The Top 3 Childcare Centres in Glen Iris, VIC (3146)

Little Lane Early Learning Centre - Glen Iris

All 7 quality areas: Exceeding

Little Lane Early Learning Centre - Glen Iris at 1597 Malvern Road holds an Exceeding NQS rating issued September 2025, its first formal NQS assessment. The centre achieved Exceeding NQS across all seven quality areas, an outstanding result for a service in its first year of operation. Zero current conditions on approval. Zero enforcement actions in the past two years.

Little Lane Glen Iris is part of the proudly family-owned Little Lane group. The centre opened in Term 3 2024 following an extensive purpose-built construction. The multi-level facility was designed from the ground up as a dedicated early learning environment, with 172 licensed places (the largest in the suburb) and extended hours from 6:30am to 6:30pm, the longest in Glen Iris.

The centre operates the same enrichment program available across all Little Lane locations: a Kodaly-trained music teacher weekly, a specialist in-house art teacher four times a week for children aged three and over, and a Mandarin language immersion program delivered by a qualified in-house teacher four days a week. Extra-curricular activities including soccer, rugby, tennis and dance are also available. Meals are prepared fresh daily by a qualified chef in a five-star rated kitchen, catering for children with varying dietary needs.

At $183.00 per day, the fee is described by the centre as all-inclusive, covering meals, nappies, wipes, sheets, hats, sunscreen and all educational programs. Government-funded 3-year-old and 4-year-old kindergarten programs are integrated into the daily program. Confirm inclusions directly with the centre before enrolling.

Little Lane Glen Iris is the most ambitious new early learning facility to open in the suburb in years. The purpose-built multi-level campus, all-inclusive fees, extended hours and specialist enrichment programs make it a compelling first choice for families. Its Exceeding NQS rating across all seven quality areas, achieved at its very first assessment, confirms what early parent feedback has consistently suggested: this is a centre operating at a very high standard. We recommend visiting and speaking with the team directly before enrolling.

Glen Iris Childcare & Kindergarten

All 7 quality areas: Meeting

Glen Iris Childcare & Kindergarten at 330-332 Warrigal Road holds a Meeting NQS rating issued May 2025 (its most recent assessment), reflecting a decade of consistent quality delivery. The centre has served the Glen Iris community since opening in February 2015. It is operated by Trident Personnel Pty Ltd. Zero current conditions on approval. Zero enforcement actions in the past two years.

With 82 licensed places, Glen Iris Childcare & Kindergarten operates at a mid-sized scale. The centre's educational approach is play-based and guided by the Early Years Learning Framework, with a strong emphasis on nurturing each child's sense of identity, wellbeing and connectedness. Programs are tailored to each stage of development, from a calm and nurturing baby room through to a vibrant kindergarten room led by a qualified Kindergarten Teacher.

The integrated 3 and 4-year-old Free Kinder program is delivered within long day care hours, providing a seamless transition toward school readiness. The all-inclusive daily fee of $170.00 covers breakfast, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea, nappies and all educational programs, making the rate genuinely comprehensive.

The centre holds a perfect 5.0 rating on CareForKids from 18 reviews, reflecting consistently strong parent satisfaction over many years. Extended hours to 6:30pm make it well suited to working families.

Glen Iris Childcare & Kindergarten is the most reliable and proven choice in the suburb. A decade of operation, a Meeting NQS rating reconfirmed in May 2025, a perfect 5.0 CareForKids score and all-inclusive fees at $170.00 per day make it the strongest all-round performer on this list. For families who want a well-run, established centre with genuine community feel and no surprises on costs, Glen Iris Childcare & Kindergarten is the standout choice.

Malvern Day Nursery

All 7 quality areas: Meeting

Malvern Day Nursery at 101 Tooronga Road holds a Meeting NQS rating issued August 2023, with its most recent regulatory visit conducted in November 2025. The service has been operating under its current provider, Mini Scholars Educare PTY LTD, since August 2025. Zero current conditions on approval. Zero enforcement actions in the past two years.

With just 29 licensed places, Malvern Day Nursery is one of Glen Iris's most intimate and personal early learning services, operating from a home-like facility on Tooronga Road. It is intentionally small, built on the philosophy that quality care requires genuine relationships and a family-like environment. The mixed-age environment mirrors a family setting, allowing older children to model behaviour for younger ones and fostering a genuine sense of community.

The curriculum is play-based and holistic, guided by the Early Years Learning Framework with a strong emphasis on nurturing secure attachments and emotional wellbeing. Children benefit from a comprehensive school readiness program for older children, described by the centre as its "Big Kinders" program. Government-funded 3-year-old and 4-year-old kindergarten programs are integrated into the daily program.

At $161.50 per day, Malvern Day Nursery is the most affordable of the three long day care centres on this list and sits below the suburb average of $172.00. Starting Blocks does not list specific inclusions. Families should contact the centre directly to confirm what is covered in the daily fee before enrolling.

Malvern Day Nursery is the boutique choice in Glen Iris: small by design, deeply personal and consistently rated as one of the highest-satisfaction services in the suburb. Its perfect 5.0 CareForKids rating and confirmed Meeting NQS credential reflect a centre that prioritises genuine relationships and individual attention. At $161.50 per day it also offers the best value of the three. The centre changed hands in August 2025. Families should visit and speak with the current team to assess continuity of care before enrolling.