Families in Melbourne’s inner north now have access to a full 12-hour window of childcare at Guardian Childcare & Education’s acclaimed Lemon Tree centre in Carlton.
Located on Grattan Street, the centre is now open from 6.30am to 6.30pm Monday to Friday, providing greater flexibility for families juggling work, travel and childcare commitments.
Guardian Lemon Tree has achieved an Exceeding National Quality Standard rating under Australia’s national assessment system for early childhood education and care services.
It has also received a Guardian 2026 Gold Family Choice Award, recognising high levels of family satisfaction based on parent survey results and Google reviews.
The centre caters for children from six weeks to six years of age and serves families across Carlton, Fitzroy, Collingwood, Parkville, Carlton North and surrounding Melbourne suburbs.
It combines small group sizes and a longstanding team of educators with extensive indoor and outdoor learning spaces that have recently been upgraded.
Centre Manager Casty Ow said one of the centre’s standout features was its large outdoor play area.
“We can use the large, spacious outdoor play space in any weather – children can run, climb, kick a ball, build from our building wall or escape to the fairy garden,” she said.
“We also have a herb and veggie garden with an array of produce that our chef incorporates into our meals.”
Casty said another hidden gem was the centre’s atelier, a dedicated creative learning space where children could explore ideas, experiment with materials and develop their curiosity.
The centre’s STEAM atelier encourages children to lead their own exploration through science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics.
Children also participate in a range of activities beyond the centre’s regular learning programs, including weekly outings for each age group, music and movement for babies and toddlers, and storytime soccer for junior and senior kindergarten children.
Senior kindergarten children take part in cooking classes, while other experiences include museum visits, grandparents’ storytime and the Joy of Reading program, which involves working with publishers and illustrators to develop children’s interest in books and storytelling.
The centre also offers Guardian’s two-year Flying Start to School kindergarten program and its To BE Me learning program, which provides personalised learning pathways and records children’s developmental milestones.
The centre regularly conducts outings to Carlton Gardens, with all rooms participating on different days throughout the week.
Casty Ow said the centre placed particular emphasis on helping new families feel comfortable and connected from the beginning.
“We always say orientation is not about welcoming a child- it’s about welcoming a family!” she said.
“We have comprehensive orientation process tailored to each child’s age and stage of development, along with weekly Stay and Play sessions that are open every Friday from 2pm to 3pm.”
Casty Ow said the centre’s longstanding educators, small group sizes and emphasis on fresh, locally sourced food were also important features.
Meals are prepared by an in-house chef using high-quality produce, including ingredients sourced from small local businesses and the centre’s own garden.
Through Guardian’s Nutrition for Life program, children are encouraged to explore new foods and flavours, build healthy eating habits and develop confidence around mealtimes.
The centre has attracted positive feedback from families, particularly about its educators, communication with families and the relationships developed with children.
One parent, whose three children attended the centre over a decade, described the educators as an extension of the family.
“What started as a place we trusted with our children has truly become an extension of our family. From the moment you walk through the door, you feel it,” she said in an online review.
Another parent, also in a published review, said their daughter had attended Lemon Tree from nine months to five years of age.
“At every stage, the team were professional, nurturing, fun and welcoming and it always felt like we were part of their community,” they said.
Guardian Lemon Tree is at 2-10 Grattan Street, Carlton. Families can arrange tours or enquire about enrolments through the Guardian Lemon Tree website: www.guardian.edu.au/childcare-early-learning-centres/vic/carlton-lemon-tree/
