About Explore & Develop
Annandale
The team at Explore & Develop Annandale believe building relationships is the cornerstone of our practice. Our relationships with children, families and community inform our decision making, our philosophy and practice. We work within a philosophical framework of a sustainable future and are guided by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives.
Our Philosophy (Abridged)
Belonging
We create a culture of meaningful relationships with children, families and the community through the rituals and learning environments that support our community.
Knowledge
We believe children come into our world filled with knowledge. Through their relationships with others, they learn from, learn with and allow us to learn from them.
Play
Humans learn through play. We support children to express their knowledge, communicate their emotions and make sense of the world through play.
Trust
We believe that children are infinitely capable and trust in their decisions, we give them the space to express their agency and assess their own risks. We also trust in each other as a team of professionals.
Inclusion
Inclusive practice is informed by a belief that every child has a right to education and to feel safe and supported. We aim to create a culture of inclusivity through the relationships we build with children and families.
Owner/Operator
of Explore & Develop Annandale
Su Garrett BA
Su Garrett has a Bachelor of Arts (Human Movement Studies), Advanced Diploma in Accounting, Certificate III in Children’s Services and is currently studying an Advanced Diploma in Community Sector Management.
“It is my goal to provide a learning environment where:
- the needs of the children are the priority
- each child has large periods of time to play, interacts with others and learns with their peers
- children develop and progress from early childhood as confident learners ready to engage in formal schooling
- educators are valued as key in the scaffolding of children’s learning, and are given access to current resources and training to ensure they remain up to date with current thinking and practices
- we have meaningful partnerships and communities to add to the children’s experiences
As the Approved Provider and Nominated Supervisor, I am in the service daily and work closely with lead educators in providing a high quality curriculum. Ian and I own and operate Explore & Develop Annandale and work together to support our three children. We are both very active in our local community especially in sport.”
We absolutely Love Explore & Develop Annandale, and have been members of the community since it opened. The care and love that Su and her team give to the children is exemplary. I couldn’t be happier with the choice I made for both of my children’s child care.
Grace and Max have grown so much, in their care, and I will be very sad to say goodbye in December, as my youngest leaves for school. I have never worried about leaving my children in their nurturing care. Max is so excited to go every day and see all his friends and continue interacting with them all on the amazing, ever changing, projects they engage the children with.
I know the waitlist is very long, but it is worth the wait, I can’t speak highly enough of the centre and staff and have recommended many many friends to the centre, with no hesitation.
I will be so sad to leave but we will be back for visits, the kids will insist!
Explore & Develop Annandale is a business which prides itself on ensuring a high standard of care and facilities. The staff are warm and welcoming and the level of care and responsibility starts at the top and is cascaded down to all employees. I feel very comfortable leaving my most precious possession being my little girl in their care.
From the moment I walked into Explore & Develop Annandale for a tour, I knew it was a special place. I saw garden beds and tyre swings, happy children and smiling staff. There was a simultaneous sense of calm and joy. Once my children started attending, I leant that this was no accident but rather a flow on from the passionate, informed and considered leadership of the management, Su and Ian, backed by a carefully selected team. Each person in the centre works towards making it a safe, happy and productive place.
For us, with two children grappling with multiple food allergies and intolerances, this “special” consideration involved individual meal preparation, careful menu consultation, and the management of medications and even a separate suncream. There has been constant communication as the children have grown (and, in some cases, outgrown intolerances.) It has never appeared a burden to staff but rather simply another facet of each child’s uniqueness.
I have seen these same principle of inclusivity extended to children of various special physical and psychological needs at the centre, as well as an embracing of cultural diversity.
I will be forever grateful for having happened upon the centre that day, for the safe haven it has become to our family.The other day I was speaking with another Explore & Develop Annandale mother who commented that dropping your child at the centre was really like “leaving them with a family member, you can’t wish for anymore than that.” This could not be more true for our family. We have been so blessed to have both our children cared for, loved and taught by Su and her amazing team. In fact, next year there will be a large hole in our lives as we will no longer have a child at the service. Su, Ian, Melanie, Jessica, Mr Chris and all the other staff have created the most enriching, exclusive and loving environment for our children, so much so that I don’t think a better childcare experience could be found.
Thank you so much,
Learning Environments
Explore & Develop Annandale
Birth – 2 years
Within our birth to 2-year environment we have 2 small groups of children: Echidnas and Bilby’s
4 educators led by an Early Childhood Teacher
Child-led ritual-based program
Indoor outdoor program
Excursions into the local community
Development of strong relationships with families
2 – 5 years
Within our 2 – 5 environment we have 3 small groups of children: Koalas, Wombats and Possums preschool
Two indoor environments and the outdoor space are open to all children
Inquiry based program focusing on focus on social and emotional learning
Regular excursions in the local community
Children are encouraged to develop independence in the transition from preschool to Kindergarten
Embedded early literacy and numeracy through real life experiences
Outdoor environment
- Our outdoor teacher co-ordinates the environment.
- Direct flow between our indoor and outdoor learning environments
- Bush Tucker garden and native plants
- Natural space where children can explore and manipulate elements
- All meals are served on the verandah
- Two separate playgrounds for birth -2 years and 2-5 years
- Siblings and friends often visit one another’s playground
Gallery
Explore & Develop Annandale
Contact us
Explore & Develop Annandale