Explore & Develop Freshwater

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, our educational team and staff right here 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 – our philosophy is uniquely ‘us’.  

Experience & Qualified Team

With over 20 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 and educators in providing the highest level of education and care for children throughout their early years.

The Explore & Develop Freshwater team of educators exceed the requirements stipulated within the National Quality Framework (regulations) in regard to qualifications and educator to child ratios, with an extra staff member employed in all classrooms across the service.

Explore & Develop Freshwater highly value their ability to provide their 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.

All-inclusive offering 

Explore & Develop Freshwater feels that no child within their service should go without. This is why they 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. 

Learn to Swim Program 

Explore & Develop Freshwater has partnered with Carlile Swimming Freshwater to offer the children and families of the service with a unique opportunity to engage in weekly swimming lessons. 

The small group sessions are on offer for families of the Junior & Senior Preschool Rooms (who choose to participate) on Wednesdays and Thursdays. 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. 

Bush & Beach School  

Explore & Develop Freshwater's role as Early Childhood Teachers & Educators is to provide children with access to experiences and opportunities to develop fundamental life skills and knowledge to support them not only in their ongoing learning journey but equip them for life beyond the centre's education and care setting well into the future.

The Early Years Learning Framework states that, as early childhood educators, children must be supported in 'developing a sense of belonging to groups and communities and an understanding of the reciprocal rights and responsibilities necessary' and assist them in 'becoming socially responsible and respectful of the environment' - it is also a big part of who the centre is and what they do through their internal learning curriculum and the implementation of beach and bush school which allows the children the opportunity to connect with country and become more aware of environmental issues impacting their local and wider community.  

Being mindful not to increase worry or stress of children, the centre's Eco-Warriors, educational and management team ensure that these sessions and projects are implemented in a way that supports children in having 'a voice' within their community and sharing with them the innovation of others to inspire them to care for and protect our natural environment now and well into the future.  

What Parent's Say

"What I love most is the sense of community that Sally had created from the get-go, and I wanted my children to be a part of that.  

The Educational team here are phenomenal, I love them all, they are like family and I feel like there is a real sense of community here. I love walking through the service and seeing the educators interacting with other children and the level of care they provide them, knowing that they are giving that to my children too is very heartwarming".

Greta, Preschool Room Parent 

"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."

Alena, LG Toddler Room Parent

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!

Tasha, UG Toddler Room Parent

We love Explore & Develop Freshwater. Beautiful caring staff, amazing healthy food and great facilities. A wonderful community.

Kristen, Jnr Preschool Room Parent

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!!

Hailey, Nursery Room Parent

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!

Andrea, LG Toddler Room Parent

We just wanted to send you all the love and a HUGE THANK YOU!!!  K & C are missing their days at School during COVID 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.

Ash, Infant & Jnr Preschool Room Parent

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.

Susan, UG Toddler Room Parent  

Just wanted to send an email to say thank you and what a fantastic â€ªafternoon 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.

Fiona, Snr Preschool Room Parent

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.

Ange & James, Preschool Room Parents

It is a credit to you, all of your staff are truly wonderful and so very engaged in our children & our life. Having children on both levels, I can see how wonderful they all are.

Fiona, Infant & Preschool Room Parent 

I've never seen a place like yours and it's 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.

Alena, Preschool Parent 

We were new to the area and did a lot of research into different options and the Explore & Develop brand and in particular Sally's name kept coming up within the community.

Kristin, Preschool Room Parent