Little Explorers Learning Centre is not a standard childcare or preschool. As a privately owned service, we maintain a distinct identity in early childhood education. What sets us apart is our unwavering focus on love, safety, and education - the foundation of everything we do.

Here are just a few highlights that make us unique in who we are:

• Lots of smiles, hugs, and genuine care
• Safe and secure environment
• Qualified and experienced professional staff
• Educators with a passion for teaching and children
• Strong partnerships with families
• Homelike and engaging learning environment
• Play-based curriculum supporting individual learning
• High professional standards of quality
• Reasonable and competitive fees

You can visit the centre, call us on (02) 9638 0380, or view information on our website. We welcome enquiries at any time.

What happens after I submit an enquiry form online?

After you submit an enquiry, we will contact you to discuss your child’s needs and check current vacancies. If no positions are available, we will add your child to the centre’s waitlist.

Enrolling or reserving a future place is easy. Contact us to book a tour for you and your child. During your visit, you can meet the team, see the learning environments, ask questions, and decide if the centre is the right fit. You will also receive an enrolment pack with all the required information and a fee quote.

After your visit, you can begin the registration process by completing and returning the forms. Once we receive them, your child’s place is confirmed and a start date can be arranged.

Can I enrol online?
No. We require families to visit the centre before enrolling. A tour allows you to meet the educators, discuss your needs, and feel confident before starting.

How is the waitlist managed?
If no places are available, you can join the waitlist. Families are contacted when a vacancy becomes available. You can remove yourself from the waitlist at any time by contacting the centre.

Hours of Operation
The centre operates Monday to Friday, 7:00 am to 6:00 pm, 52 weeks a year. We are closed on NSW public holidays. Children should arrive before 10:00 am, as late arrivals disrupt planned learning. No staff are on site before 7:00 am.

Rest Time
All children are provided with a quiet rest period with bedding. Soft music and low lighting are used. Children who do not sleep are offered quiet alternative activities.
Meal Times
We display a fortnightly menu in each room. Meals are relaxed and home-like, with consideration for cultural and dietary needs. We promote healthy eating and positive mealtime habits.

Cot Room
Regular cot checks are completed, and baby monitors are used to ensure children are always monitored while sleeping.

Do the children receive meals?
Yes. We provide morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea, and when needed, breakfast and a late snack. Meals are fresh, nutritious, and designed to support healthy development. Formula must be supplied by families if required.

Do you provide nappies?
Yes, nappies are provided.

Parents must sign children in and out each day using the QK Kiosk electronic system. On arrival, a staff member will greet you and ask for any relevant information about your child for the day, such as sleep needs, comfort items, allergies, or routines.

Any medication or food items must be handed directly to staff for labelling and safe storage - these must not be left in your child’s bag due to allergy risks.

When you enrol, you will receive a detailed checklist of what to bring each day. As a general guide, children should bring:

• A sun-safe hat that covers the face, neck and ears
• A change of clothes
• A comfort item if needed (toy, dummy or blanket)
• A sheet set or blanket for rest timeExpressed milk if required
• Nappies, wipes and cream (if applicable)
• A labelled water bottle or sippy cup
• Any medication - to be handed directly to staff, not left in bags

Our team will support you with any additional requirements specific to your child.

Do I need to pack lunch or snacks?
No. Little Explorers provides morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea, and where required, breakfast or a late snack. Meals are nutritious, fresh, and designed to support children’s growth and development.

Do I need to pack sunscreen?
No. We provide child-friendly sunscreen as part of our sun-safe practices. If your child has sensitive skin or uses a specific brand, you may supply your own.

Is there anything else I should know?
Please ensure all items are clearly labelled so they can be returned to the correct child. If your child requires medication or has a medical condition, this must be discussed with staff and the medication handed directly to educators for safe storage and documentation, not left in bags.

Play-based learning allows children to make sense of their world through purposeful play. Through exploration, imagination, problem-solving and social interaction, children develop foundational skills in language, thinking, physical coordination, creativity, confidence and identity.

Children are supported to play independently and in groups, both indoors and outdoors, through experiences such as block play, playdough, painting, construction, role play and other hands-on activities. Your Centre Director can provide more information about how this approach is implemented at Little Explorers.

What is the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF)?
The Early Years Learning Framework is the national curriculum framework for children from birth to five years and their transition to school. It forms part of the National Quality Framework and emphasises play-based learning, communication, language, and social and emotional development. The EYLF is built around five key learning outcomes:

• Children have a strong sense of identity
• Children are connected with and contribute to their world
• Children have a strong sense of wellbeing
• Children are confident and involved learners
• Children are effective communicators

Find out more about the EYLF @ https://www.education.gov.au/early-childhood/resources/early-years-learning-framework

The National Quality Framework is a national system designed to improve the quality of early childhood education and care across Australia. Introduced in 2012, it applies to long day care, family day care, preschool/kindergarten and outside school hours care services.

A key part of the NQF is the National Quality Standard (NQS), which sets a national benchmark for high-quality practice across seven quality areas:

1. Educational program and practice
2. Children’s health and safety
3. Physical environment
4. Staffing arrangements
5. Relationships with children
6. Collaborative partnerships with families and communities
7. Leadership and service management

Learn more about National Quality Framework @ https://www.acecqa.gov.au/

A child portfolio is an ongoing record of your child’s development and interests throughout the year. Each portfolio may include:

• Observations of learning and development
• Artwork and creative samples
• Photos of your child engaged in different types of play
• Follow-up activities planned to extend their interests and needs

We are committed to ensuring all children have access to early learning. Our centre has facilities, resources and strategies in place to support children with additional needs - including allergies, medical conditions, physical or learning disabilities, and behavioural or developmental concerns.

Please speak with the Centre Director so we can work together to plan for your child’s individual needs.

Research shows that around 80% of a child’s brain develops in the first five years. During this period, children build the foundations for learning, behaviour, and wellbeing. Children who receive high-quality early learning opportunities are more likely to stay ahead and continue progressing, while gaps that appear early become harder to close later in life. Providing strong foundations in the early years gives children the best chance to succeed in school and beyond.