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.

Family owned and operated

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.

All-inclusive offering

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.

High-quality learning environments

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.

Experience & Qualified Team

With over 20 years experience within the Early Childhood Education and Care sector, and a mother to four children, Owner-Operator, Sally, truly understands the needs of families whilst being able to understand and support 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.

Engaging with our community

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.

Learn to Swim Program

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.

OWNER / OPERATOR

of Explore & Develop Freshwater


Explore-Develop-Child-Care-Freshwater-owner
Sally

With over 20 years experience within the Early Childhood Education and Care sector, and a mother of four 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.

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
Explore & Develop Child Care Freshwater rooms
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

TESTIMONIALS

Explore & Develop Freshwater


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Our son is about to leave Explore and Develop Freshwater and head to school, after 4 fabulous years there.
He could have gone to school this year, but we gifted him another year of play and it was the best decision we've made.
We are so grateful for every thing they have done for him. The staff are fantastic and everyone knows our son (and daughter who is yet to start), whether they have been his specific educator or not. Everyone makes time to chat to us, the centre is clean and calm and the programs excellent. Our son will not forget the whale watching opportunity they had!
Thank you Explore and Develop! We are so very grateful.
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Our journey with Explore and Develop Freshwater (E&DF) began when our child was just under 3 years old, and the transformation we've seen since then is nothing short of amazing. Having experienced other childcare centres in the past, it's clear that E&DF sets a remarkably high standard in terms of care, attention, and tailored support, especially for children who may need a bit of extra guidance with behavioural aspects.

The educators in the Banksia class—MJ, Miss Lauren, and Miss Deb—have been instrumental in our child's growth. MJ has formed a special bond with our little one, displaying immense care, compassion, and personal investment in each child's well-being. Their warmth extends beyond our child to all children across different classes, evident during drop-offs and pick-ups. MJ's shared experiences and invaluable strategies have helped us navigate challenging phases, staying one step ahead with our child's development.

Miss Lauren's expertise is unparalleled. She's dedicated to our child's progress, always keeping us informed and recommending strategies and resources. Her support extends beyond the classroom; she goes above and beyond to ensure parents feel empowered and supported, especially when additional assistance is needed. Her efforts in overcoming behavioural challenges have been monumental, and we're endlessly grateful for her commitment.

And then there's Miss Deb, whose vibrant energy and ability to connect with children are exceptional. Her approach strikes a perfect balance between firmness and affection, earning the love of children with her infectious personality. Her constant smile brings joy not only to the kids but also reassurance to us as parents, knowing our child is in caring hands.

These educators go beyond their roles; they've become pillars of support for us as parents. Their dedication, expertise, and genuine care have made a profound impact on our child's development. We're immensely grateful for the exceptional care provided by all the educators at E&DF. Our child has flourished under their guidance, and finding such dedicated and nurturing individuals has been a true blessing.

Sally, the owner, is an exceptional operator. Her commitment to providing top-notch care for the children is evident in the smooth running of this early childhood learning centre. Despite the likely challenges she faces daily, her competence ensures that parents like us are shielded from disruptions, a testament to her remarkable capabilities in managing and maintaining a top-tier establishment.

The array of activities designed for the kids is truly remarkable. From crafting personalized gifts for parents for Mum’s/Dad’s day, to engaging in age-appropriate educational materials and creative endeavours, E&DF ensures a well-rounded developmental experience. The resources provided, the individualised tactics for each child, and the updates via the OWNA app and monthly reports reflect a commitment that surpasses typical childcare services. It's a holistic approach to early childhood education, nurturing social skills, language development, and fostering crucial bonds.

E&DF ticks all the boxes for a top-tier childcare centre. Its dedication to providing age-specific educational materials, strategic and creative teaching methodologies, and efforts to create a supportive learning environment make it stand out.

As our child approaches his final year at the Waratah room, we eagerly anticipate witnessing the growth and readiness for school that this exceptional centre has fostered. We have full confidence that this final stage of his journey at E&DF will equip him with the tools he needs to embark on his academic path confidently.

TL;DR-
We say this every chance we get- E&DF isn't just a childcare centre; it's a sanctuary where our child learns, grows, and flourishes under the exceptional care, dedication, and guidance of a team that truly sets the standard for excellence in early childhood education. We couldn't be happier and more grateful for what they do for our little one on a daily basis.
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We wanted to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude for the exceptional care and nurturing E&D Freshwater have provided to our daughter in her first year here. The dedication and unwavering support have made her time here truly special. It's heartwarming to see the joy in her eyes when she's with her educators and new friends. The patience, kindness, and commitment the educators have to creating a safe and stimulating environment have played a pivotal role in her growth and development.

We are so fortunate to have you as her educators, and we want you to know how much we appreciate your tireless efforts. The professionalism and genuine love for what you do shine through in every interaction with our daughter.

Thank you for making every day not just educational but also full of love and warmth. Your contributions to her early years will leave a lasting impact on her, and for that, we are truly grateful.
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When my son first started in the Wattle room he found it hard to say goodbye to us. But he soon realized how much fun daycare was and how caring and fun all his educators are. He now marches into the room each day with a smile and curiosity for the day ahead. This would not have happened if he didn’t feel safe and loved in his environment. So thank you for making each and every day a wonderful day where he learns, grows and makes friends.
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We can't thank the educators at Explore & Develop Freshwater enough! They are the most caring, thoughtful & welcoming team who collectively always look out for each & every child. Each morning is like a big, warm hug & it's the highlight of Noah & Ivy's day when we arrive. They absolutely love each & every day they spend at E&D Freshwater, which is thanks to their beautiful educators who continually encourage, teach, nurture & comfort them in their happy space. We have an immense amount of gratitude for the entire team & all they do, and we feel so very lucky to have Noah & Ivy in your care - it's like our home away from home (for all of us!). You should all feel so proud! The warm, calm & happy environment of the team at E&D Freshwater is what makes such a positive impact on our little ones.
Hugs & huge thanks! Belinda, James, Noah & Ivy Middleton xxx
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Andrew and I would like to say a huge thank you to Miss Maddie for the support and care she provides to our son.

We really love how Maddie builds a connection with the kids and fosters their curiosity and sense of play.

Miss Maddie is always getting involved with the Lili Pili kids, building strong rapport and trust. We are so grateful for the effort she puts in, in this regard. For example, we often see Maddie down on her hands and knees in the sandpit, sitting on the mat reading books to the kids with them in her lap, outside kicking the ball with them.

Maddie is gentle, kind and understanding – thank you Maddie, for being a supportive and fun carer!

CONTACT US

Explore & Develop Freshwater


Address

68 Evans Street
Freshwater NSW
2096

Business Hours

Monday – Friday
7.00am – 6.00pm