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Welcome to South Melbourne

Guardian Childcare South Melbourne

Google Reviews

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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.
  • You need to come and see why local families just like yours say our amazing centre feels like a home away from home for their children who have fun every single day. Be a part of it.
  • Every day is unique in our beautiful centre, with modern resources from nursery to our leading 2 year kindergarten program. You don't want to miss out!
  • Meet our long-standing, passionate team who will make you and your child feel welcome and part of our fantastic community from day one.

97-101 Tope Street, South Melbourne, VIC, 3205

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

Spaces available now across rooms

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Premium South Melbourne Childcare Centre

South Melbourne Centre Manager Image

Meet our Centre Manager Coco and Team

"A child is an explorer. Personal experiences and relationships within their environment make up the knowledge that they gather through play and the natural environment".

Daily Fees

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

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Guardian's Flying Start to School program delivers a Government-approved Kindergarten program within long day care hours, providing flexibility, holiday coverage, continuity of Educators and access to the same Government funding available through other providers. Read more >

At Guardian South Melbourne, you’ll find a genuine community that feels like a home away from home. Our recently refurbished early learning centre provides a nurturing environment where your child’s safety and wellbeing is our priority. We offer exceptional care and education from nursery through to our government-funded Flying Start to School kindergarten program.

At our childcare centre, your child will enjoy:

• Engaging indoor spaces featuring quality, age-appropriate resources to inspire learning.
• A unique rooftop playground and expansive outdoor areas with a bike track and veggie garden.
• An amazing team that gets to know each child’s needs with our personalised To BE Me learning milestones program.

We’re proud of our daycare centre – your child will never want to leave! Join the leading childcare provider in the area!

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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

(40)
Alvin T.
2 months ago
Amazing child care center! The center manager and the entire team are professional, efficient, and incredibly friendly. They have been so supportive and accommodating since my son started 1.5 years ago. Thank you, team!
Response from the owner:Alvin, thank you for your kind review. We are delighted to hear that your family has had such a positive experience over the past 18 months. It means so much to know that our team has been supportive, accommodating and welcoming throughout your son's journey with us. Your feedback is greatly appreciated, and we will be sure to share your lovely words with the team. Thank you for being part of our community.
Misa S.
4 months ago
Our child started attending this centre when he was 10 months old, and as it was his first time being away from us, we were naturally a little nervous. However, the nursery room educators welcomed us so warmly that we immediately felt reassured. They always take the time to listen carefully to both our child’s needs and our parenting preferences. Their support and care have created a safe and nurturing environment for him. We also appreciate the recent changes to the room setup. It feels thoughtfully designed, with plenty of opportunities for learning and encouraging development through play. Another highlight of the centre is the generous space, both indoors and outdoors, which allows children to move around freely. Our child especially enjoys the outdoor area, particularly playing in the sandpit and with the cars.
Response from the owner:Thank you so much, Misa, for your thoughtful and detailed feedback. We’re so glad to hear that you felt reassured from the very beginning and that our nursery educators have created a warm and supportive environment for both your child and your family. It’s wonderful to know that you feel your parenting preferences are listened to and respected. We’re also pleased that you’ve noticed the recent room changes and the opportunities for learning through play. It’s lovely to hear how much your child enjoys the indoor and outdoor spaces, especially the sandpit and cars. Thank you again for your trust and for being part of our community.
Candace S.
5 months ago
We have had such a wonderful experience with this centre. After moving from a country town in NSW, I was naturally a bit anxious about how my girls would adjust — but the care, kindness and genuine warmth from all of the educators made the transition so smooth. They settled in so quickly, which is a true reflection of how nurturing and engaging the environment is. Every teacher is incredible — attentive, supportive and genuinely invested in the children’s wellbeing and development. The level of stimulation and thought put into daily activities really shows, and my girls absolutely love going each day. The food deserves a special mention! It’s amazing seeing everything being freshly prepared each morning, and it has had such a positive impact — my children are now trying new foods when we go out, which is something we never expected. Joy is our absolute favourite — she creates the most delicious meals and goes above and beyond, especially when catering for larger groups and even parents. You can really feel the love and care that goes into everything she does. We couldn’t be happier and feel so grateful to have found such a special place for our girls. Highly recommend.
Response from the owner:Candace, thank you for sharing your family’s journey after your interstate relocation! Transitions like that can feel overwhelming, so it’s truly wonderful to hear how quickly your girls settled and how supported you felt by the team’s kindness and warmth. Knowing they look forward to each day and feel so comfortable in their environment says so much about the relationships they have formed. Your feedback about the educators’ attentiveness, the engaging daily experiences and the genuine focus on each child’s wellbeing is incredibly appreciated. It’s also lovely to hear how much the freshly prepared meals have influenced your girls’ confidence with food. Your recognition of Joy and the care she puts into every meal will mean a lot to her. Thank you for sharing such heartfelt comments and for placing your trust in the team.
Janessa S.
9 months ago
Great place for our family, friendly staff who have been there since baby room all through to junior toddlers. Clean and presentable. Barely had any sickness come out of there over the past three years! So glad we made the choice to join guardian. 5 stars
Response from the owner:We truly appreciate your feedback, Janessa! It’s wonderful to know your family has felt supported from the baby room right through to junior toddlers. Hearing that our friendly team and clean, welcoming environment have made such a difference is fantastic. Thank you for choosing us and sharing your experience!
om S.
11 months ago
It has a great ambience, facilities, educators and management. It's safe and a relaxing place for a child to be.
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your lovely feedback Om. We’re so glad to hear that you’ve found our centre to be a safe, relaxing, and welcoming space for children. Our team takes great pride in creating an environment where every child feels supported and engaged, and it’s wonderful to know that this has come through in your experience. We truly appreciate your kind words and support!
Matthew H.
11 months ago
All the staff at Guardian South Melbourne are wonderfully caring, attentive, and always friendly and welcoming! What stands out for me is their high-level skill in really listening with professional and sincere engagement – to help support and educate each & every individual child with genuine, loving care. This experience has shaped our daughter’s young life with such immense positivity, and so much playful joy – we are deeply grateful. Thank you to Coco & Jade, and thank you to your entire stellar team! The positive influence that you all have on our whole family, every single day, means the world to us.
Response from the owner:Thank you so much Matthew for your heartfelt feedback. We’re truly grateful for your kind words and so pleased to hear how positively your family’s experience with us has been. It’s incredibly rewarding to know that our educators’ care, attentiveness, and genuine engagement have made such a meaningful impact on your daughter’s early years. A special thank you for recognising Coco and Jade, along with the entire team. Their dedication to creating a nurturing, joyful, and inclusive environment is something we’re very proud of. Your appreciation means the world to us, and we’re honoured to be part of your child’s learning journey!
Jade H.
12 months ago
Response from the owner:We truly appreciate your 5-star review Jade! Your support means a lot to our team!
Thomas L.
1 year ago
William G.
2 years ago
The best centre in this area. We love this community and the kinder program is amazing. The food is the highlight as well.
Response from the owner:Thank you for the kind words, William! We’re so happy your time at our centre in South Melbourne is going so well. We are keen to keep providing a great experience for all Guardian families and their little ones 😊
jaeyong J.
2 years ago
We LOVE this centre!!!!!!! Coco and the team is amazing!!! Everyone is so kind and my child loves going to care all the time. The kinder program is very good too. Highly recommend!!!!!!!
Response from the owner:Thank you Jaeyong for your great review for our centre in South Melbourne. 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 and we are so happy to hear that we are meeting your expectations. We will continue to provide the best possible care for out families and children 😊
O’Nill J.
2 years ago
Alireza H.
3 years ago
We are delighted with our daughter's experience at Guardian Childcare South Melbourne. Coco, and the team, thank you for your exceptional care and attention!
Response from the owner:Thank you Alireza for your great review for our centre in South Melbourne. We are so happy to hear that we are meeting your expectations. We will continue to provide the best possible care for out families and children 😊
Nicole H.
3 years ago
Very friendly team that looks after my kids. My kids learn new things and how to be social. Beautiful location and fun rooftop with a cool playground
Response from the owner:Thank you Nicole for your great review for our centre in South Melbourne. We are so happy to hear that we are meeting your expectations. We will continue to provide the best possible care for out families and children 😊
Fiona P.
3 years ago
Coco, Carissa, Nat, Angie, Stella, Chantelle, Sergio and the whole team made the transition to daycare/returning to work as seamless as it could possibly be. The space is a beautiful and safe sanctuary with lots of lovely improvements since Coco took over. My son gets so excited when he sees that we are nearly there and loves spending time with all of the gorgeous staff and his friends each day. I am very grateful to the team for the love and care that they have shown our family and appreciate their hard work! I would not hesitate to recommend this centre and team to anyone looking for quality childcare where their child will thrive.
Response from the owner:Thanks for the awesome review, Fiona! 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!
Sharon W.
3 years ago
This centre is constantly exceeding my expectations. We are so lucky to be part of such an amazing little community where our children are thriving with their learning and making such amazing friendships. The educators are so warm and loving. They always let me know how our children's day was and what they were up to. I HAVE to mention the centre manager Coco! What an amazing, awesome, experienced and fun manager. She has been there for over a year now and has made such a positive impact on the centre and its never been or felt better in the 4 years our family has been there. Thank you so much to everyone!
Response from the owner:Thank you Sharon for your great review for our centre in South Melbourne. 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 😊
Shaley I.
3 years ago
This center is very unique. It’s children’s home away from home. Everyone is happy, the children, the staff, the families and even the placement students. This center just got good vibes!! Highly recommend this one.
Response from the owner:Thank you for the kind words, Shaley! We’re so happy your visit to our centre went so well. We are keen to keep providing a great experience for all Guardian families and their little ones 😊
Eleonora M.
3 years ago
Excellent centre with genuinely caring director Coco and all educators and staff! We love it:)
Response from the owner:Thank you Eleonora for your 5-star rating for our centre in South Melbourne. We really appreciate your positive review and look forward to creating a great experience at Guardian over many more days to come!
Philip L.
3 years ago
Overall, I would highly recommend this daycare center to anyone looking for a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment for their child. What really sets this daycare apart, though, is the sense of community that they foster. The staff are always willing to answer questions and provide updates on my child's progress, and they encourage parents to get involved in the daycare's activities and events. It's clear that they truly care about the well-being of the children in their care, and that makes all the difference.
Response from the owner:Thank you Philip for your 5-star rating for our centre in South Melbourne. We really appreciate your positive review and look forward to creating a great experience at Guardian over many more days to come!
Monica L.
3 years ago
I recommend The Guardian South Melbourne to every single family! All the educators(Naz, Tara, Stella, Anna and many more), the centre manager Coco, and Mariam, Carissa and the chef Sergio are so professional, super attentive and fantastic in every single aspect of their job. They’re so passionate and they’re like our second family! Always with a smile on their face and always ready to share a moment of our son while at the centre. The guardian is without doubt the best daycare in South Melbourne and surroundings! :)
Response from the owner:Thank you Monica for your great review for our centre in South Melbourne. 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 😊
Julia B.
4 years ago
I cannot recommend Guardian South Melbourne more highly. My son started in July at 2 years old having never gone to a daycare before. The staff are so caring, high energy, trustworthy and lovely. My son settled so fast as every educator really gave him that special attention and extra love. My son always came home happy, well fed, changed, and most of all had had a great time and was safe. Thank you so much Guardian!!!!
Response from the owner:Thank you Julia for your 5-star rating for our centre in South Melbourne. We really appreciate your positive review and look forward to creating a great experience at Guardian over many more days to come!
Aryna P.
4 years ago
Darina A.
4 years ago
My daughter was one of the first 5 kids joined Guardian South Melbourne back in April 2019. The center managers since then were changing so frequent I sometimes even started forgetting their names. Teacher turnover was very high, the overall vibe of the center was disaggregated, not like a family feeling. However, everything has changed since Coco joined the center. Let me point out the main improvements: - Staff turnover decreased significantly. - Less kids were crying at the drop off - The overall presentation of the Centre has been changed. For every occasion (Halloween, Christmas and etc.) decorations were provided. - Organized excursions, breakfast with families (for example for father's day), photo sessions, trick and treat parties and etc. were taken a place. - Communication between center manager and parents improved significantly via frequent posts on Storypark in regards to updates, fortnightly emails and verbal conversations - The overall center vibe is improved and I can see its reflection in my daughter's behavior. Now, she enjoys going to the center and treats Coco as her best friend. - Overall teacher's mood improved as well, as I can see a board with the awards provided to them encouraging and valuing their work. Thank you for your passionate work Coco! Regards, Darina Assylbek
Response from the owner:Hello Darina, Thank you for your feedback about our centre in South Melbourne! We are happy to hear such good things about you and your little one’s experience with us, especially since Coco has come along. Coco is a real asset to our team at Guardian, South Melbourne. 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. ​We will pass on this wonderful feedback to the centre team as well.
Meih M.
4 years ago
I would recommend this centre
Berik A.
4 years ago
Our child is the first who joined to Guardian. At the beginning it was good. A couple months later we started seeing some issues: centre managers keep changing, often understaffed and teachers were leaving. However when Coco has joined as the centre manager, we started seeing transformation of child centre. Way less teachers were leaving and our child is happy now to go to child centre 5 days a week. It's also worth to mention that Child centre organised an excursion to South Melbourne market with kids. It was just wow.
Jasmine Y.
4 years ago
My nephew wakes up every day excited and looking forward to going to school, great environment and teaching staff
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Rhythm of the Day

We know children and families like routine, so you will always receive a warm welcome each morning and an invitation to stay for breakfast. At the end of the day, a smooth transition is assured with your child’s belongings ready for you after a day that fulfils your child's interests and curiosity. In between, the day is filled with new and exciting experiences to engage young minds as part of their early childhood education. Here’s a glimpse of what a day of play-based learning at our childcare centre often looks like.

Morning

Breakfast time provides a great chance for you to share what is important and how your baby’s night at home was.

Mid-Morning

Your baby will enjoy engaging in both our indoor and outdoor nursery environments with planned experiences like songs and story time, followed by morning tea.

Middle of the Day

Your baby’s lunch times will suit their needs, and with our open-door policy, families are welcome to enjoy lunch/bottle time with your baby. When your baby is ready, they are gently settled for sleep and rest.

Mid-Afternoon

Our planned indoor and outdoor nursery experiences continue with the chance for movement, games and more books and songs, with an afternoon snack provided.

End of Day

The Nursery team are eager to share information about your baby’s day and their learning, preparing you and your baby for a smooth transition to your evening.

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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) $199.00 $95.10 $60.47
Toddler (2–3) $199.00 $95.10 $60.47
Kinder (3–5) $196.21 $92.31 $57.68

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. Ask for more details when you tour the centre.

What do you provide?

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

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.

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.

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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Guardian Centres Nearby

Bright and spacious play area at Guardian Childcare Collins Street, Melbourne, featuring natural light, wooden floors, and diverse learning zones for early childhood education.

Collins Street

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Engaging indoor play area at Guardian Childcare South Yarra featuring teepee structures, artificial grass, and natural wood elements for play-based learning.

South Yarra

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Bright and engaging learning space at Guardian Childcare Prahran, featuring natural light, playful decor, and inviting activity areas for early learning.

Prahran

349 High Street

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Bright and spacious childcare classroom at Guardian Childcare Richmond VIC featuring diverse play areas including reading nook, ball pit, and creative zone, designed for engaging early learning.

Richmond

67-81 Hoddle Street

Richmond VIC 3121

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Bright and spacious indoor play area at Guardian Childcare Abbotsford featuring natural light, wooden furniture, and engaging learning zones for children.

Abbotsford

3 Flockhart Street

Abbotsford VIC 3067

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