Guardian Childcare & Education Croydon

Formerly Platypus Junction Croydon

  • Keeping children safe always comes first. All of our team are committed to uphold the highest standards of child safety. Read our approach here
  • Every day is unique in our centre, with modern resources from the nursery to our leading two year Kindergarten program. You don’t want to miss out!
  • Our team of skilled Educators create a nurturing space where children can flourish and feel supported every day
  • Come and see why our families are our raving fans where belonging to our community and strong communication is a key part of a child’s development. You will feel part of their day, every day.

Book a tour today to see what makes our Centre special & have all your questions answered

Croydon Map Image

HOURS

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

ADDRESS

20/22 Croydon Rd Croydon, VIC, 3136

SPACES AVAILABLE NOW ACROSS ROOMS

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

Welcome to our Centre

Discover Guardian Croydon (formerly Platypus Junction Croydon), where your child’s learning journey begins.
Each part of our early learning centre is designed to inspire curiosity:

• An expansive outdoor area with a sandpit, bike track and veggie garden
• Indoor learning spaces filled with quality, age-appropriate resources
• Our personalised To BE Me learning program celebrates every milestone your child reaches.

From our Nursery to our Victorian government-funded Flying Start to School kindergarten program, we tailor learning to your child’s needs.
Our experienced team have children’s wellbeing and safety at their core, and partner closely with families from the very first day.

Croydon Centre Manager Image

Meet our Centre Manager Kayla and Team

“We believe an embedded curriculum is based around relationships with the community, families and children. By creating safe, respectful relationships with children and educators, there is an environment that has the opportunity to flourish through play-based learning."

Daily Fees

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

View Daily Fees

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

4.5
(41)
J C
J C
10:25 18 Jul 25
I feel incredibly lucky to have such beautiful educators caring for my 18 month old. We’ve been at the centre for years and have seen the work and changes that make it what it is today - my little one adores the educators, the chef makes amazing food, they have a great educational program and take feedback on board. Highly recommend.
Ashleigh W.
Ashleigh W.
00:50 15 Jul 25
As an early childhood educator myself, I have high expectations when it comes to care and education for young children—and I can confidently say this centre exceeds them all. We couldn't be happier with the care our child receives here!The staff are incredibly nurturing and patient. My daughter looks forward to going every week and has blossomed socially, emotionally, and academically since starting. The environment is always clean, safe, and welcoming, and communication with parents is excellent. We’re so grateful to have found such a wonderful place—it gives me a complete peace of mind knowing our child is in such good hands!
Scott & Abby M.
Scott & Abby M.
12:26 08 Jul 25
Amazing educators and community! My son loves attending each week. His independence and confidence have grown so much since he has been enrolled.
Rachel M.
Rachel M.
14:36 08 Jun 25
Such a wonderful team. They show so much genuine care for the children and take the time each day to chat to you about how your child is going. It's a really nice environment, with great outdoor spaces for play. Communication is consistent and easy. We take a lot of comfort in our son going here.
Leah N.
Leah N.
04:19 01 Apr 25
Love our experience at Guardian Croydon. The educators in both our kids rooms have formed the loveliest attachments and our boys are so happy to go to daycare.The girls on the front desk Abby, Rachael and Zoe are always ready for a friendly word at drop off and pick up and can often tell you a story about your kids from that day or during the week which shows how much they know and care about the kids.
Jennifer S.
Jennifer S.
01:41 28 May 24
Excellent, caring team with a positive atmosphere for the kids
Chloe V.
Chloe V.
04:27 07 May 24
Best kinder ever! Great educaters, great workers that alk work there, my daughter loves platypus junction and so do I, thankyou all for being so wonderful and caring. The centre us clean and got great educational learning different things for the children each day. The educators are beautiful with the children and my daughter loves it there!! They have great nutritrtion kids meals there, great outdoors equipment, awsome sandpits, and love all the music they have each tuesday morning!!Thankyou platypus junctionXxxxxxxoooo
Ally M.
Ally M.
04:33 27 Sep 22
I have nothing but nice things to say about Platypus Junction Croydon! They go above and beyond for the care of the children. Everyday we are greeted with smiling, welcoming faces and my son always leaves extremely happy. I can't imagine sending my son to any other Childcare Centre and I honestly can't recommend them enough.
Hannah L.
Hannah L.
01:53 29 Jun 22
Megan A.
Megan A.
20:03 10 Feb 22
Millie R.
Millie R.
08:14 26 Jan 22
Emily H.
Emily H.
01:40 28 Oct 20
My son is three years old and has been in this centre for two and a half years. The educators in this centre are care about the kids. My boy especially like Malissa who is take care of him from nursery room to toddler room. She is always very positive and professional. The management team especially Katrina provides good atmosphere for the centre.
Nicolette B.
Nicolette B.
11:28 24 Jul 20
Melissa S.
Melissa S.
09:38 20 Jul 20
Simone J.
Simone J.
08:37 30 Jun 20
My son has been attending Platypus Junction Croydon for 4 years now. I am extremely impressed with the staff and the education he has received throughout the years. Nothing is ever too much of an effort and all staff and management have been extremely accommodating. I would definitely recommend this centre to any parent. Thanks for looking after my boy guys!
Alex P.
Alex P.
19:48 12 Mar 20
Aimee J.
Aimee J.
08:51 16 Aug 19
What can I say! Words cannot describe how appreciative I am of the team at Croydon! As a an early childhood professional I have been nothing but impressed with the educational experiences provided for my daughter! We have only been here for a short while but the amount of learning she is coming home with is amazing! Well done team, keep up the awesome work!
Ruby R.
Ruby R.
04:41 16 May 19
The staff and facilities are wonderful, my little girl is very happy
Jason V.
Jason V.
00:11 15 Mar 18
If I could give more than 5 stars I would, staff are friendly and caring, not once have I never felt welcomed, facilities are second to none. Highly recommend.
Kristen C.
Kristen C.
23:26 10 Sep 17
When doing a tour of Platypus Junction, I actually burst into tears. It was everything I wanted for my one year old son. The centre is clean, modern, inviting and calm. There is a strong emphasis on the children being both nurtured and educated, even from a young age. The staff are friendly and the front desk is always manned. We could not be happier.
Kelly W.
Kelly W.
06:17 05 Sep 17
The staff here are amazing and care my girls very well. They welcome my girls everytime. The staff also came out the room to help them to settle in when they refused to go into the room in the first several days, because my girls had a bad experience at previous childcare.and now they go into the room with smile.They organize the activities quite well, also have underground car parking which is very convenient for parents.
Courtney S.
Courtney S.
21:33 01 Sep 17
We have had a great start down at Platypus Junction with our 15 month old son, the new purpose built centre is very light and bright and the staff are very friendly and communicative regarding our sons care.
Hayley B.
Hayley B.
00:26 29 Aug 17
My 1 year old and 3 year old settled in quickly with no fuss at all. My 3yo was anxious and unsettled at our previous daycare provider, but now looks forward to daycare! The centre is clean, bright and open and the staff are wonderful - providing engaging activities incursions. My kids are happy which means I'm happy!
Pippa J.
Pippa J.
00:14 29 Aug 17
The staff that work at this centre have been so welcoming and warm towards myself and my daughter. My daughter is so incredibly happy to be dropped off into her room in the morning and we are always welcomed with big smile! We love it here!
Andrea H.
Andrea H.
06:31 27 Aug 17
I have nothing but positive things to say about this centre and the staff that run it. Our 14 month old daughter loves it, she gets excited when we drop her off in the morning and comes home happy and exhausted from playing and socialising all day. I would not hesitate to recommend Platypus Junction to anybody who needs to place their child in care, our experience there has been excellent.
Aleisha D.
Aleisha D.
06:21 27 Aug 17
The staff are very friendly, helpful and caring. My son has been really happy and comfortable in the nursery room.
Hayley E.
Hayley E.
03:25 27 Aug 17
We have had a wonderful start at Platypus Junction. Our girls have been cared and nurtured by all staff from the moment we commenced- thank you Platypus Junction!
bec R.
bec R.
04:29 25 Aug 17
So wonderful to be part of such a wonderful early learning centre!
Sara W.
Sara W.
00:21 25 Aug 17
I can not recommend Platypus Junction in Croydon highly enough! As a first time mum going back to work and leaving my son was a scary prospect but every single staff member I have come into contact with at Platypus Junction has gone above in beyond in making the whole transition as smooth and positive as possible! They have a big emphasis on creating a nurturing and calm environment for the kids and the brand new center is just beautiful!
Chloe R.
Chloe R.
00:18 25 Aug 17
We moved our daughter here after she struggled with a previous centre. She still has seperation anxiety but she settles very quickly with the wonderful staff she has bonded to and she is always busy having fun when we come to pick her up!
tahnee W.
tahnee W.
00:08 25 Aug 17
The staff at Platypus Junction Croydon are absolutely amazing. They always welcome myself and my son by name when we arrive and are always happy and friendly. Everyone is very approachable and informative of my son's development and daily activities.They provide excellent service, educational activities, nutritional food and daily updates on their app for parents to access for their child.The facility is brand new, very well presented, clean, well organised, has secure security access, underground car parking and outdoor access for babies and children to play outside in a safe environment. The centre is very well staffed with highly trained and qualified educators.I highly recommend this childcare facility to anyone that is looking for a friendly and clean facility for their precious babies 😊 they will be very well looked after.
Chloe P.
Chloe P.
23:48 24 Aug 17
I brought my daughter here after a terrible experience at another centre and now she looks forward to daycare 3 times a week. The teachers are genuinely caring and friendly, and take a real interest in my daughter and seem happy to be at their job! Best decision I made.
Colette H.
Colette H.
23:36 24 Aug 17
We love this centre! The educators are really wonderful and the food for the kids is really healthy and interesting! Would highly recommend.
Renee W.
Renee W.
04:48 25 May 17
Love the vibe of this his gorgeous new centre!
Emma J.
Emma J.
04:24 29 Aug 17
My daughter has been attending here for a couple of months now and she loves it. The staff have been fantastic and I love that a lot of the play/ learning is nature based. We get regular updates on her development and daily activities as well.
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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) $157.84 $67.87 $37.88
Toddler (2–3) $157.84 $67.87 $37.88
Kinder (3–5) $157.84 $67.87 $37.88

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?

Croydon Centre Manager Image

Kayla and Team

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

  • Stimulating learning environments equipped with natural open-ended materials and resources
  • Large outdoor play spaces featuring natural play structures, sandpits and water play
  • Commercial grade, open plan kitchen for the on-site cook to prepare 5 healthy and nutritious meals daily
  • Children socialise over meals shared in the Piazza

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

No state fee relief information available.

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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