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Guide
Childcare Centres with an Exceeding NQS Rating in Melbourne (2026)
Guide Summary
Exceeding NQS is awarded to 19% of rated services nationally, per ACECQA's Q2 2026 NQF Snapshot - among long day care services specifically, the rate is 16%. In Melbourne, Exceeding centres are concentrated in inner and middle-ring suburbs. This guide explains what the rating actually means, which of the seven quality areas matter most, and how to use it as one signal (not the only signal) when choosing a centre for your child.
As of 2026, 107 long day care centres across Melbourne hold an Exceeding NQS rating, the top result available through ACECQA's standard assessment and second only to the rarely granted Excellent rating, which services must apply for separately. Below is every Exceeding-rated centre we have independently verified, suburb by suburb. Updated as new assessments are published.
The Exceeding NQS rating is awarded to services that go beyond the national standard in one or more quality areas. As at ACECQA's Q2 2026 NQF Snapshot, 19% of rated services nationally hold an Exceeding NQS rating (16% among long day care services specifically). Source: ACECQA, NQF Snapshot Q2 2026, read 14 September 2026. In Victoria, taking all service types together, 1,061 of 4,670 rated services hold Exceeding, a 23% share that runs ahead of the national figure. The rate also differs a great deal between sectors: 49% of preschool and kindergarten services are rated Exceeding, compared with 16% of long day care services, so a long day care centre rated Meeting is in line with most of its sector rather than falling short. All of these figures come from the Q2 2026 snapshot. Every centre on this list has been independently verified against the Starting Blocks government database.
Altona
Altona Early Years Hub103B Grieve Parade, Altona VIC 3018Fee: $184.00/day · NQS assessed: December 2024
Altona Meadows
Hobsons Bay Children's Centre140-144 Central Avenue, Altona Meadows VIC 3028Fee: $145.00/day · NQS assessed: May 2023
Altona North
Only About Children Altona North37 Misten Avenue, Altona North VIC 3025Fee: $195.50/day · NQS assessed: August 2023
Bentleigh
Buddies Early Learning Centre143 Jasper Road, Bentleigh VIC 3204Fee: $155.00/day · NQS assessed: November 2025Buckets Early Learning Centre188 Tucker Road, Bentleigh VIC 3204
Fee: $193.60/day · NQS assessed: September 2023
Bentleigh East
Guardian Childcare & Education Bentleigh31 East Boundary Road, Bentleigh East VIC 3165Fee: $182.97/day · NQS assessed: July 2026Guardian Childcare & Education Bentleigh East236 East Boundary Road, Bentleigh East VIC 3165
Fee: $203.52/day · NQS assessed: July 2026
Berwick
Headstart Early Learning Centre Berwick44 Parkhill Drive, Berwick VIC 3806Fee: $182.05/day · NQS assessed: March 2023Hippity Hop Early Learning Berwick56a Harkaway Road, Berwick VIC 3806
Fee: $170.00/day · NQS assessed: October 2023
Box Hill
Little Lane Early Learning Box Hill757 Station Street, Box Hill VIC 3128Fee: $197.00/day · NQS assessed: June 2026Guardian Childcare and Education Box Hill24 Sweetland Road, Box Hill VIC 3128
Fee: $218.67/day · NQS assessed: September 2023
Brighton
Hunt Community Child Care Centre103 Cochrane St, Brighton VIC 3186Fee: $152.00/day · NQS assessed: August 2026
Brighton East
Explorers Early Learning - Brighton East761 Nepean Highway, Brighton East VIC 3187Fee: $204.00/day · NQS assessed: August 2023
Brunswick
Park Street Early Learning Co-op Ltd785 Park Street, Brunswick VIC 3056Fee: $158.00/day · NQS assessed: December 2024Brunswick Creche & Day Nursery82 Glenlyon Road, Brunswick VIC 3056
Fee: $168.80/day · NQS assessed: September 2025
Bundoora
Goodstart Early Learning Bundoora, Bendoran Crescent17-19 Bendoran Crescent, Bundoora VIC 3083Fee: $179.63/day · NQS assessed: May 2023
Camberwell
Through Road Child Care Centre171 Through Road, Camberwell VIC 3124Fee: $177.05/day · NQS assessed: December 2023
Carrum Downs
Kids Paradise Childcare2-6 Fulmar Street, Carrum Downs VIC 3201Fee: $166.00/day · NQS assessed: June 2024
Cheltenham
BiraBira Early Learning Centre335 Warrigal Road, Cheltenham VIC 3192Fee: $179.00/day · NQS assessed: January 2026Friendship Square Child Care & Kindergarten Co-op35 Friendship Square, Cheltenham VIC 3192
Fee: $160.15/day · NQS assessed: July 2026Tulip Street Early Learning Centre99a Tulip Street, Cheltenham VIC 3192
Fee: $168.00/day · NQS assessed: August 2024
Clayton
Kanooka Child Care Centre29-31 Kanooka Grove, Clayton VIC 3168Fee: $146.00/day · NQS assessed: August 2026Monash Vale Early Learning Centre1758 Dandenong Road, Clayton VIC 3168
Fee: $184.00/day · NQS assessed: December 2023
Clayton South
Noriter Bilingual Early Learning478 Haughton Road, Clayton South VIC 3169Fee: $150.00/day · NQS assessed: September 2026Discovery Tree Early Learning Centre543 Clayton Road, Clayton South VIC 3169
Fee: $176.00/day · NQS assessed: February 2024
Clyde North
Aspire Early Education Clyde North1s Cornhill Road, Clyde North VIC 3978Fee: $167.00/day · NQS assessed: September 2026Kids on Meridian61 Matterhorn Drive, Clyde North VIC 3978
Fee: $170.78/day · NQS assessed: September 2024Story House Early Learning Clyde North1-3 Selandra Boulevard, Clyde North VIC 3978
Fee: $178.20/day · NQS assessed: August 2024
Coburg
The Learning Space Coburg222a Bell Street, Coburg VIC 3058Fee: $188.00/day · NQS assessed: April 2026Barry Beckett Children’s Centre12 Connolly Avenue, Coburg VIC 3058
Fee: $168.00/day · NQS assessed: May 2024Shirley Robertson Children’s Centre1a Cameron Street, Coburg VIC 3058
Fee: $137.80/day · NQS assessed: June 2023
Cranbourne North
Great Beginnings Cranbourne North20 Paxford Drive, Cranbourne North VIC 3977Fee: $159.30/day · NQS assessed: October 2026Aspire Early Education Berwick Waters90S Waterways Drive, Cranbourne North VIC 3977
Fee: $167.00/day · NQS assessed: June 2024
Cranbourne West
Story House Early Learning Cranbourne29-31 Universal Way, Cranbourne West VIC 3977Fee: $157.60/day · NQS assessed: February 2023
Dandenong
Beacon House Montessori Centre54 Railway Parade, Dandenong VIC 3175Fee: $125.00/day · NQS assessed: June 2026Mayfield Early Education Dandenong57-59 Stud Road, Dandenong VIC 3175
Fee: $160.00/day · NQS assessed: February 2024Goodstart Early Learning Dandenong - Heatherton Road1390-1392 Heatherton Road, Dandenong VIC 3175
Fee: $159.98/day · NQS assessed: July 2024
Dandenong North
Kids Club Early Learning Centre Dandenong North1 Murray Road, Dandenong North VIC 3175Fee: $153.00/day · NQS assessed: August 2025Dandenong Day Nursery18 Brunet Street, Dandenong North VIC 3175
Fee: $162.00/day · NQS assessed: February 2024
Doncaster
Inspire Early Learning Journey Doncaster456 Doncaster Road, Doncaster VIC 3108Fee: $171.90/day · NQS assessed: September 2026Creative Play Early Learning Centre Doncaster522-524 Doncaster Road, Doncaster VIC 3108
Fee: $192.00/day · NQS assessed: November 2024
Doncaster East
Guardian Childcare & Education Doncaster East100 Deep Creek Drive, Doncaster East VIC 3109Fee: $187.32/day · NQS assessed: May 2024Goodstart Early Learning Doncaster East76 Andersons Creek Road, Doncaster East VIC 3109
Fee: $193.67/day · NQS assessed: May 2023Deep Creek Child Care Centre510 Blackburn Road, Doncaster East VIC 3109
Fee: $143.00/day · NQS assessed: July 2023
Epping
Wallaby Childcare Epping2 Shimmer Street, Epping VIC 3076Fee: $157.60/day · NQS assessed: December 2025
Essendon
Explorers Early Learning - Essendon30-32 Lincoln Road, Essendon VIC 3040Fee: $196.00/day · NQS assessed: May 2025Villa Bambini16 Bulla Road, Essendon VIC 3040
Fee: $207.00/day · NQS assessed: March 2026
Fitzroy
Connie Benn Early Learning Centre160 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy VIC 3065Fee: $156.98/day · NQS assessed: November 2024East West Childcare138 George Street, Fitzroy VIC 3065
Fee: $166.00/day · NQS assessed: July 2023
Footscray
Brenbeal Children's Centre8 Rayner Street, Footscray VIC 3011Fee: $140.00/day · NQS assessed: June 2026Sparkways Early Learning Footscray10A Hyde Street, Footscray VIC 3011
Fee: $165.60/day · NQS assessed: March 2025Saltwater Child Care Centre14 Nicholson Street, Footscray VIC 3011
Fee: $159.00/day · NQS assessed: May 2023
Frankston South
Beachwood Frankston South105 Humphries Road, Frankston South VIC 3199Fee: $193.50/day · NQS assessed: April 2024
Glen Iris
Little Lane Early Learning Centre - Glen Iris1597 Malvern Road, Glen Iris VIC 3146Fee: $190.00/day · NQS assessed: September 2025
Glen Waverley
Bambou Early Learning Centre464-468 Blackburn Road, Glen Waverley VIC 3150Fee: $191.00/day · NQS assessed: September 2026Brandon Park Children’s Centre659 Ferntree Gully Road, Glen Waverley VIC 3150
Fee: $132.25/day · NQS assessed: April 2024Snuggles Early Learning Centre552-554 Highbury Road, Glen Waverley VIC 3150
Fee: $193.00/day · NQS assessed: May 2024
Hawthorn
Hawthorn Early Years584-586 Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn VIC 3122NQS assessed: October 2025West Hawthorn Early Childhood Centre63 Church Street, Hawthorn VIC 3122
Fee: $196.00/day · NQS assessed: July 2024
Hoppers Crossing
Mossfiel Children's CentrePannam Drive, Hoppers Crossing VIC 3029Fee: $167.00/day · NQS assessed: July 2026Goodstart Early Learning Hoppers Crossing - Deloraine Drive8-14 Deloraine Drive, Hoppers Crossing VIC 3029
Fee: $174.02/day · NQS assessed: September 2024Goodstart Early Learning Hoppers Crossing - Heaths Road350 Heaths Road, Hoppers Crossing VIC 3029
Fee: $179.63/day · NQS assessed: August 2024
Moorabbin
Guardian Childcare & Education Moorabbin488 South Road (behind Holmesglen Private Hospital), Moorabbin VIC 3189Fee: $193.68/day · NQS assessed: May 2025
Mount Waverley
Goodstart Early Learning Mount WaverleyUnit 152/45 Gilby Road, Mount Waverley VIC 3149Fee: $184.68/day · NQS assessed: June 2025
Narre Warren
KingKids Early Learning Centre and Kindergarten Narre Warren159-167 Fleetwood Drive, Narre Warren VIC 3805Fee: $171.90/day · NQS assessed: February 2025
Narre Warren South
Narre Warren Twinklekids Early Learning Centre4-12 The Avenue, Narre Warren South VIC 3805Fee: $151.00/day · NQS assessed: October 2023Busy Bees at Narre Warren South236-238 Cranbourne Road, Narre Warren South VIC 3805
Fee: $172.80/day · NQS assessed: September 2023
Northcote
Annie Dennis Children’s Centre2-6 Oldis Avenue, Northcote VIC 3070Fee: $151.00/day · NQS assessed: April 2024Clifton Street Childrens Centre55 Clifton Street, Northcote VIC 3070
Fee: $154.00/day · NQS assessed: October 2023
Officer
Greenwood Early Education Officer5 Damon Street, Officer VIC 3809Fee: $177.75/day · NQS assessed: July 2023
Pakenham
Pakenham YMCA Early Learning Centre9 Gateway Avenue, Pakenham VIC 3810Fee: $155.50/day · NQS assessed: March 2026Goodstart Early Learning Pakenham5 Portobello Road, Pakenham VIC 3810
Fee: $167.85/day · NQS assessed: August 2024Great Beginnings Pakenham84 Toomuc Valley Road, Pakenham VIC 3810
Fee: $178.35/day · NQS assessed: July 2023
Point Cook
Guardian Childcare and Education Point Cook West24 Gramercy Boulevard, Point Cook VIC 3030Fee: $193.81/day · NQS assessed: December 2022AMIGA Montessori Point Cook13-19 Boardwalk Boulevard, Point Cook VIC 3030
Fee: $196.54/day · NQS assessed: February 2023Goodstart Early Learning Point Cook Shaftsbury Boulevard1-5 Shaftsbury Boulevard, Point Cook VIC 3030
Fee: $186.93/day · NQS assessed: December 2023
Prahran
Guardian Childcare & Education Prahran349 High Street, Prahran VIC 3181Fee: $227.92/day · NQS assessed: November 2025Princes Close Early Years' Service17 Princes Street, Prahran VIC 3181
Fee: $170.00/day · NQS assessed: February 2023
Preston
Guardian Childcare & Education Preston West391 Murray Road, Preston VIC 3072Fee: $206.36/day · NQS assessed: December 2024Nara Community Early Learning Centre77-91 St Georges Road, Preston VIC 3072
Fee: $150.00/day · NQS assessed: June 2023
Reservoir
Oakhill Family Centre91 North Road, Reservoir VIC 3073Fee: $172.00/day · NQS assessed: May 2026Goodstart Early Learning Reservoir20-22 Gertz Avenue, Reservoir VIC 3073
Fee: $183.00/day · NQS assessed: February 2025Starfish Early Learning Centre17 Rosenthal Crescent, Reservoir VIC 3073
Fee: $170.00/day · NQS assessed: August 2023
Richmond
Brighton Street Early Learning68 Brighton Street, Richmond VIC 3121Fee: $214.00/day · NQS assessed: July 2026Richmond Creche and Kindergarten14 Abinger Street, Richmond VIC 3121
Fee: $163.00/day · NQS assessed: June 2025Bridge Road Early Learning Centre624-628 Bridge Road, Richmond VIC 3121
Fee: $206.70/day · NQS assessed: May 2024
Ringwood
Discovery Childcare and Education Ringwood30-32 Bond Street, Ringwood VIC 3134Fee: $166.43/day · NQS assessed: October 2023Goodstart Early Learning Ringwood203 Warrandyte Road, Ringwood VIC 3134
Fee: $181.88/day · NQS assessed: May 2023
Ringwood East
Knaith Road Child Care CentreKnaith Road, Ringwood East VIC 3135Fee: $178.50/day · NQS assessed: May 2023
Rowville
Goodstart Early Learning Rowville Murrindal Drive93-95 Murrindal Drive, Rowville VIC 3178Fee: $179.63/day · NQS assessed: December 2025Aurora Early Education Rowville2 Bernard Hamilton Way, Rowville VIC 3178
Fee: $183.00/day · NQS assessed: November 2023
South Melbourne
Apple Blossoms Early Learning South Melbourne219 Dorcas Street, South Melbourne VIC 3205Fee: $179.00/day · NQS assessed: April 2025Only About Children South Melbourne221 Ferrars Street, South Melbourne VIC 3205
Fee: $204.00/day · NQS assessed: April 2024Coventry Children's Centre328-332 Coventry Street, South Melbourne VIC 3205
Fee: $168.50/day · NQS assessed: January 2024
South Yarra
Fawkner Park Children's Centre65 Toorak Road West, South Yarra VIC 3141Fee: $212.00/day · NQS assessed: February 2024
Springvale
Springvale Service for Children26-28 Lightwood Road, Springvale VIC 3171Fee: $102.00/day · NQS assessed: June 2024
St Kilda
Bubup Nairm Children's Centre99b Carlisle Street, St Kilda VIC 3182Fee: $168.50/day · NQS assessed: March 2025
Sunbury
Goodstart Early Learning Sunbury - Bennett Court24 Bennett Court, Sunbury VIC 3429Fee: $167.28/day · NQS assessed: December 2025Sunningdale Children's Centre13a Dornoch Drive, Sunbury VIC 3429
Fee: $140.00/day · NQS assessed: August 2023
Tarneit
Child's Play Tarneit West4 Hermosa Drive, Tarneit VIC 3029Fee: $171.00/day · NQS assessed: June 2023Milestones Early Learning Tarneit345 Hogans Road, Tarneit VIC 3029
Fee: $172.85/day · NQS assessed: July 2023
Truganina
Truganina YMCA Early Learning Centre51-71 Federation Boulevard, Truganina VIC 3029Fee: $160.50/day · NQS assessed: July 2023
Werribee
Explorers Early Learning - Werribee28 Scotsburn Grove, Werribee VIC 3030Fee: $180.00/day · NQS assessed: May 2026Imagine Childcare and Kindergarten Werribee24 Azolla Avenue, Werribee VIC 3030
Fee: $178.00/day · NQS assessed: February 2023
Wyndham Vale
Wyndham Vale YMCA Early Learning Centre1 Paramount Boulevard, Wyndham Vale VIC 3024Fee: $157.00/day · NQS assessed: July 2026Adventurers - Wyndham Vale1-5 Storkbill Road, Wyndham Vale VIC 3024
Fee: $151.19/day · NQS assessed: July 2023Busy Bees at Wyndham Vale351 McGrath Road, Wyndham Vale VIC 3024
NQS assessed: August 2023
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an Exceeding NQS rating?
Exceeding NQS is the highest rating a service can earn through ACECQA's standard assessment, awarded to services that demonstrate practice beyond what is required across one or more of the seven quality areas. One rating sits above it: Excellent, which ACECQA awards only to services that have first achieved Exceeding in all seven quality areas. Nationally, 16% of long day care services hold Exceeding (19% of all rated services), as at ACECQA's Q2 2026 NQF Snapshot.
How do I verify a centre's NQS rating?
All NQS ratings on this page are sourced from the Starting Blocks government database (startingblocks.gov.au), operated by ACECQA. You can verify any centre's current rating by searching for it directly on Starting Blocks.
How often are NQS ratings updated?
NQS assessments are conducted periodically by the relevant state regulatory authority. There is no fixed schedule; a centre may be assessed every few years or more frequently if there are compliance concerns. We update ratings on this page when new assessments are published on Starting Blocks.
Does an Exceeding rating guarantee better care?
An Exceeding NQS rating is the strongest independent quality signal available for an early learning service in Australia. It reflects a rigorous, evidence-based assessment by qualified regulatory officers. However, we always recommend visiting a centre in person and reading recent parent reviews alongside any rating.
About this guide
This guide is updated at each site build from verified data in our suburb rankings. All NQS ratings are sourced from ACECQA via Starting Blocks. Last updated: 14 September 2026.
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