The Top 3 Childcare Centres in Moorabbin, VIC (3189)
Moorabbin’s three top-ranked centres for 2026 are Guardian, Inspire and Rainbow DLC, with one holding Exceeding NQS.
16 km from Melbourne CBD in the City of Kingston. 419 children under five.
More about Moorabbin →
Our Moorabbin order: Guardian Childcare & Education Moorabbin (Exceeding NQS, $193.68/day), Inspire Early Learning Journey Moorabbin (Meeting NQS, $179.00/day up to 35 months) and Developmental Learning Centre Rainbow (Meeting NQS, $183.50/day), ranked on rating and its date, then program, fees and practical fit.
How we chose: we weigh five things together: NQS rating and how recently it was issued, parent reviews, program and environment, fees and inclusions, and practical fit including hours and Free Kinder access. We do not accept payment from any centre to appear on this list, and we do not rank by who owns a centre. Read how we rank.What an Exceeding NQS rating actually means →
No.1 PICK
Guardian Childcare & Education Moorabbin
488 South Road (behind Holmesglen Private Hospital), Moorabbin VIC 3189
Exceeding NQS · May 2025★ Google 4.9/5 · 62 reviews
Google reviews, captured 22 October 2026
Regulatory detail and operational conditions
Exceeding NQS issued May 2025, up from Meeting (April 2022). The operator has run the service since May 2015.
Regulatory visit February 2026: No conditions on the service approval and no enforcement actions in the past two years (Starting Blocks, 22 October 2026). Approved places from the ACECQA national register.
Daily fee
$193.68
Hours
Monday to Friday, 6:30am to 6:30pm
Ages
6 weeks to 6 years
CCS approved
Yes
Free Kinder
Yes, integrated
Capacity
94 children
Guardian Childcare & Education Moorabbin, behind Holmesglen Private Hospital on South Road, was rated Exceeding in May 2025, up from Meeting in April 2022. It is approved for 94 places, and the centre describes refurbished indoor rooms and outdoor areas with a bike track, sandpit and veggie garden.
Guardian's commitment to quality is reflected in consistently strong parent feedback across reviews. The centre offers integrated government-funded kindergarten programs and uses their To BE Me learning program to keep families connected with daily updates about their child's learning and development.
The register lists six inclusions against a fee of $193.68 a day up to 35 months and $189.88 from 36 months; Guardian describes its fees as covering incursions, excursions and learning programs.
Our take
Guardian ranks first on its rating: it is the only Exceeding service among the four in Moorabbin, so criterion 1 settles its place before fees or practical fit. It is also the dearest of the three, $193.68 a day up to 35 months and $189.88 from 36 months, and it has 4.9 on Google from 62 reviews.
Best for: Parents who want the one Exceeding-rated service in Moorabbin, a 6:30am to 6:30pm day and outdoor space with a bike track and veggie garden.
Meeting NQS · August 2026★ Google 4.9/5 · 58 reviews
Google reviews, captured 22 October 2026
Regulatory detail and operational conditions
Meeting NQS issued August 2026, the first assessment under the current operator, which took over on 1 February 2025 (the service previously operated as Kids Club Moorabbin Early Learning Centre). Its previous Meeting rating, February 2023, was issued under the previous operator. All seven quality areas rated Meeting.
Regulatory visit July 2026: Conditions on approval, as recorded on the register: This is a multi-level service and it is recommended service approval is granted subject to the following conditions; The Approved Provider is required to ensure objects are not placed in a manner that may allow a child to climb over barriers or fences; and, all play equipment in the outdoor play spaces are maintained and placed in a way that meets the requirements of the Australian Playground Standards (Standard AS 4685:2014) with particular consideration given to falling space, impact areas and free space.The Approved Provider must engage an appropriate expert such as fire safety advisor or fire safety engineer to observe and prepare a report on the emergency and evacuation procedure rehearsal of the service. This must occur at the first rehearsal of the emergency and evacuation procedure. The report prepared must identify: the service; the date and time of the rehearsal; the total time taken to evacuate the building; the location to which building occupants were evacuated to; the number of children and educators in attendance on the day; the profile of children (ages, any disabilities) with respect to the children's rooms operating at the time of the rehearsal; and any proposed actions the service must take to improve evacuation procedures to ensure the safety of all children attending the service. The approved provider must submit a copy of any report produced in relation this condition to the Regional Office of the Regulatory Authority in which the service is located within seven (7) days of receipt.The approved provider must ensure that all staff have read and are familiar with the supervision plan and risk assessment for the ground floor outdoor space. The approved provider must ensure that at all times children are being educated and cared for, that one additional educator above the minimum prescribed in regulation 123(1) of the Education and Care Services National Regulations 2011 is required to be educating and caring for children to ensure adequate supervision of children accessing the outdoor area due to movement between levels and use of the stairs.Source: Starting Blocks service record, re-read 22 October 2026. The record also lists outside school hours care and vacation care, so the 120 approved places are not all long day care.
Daily fee
$179.00
Hours
Monday to Friday, 7:00am to 6:30pm
Ages
6 months to 6 years
CCS approved
Yes
Free Kinder
Yes, integrated
Capacity
120 children
Inspire Early Learning Journey Moorabbin on Chesterville Road takes children from six months to six years and describes a Montessori-based program with integrated government-funded kindergarten for three and four-year-olds. Its 120 approved places cover outside school hours and vacation care as well as long day care.
As part of the Inspire Early Learning Journey network, the centre offers a structured early learning program with a focus on discovery, independence, and growth. The centre is conveniently located on Chesterville Road and offers flexible enrolment options including permanent and casual care arrangements.
The fee is $179.00 a day up to 35 months and $167.60 from 36 months, with nine inclusions listed on Starting Blocks. Three conditions apply to this multi-level building, covering barriers and playground equipment, an expert report on its first evacuation rehearsal, and one extra educator for the ground-floor outdoor area.
What parents say
“The facilities are fabulous particularly the outside space and the staff are lovely.”RJ Pollard
“The staff helped my toddler settle in so fast, she loves going there and everyone is so lovely.”Ella Shatrov
“My child is so happy and asking to go there every morning. The staff is great and the facility is awesome.”Sharona Navon
Our take
Inspire is second, on fees. Its August 2026 rating ties Rainbow's January 2026 result at Meeting, and it charges less in every age band ($179.00 and $167.60 against $183.50) while listing more inclusions, nine against seven. Hours are level, and capacity is not counted because its place total includes school-age care. Weigh the three conditions on its approval, and that this is the first rating under an operator that took over in February 2025.
Best for: Parents looking for a Montessori-based program and the lowest fee of the three in every age band, with nine inclusions listed.
Meeting NQS · January 2026★ Google 4.7/5 · 40 reviews
Google reviews, captured 22 October 2026
Regulatory detail and operational conditions
Upgraded from Working Towards NQS (September 2024) to Meeting NQS (January 2026). All 7 quality areas rated Meeting NQS. The operator has run the service since September 2018.
Regulatory visit July 2026: No conditions on the service approval and no enforcement actions in the past two years (Starting Blocks, 22 October 2026).
Daily fee
$183.50
Hours
Monday to Friday, 7:00am to 6:30pm
Ages
6 weeks to 6 years
CCS approved
Yes
Free Kinder
Yes, integrated
Capacity
86 children
Rainbow Developmental Learning Centre is a spacious, purpose-built facility located next to Bricker Reserve in Moorabbin, offering an idyllic natural setting for early learning. The centre features hand-painted story walls throughout, age-appropriate rooms, and a strong focus on play-based, emergent learning guided by children's interests.
Rainbow provides an exceptional range of enrichment classes including speech pathology, music, science engagement, and yoga, all included in the daily fee. The centre prepares all meals fresh daily with a wide range of international cuisine options and caters for all dietary requirements.
Its current rating is Meeting NQS (January 2026), up from Working Towards (September 2024), with all seven quality areas at Meeting. It is approved for 86 places.
What parents say
“Rainbow DLC is a wonderful organisation who take pride in their work and development of children. I couldn't speak highly enough of all staff who are prepared to go beyond and above and are very mindful of all children's wellbeing. I highly recommend Rainbow and from experience with my daughter and all the fun and learning that she has had, we are extremely proud to have seen her from 9 months grow with confidence and ready to step up for school life.”Greg
Our take
Rainbow is third. Its January 2026 Meeting rating, up from Working Towards, ties Inspire's on criterion 1, and Inspire wins the pair on fees: Rainbow's $183.50 at every age is higher in both bands, with seven inclusions listed against nine. Its enrichment classes and the setting beside Bricker Reserve are its draw.
Best for: Families who value enrichment programs, fresh meals, and natural outdoor settings, and who weigh parent reviews alongside NQS ratings in their decision.
Each figure is the full-day price before a child's third birthday, per Starting Blocks as of 22 October 2026. From 36 months Guardian charges $189.88 and Inspire $167.60; Rainbow is $183.50 at every age. Average across these three centres: $185.39/day before CCS under three, $180.33 from 36 months. All three centres are CCS approved.
Childcare fees vary by age group. The rates shown may reflect different age bands at different centres, so confirm the rate for your child's age directly with each centre.
Moorabbin is a well-connected suburb in Melbourne's south-east, located within the City of Kingston approximately 16 kilometres from the CBD. Families in the area benefit from a mix of residential calm and convenient access to shops, parks and Moorabbin station on the Frankston line. The suburb has a growing number of young families drawn by relatively affordable housing compared to some neighbouring bayside suburbs.
All four long day care services in Moorabbin were read from Starting Blocks and the ACECQA register on 22 October 2026, with fees in every age band, approved places and a controlled Google capture.
Guardian is the only Exceeding service here. Inspire and Rainbow are both Meeting, rated seven months apart, and Inspire is cheaper in every age band with more inclusions listed, which puts it second. All three are CCS approved. Rankings for Bentleigh East and Brighton East are on their own pages.
Looking wider? Our Bayside & Inner South guide lists every suburb we rank across the area, with each one's top centres.
Moorabbin sits within the City of Kingston in Melbourne's south-east. For a child under three, Guardian charges $193.68 a day, Rainbow $183.50 and Inspire $179.00 (Starting Blocks, 22 October 2026).
Child Care Subsidy (CCS)
All three centres on this list are CCS approved. Most Australian families are eligible for CCS, which is means-tested based on combined family income and activity levels. Eligible families can receive up to 90% subsidy on fees.
Free Kinder
All three centres offer government-funded kindergarten programs for 3 and 4 year olds integrated within their long day care model. This means your child can attend the same centre for both long day care and kindergarten.
Waitlists
Popular centres in Moorabbin often have waiting lists. Enrol as early as possible, ideally 3 to 6 months before your preferred start date. Contact the centres directly to check current availability.
What is the best childcare centre in Moorabbin VIC?
On our published criteria, Guardian Childcare & Education Moorabbin at 488 South Road ranks first: it is the only Exceeding service in Moorabbin (May 2025). Inspire Early Learning Journey at 254 Chesterville Road is second and Developmental Learning Centre Rainbow at 39-41 Isabella Street third; both are Meeting, and Inspire is cheaper in every age band.
How much does childcare cost in Moorabbin?
From Starting Blocks on 22 October 2026: Guardian charges $193.68 a day up to 35 months and $189.88 from 36 months, Inspire $179.00 and $167.60, and Rainbow $183.50 at every age. Fees are before the Child Care Subsidy, which covers up to 90% depending on household income and activity.
What is the postcode for Moorabbin childcare?
All three top-rated childcare centres in Moorabbin are located in postcode 3189, within the City of Kingston in Melbourne's south-east.
Are all three centres CCS approved?
Yes. Guardian Childcare & Education Moorabbin, Developmental Learning Centre Rainbow, and Inspire Early Learning Journey Moorabbin are all approved to receive the Australian Government's Child Care Subsidy.
What do the different NQS ratings mean?
NQS ratings run from lowest to highest: Significant Improvement Required, Working Towards NQS, Meeting NQS and Exceeding NQS, with Excellent a separate designation that ACECQA awards on application. Guardian holds Exceeding NQS (May 2025). Rainbow holds Meeting NQS (January 2026, upgraded from Working Towards). Inspire holds Meeting NQS (August 2026, its first assessment under the current operator).
Can I get government-funded kindergarten at these centres?
Yes. All three centres offer government-funded kindergarten programs for 3 and 4 year olds integrated within their long day care model. This means your child can attend the same centre for both long day care and kindergarten without needing separate providers.
How many places do these centres have?
Inspire Early Learning Journey Moorabbin is approved for 120 places, but that figure also covers its outside school hours and vacation care. Guardian has 94 approved places and Rainbow 86. Contact each centre directly to confirm current availability.