SDN North Sydney - Long Day Care and Preschool

At SDN North Sydney, get more than school-ready, get life-ready. 

Getting school-ready is a journey. It begins with your child’s very first day at our welcoming early education and care centre and continues with our dedicated preschool program.

Infants and toddlers

We know that the best thing we can do for your infant or toddler is to support them to grow and develop in safe, unhurried, nurturing and challenging environments. Because infants and toddlers are naturally curious, our centre has well-equipped indoor and outdoor areas that will keep your child moving and give them daily opportunities to explore their limits and grow their abilities.

Preschool

Developed by university-trained early childhood teachers, our preschool program focuses on the whole child. Children learn to make friends and work together, while gaining the skills and independence they need to thrive through the big transition to school.

Our preschool program follows an evidence-backed, play-based learning approach. Children have fun and follow their curiosity, while we weave in vital skills and learning outcomes.

SDN uses Australia’s Early Years Learning Framework to explore a diverse curriculum from science to social justice. Our days are predictable but flexible, blending structured and spontaneous learning, free play, movement and quiet time.

Our centre has a transition to school program where our teachers and educators work together with local schools to prepare your child for a smooth transition, and support families through the process.

• Read more about our practice with children here - https://www.sdn.org.au/services/early-childhood-education-and-child-care/our-practice-with-children/
• Read more about our preschool program here - https://www.sdn.org.au/services/early-childhood-education-and-child-care/our-preschool-program/

Your child is unique and so we will devise a learning and development program within our curriculum pillars, based on what we know about your child’s interests, learning and development. Because they will always be changing and growing, we consistently review the program to ensure we are keeping up with your child’s development, providing them with the best learning opportunities.

Our curriculum pillars are:

• Relationship and social skills
• Critical thinking and problem solving 
• Early literacy and numeracy
• Health, wellbeing and movement
• Science, technology, construction and design
• Nature play and sustainability
• Creative arts
• Equity and social justice

Learn more about our curriculum pillars here - https://www.sdn.org.au/services/early-childhood-education-and-child-care/our-preschool-program/

At SDN North Sydney, we have a diverse team of qualified early childhood professionals. Many of the educators and teachers have been working at the centre for many years. Our Centre Director progressed at the centre from being an educator, to a room leader and to Centre Director. 

At SDN, we create a culture of partnership. We partner with families so they feel confident, capable and connected and we work together to set individual goals for each child and cater to their specific needs.

Our team are dedicated to supporting each child's wellbeing, learning and development.

The traditional owners of the North Sydney area are the Cammeraigal People of the Eora Nation.

SDN North Sydney officially opened on 11 December 1926. Back then it was known as the Northern Suburbs Day Nursery, located in a bungalow purchased by SDN for £2,600 and renovated. The ‘Dorothea MacCallum Cot Room’ was named in honour of then SDN President, Lady MacCallum, who had personally donated £100 towards the nursery.

On 27 May 1977, the old house was demolished and a new building constructed on the site.

Since its beginning, SDN North Sydney has undergone many changes but has always maintained and reflected a strong connection with families in a vibrant and diverse community. 

To read more about our history, visit https://www.sdn.org.au/about-sdn/sdn-history/beginnings-of-sdn-north-sydney/