• About Explore & Develop

    Castlereagh Street

  • At Explore & Develop Castlereagh Street, our educational programs are guided by Australia’s National Curriculum, the Early Years Learning Framework: Belonging, Being, Becoming. We use the outcomes, principles and practices outlined in the EYLF to develop meaningful, interest based educational programs for children.

    Our aim is for children to feel a sense of BELONGING to our environments, allowing them to BE active contributors to their educational programs, thus BECOMING lifelong learners. In addition to using the Early Years Learning Framework to guide our educational practices, our educators explore Early Childhood Theory and current research, and apply this to their curriculum planning. We support the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and Early Childhood Australia’s Code of Ethics.

    • Individually owned and operated

      The Owner and Director, Paul Ludlow, provides a personalised approach that corporate-owned services are unable to offer. Parents can feel assured that the Owner-Operator of the service will be available on-site daily, ensuring high-quality education and care.

    • Experienced team of educators

      All of our inspiring educators hold qualifications and Working With Children Checks. Their passion for nurturing and educating children is evident in everything that they do. Please read our testimonials to hear what our families think of the standard of education and care that we offer.

    • Purpose-designed learning environments

      Both the indoor and outdoor environments have been designed by Early Childhood Educators in collaboration with industry leading Architects and Landscape Architects to create an environment that is home like, nurturing and stimulating.

    • Extended opening hours

      We know that parents are busy, so we provide the convenience of longer opening hours of any service in the city. We are open from 7.30am to 6.30pm, so that parents have the flexibility they need to achieve a balance between work and home.

    • Nutritious meals from breakfast to dinner

      We also support families by offering not only breakfast, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea and a late snack but a dinner option depending on what works for your family.

    • Parent partnerships and communication

      We believe that building respectful and collaborative partnerships with each family is important. For this reason we share information about children’s interests, their learning and development. We achieve this through face-to-face communication, as well as through digital applications, so that families receive regular updates and photos during the day of their child’s time at Explore & Develop Castlereagh Street.

  • Owner/Operator

    of Explore & Develop Castlereagh Street
    • Paul Ludlow

      Paul Ludlow was inspired to create an environment for children and families based on what he would have personally wanted for his own children growing up. This philosophy ensures that every interaction and decision regarding the operation of the service considers not only the practical, but also what is in the best interests of all children and families.  Paul’s extensive management and hospitality experience is evident in his approach with educators and families at Castlereagh Street. Paul is active in his local community, and volunteers his time at a local primary school where he was President of the Out of School Hours (OOSH) care program.

    • What we have seen on drop off, pick up and via Kinderloop along with the pace of her development indicates excellent care. The baking activity for ANZAC Day and crafts for Mother’s Day was special. I have nothing but praise for the professionalism and dedication of all carers I have interacted with. It was noticeable how quickly they all got to know our daughter’s personality.

      Steven Baillie

    • I can tell the educators really care about the kids and they are so good at their jobs. I love the photo updates throughout the day. Keep them coming.

      Chon Healey

    • Really happy with the standard of care and education Isobel receives. The educators are lovely, very friendly and seem to have the best interests of all the children front of mind at all times.
      Going back to work has been so much easier when you know that your child is being well looked after and is having fun, which you can see in the photos and the updates.

      Jo Higgins

    • Our daughter Saskia has been coming to Explore & Develop for 18 months. Given our daughter’s diagnosis of Autism she has needed special care and attention and Explore & Develop have not only accommodated her with open arms but they have actively sought ways to assist her in the integration of her learning, development and achievement of her fundamental milestones. We are eternally grateful that Explore & Develop have given her the support, love and commitment to thrive in what has been a very challenging few years. We would highly recommend the centre, its management and the day care staff who have demonstrated a concerted and tireless effort in offering Saskia every opportunity to be a part of the wonderful and unique learnings on offer there.

      Robert Migliore

    • We wanted to thank you for your assistance and care of Emelia over the past 18 months.

      As first time parents, it was a very difficult decision in choosing a centre to take care of our baby girl. Since our first day, your team has always created a caring and loving environment for Emelia to grow and develop. Although she may be young, she has always enjoyed the experiences she’s had during her time there.

      We wish you and your team all the very best for the future and success of Explore & Develop.

      Matt, Trish and Emelia Bogacz

  • Learning Environments

    Explore & Develop Castlereagh Street

  • Birth – 2 years

    Our aim is to provide a clean, nurturing and stimulating environment for our infants where our focus is on relationships, to ensure each child feels safe, secure and supported. We have two beautifully designed rooms, so that the younger babies and the older babies have their own spaces to explore. Age-appropriate resources, materials and equipment are provided to encourage children to explore and investigate using all their senses.

    A private breastfeeding area is also provided and our fully inclusive fee for this age group is $168 per day.

  • 2 – 3 years

    Our two Toddler rooms deliver the toddlers their own spaces to explore, discover, create and imagine through play-based learning. The environment and program is vibrant and flexible and responsive to the interests and abilities of each child and includes puzzles, literacy and numeracy activities, construction activities, creative arts, music and pretend play set-ups.

    Our fully inclusive fee for this age group is $163 per day.

  • 3 – 5 years

    Our Preschool room continues to provide a play-based developmentally appropriate program where children are learning important knowledge, skills and attitudes that will not only prepare them for school but for lifelong learning. Our ‘Transition to School’ program delivered by early childhood teachers focuses not only on the social, emotional and academic skills for children but also ensures children have the confidence and independence necessary to make a smooth transition to school.

    Our fully inclusive fee for this age group is $158 per day.

  • Outdoor environment

    We have created a number of varied play spaces that are natural and diverse, and include a variety of plants and shrubs. Each space not only provides opportunities for children to release energy and engage in physical activity, but also to explore, problem- solve and engage in creative expression. Some features for our infants and toddlers space include a glass-covered atrium where children can experience our sandpit, nature trail, teepee, timber boardwalk and soft ,open space for tumble and ball play.

    Our toddlers and preschool children have their own, separate play space that caters for their increasing skill level. Some experiences in this area include a dedicated art space with views to the city for inspiration and to encourage creativity. Other spaces include a large sandpit, nature trail with stone steppers, timber boardwalks, music area and climbing experiences. There is also an open, soft space for running and ball games.

  • Contact us

    Explore & Develop Castlereagh Street
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About Us
At Explore & Develop, we treasure the time it takes children to grow, and believe that all children should have the opportunity to develop at their own rate, in their own time and that learning should occur in an unrushed environment.
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