ABOUT EXPLORE & DEVELOP

Terrigal

At Explore & Develop Terrigal, your child will be part of a truly holistic education program from the day they begin. Our curriculum aligns with the Walker Learning approach to early childhood education.

This teaching and learning approach is founded on neuroscience research and recognises the importance of relationships and attachment, as well as intentional teaching practices.

By focusing on building strong connections with the children, the Walker Learning Approach provides the opportunity to understand each individual child’s stage of development. This enables educators to support the children to be the best they can be and are prepared for their life ahead.

Our aim is to foster resilience and confidence in children giving them a passion for investigating and inquiring about their world and to become lifelong learners. Together with our current early childhood practices, Explore & Develop Terrigal provides a beautiful learning environment with a natural outdoor area for children to explore.

Highly qualified educators

It is Explore & Develops stated aim to maintain the highest professional teaching standards in a happy and resourceful working environment for our employees. We are committed to continuous professional learning and development ensuring the highest standards of education and care for children.

Natural outdoor environments

Our service provides a texturally rich and natural outdoor environment for children to investigate and be stimulated while exploring areas such as sand pits, grassed areas and open spaces that are safe for energetic play.

Health and well-being

Our food is prepared on the premises by our chef, who is specially trained in child nutrition, ensuring meals are well balanced with all the essential vitamins and nutrients children need for an active, fun-filled day.

Family and community focused

Supporting our children and families to feel connected with their community also assists them to become aware of similarities, differences and connections between people, to broaden their understanding of the community they live in. We support various fundraising initiatives by gold coin donation such as Cancer Council, Asthma Foundation and Kids Cancer Council.

Excursions

Our bushwalk, beach, reptile park and transport excursions are planned throughout the year to extend children’s learning and expand children’s concepts of the world around them and their role in society.

Exceeding national standards

Under the National Quality Framework, Explore & Develop Terrigal received a rating of ‘Exceeding National Quality Standard’. Please click the link to view our assessment and rating certificate.

OWNER / OPERATOR

of Explore & Develop Terrigal

Suzanne Chiha
Suzanne Chiha

MBA, Diploma in Financial Services (Financial Planning), Certificate III Children’s Services, Diploma of Children’s Services, Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood).

“My personal philosophy has evolved over many years, through my experience in travel and from my own wonderful childhood growing up on the Central Coast. I believe that children need natural environments to explore, trained educators to support their learning and a community rich with diversity to nurture their development.

Each child is an individual and I wish to provide children with the best possible environment from which they can gain confidence and develop social and emotional skills, which will prepare them for life.

Each child will be loved, cherished and encouraged to reach their full potential, through my hands-on leadership and caring, professional educator guidance.”

We wanted to send our biggest thanks to you and your amazing staff for what has been such a wonderful year. Explore & Develop Terrigal is a showcase centre, the facility is always evolving and continuously improving. Throughout the year we have seen ongoing maintenance, additions and care for the building, which has been wonderful to see. The rooms and outdoor play areas are always changing, inviting, bright and engaging. It’s so wonderful to bring Jules to the centre each day to be welcomed by such a vibrant and fun environment.
A big congratulations to you and your management team for your running and management of the centre. We have been so happy with the excellent foundations on which you run the centre and the consistent approach to maintaining such a high level of service and care shows through. It is so nice to see you at the centre so regularly and I believe that this contributes to your staff being such wonderful carers. You deserve a big thank you, because it is evident that you are truly invested in running such a successful business, caring for your staff, and providing the most incredible care for the children. 
Your staff have been the highlight of the year for us. We are so grateful for their hard work and genuine care and passion for being carers. This has shown through every day, and is truly evident through Jules and his contentment with the staff. Karin, Stacey, and Jordie are so professional, engaging, and passionate. We are constantly surprised at the additional effort that they go to on a daily basis to make the day special for the children. They always take the time to speak to us each day and hear about Jules, and they also engage with us to learn more about our family interests. We are so grateful for their dedication to Julian’s development throughout the year. Jules has shown us things he has learned from the girls which has been a beautiful surprise (new words, feeding himself, drinking from a cup, walking, engaging in activities, dancing, making a star with his hands – the list goes on). And we are also so grateful for the wonderful handmade craft and gifts that come home so often, especially for special occasions. These things are all so unexpected, and it is such a lovely surprise. It’s so nice that even staff that aren’t Julian’s carers, know his name and always engage with him – it certainly makes the centre a welcoming place when everyone smiles and knows your name! 
We can’t express enough how impressed and happy we have been with all aspects of Explore & Develop Terrigal this year. What a fantastic centre with such amazing staff. A big congratulations to everyone and thank you, thank you, thank you for being such a big part of Julian’s life.

Claire & Ben Ross, Explore & Develop Terrigal Family

We can’t express enough how impressed and happy we have been with all aspects of Explore & Develop Terrigal this year. What a fantastic centre with such amazing staff. A big congratulations to everyone and thank you, thank you, thank you for being such a big part of Julian’s life.

Claire & Ben Ross

As a family that have had 3 of our children go through Explore and Develop Terrigal, I cannot speak highly enough of their dedicated work ethic and warm welcome every single day. Their wonderful team prepare a nurturing environment daily filled with activities that are both educational and provide a holistic learning approach suitable for all children. All the staff are kind, caring, considerate and go above and beyond. They provide excellent, age appropriate education, a clean, safe and fun environment which all of my children have thrived in. They have one of the most important jobs in the world and it is clear that they are all passionate and professional about what they provide for our children daily. I believe this comes from the ongoing investment in their education and of course their love for children. We have felt like part of their family since I brought my first child here. We are so lucky and fortunate to have such a brilliant day care centre located on the coast. By far the best day care centre and this is verified through them always exceeding in their ratings across all areas. Best Owner, best Management, best staff! Highly recommend! Their retention of staff is excellent which speaks volumes in itself.

Vanessa Bailey

All three of my children have attended Explore & Develop Terrigal. We could not ask for a more caring and loving environment for our children to grow socially, emotionally and academically. The friendliness of all staff make it an enjoyable experience for kids, parents and grandparents. They go above and beyond to provide experiences for all children through day to day activities, excursions, incursions and more. Their Pre-school program is second to none and have provided the highest standard of transition into ‘big’ school. Their connection to the community, adaptability to individual children and parent requests only begins to describe how amazing Explore & Develop Terrigal are.

Danielle Allan

I was lucky enough to enrol 2 children into this incredible centre. The genuine care and connections made, not only for my children but our extended family was outstanding. They have long-term staff which is great for young children, educators who are passionate, experienced and creative. My children were provided with a broad range of experiences- from excursions, sleep overs at school to reptile shows and science experiments. Not only does this centre cater for children, they also put on great weekend family activities throughout the year for parents to get to know each other- BBQ’s, Xmas parties, mothers day dinner etc.

We had the most incredible experience at Explore and Develop Terrigal, they gave my 2 children the best possible start to their educational journey.

Taryn Hanley

The educators and management team of Explore & Develop Terrigal are wonderful. We have been a part of the Explore & Develop family since 2019 and they have created a welcoming, nurturing, and caring space for us as parents to feel safe leaving our children in their care. Both our children have flourished in their development at Explore & Develop Terrigal, and I put it down to the strong foundations, and beautiful environment that the team has created there

Danielle and Laura De Lepervanche

LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS

Explore & Develop Terrigal

Butterflies

We pride ourselves on offering a high-quality nurturing environment for children and their families during their first year at Explore & Develop Terrigal.

We work in partnership with families in order to create home-like routines for the children, providing a smooth transition between home and the service. Our well-resourced indoor environment and shaded natural outdoor environment encourage stimulation and motivation for curious infants to explore in safe, protective, learning spaces.

To support children’s transition from bottle feeds to solid foods, we provide infant formula for children in our Butterfly room. Nan Comfort and Bellamy’s Organic formula are provided at required stages and offered to children who are having bottle feeds. For those who would prefer to provide breast milk or an alternative formula we can store it for you.

Fee $147

Ladybirds

Children in our Ladybird room love the opportunities available to them to exercise their new-found independence. Their confidence is building, encouraging them to take on new challenges. Carefully planned learning environments invite children to explore and discover numerous opportunities. Our dedicated and skilled educator team support each child’s emerging self-help skills, such as feeding and hand-washing. Educators plan specialised programs tailored to meet each child’s interests and developmental levels.

Fee $147

Busy Bees

Our Busy Bee room delivers space for our toddlers to explore, discover, create and imagine through play- based learning. Children’s independence is growing, and milestones, such as toilet training, are supported through partnerships with families. The curious nature and growing language skills of this age group stimulates their wonder of the world around them. Their questioning skills support their own learning, and connects them with the interest-based program, which aims to offer new experiences and development opportunities.

Fee $147

Junior Preschool

The Dragonfly room is where children enter their junior preschool year. Autonomy and independence are continuously promoted. Children’s involvement in setting class rules and guidelines helps them to develop a sense of respect for themselves, their peers, and their environment. Through an interest projects and a play-based program, children explore and build foundation skills in areas such as numeracy, science, creative arts, language and literacy. As social and emotional skills mature, we begin to see more solid friendships evolve with children working together on shared goals.

Fee $140

Senior Preschool

This is our senior preschool year, and the year in which most children prepare for life beyond Explore & Develop. Children at this age have a strong sense of autonomy and are keen participants in their learning environments. During this year, we extend upon and refine skills in key learning areas. There is a strong focus on skills such as social, emotional, literacy, numeracy and fine motor through the interest play based program and projects.

Skilled educators work closely with families, school teachers and other early childhood professionals to ensure that each child has a positive transition to school. Our transition to school program promotes skills in areas such as academia, conflict resolution, self-help and self-confidence.

Fee $140

Outdoor environment

Explore & Develop Terrigal provides a texturally rich natural outdoor environment offering endless opportunities for discovery, exploration, creativity and learning. The environment not only challenges children’s physical well-being but also encourages children to take considered risks. It is through risk that children challenge themselves and further their own development in order to grow and learn both mentally, physically and emotionally.

CONTACT US

Explore & Develop Terrigal

Address

456a Terrigal Drive
Terrigal NSW
2260

Phone & Email

Phone: (02) 4367 8376
terrigal.ns@exploreanddevelop.com.au

Business Hours

Monday – Friday
7.00am – 6.00pm

Open 50 weeks per year (excluding Public Holidays)

Waitlist here
© Explore & Develop 2021, All Rights Reserved