Welcome to Explore & Develop Freshwater.
Enquire Here Book a tour
Welcome to Explore & Develop Freshwater.
Enquire Here Book a tour
Welcome to Explore & Develop Freshwater.
Enquire Here Book a tourExplore & Develop Freshwater is conveniently located within the new Harbord Diggers development where our families and staff have access to the club’s new fitness, hospitality and aquatic facilities.
Our vision has always been to provide sustainable, high-quality learning environments that evolve and support children, families, educators and staff to feel a sense of belonging and a part of our community.
Our Philosophy has been developed in partnership with children, families, educators and staff in our community, drawing on the ‘National Quality Framework’, ‘United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child’, ‘Early Childhood Australia’s Code of Ethics’ and our sound understanding of the beliefs and values of our families, educators and our wider community.
Through positive and respectful partnerships formed with families, our educators are able to design and implement our educational curriculum in an enriching play-based environment, guided by Australia’s National Curriculum—The Early Years Learning Framework: Belonging, Being & Becoming, to encourage children to engage in critical thinking, experimentation, problem solving, arts, culture, mindfulness and connectedness with peers, educators and the wider community.
Our Transition to School program provides a play-based developmentally appropriate curriculum where children are learning important knowledge, skills and attitudes that will not only prepare them for school but for lifelong learning. We believe that there is no ‘one size fits all’ curriculum and know that it is fundamental, to children’s learning and development, that our educators truly know the children and their families in order to support them in their journey with us. We see ‘school readiness’ as a journey from day one as we build relationships with children and families so as to support children every step of the way in reaching milestones at their own personal pace. School readiness is not just about the transition to primary school, we see value in nurturing a child’s natural curiosities and instilling a love of learning throughout their lifetime.
Explore & Develop Freshwater is Owned and Operated by a local, Northern Beaches family. Having grown up in the Curl Curl/Freshwater area, we have been active members of the community through sports, surf lifesaving and volunteering for local respite services for children with additional needs. With four young children of our own, we are in tuned to the needs of local families and are connected to the wider community.
We feel that no child within our service should go without. This is why we have developed an all-inclusive offering for families. Fresh seasonal menu, formula and bottles, nappies and bedding for all age groups. A high-quality educational curriculum that includes a transition to school program and an excursion/incursion program is provided.
The service has been thoughtfully designed in collaboration with leading architects, landscape architects, skilled and experienced early childhood professionals, to create an environment that is nurturing and stimulating, whilst providing appropriate levels of challenge and risk, to engage the natural curiosity and developmental growth for children at every stage.
With over 17 years’ experience within the Early Childhood Education and Care sector, and a mother to four children of her own, Owner-Operator, Sally, truly understands the needs of families whilst being able to understand and supporting the needs of staff & educators in providing the highest level of education and care for children throughout their early years.
Our team of educators exceed the National Quality Framework in qualifications and educator to child ratios. We highly value our ability to provide our team with ongoing professional development opportunities to enrich their knowledge and expertise, keep abreast of current research and practice, resulting in long term career growth.
An integral part of our philosophy is our engagement and collaboration with our local and wider community. It is our ongoing aim to support children and their families in developing relationships, connections and a real sense of belonging to their community. We work alongside local artists to incorporate our Artist in Residence projects as well as getting out & about for our Beyond the Gate Curriculum, such as regular local walking excursions for our Beach & Bush Programs throughout the year.
Explore & Develop Freshwater have partnered with Carlile Swimming Freshwater to offer the children & families of our service with a unique opportunity to engage in weekly swimming lessons.
Our small group sessions are on offer for families of our Junior and Senior Preschool Rooms (who chose to participate) on Monday, Wednesday & Friday.
Regular swimming lessons assist in the understanding of water safety, the development of water confidence, gross motor skills, coordination and assists to strengthen the development of both the right and left side of the brain. The practice of swimming on a regular basis encourages children to ‘cross the midline’ which involves both sides of the brain to work collaboratively, this is thought to boost all areas of development – it has also been found to benefit mental health and wellbeing as well.
With over 15 years’ experience within the Early Childhood education and care sector, and a mother of three young children, Sally is a highly skilled, experienced and passionate Early Childhood educator.
Having volunteered with local respite and international communities, Sally has seen firsthand the impact of positive teachings and environments that nurture each child’s sense of self.
Over the years this local northern beaches family have been actively involved within the local sporting and SLSC community. Building these connections and partnerships within our community is important to us as it supports and enhances children’s learning and understanding of the world around us. Our aim is to have an active presence in our local community so as to strengthen partnerships and meet the needs of our families, children and our team of staff and educators.
8 children, 6 weeks – 12 months
12 children, 12 months – 2 years
15 children, 2 years – 3 years
20 children, 3 years – 4 years
20 children, 4 years – 5+ years
68 Evans Street
Freshwater NSW
2096
Monday – Friday
7.00am – 6.00pm
