre

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