About Explore & Develop
Freshwater
Explore & 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.
Owner/Operator
of Explore & Develop Freshwater
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.
As parents it warms our hearts to think how wonderful of an experience we and our son have enjoyed since joining E&D Freshwater. Our son’s development has been amazing going from English as a second language to fluent and from dreading daycare to loving it and not wanting to leave! The educators all the way up to owner Sally truly care about the children. We can’t say enough good things about the team; they are truly world class. The facilities and activities are top notch and we are very happy with our choice as daycare now feels like an extended family. Thank you very much for all you have done and continue to do it has made a big difference to our lives.
From the moment you walk into Explore & Develop Freshwater you experience a sense of calm. The beautiful décor, indoor/outdoor environment, exciting toys and smiling faces of the educators only add to this great kindy!! The teachers and all staff are so friendly, interested and engaged in the children but also our family- they remember everybody’s name and any weekend plans and always ask how we are with genuine interest! We are absolutely loving being here- both our children come home talking about having had the best day playing and learning!! We love E&D Freshwater and cannot recommend it highly enough.
The teams are great and really stand out as incredible individuals who really love the kids. It’s reassuring to know that the kids, have such a fantastic experience every day.
I just wanted to write to say how fantastic the staff in the Explorers Room. Each time I come to kindy either with Oscar and obviously Jack, they are there with such a fantastic presence.
All the children in the Explorers room just adore them and are happy, they are really in amazing hands with Sarah and all the girls upstairs. She always goes out of her way to understand the needs of the kids. I’ve already told her how amazing I think she is, but I wanted to pass it on to you. It’s such a credit to you too Sally, all your staff are truly wonderful and so very engaged in the children and in life. Having children in both the upstairs and downstairs and how fantastic they all are is just a credit to you. So thank you so much for everything you do. You all do an amazing job and it is definitely noticed by our family.Explore & Develop Freshwater is absolutely amazing, the facility, the staff, the menu and the daily programs are above and beyond perfect. I could not speak highly of the centre if I tried.
Yordi has the best menu put together full of healthy foods! The staff are always willing to give you their time.We transitioned across just a few months ago from another service and I can honestly say Mila has never been happier. The staff are wonderful, friendly and genuinely caring. Explore & Develop Freshwater is a wonderful community of people, and I cannot be happier with the care their wonderful staff provide.
It’s our last day today and we are all so sad to be leaving, but I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you and all the staff at Explore & Develop Freshwater. We have had the best time here, the girls have always loved attending and have made some beautiful friends – we always highly recommend you to our friends in the area.
Thank you for everything and well done on your efforts in creating such a wonderful centre.Just wanted to send an email to say thank you and what a fantastic afternoon Monday was with the Senior Graduation. I can imagine the work that went into this afternoon.
It was so well thought out, the special words you said about each child was so special and heartfelt and the amazing gift the children were given was so special – they all looked so gorgeous too!
Thank you for such a wonderful year, he has enjoyed his time with each of you.
Sally, you have created something so special and your leadership is so respected – we thank you very much.I have particularly enjoyed the fantastic communication from Explore & Develop sharing with us how our child is going and what he is doing every day he is there as well as reflections on his own personal development in the learning stories. You all do such an incredible job and I am so grateful. I’ve never seen a place like yours and it is such an honour and a privilege to have our child there with you.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your care and expertise this year.I just wanted to let you know that you have the most amazing staff. They are all so kind, supportive and caring towards our little ones. I can not speak more highly of the staff you have in the upper toddler room. I feel so lucky to have found somewhere so special to attend daycare. They are all so lovely towards us; just now, they took the time to call me to tell me about his day and what a good day he had had, I thought how lovely of them to do that 🙂
Thank you for creating the most amazing daycare 🙂 Your staff are amazing!Just wanted to shoot another message of appreciation across to the ladies for all they do for the little people they care for every day!
A’s been teething and not eating very well and when I dropped him in on Tuesday I mentioned it to one of the staff in the Nursery Team. She seemed genuinely concerned about A and really took what I was saying on board. When I came to collect A, all of the team knew about our situation and let me know almost everything he had eaten. It’s so great to know that communication is obviously top notch in the nursery room.
I also just love that the girls know A almost as well as Barry and I! They know if he’s having a bad day and they know his quirks – he definitely has a few and they know how to distract him and keep him calm which is so reassuring to know.
He absolutely ADORES all of your staff and I just feel so happy that he’s with such wonderful women every day! I WISH I could spend every single day with him… but as I can’t, I’m just stoked that he’s happy and so well looked after 🥰
Thank you for employing beautiful people to look after the littlies!!
It was B’s last day today at kindy before the holiday and I just wanted to say thank you for everything! I also wanted to say big thank you generally, as we love the kindy and so does B. The staff and what you do with children every day is just amazing. B has made such a huge progress in so many ways, the english vocabulary, her social skills, her confidence and she is now fully potty trained! 🙂
Also big shout out to lovely Miss S. We think she is a superstar with so much passion and creativity, her drive to make new scenarios for children to play every day. We know it is all hard work and it amazes me how much she and other educators in B’s room put in to make us, parents, informed with all the reports, pictures, scrap book etc, we definitely appreciate it all! So thank you again and see you when we come back!
We love Explore & Develop Freshwater. Beautiful caring staff, amazing healthy food and great facilities. A wonderful community.
We just wanted to send you all the love and a HUGE THANK YOU!!! K & C are missing their days at School and we are all missing your beautiful smiley faces. You have all shown what committed educators you are still supplying the best care to those families who currently require it, we are LOVING the videos and really appreciate you all going above and beyond with keeping in touch with the children and also keeping all of us parents up to date. I can only imagine how tough this has been on the team and what a stressful and crazy time being inundated with emails full of covid questions & enrolment concerns. Stay safe everyone, we cant wait to see you all again after this craziness is over. Big love & positive vibes,
Hi Sal, I just wanted to say thanks so much, A has had a really great start to his kindy career, he loved it.
Today he was banging on the door to get in and then was far more interested in playing phone calls with Miss L than coming home this afternoon.
We are very grateful for all your wonderful staff and the calm space you’ve set up.
Learning Environments
Explore & Develop Freshwater
Nursery Room
8 children, 6 weeks – 12 months
- All nutritional meals, bottles, formula, nappies, linen and sunscreen provided
- Breastfeeding room available for nursing mothers
- Dedicated cot room for nursery children
- Personalised and developmentally-appropriate curriculum designed by our qualified and experienced Early Childhood educators
- Supportive partnerships to develop nurturing routines that are reflective of home
- Qualified and experienced Early Childhood educators
- Architecturally designed indoor and outdoor learning environments
- Secure online learning portal for families to access daily learning experiences, developmental observations and individual learning assessments
Infant Room
12 children, 12 months – 2 years
- All nutritional meals, bottles, formula, nappies, linen, and sunscreen provided
- Breastfeeding room available for nursing mothers
- Dedicated cot room for infant children
- Personalised and developmentally-appropriate curriculum designed by our qualified and experienced Early Childhood educators
- Supportive partnerships to assist families as children transition into new routines and develop growing independence
- Architecturally designed indoor and outdoor learning environments
- Secure online learning portal for families to access daily learning experiences, developmental observations and individual learning assessments
Toddler Rooms
15 children, 2 years – 3 years
- All nutritional meals, bottles, formula, nappies, linen, and sunscreen provided
- Breastfeeding room available for nursing mothers
- Personalised and developmentally-appropriate curriculum designed by our qualified and experienced Early Childhood educators
- Partnerships with families to support our toddlers’ growing autonomy, through nurturing the development of self-help skills, assisting the navigation of problem solving, and their increasing levels of communication
- Architecturally designed indoor and outdoor learning environments
- Secure online learning portal for families to access daily learning experiences, developmental observations and individual learning assessments
Junior Preschool Room
20 children, 3 years – 4 years
- All nutritional meals, linen, and sunscreen provided
- Personalised and developmentally-appropriate curriculum designed by our qualified and experienced Early Childhood educators
- Partnerships with families to support our junior preschoolers in preparing for their transition to primary school
- Architecturally designed indoor and outdoor learning environments
- Secure online learning portal for families to access daily learning experiences, developmental observations and individual learning assessments
Senior Preschool Room
20 children, 4 years – 5+ years
- All nutritional meals, linen, and sunscreen provided
- Personalised and developmentally-appropriate curriculum designed by our qualified and experienced Early Childhood educators
- Partnerships with families to support our senior preschoolers in preparation for their transition to primary school
- Architecturally designed indoor and outdoor learning environments
- Secure online learning portal for families to access daily learning experiences, developmental observations and individual learning assessments
Gallery
Explore & Develop Freshwater
Contact us
Explore & Develop Freshwater