Explore & Develop King Street Newcastle

Welcome to Explore & Develop Newcastle - King Street! Located in the heart of Newcastle, our establishment offers early childhood education and care for children aged 6 months to 5 years. Our architecturally designed center boasts three purpose-built indoor learning environments and a spacious outdoor playground, complete with a creative art space.

Owned and operated by early childhood professional Suzanne Chiha, our institution follows the Walker Learning approach, an evidence-based pedagogy that emphasizes learning through play, intentional teaching, and building strong connections with our children. We strive to create a welcoming and home-like environment, fostering a sense of belonging and connection with our educators and the center. We highly value collaboration with families and encourage their input into our program.

Our outdoor learning environment is a unique space where children can develop their curiosity, creativity, and independence. Through exploration, inquiry, and discovery, we aim to foster resilience and help children grow into confident learners who are prepared for life. We firmly believe in the importance of learning through play, allowing children to learn at their own pace and in their own way. This approach creates a calm neurological space for optimal development, and we ensure that every child experiences the outdoors and breathes fresh air for their well-being.

We are excited to welcome you and your child to Explore & Develop King Street. Our outdoor play area provides ample shade and year-round activities. With challenging play equipment such as a custom-built play fort, climbing ropes, balance bridge, sand pit, and water play areas, children can release energy, problem solve, and engage in creative expression.

At Explore & Develop, we value our engagement and collaboration with the local and wider community. We aim to support children and their families in developing relationships, connections, and a real sense of belonging. Our unique "Beyond the Gate" experiences, including beach excursions, bush walks, shopping experiences, and sleepovers, enhance children's learning and expand their understanding of the world beyond the preschool environment.

To ensure family involvement, we provide a secure online learning portal where families can access daily learning experiences, developmental observations, and individual learning assessments. We also incorporate indigenous perspectives and culture in our educational programming, recognizing the benefits it brings to all children. As part of the Explore & Develop group, we have a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) and working party.

We believe that every child has the right to an early childhood education, and we have developed an all-inclusive offering to ensure no child goes without at our service. This includes excursions, community events, in-service activities, fresh seasonal and nutritious meals, and a high-quality educational curriculum with a "transition to school" program.

Suzanne's passion for early childhood development drives her to create stimulating learning environments that nurture children's sense of curiosity and wonder. With years of experience in early childhood education and a degree in Early Childhood Teaching, Suzanne is deeply committed to supporting children's health, well-being, and their development into true global citizens.

For all enquiries, please email kingst.ns@exploreanddevelop.com.au. At Explore & Develop, we value the time it takes for children to grow and believe that every child should have the opportunity to develop at their own pace, in their own time, and in an unrushed environment.