The Top 3 Childcare Centres in Essendon, VIC (3040)

Villa Bambini at 16 Bulla Road holds an Exceeding NQS rating issued October 2022, its second consecutive Exceeding rating, having previously been rated Exceeding in August 2017. Both assessments were conducted under the same provider (Simgar Pty Ltd ATF the Evans Family Trust), making this a genuine sustained Exceeding record. Five of seven quality areas are rated Exceeding NQS: Educational program and practice (QA1), Staffing arrangements (QA4), Relationships with children (QA5), Collaborative partnerships with families and communities (QA6), and Governance and leadership (QA7). The remaining two, Children's health and safety (QA2) and Physical environment (QA3), are rated Meeting NQS. The centre was last visited by the regulatory authority in February 2026. There are zero enforcement actions in the past two years.

Villa Bambini is operated by Simgar Pty Ltd ATF the Evans Family Trust, a boutique family-owned operator, not a large provider chain. The centre has been operating at 16 Bulla Road since June 2016. With 100 approved places, it is one of the larger centres in the Essendon top 3. Villa Bambini is one of very few boutique family-owned Exceeding-rated centres in inner Melbourne. Note: Starting Blocks shows conditions on approval, an emergency evacuation rehearsal requirement from the 2016 startup period, likely long fulfilled but still on record.

Villa Bambini does not list fees or inclusions on Starting Blocks. Contact the centre directly to confirm the daily fee and what is included. Hours are 7:00am to 6:30pm Monday to Friday.

Villa Bambini ranks first because it holds the strongest NQS record in Essendon: consecutive Exceeding NQS across two assessment cycles (August 2017 and October 2022) under the same family-owned provider, with 5 of 7 quality areas rated Exceeding. A February 2026 regulatory visit with zero enforcement actions confirms ongoing compliance. Fees are not listed on Starting Blocks, so families should contact the centre directly.

Explorers Early Learning - Essendon at 30-32 Lincoln Road holds an Exceeding NQS rating issued May 2025, its first NQS assessment since the service was approved in August 2022. Four of seven quality areas are rated Exceeding NQS: Educational program and practice (QA1), Physical environment (QA3), Relationships with children (QA5), and Collaborative partnerships with families and communities (QA6). The remaining three, Children's health and safety (QA2), Staffing arrangements (QA4), and Governance and leadership (QA7), are rated Meeting NQS. The centre was last visited by the regulatory authority in July 2025. There are zero enforcement actions in the past two years.

Explorers Early Learning is operated by JML Trading Essendon Pty Ltd, a single-centre operator, not a large provider chain. With 140 approved places, it is the largest centre in the Essendon top 3. Note: Starting Blocks shows conditions on approval relating to playground equipment and barrier/fence safety standards, a standard condition seen across multiple services in the 3040 postcode.

At $186.50 per day, Explorers sits in the mid-range for Essendon's long day care market. Starting Blocks confirms 8 inclusions: afternoon tea, breakfast, education programs, excursions and incursions, lunch, morning tea, nappies, and other meals, the most comprehensive inclusions package of any centre in the Essendon top 3. Hours are 6:30am to 6:30pm Monday to Friday, the earliest opening time in the top 3.

Explorers Early Learning ranks second on the strength of its Exceeding NQS rating (May 2025) with 4 of 7 quality areas at Exceeding, the most comprehensive inclusions package in the top 3 (8 confirmed on Starting Blocks), the earliest opening time (6:30am), and the largest capacity at 140 approved places. As this is the centre's first NQS rating, there is no prior rating for comparison, but the initial Exceeding result is a strong start.

Montgomery Park Children's Centre at 47 Lawson Street holds a Meeting NQS rating issued June 2023. The centre previously held Meeting NQS in September 2018: two consecutive assessments, both Meeting NQS. Two of seven quality areas are rated Exceeding NQS: Staffing arrangements (QA4) and Collaborative partnerships with families and communities (QA6). The remaining five quality areas are rated Meeting NQS. The centre was last visited by the regulatory authority in September 2025. There are no current conditions on approval and zero enforcement actions in the past two years.

Montgomery Park Children's Centre is operated by Moonee Valley City Council, the only council-run long day care centre in Essendon 3040 and a non-profit service. The centre has been operating at 47 Lawson Street since at least August 2014. With 85 approved places, it is a mid-sized centre. The council governance model means all revenue is reinvested into the service.

At $157.00 per day, Montgomery Park is the most affordable long day care centre in Essendon postcode 3040. Starting Blocks confirms 7 inclusions: afternoon tea, breakfast, education programs, lunch, morning tea, nappies, and other meals. Hours are 7:00am to 6:00pm Monday to Friday.

Montgomery Park Children's Centre ranks third on the strength of its consistent Meeting NQS across two assessment cycles, two individual quality areas at Exceeding NQS (Staffing and Collaborative partnerships), the lowest daily fee in the suburb at $157.00, council-operated non-profit governance, 7 confirmed inclusions, no conditions on approval, and zero enforcement actions. For families prioritising affordability and community values, Montgomery Park is the standout choice.