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Guardian Childcare Thornbury

Google Reviews

(18)
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  • Safety always comes first at Guardian Childcare. Every member of the team is fully committed to upholding our child safety approach, ensuring a safe environment for all children.
  • We know it’s hard to choose a childcare. Take a tour with us, and you’ll see why so many families love us. A warm community, quality learning and fun experiences each day for your child – we have got it all.
  • We have engaging indoor learning spaces with high ceilings and expansive outdoor play spaces with a sandpit, veggie garden, wooden cubby house, natural climbing structures and our pet chickens.
  • Our centre feels like home, where each day is exciting, from our nursery to our leading 2-year Kindergarten program.

200 Smith Street Thornbury, VIC, 3071

Mon to Fri 6:00am to 6:00pm

Limited Spaces Available

Premium Thornbury Childcare Centre

Thornbury Centre Manager Image

Meet our Centre Manager Sara and team

“Having a nurturing environment for our children to learn and grow while providing support for our families is what keeps a smile on our face every day”

Daily Fees

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

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At Guardian Thornbury, your family is at the heart of all we do. Our daycare centre offers a nurturing environment and high-quality education for the communities of Thornbury, Northcote, Preston, Coburg, Brunswick, Bellfield, Ivanhoe, Heidelberg West, and Pascoe Vale South.

From our nursery through to our government-funded Flying Start to School long daycare kindergarten program, we provide a place where your child’s learning and growth are celebrated.

The families of Thornbury and surrounding suburbs choose our centre because of our inspiring indoor spaces, filled with quality, age-appropriate resources, and our personalised, sector-leading To BE Me learning milestones program.

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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What Learning Looks Like at Different Ages

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.

Google Reviews

(18)
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Chelsea G.
A really fantastic place where my kid has grown and developed into his own little self. The managers and educators are really sweet and have built a lovely community. I can’t recommend them all enough!
Response from the owner:Thank you, Chelsea, for your lovely review. We’re delighted to hear your child has grown and developed in such a positive environment and that you value the warmth and care of the managers and educators. Building a strong sense of community is so important to us, and we’re thrilled this has been your experience. Thank you for your recommendation!
Patrick M.
We've had 2 children attend Guardian Thornbury over 7 years, and we couldn't be happier with their approach. The centre is well-run and the staff are lovely, but the most amazing thing is that our kids just loved going there! It makes everything 10 times easier when the kids are excited to go and almost want you to leave, so they can get on with having fun :)
Response from the owner:Thank you for such a wonderful review! It sounds like you've had an incredible experience over the years at our centre. The fact that both of your children loved going there really speaks to how special the learning environment is, and how passionate and dedicated the staff are. It makes such a difference knowing your little ones are excited to head off and start their day without hesitation! What amazing peace of mind you must have had! Thank you again, Patrick, for your great feedback!
Emma D.
The staff at Smith Street Guardian are incredibly professional, enthusiastic, and invested. The centre also exudes warmth and friendliness, which has a truly positive impact on all the children. A huge thanks to Sara and the A team. Keep it up!
Emma F.
Guardian Thornbury is a lovely centre. The educators are all very kind and relaxed, the rooms are friendly and cosy, and there are lots of engaging activities and learning experiences each day. We love the philosophy, the culture and the community of parents we run into each day.
Response from the owner:Thank you Emma for your great review for our centre in Thornbury.  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 😊
Mieken G.
Very home like feeling to the center and all the educators are absolutely beautiful
Shannon B.
Smith St has always felt like a community and a warm, supportive environment for my child, who has been going 3x a week since 9mths. The educators know all the children so well and my child thrives there with the learning experiences.
Response from the owner:Thank you for taking the time to provide this feedback, Shannon! We are so glad to hear you have been enjoying the 'home away from home' experience we provide at our centre in Thornbury.
mieken G.
I couldn't rave more about Guardian Thornbury Smith St daycare more. My child loves all the educators and has formed really close bonds with a few. I always know she will be cuddled when she needs it, looked out for a reassured. With a change in our family dynamic this year the staff have been supportive in helping Rosa adjust to 2 households and I couldn't thank them more. Best educators ever
Rachele P.
We loved Guardian Thornbury as soon as we visited, and our 2.5yo daughter has blossomed there. The staff are warm, kind and genuinely invested in each child; they know their preferences, habits and temperaments, and engage with them as individuals in carefully planned learning activities. The indoor and outdoor spaces are beautiful and homely; the management is excellent; and there's a real sense of community. An exceptional centre!
Monique P.
We are so pleased with Smith Street. Our 4 year old and 2 1/2 year old boys have been going since 18 months old and they both love going each week. We love the variety of activities they have everyday and the care they are given. The staff are welcoming, kind and have been amazing over the years. I would recommend this childcare to anyone in the area.
Liam W.
My wife & I loved this Childcare centre from the moment we first visited. Our son has been going there for a year now and has enjoyed every minute of it. The Centre Manager is so friendly, accommodating & responsive to our family's needs. The Educators are all really lovely and work closely with all of the children to attend to and develop their individual needs. The outside play area is great and has had a recent upgrade. Would highly reccommend!
Rebecca W.
Very caring and professional educators, lovely outdoor spaces, engaging activities for children, well managed and a great community for families. My daughter has attended the centre for three years and has loved the experience. I would highly recommend.
Ashlee W.
Our one year old has been going to Smith street dance he was 6months old, abut wasn’t long before he settled in! He loves going twice a week and we can’t speak highly enough about the educators and management.
Would recommend to anyone!
Kirstin H.
My kids love going to daycare here, the educators are great and it feels like a big family. The centre itself is lovely with a huge outdoor area for the kids to play.
Kate S.
Excellent childcare centre. The educators are kind, patient and fun. Our kids love their time here and we love being part of this community.
Mary F.
Absolutely love sending my child here. Educators are caring, respectful and really cater for every child's needs. Definately recommend ✅
Karly A.
An exceptional childcare centre. The large outdoor play area, beautifully landscaped with a variety of trees, together with the modern indoor spaces, support a range of different learning activities throughout the day. There is plenty of parking, making drop off and pick up easy for parents. The staff are caring and attentive, and bring a mix of joy, fun and kindness to their interactions with both the children and parents. We love bringing our kids here and feel incredibly lucky to be part of this friendly community.
Heather B.
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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.

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) $187.74 $87.67 $54.31
Toddler (2–3) $187.74 $87.67 $54.31
Kinder (3–5) $187.10 $87.03 $53.67

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 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.

Guardian Centres Nearby

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