It is a pleasure to write this testimonial.
My first daughter Peggie started at Explore & Develop Brookvale when she was 9 months old, it was not easy leaving her but Charlene and the team made me feel better and reassured me she would be fine. Peggie is now 4.5, she thoroughly enjoys coming to pre-school and her sister Bessie is thriving in the baby room. We consider ourselves and our girls incredibly lucky to have got places at Explore and Develop when we did – we have never had any regrets.
I have taken for granted the strong relationship that I have with Charlene and her team at Explore & Develop, it is only when I speak to other mums with kids at other daycare centres that I realise that having such great relationships with the staff is not the norm. I love the clean, spacious, bright and nurturing environment that Explore & Develop provides, not just for the children but for the whole family. The low staff turnover means both our girls are really comfortable with all the staff and have known most of them for the whole time they have been at Explore & Develop. When my youngest Bessie started daycare she often came home smelling of perfume which gave me great comfort knowing she was held and hugged when she was feeling upset – she now walks into the baby room full of confidence and waves goodbye to me!
Charlene goes above and beyond in her efforts to integrate family with childcare creating a community environment for all involved, some examples include Christmas markets, summer picnics, experts coming in to talk about children behaviour/nutrition we also get regular emails about up and coming parenting seminars in the local area.
The team at Explore & Develop treats each child as an individual and helps them reach their full potential; we appreciate the care and guidance the staff has shown to our girls.
Our family are extremely happy with Explore & Develop Brookvale, i cant praise it enough!

Samantha Selby & Paul Valentine

Just a note to let you know how happy we are with Explore & Develop Brookvale. I was initially hesitant about sending Charlie to daycare but honestly could not have been more pleasantly surprised. It has made the transition for him an absolute breeze. He loves his kindy days and we are constantly impressed with the range of activities for him to engage in and the care and support from both Charlene and all the excellent teachers in the Bilbies room.
The daily photos and explanations of what the children are up to is a huge comfort to us as parents, seeing what they are up to each day and we are so grateful for the generous, gentle, loving, caring nature of everyone we’ve dealt with.
I cannot speak highly enough of this wonderful centre and I tell everyone of the fantastic experience we are having with Charlie at your centre and how we feel so very lucky to have found such a fantastic environment for Charlie to be in each week.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Natalie and Dave Smith

It’s a big decision finding the right day care for your child. I know for me it was. I have high standards and wanted to find a second home for my precious child. Without family around and having to work full time it was important I found that special place. I was recommended Explore & Develop by another mum & child care worker on Facebook and I hit the jackpot when I found the Brookvale centre! At first I hesitated moving from a centre with a backyard, but now I can’t imagine being anywhere else! This centre offers so much more on every level and the outdoor area is brilliant and ever-evolving. My child leaves for school next year and I just wish he could stay at Charlene’s centre til high school!! It’s not only the community feel and small centre that’s appealing, it’s the reassurance knowing you have an onsite director and owner who puts her heart and soul into the centre – down to the amazing indoor and outdoor play equipment, the activity based learning, the education standards, the incursions, to the high quality food served and most importantly, the outstanding, caring and engaging teaching staff – it’s no wonder the staff never leave! It’s all about the little things and Explore & Develop Brookvale has it. And at the end of the day you can tell how wonderful the centre is by the smiles on the children’s faces, they’re content and love being there – my child included. I could go on, so please feel free to contact me via Charlene and I will gladly vouch my words for those that are seeking reassurance.

Melissa Nolan (Joel aged 4)

From day one, we absolutely loved this centre. Charlene, the centre’s owner and Director, is amazing! Working tirelessly to make sure everything is managed and maintained to the highest standard – while ensuring a wonderfully warm, welcoming and family-focussed environment. This centre is truly unique. Our boys have always been encouraged to explore and participate freely, invited to test their own boundaries and limits, and are provided with a wealth of the most exciting and creative learning opportunities on a daily basis! The staff at the centre demonstrate amazing patience and love for our boys. It is so wonderful knowing that when I drop them off in the morning, they will be looked after with nothing but care and kindness, by people they really trust. We feel really lucky to be part of the Explore & Develop family. Thank you to Charlene and the team!

Catherine Adlebert

I’ve been really happy with the results at Explore & Develop Brookvale. Their balance of educational versus playtime is outstanding and their contribution to my son’s development over the last few years has been significant. It’s put him in very good stead for school next year. Our son looks forward to preschool each day and that makes me very happy.

Andrew Heywood

LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS

Explore & Develop Brookvale

Explore and Develop Brookvale Child Care

0 – 2 years

Our main priority in the Nursery is ensuring consistency between the baby’s home life and their time at the service, through constant collaboration with families. Flexibility is the key to settling this age group and building ongoing relationships.

2 – 3 years

A busy stage of development where children aged 2 – 3 ½ are intent on discovering new things about themselves and their environment. Small group size and high adult to child ratios are a feature.We take an emergent approach to curriculum development, as such, our program offers a variety of child directed, child inspired and educator guided opportunities. We value play-based learning as an ideal context for young children’s development and this is reflected in our practice.

3 – 5 years

Our Preschool room offers a unique program that is Reggio-inspired, international, holistic, and enquiry-driven. Woven intrinsically into the National Curriculum – Early Years Learning Framework, we recognise the importance of play, hence our programs are child-centered and play-focused. Every opportunity for play that is introduced into the curriculum has an underlying objective. This may be the development of skills in the pre-language/pre-math, cognitive or social areas or just for the enjoyment of engaging with our peers.

Outdoor environment

Our outdoor environment is shared by the Toddler and Pre-school children, with a separate outdoor environment catering for our Baby Room which ensures all children feel safe, secure and confident to explore. Our outdoor area is located on a balcony andwe pride ourselves on the natural elements of our outdoor learning environment. The backdrop of established trees, shrubs, garden beds, rocks, grass areas, edible gardens, digging patch and sandpits offer opportunities for open-ended imaginative play and a variety of sensory experiences. These opportunities allow children to strengthen their sense of agency and gain understandings about the natural world.

TESTIMONIALS

Explore & Develop Brookvale

Catherine | My Yoga Playground 7 days ago

I have been teaching weekly yoga and mindfulness classes at E&D Brookvale since May 2024, and it has been such a pleasure to guide the preschoolers and toddlers through playful, mindful and engaging sessions each week.
From the initial session they were immediately engaged, and as the weeks progressed, the children really embraced each session with such enthusiasm and curiosity.

Every week, I am greeted so warmly by the children, receiving big hugs from them as soon as I arrive. It has been a highlight of my week to guide the children to experience the benefits and magic of yoga.

They have loved learning and practising the yoga poses, breathing exercises, mindful activities, partner poses, games and relaxation techniques. It warms my heart when the children tell me they have been practising at home or when I receive parent feedback from the educators. Not only have the children developed on a physical level, but also their focus, memory, body awareness, self-confidence and emotional regulation. Witnessing them chant a mantra meditation together for 3minutes+ is one of the most mesmerising parts of the session.

The educators in the rooms are exceptional, so welcoming, kind, caring and attentive and are always keen to join in on the sessions too. The preschool room have been implementing some of the breathing exercises and mindful techniques into their daily routine off the mat, including affirmations, breathing exercises and meditations - a beautiful testament to the educators' commitment to the holistic wellbeing of the children as they prepare for school.

It is a truly beautiful centre that has such a wholesome, cosy vibe with engaging learning environments. I highly recommend this centre for any families looking for a safe, nurturing and holistic environment for their children. A centre where the children’s wellbeing (rather than numbers) is priority number one! You won’t regret it!

Tegan and Charlene have been so supportive and I am so grateful to them for giving me the opportunity to be part of the children’s early learning years and giving them the gift of yoga. Thank you E&D Brookvale. I look forward to more magical sessions in 2025.

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Chris King 3 months ago

If I could give more than five stars, I would. This day care has gone to every length to provide my children with the best possible care. My wife and I feel like we have gained an extended family at this place.

After a couple of bad experiences at other day cares, we were very apprehensive to start a new one. It was by far the best decision we ever made. Our only regret being we wish we would have known about this place before.

Nothing is too much effort, every time we talk they listen and act, with purpose. They have made us feel like we can come to them with anything. Everything about this place has been thought of and our experience is one of huge appreciation, happiness, adoration and gratefulness. I highly recommend this day care to any parent wanting their child to be in a safe, nurturing, caring and developing environment.

Thanks not only to the people running the day care behind the scenes, but all of the incredible and hard working carers, you do such an amazing job!

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Niomi King 3 months ago

5 stars is not enough. After having a rough experience with previous daycares, I was recommended this one by a friend. The best decision I ever made!! Not only have my girls found a place that truly supports them and wants what’s best for them (and not just the centre), I have truly found a village in my daycare!

If your looking for a daycare/preschool that truly cares about your child, has consistent educators and carers (not a new face every time you drop off) and is looking to be apart of you and your child’s day to day by working with parents to create the consistency the children need then this place is for you! The focus on the children is impeccable and the environment they create is truly something different in comparison to other daycares. As I said. I cannot give them enough stars. And thank you to the team there for everything they are doing for my two girls.

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Bianca Elizabeth Cashman 4 months ago

My three children have grown up in the care of all the incredibly nurturing, real, hands on, loving team at Explore and Develop Brookvale. Only due to recently relocating have I had to tour other kindys to open my eyes to the level of cleanliness, structure and organisation E&D Brookvale has. My girls run into the safe arms of educators each day and I pick them up smiling every afternoon. We are family. My kids feel safe and loved everyday. And the relationships I have build with the owner Charlene and her staff makes me feel like my children are the only ones they care for. Even on tricky drop offs, there is always an educator there to give a cuddle or read a book or go on mini adventures to make those drop offs easier. The best daycare on the beaches! My kids have grown confidence and skills to make them ready for school, as well as friends they cherish and will have for a long time. I am so grateful to have been part of the Explore and Develop Brookvale family and we will miss them very much! Xx

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Kids First 4 months ago

As paediatric therapists, we have had the privilege of collaborating with Explore and Develop Brookvale for over a decade. Throughout this time, we have consistently observed passionate and committed educators who have given years of dedicated service to the children and families in their care. The stable and visionary leadership at Explore and Develop delivers best practice educational standards and a warm, welcoming environment that truly creates a sense of genuine community. At Explore and Develop Brookvale, it's evident that an innovative and responsive approach ensures that all children receive high-quality care, tailored to meet a diverse range of needs. It's clear that the team at Explore and Develop Brookvale brings empathy and genuine care to everything they do. They take the time to work closely with families and have created a beautifully laid out centre that supports children in a way that is both professional and authentic.

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Annika Turner 5 months ago

We have been at E&D Brookvale for 3.5 years and have had a wonderful experience.

We chose E&D due to the low staff turnover and long-term staff. With many staff being at the centre for over 10 years, you can tell they are valued by the director and team which filters through to creating a lovely and caring environment for the kids.

Being a smaller centre, the carers know all the children across the different rooms which has made transitioning to each new class seamless. My two boys have thrived during their time at E&D and we greatly appreciate all the fantastic opportunities they have there with a variety of incursions and activities like weekly yoga.

The team have done a fantastic job creating such a beautiful and fun space for the kids, I struggle to get my two boys to leave at pick-up!

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