Open 7:00am to 6:00pm
Monday to Friday
Guardian Childcare & Education Forde
- Proud winner of the GOLD Family Choice Award 2025. As determined by our existing families rating their experience of our Centre via Family Satisfaction Survey and independent Google Reviews. Click here for more detail
- Newly renovated centre with stunning indoor and outdoor spaces that feel like a home away from home. Your child won’t want to leave!
- 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.
- From the moment you step inside, you’ll be part of a community where children feel safe, happy, and you will feel connected every day.
Book a tour today to see what makes our Centre special & have all your questions answered

HOURS
Mon to Fri 7:00 to 18:00
ADDRESS
1 Lomax Street Forde, ACT, 2914
SPACES AVAILABLE NOW ACROSS ROOMS
Check out our fantastic indoor and outdoor learning spaces your child will enjoy









Welcome to our Centre
Guardian Childcare and Education Forde long day care centre offers leading programs where children aged six-weeks to six years learn and discover through play. Our Canberra child care centre boasts with a range of exciting, resource-rich environments; including a community library, community pantry, and upcycled furniture and loose parts which the children are encouraged to explore in their own unique way.
- Quality learning programs such as Joy of Reading, Cooking and Sustainability
- Extensive outdoor space for children to explore
- On-site Chef providing fresh snacks and meals daily
- Highly experienced Educators and degree-qualified Teachers
- Nappies, SPF 50+ sunscreen, high-quality formula and bed linen provided
- Extended hours of care each weekday from 7am to 6pm
Where children are supported to be brave, curious, and bold in their learning, for the best possible start to life.
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.
Whilst no two days of learning are ever the same - here's what a day at Guardian might look like.

Handover time with children, families and our friendly Educators. There's a chance for conversation to share what's important for the day/what's happened the night before at home.
Breakfast time where families are welcome to stay and enjoy breakfast with the children.
As children are arriving and families are coming and going, there's an opportunity for play as well as family grouping, open-plan play and multi-age grouping.
There's an opportunity for children to come together and enjoy morning tea.
Following morning tea, the planned experiences continue. This includes both indoor and outdoor programs.
There's an opportunity for children to come together for lunch. With an open-door policy, families are able to join the centre for meals and excursion if they wish.
For children who want to, or need to, there's an opportunity to sleep, rest or relax. For children who don't need to rest, there are planned experiences, which are more likely to be outdoors.
Children come together for afternoon tea in small groups or with siblings (they can also rest and play together, too). This time also presents an opportunity to reflect on the day.
As families arrive to pick up children, there's an opportunity to speak to Educators and share information about the day.
Some centres offer early tea or light snack at the end of the day, which they can grab as they leave the centre. We’re mindful of how routines vary at home, so if throughout the day, we notice children look tired, food will be provided.
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
5 meals per day
All incursions and excursions
Nappies and wipes
Storypark parenting app
Long day care hours year around
Helpful Information
Opening Hours
What to Bring 
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
Learn More About Our Centre 
Guardian Childcare and Education Forde offers the warmth and comfort of a family home, in Canberra’s northern suburbs. Our purpose-built outdoor space is accessible from every classroom and has plenty of room in which to run, ride and explore.
Our spacious Canberra, ACT, day care and child care centre provides a nurturing and stimulating environment for children aged six weeks to six years of age, supporting them to discover the world in a safe and secure way. The centre is filled with bright, stimulating materials that encourage children to explore and engage their curiosity to discover more about the exciting world around them.
Children are supported through those important early years to explore and develop their social and emotional skills through their early learning journey by a dedicated team of university-qualified Teachers and Educators. They create learning experiences in a nurturing environment that fosters creativity and imagination in a safe environment for young age groups.
Guardian Forde offers flexible childcare in Gungahlin, with services open from 7:00am to 6:00pm on weekdays, allowing convenient drop-off and pick-up times. We encourage you to spend some time exploring our learning environment during these moments. As a leading choice for Throsby childcare, we strive to provide quality day care in Canberra and a nurturing preschool experience for your child.
Our Educators and Teachers can show you the various play materials and education spaces to help you discover our approach to early education as well as support you continue the learning with activities at home. We encourage involving the whole family in their child’s care and education to ensure they are happy as they learn and grow.
Our family communication app, Storypark, provides you with photos and updates on your child throughout the day, offering you the opportunity to stay informed about your child’s early learning and development. We also set up different learning outcomes for the children through Storypark, which supports them in achieving developmental milestones and understanding new ideas.
For children aged three and four, we have a preschool program led by university-qualified Teachers that can support your child in their preparation for the step up into primary school. Our preschool curriculum is based on leading child development research and demonstrates our commitment to providing the best possible start to life for your child through quality child care services.
Our early childhood education program is led by specialist Educational Leaders who guide teaching and learning in a flexible and research-supported way. The leading curriculum supports discovery and gives children the best start to life, as well as being aligned with the National Quality Standard.
Through our preschool program, children have the opportunity to learn some of the skills that are often only introduced in early primary school. We begin learning and exploring shapes, numbers and letters through fun, play-based activities.
We develop each child’s literacy and numeracy skills to help them feel confident and prepared during the challenging leap into primary school. The leading program supports the needs and routines of each of our families, and we ensure each child’s cultural and family background is supported and encouraged.
We’re committed to children’s nutrition, and our on-site cook prepares each meal fresh and packed with all the nutrients that children need at their age. We encourage children to engage in food preparation and to ask questions about where their food comes from, why it’s good for them, and how they can eat it. We also encourage exploration of the cultural heritage behind different foods, helping promote diversity and inclusion from an early age.
As part of our unique Visible Learning Program, you will get an understanding of their child’s learning. Our Learning Exchange Display will provide the opportunity for our Teachers and Educators to share updates on your child’s progress. It will also be a chance for you to have direct input into your child’s learning!
For people searching for quality childcare services near Amaroo, Bonner, or daycare options near Harrison, Guardian Forde is a top choice that combines convenience with exceptional care and facilities in the ACT. Situated in the heart of Canberra’s northern suburbs, our centre provides a nurturing environment where children are encouraged to explore, play, and learn under the guidance of experienced and qualified Educators. With extended hours that cater to busy family schedules, Guardian Forde ensures peace of mind and a seamless blend of fun, discovery, and education, making it a trusted partner in your child’s early learning journey.
Why not come and meet the team and have a look around? We’d love to show you why Guardian Childcare and Education Forde is the perfect learning environment for your child. At Guardian, we believe that together, we can give young children the best start to life.
We look forward to welcoming you soon!
Centre Highlights 
Our Forde childcare centre offers:
- Quality learning programs such as Joy of Reading, Cooking and Sustainability
- The children love the exciting outdoor areas! Including a vegetable garden, bike track, a worm farm, water play area, stay and play pods and an Indigenous mural
- On-site Chef providing fresh snacks and meals daily
- Highly experienced Educators and degree-qualified Teachers
- Nappies, SPF 50+ sunscreen, high-quality formula and bed linen provided
- Extended hours of care each weekday from 7am to 6pm
Daily Rate 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) | $180.96 | $91.36 | $61.50 |
Toddler (2–3) | $180.38 | $90.78 | $60.92 |
Preschool (3–5) | $179.22 | $89.62 | $59.76 |
The ACT Government offers funding to provide families fee relief of up to $2575 for children who turn 3 on or before 30 April 2025. This provides families up to 300 hours of free preschool in 2025. This support is in addition to the CCS and can help to lower your out-of-pocket fees. Ask for more details when you tour the centre.
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.

Our Flying Start to School preschool 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 ACT Government’s Three-Year-Old Preschool Program. Eligible children who turn three years old on or before 30 April 2025 will receive up to $2545 in additional subsidies to reduce your out-of-pocket fees. Ask for more details when you tour the centre.
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.
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 experiences teach numeracy by counting ingredients, and weighing and measuring quantities and volume, while managing these tasks supports independence and confidence.
Learning languages through Early Learning Languages Australia (ELLA) supports brain development and social skills and creates opportunities to celebrate cultural diversity.
Reading aloud to children each day inspires imagination and supports thinking. Books with rhythm, rhyme and word patterns make stories more playful and memorable.
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.