The BEST School Readiness Programs in Melbourne VIC

Guardian Childcare & Education Collins Street provides long day care, early learning and a Kinder program for children aged six weeks to six years. Families can expect play-based learning, incursions and excursions, meals cooked onsite and nappies included, with qualified educators and Teachers in every room. This large, purpose-built centre sits in the heart of the CBD, with open-plan rooms designed to give children space to move, settle and find their own rhythm, each opening onto its own outdoor yard. Located in Melbourne, close to West Melbourne, Southbank, South Melbourne and East Melbourne.

Guardian Childcare & Education Richmond provides long day care, early learning and a Kinder program for children aged six weeks to six years. Days include play-based learning, incursions and excursions, meals cooked onsite, nappies included, and qualified educators and Teachers in every room. The centre's open plan design brings children together across ages to learn side by side, and two dedicated atelier spaces give creativity room to spread out and take shape. Located on near West Richmond Railway Station, close to Abbotsford, Collingwood, East Melbourne and Fitzroy.

Newly refurbished, Guardian Childcare Lemon Tree provides long day care, early learning and a Kinder program for children aged six weeks to six years. The centre offers play-based learning, incursions and excursions, meals cooked onsite, nappies included, and qualified educators and Teachers in every room. A historic building and small group sizes give the centre a calm, personal feel, and an atelier invites big ideas alongside a large outdoor space that keeps play going in every kind of weather. Rated Exceeding the National Quality Standard. Located in Carlton.

At Imagine Childcare & Kindergarten Maryborough, we provide quality childcare and early education for children from 6 weeks of age through to Kindergarten. Your little one will be inspired every day at our beautiful daycare centre, and our passionate Educators are dedicated to ensuring every individual child's educational journey is full of learning and wonder. Our centre is designed with learning and fun in mind. Beautiful classrooms open up onto landscaped playgrounds. Our educational resources are hand-picked to support your child's learning journey and complement our curriculum. Our outdoor playgrounds feature our custom adventure fort, cubby houses, sandpits, bike tracks, and a water pump. Our vegetable and herb gardens are perfect for inspiring a love for the natural world in your child.

Only About Children South Melbourne is proud to be rated Exceeding NQS for 10 years running. Our spacious, purpose-designed campus features two distinct environments: a nurturing nursery and toddler area, and a dedicated kindergarten known for its exceptional two-year school readiness program.

Guardian Childcare & Education Abbotsford provides long day care, early learning and a Kinder program for children aged six weeks to six years. Play-based learning, incursions and excursions, meals cooked onsite and nappies included are all part of the day, alongside qualified educators and Teachers in every room. A rooftop garden with open views gives children a calm, everyday connection to the outdoors, and the team builds real relationships with every family so each child feels known, not just minded. Located in Abbotsford, close to Richmond, Kew, Hawthorn and Collingwood.

Guardian Childcare & Education South Yarra provides long day care, early learning and a Kinder program for children aged six weeks to six years. Play-based learning, incursions and excursions, onsite cooked meals and included nappies are part of every day, with qualified educators and Teachers in every room. The centre spans 13 environments across three levels, with large windows opening onto Chapel Street and a rooftop garden where children build and create with the sounds of the city around them.

Guardian Childcare & Education Prahran provides long day care, early learning and a Kinder program for children aged six weeks to six years. The program includes play-based learning, incursions and excursions, meals cooked onsite and nappies included, with qualified educators and Teachers across every room. The small, long-standing team knows every child well enough to notice the little things. A 2024 refresh updated the rooms while keeping the centre's old-home charm, and regular family events keep the community connected. Rated Exceeding the National Quality Standard.

Guardian Childcare & Education Westgarth provides long day care, early learning and a Kinder program for children aged six weeks to six years. Days include play-based learning, incursions and excursions, meals cooked onsite and nappies included, with qualified educators and Teachers in every room. A learning exchange board shows families what is happening in each room each day, so you see your child's day rather than just hearing about it. From the first tour, educators take time to learn your family's routines and welcome your culture and traditions into the room.

Guardian Childcare & Education Northcote provides long day care, early learning and a Kinder program for children aged six weeks to six years. From play-based learning to incursions and excursions, meals cooked onsite and nappies included, every room is led by qualified educators and Teachers. Children play outdoor pianos on the playground while an educator joins in the tune, and a hidden kindergarten play area lets the watch trains roll past the fence windows. New families are greeted by name from day one.

Guardian Childcare & Education Ascot Vale provides long day care, early learning and a Kinder program for children aged six weeks to six years. The program combines play-based learning with incursions and excursions, backed by qualified educators and Teachers in every room, onsite cooked meals and nappies included. Located in Ascot Vale, with on-site parking, and close to Moonee Ponds, Maribyrnong, Essendon and Flemington.

At Lauriston Girls’ School we take responsibility for one of life’s most important tasks – helping to build future generations of strong, confident women. Tomorrow’s leaders, thinkers, and doers.  We nurture these qualities from an early age. From Bush Kinder, sport and music performances to our academic programs and transformative year at Howqua, we offer opportunities and experiences both in and out of the classroom that inspire our girls to be brave, resilient, and willing to see every challenge as opportunity.  We teach that learning doesn’t end with the submission of an assignment or the passing of an exam. Learning is for life. And ‘success’ is never the end of the story – it’s a launching pad for new discoveries, innovation and understanding.  The complex world we live in calls for our young women to have a holistic tool set that encompasses not only their intellectual skills but also their social and emotional skills. Our young women will need to be comfortable with ambiguity and have the skills to navigate their way through complex situations often while working with individuals who have different perspectives and cultural backgrounds. Through their learning and co-curricular opportunities, we are preparing our girls for the future.    As Principal, I look forward to welcoming your family into our strong School community, a community that celebrates diversity and talent and offers a sense of belonging. I look forward to helping your daughter explore the endless opportunities we have to offer and be the very best that she can be.

Guardian Childcare & Education Caulfield provides long day care, early learning and a Kinder program for children aged six weeks to six years. Every day brings play-based learning, incursions and excursions, meals cooked onsite and nappies included, guided by qualified educators and Teachers in every room. Natural light fills the centre, and with everything on one level and generous outdoor space for every age group, children move easily between rooms and the yard.

Guardian Childcare Caulfield North provides long day care, early learning and a Kinder program for children aged six weeks to six years. The centre provides play-based learning, incursions and excursions, meals cooked onsite and nappies included, with qualified educators and Teachers in every room. Quiet yards spread across three full levels give children room to settle, explore and belong at their own pace.

Guardian Childcare & Education Kew East provides long day care, early learning and a Kinder program for children aged six weeks to six years. Children enjoy play-based learning, incursions and excursions, meals cooked onsite, and nappies included, with qualified educators and Teachers in every room. Children explore through cooking, science, music, sport and rhythm and movement, with an indoor active play space for wet weather days, and families stay connected through phone calls, emails and Storypark notes. Located in Kew East, close to Kew, Balwyn North, Ivanhoe and Balwyn.

Busy Bees at Preston East is a well-known day care centre in Melbourne, providing high-quality care for over 15 years. We offer a Government Approved Kindergarten program for 3 and 4-year-olds, led by qualified teachers. Our inviting environment encourages exploration and discovery. Join our family! Enquire about our pre kindergarten schools and pre k schools today!

Guardian Childcare & Education Camberwell (formerly Tiggers) provides long day care, early learning and a Kinder program for children aged six weeks to six years. Children enjoy play-based learning, incursions and excursions, meals cooked onsite, nappies included, and qualified educators and Teachers in every room. The backyard is a natural space of large trees, logs, tunnels and bridges shared between two converted houses, giving children room to roam, take small risks and go on adventures with friends. Located in Camberwell, minutes from Camberwell Sunday Market, and close to Glen Iris, Hawthorn East, Hawthorn and Malvern.

Guardian Childcare & Education Elsternwick (formerly Tree House) provides long day care, early learning and a Kinder program for children aged six weeks to six years. Children enjoy play-based learning, incursions and excursions, meals cooked onsite and nappies included, with qualified educators and Teachers in every room. Educators greet families in Japanese, Spanish and Mandarin, and children enjoy live instruments played for them through the day. A long standing team brings the community together with regular family gatherings. Rated Exceeding the National Quality Standard.

Guardian Childcare & Education Preston provides long day care, early learning and a Kinder program for children aged six weeks to six years. Learning happens through play, incursions and excursions, with onsite cooked meals and nappies included as standard, and qualified educators and Teachers in every room. The centre runs an Italian language program through Girotondo, weaving new words and songs into everyday play.

Guardian Childcare & Education Preston West provides long day care, early learning and a Kinder program for children aged six weeks to six years. Children enjoy play-based learning, incursions and excursions, onsite cooked meals and nappies included, with qualified educators and Teachers in every room. Natural light, considered colour and open-ended loose parts such as blocks, fabrics and natural objects invite children to move, combine and reinvent as they play, with the curriculum built around each child's own ideas and capabilities. Rated Exceeding the National Quality Standard.

Ready Steady Go Kids is a preschool nestled in Henley Beach that nurtures young learners through thoughtful, play-based education. The centre focuses on building confidence and curiosity in children during their crucial early years. With an emphasis on developmental milestones and social growth, they create an environment where little ones flourish academically and emotionally.

Guardian Childcare & Education Maidstone provides long day care, early learning and a Kinder program for children aged six weeks to six years. The day includes play-based learning, incursions and excursions, meals cooked onsite and nappies included, with qualified educators and Teachers in every room. Educators give each child individual attention in a calm, inclusive space, complemented by a weekly dance program not offered at every centre. Located at 1/50 Hampstead Road in Maidstone, with onsite parking, close to Maribyrnong, Braybrook, West Footscray and Avondale Heights.

Guardian Childcare Pascoe Vale South provides long day care, early learning and a Kinder program for children aged six weeks to six years. Children take part in play-based learning, incursions and excursions, with onsite cooked meals, nappies included and qualified educators and Teachers in every room. A downstairs foyer doubles as an art gallery celebrating children's artwork, and a cosy family room by the front door gives families a welcoming space of their own. Located n Pascoe Vale, close to Coburg, Strathmore and Oak Park.

Monash Caulfield Child Care Centre is a small, independent and welcoming centre in the heart of Caulfield East.

Brighton Early Learning Centre (Brighton ELC) is a boutique privately owned childcare and early learning centre Brighton ELC has been tastefully modernised to maintain its warm and homely period features whilst incorporating 5 spacious, light-filled children’s rooms that accommodate small groups of children. Each of the rooms leads out to delightful age appropriate play areas that seamlessly extend our workshops of learning and knowledge outdoors. We have an abundance of beautiful established trees and shrubs in our gardens to further enhance the outdoor experience.

Firbank Grammar School is an independent, Anglican, day and boarding school, situated in the suburb of Brighton, in the Bayside area of Melbourne, Australia. Established on 26 April 1909, by the Anglican Archbishop of Melbourne, Henry Lowther Clarke, the school currently caters for approximately 1,200 students

See where great beginnings start at Great Beginnings Reservoir. Our long day care and early learning centre provides child care in Reservoir for families living or commuting through Reservoir and nearby suburbs Thomastown, Preston, Heidelberg Heights and Epping. We are open from 6:30am to 6:30pm for children aged 6 weeks to 6 years.

Guardian Childcare & Education Essendon provides long day care, early learning and a Kinder program for children aged six weeks to six years. The centre offers play-based learning, incursions and excursions, meals cooked onsite and nappies included, with qualified educators and Teachers in every room. Each hub has its own Early Childhood Teacher, shaping your child's learning from the first days. Natural outdoor environments downstairs and indoor spaces give children room to explore and settle.

Guardian Childcare Pascoe Vale provides long day care, early learning and a Kinder program for children aged six weeks to six years. Days are filled with play-based learning, incursions and excursions, meals cooked onsite and nappies included, with qualified educators and Teachers in every room. Children move freely between spaces and follow their own thinking, building ownership of their learning in a calm, unhurried environment, and educators partner with your family from your first tour, not just from day one. Located in Pascoe Vale, close to Glenroy, Hadfield, Pascoe Vale South and Coburg North.

The Longford & Fraser Leadership Academy for Boys proudly introduces an exceptional program tailored for boys aged 5 to 16, focusing on essential life and leadership skills encompassing emotional intelligence (EQ), social intelligence (SQ), and adaptability/adversity intelligence (AQ). In today's ever-changing world, both children and adults encounter unique challenges and pressures. By proactively nurturing skills such as resilience, the ability to withstand peer pressure, exceptional communication abilities, self-respect, a balanced and confident mindset, a high tolerance for frustration, critical thinking prowess, good sportsmanship, self-discipline, and assertive communication, we pave the way for our sons to navigate life with greater ease and establish the groundwork for excellence, success, and well-being. Society has come to realise that while IQ and academic achievements hold importance, our true success in life hinges upon our capacity to connect, empathise, engage, demonstrate responsible behaviour, prioritise challenging tasks, offer genuine apologies, and communicate effectively with others.

SHINE Academy for Girls proudly presents a tailored program in social and emotional intelligence, designed specifically for girls aged 5 to 16. Our proactive approach aims to cultivate resilience, self-esteem, self-acceptance, and healthy confidence. We emphasise the value of good manners, exceptional communication skills, critical thinking, common sense application, leadership abilities, innovative thinking, and the capacity to resist peer pressure. Our comprehensive curriculum equips girls with a wide range of social skills, enabling them to thrive in today's challenging world, which can sometimes be unkind. A significant focus of our teachings centres around the connection between one's self-worth and the content of their character, rather than their appearance, wealth, possessions, or seeking validation from others.

Guardian Childcare & Education Altona North provides long day care, early learning and a Kinder program for children aged six weeks to six years. Every day brings play-based learning, incursions and excursions, onsite cooked meals and nappies included, cared for by qualified educators and Teachers in every room. Our large outdoor spaces let children garden, climb, build and find a quiet corner to think. Our team gets to know your child's routines, interests and needs, and your family's too. Located in Altona North with onsite parking, close to Altona, Newport, Brooklyn and Yarraville.

Guardian Childcare & Education Braybrook provides long day care, early learning and a Kinder program for children aged six weeks to six years. Days are built around play-based learning, with incursions and excursions, meals cooked onsite, and nappies included, all led by qualified educators and Teachers in every room. Inside, the centre extends well beyond what the street view shows, with outdoor areas for climbing, digging and discovering, and a team that works alongside each family, building on what they already know about their child. Located in Braybrook, near HomeCo Braybrook Shopping, with onsite parking, close to Sunshine North, Sunshine, St Albans and Avondale Heights.

Guardian Childcare & Education Brighton provides long day care, early learning and a Kinder program for children aged six weeks to six years. Here, children take part in play-based learning, incursions and excursions, with meals cooked onsite, nappies included, and qualified educators and Teachers in every room. The pace here is calm and unhurried. A long-standing team with low staff turnover means familiar faces greet your family year after year, and educators know children from across the centre, so your child is recognised wherever their day takes them. Located in Brighton East, a short walk from St Finbar's Primary School, and close to Brighton, Bentleigh, Highett and McKinnon.