Explore & Develop Freshwater - Early Learning Centre

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.

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.

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

Explore and Develop freshwater is an amazing family owned centre.
My son started at 18 months in January and I have had the most amazing experience since. The staff are phenomenal and provide exceptional care and fun, learning experiences for him each and every day. He’s already been on an excursion to the headland to go whale watching!
Every single day I receive updates on what he did and get photos from his day. Every staff member in his room knows him so well. He is always excited to go and loves his educators. I highly recommend this centre.

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.

To our beautiful and caring Educators,

Thank you for everything you do in providing our little ones with the best care when they are with you.

You provide so much love and warmth while creating these special bonds and memories, our children will cherish these times for many years to come. Always shared with open arms and nurturing hearts, the thought and preparation put into your days certainly doesn’t go unnoticed!

We honestly wouldn’t want to be anywhere else and our kiddies feel right at home when they’re with you.

With thanks to you all not only today but everyday. With love and warm hugs!
The Key Family xxx

Kind Regards,
Aimee

The passion that each of the educators at Explore and Develop Freshwater bring to their roles is evident in all of the smiling little faces we see each time we are there.

Thank you for making the centre a place filled with laughter, learning, and joy.
We love that ideas, imagination and creativity is encouraged and leaned into and there’s always something new to discover.
You've effortlessly created an environment where learning and play seamlessly blend, making each day a delightful adventure.

Thank you for the countless stories, the creative activities and ideas, and the genuine affection you've shown my child. Your role in her early years is immeasurable! Thank you!

Dear Educators of the Lilli Pilli Nursery Room,

We wanted to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude for the exceptional care and nurturing you've provided to our daughter. Your dedication and unwavering support have made her time at the nursery truly special. It's heartwarming to see the joy in her eyes when she's with you and her new friends. Your patience, kindness, and commitment 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. Your professionalism and genuine love for what you do shine through in every interaction with our daughter.

We'd like to extend our warmest wishes to the entire Lilli Pilli team and everyone at Explore and Develop. Your passion and dedication to early childhood education deserve all the recognition in the world. 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.

With heartfelt thanks and warmest wishes,

Em and Nick

Since 2018 the wonderful educators at Explore and Develop Freshwater have looked after two of our children. It’s truly such a beautifully run service, the owner Sally is super hands on and knows all the kids.

A huge thank you to the amazing Banksia team in 2023- Deb, Lauren and MJ. They’ve all had such a positive impact on our 4 year old son, making him feel safe, secure and comfortable, all of which ensures our morning drops offs are easy and also allows his true self to shine through when he’s in your care. Your hard work and efforts truly are appreciated.

My daughter has been at explore and develop for over 2 years and we have been very happy with the service. It is a lovely and clean space with lots of stimulation for the kids, however it’s the carers which I believe stand it apart from other centres. Nurturing and genuine care has been shown to our daughter and she has developed some lovely and strong connections with some of the very special carers there over that time. This has been instrumental in her settling in and feeling comfortable. Would highly recommend the service!

Tommy cried the whole way home today because he thought Jack was going to come upstairs at daycare and take his best friend Haley 😂 Molly he talks about every day even though he isn’t in her room anymore. Jack’s whole face lights up every morning when he sees MJ and his special connection with Zoe made it so much easier to leave him as a baby.

These are just some examples of the wonderful close relationships that the boys have developed with the educators. There are so many more little moments throughout our four years that have made the boys feel truly special and so well cared for.

Really could not thank you and the team of wonderful educators enough.

We are so grateful for the wonderful educators in the Saltbush room and the rest of the team involved in my daughters care. You are all so welcoming to Tulli and make her feel safe and happy. We love seeing the updates and all the wonderful experiences she has and watching her grow week after week from your care. Thank you for everything you do ❤

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.

We’d just like to say that we appreciate it very much that each of the Wattle team each bring so much of their individual strengths and passions to the room. Frankie knows that: Toneya loves soccer, is the best hairdresser and gives the best morning cuddles to settle her for the day; Isaac is the one all of the kids excitedly talk about; Chloe is so fun and invested in the kids (even with the older siblings at drop off); Sharon teaches them all of the loveliest manners and brings a lovely calming presence; Cristina plans the loveliest learning activities and loves to check in with the parents; and to all of the others who step in when needed thank you so much.

It’s such a valuable job that you all do and I hope that our thanks goes some way to showing our appreciation.

Emily, Linzie, Oscar and Frankie

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!

Words can’t express how grateful I am to each educator who look after My Son. Their kindness, compassion and passion for their jobs makes me feel at ease that he is well cared for.

I am so thankful to the team and feel so lucky that my son has mentors in his life helping him learn his way and grow.

Explore and Develop Freshwater has been a home away from home for our babies for over four years. My 4 year old son has attended since he was 11 months old and my 1 year old started there this year. Both of my children have formed beautiful, strong relationships with their educators and I couldn’t be more grateful for the care they have provided for our little ones 💛

We want to express my heartfelt gratitude for the incredible impact you have had on Gabriela’s growth. Thank you for your knowledge, patience and respect towards her different stages of development.
Your dedication and care have made a world of difference in her life.
Thank you for being amazing educators ❤
Love,
Gabriela, Fernanda and Brad

Thanks so much for being wonderful role models for Evie and Tommy. The kids are thriving thanks to your guidance, care, encouragement and cuddles.
We are so grateful for everything you do, especially the activities, the stories, and the OWNA posts. Thank you, thank you, thank you from our whole family.

I would love to share some words about the educators that have nurtured Koa (and previously Bowen!) through her time at E&D.

We have watched Koa grow in confidence, seeing how sure of herself she is and how she views herself and her peers -- she's nurturing, yet strong, energetic yet appreciates doing her own thing at times. This sort of well-roundedness is a testament to the guidance, autonomy and kindness her educators have shown her through her prime developmental years. She has always loved going to E&D, and has built strong bonds with all of her teachers there. She is proud of what she creates, the activities she's able to join in on, and the friends she has - memorizing each of their names. A massive thank you to Miss Hayley, Miss Mollie, Miss Ashleigh, Miss Aimee, Miss Jihyun, and Miss Monique for loving Koa the way that they do. She feels safe and loved there and that's all I can ever hope for. And a massive thank you to Miss Bindy, Miss Sally and Miss Robyn for bending over backwards this year amongst plenty of change. We will always be so thankful for that