Explore & Develop Waitara - Early Learning Centre

Welcome to Explore & Develop Waitara - Early Learning Centre, located at 41-43 Balmoral Street in Waitara, Australia. As an establishment and point of interest, we are dedicated to providing high-quality education and care for children in their early years.

At Explore & Develop Waitara, we follow a play-based curriculum based on the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF). Our educators regularly observe the children to understand their interests, strengths, and skills. These observations form the basis of our weekly program, which is accessible to families through our online documenting system, Kinderloop.

Our weekly program is designed to cater to the group's interests, with a strong emphasis on play-based learning. We recognize the importance of communication and language, social and emotional development, as well as physical development and coordination. These aspects are integrated into all our indoor and outdoor environments.

In addition to our regular program, we also offer a "Transition to School" program. This program focuses on developing the necessary social and emotional skills in children to prepare them for the transition to school. Through play-based learning experiences, we enhance their self-help skills, ability to participate in structured small group experiences, and support their early language, literacy, and numeracy skills.

Explore & Develop Waitara is a purpose-built Early Childhood Education and Care service, privately owned and operated by Jo Iles, an experienced Early Childhood professional and a mother herself. Our team of educators holds various qualifications, including Certificate III, Diploma, or Bachelor Degrees in Early Childhood Education. They undergo regular training, hold Working with Children Checks, and have current First Aid certifications.

We are proud to have been assessed and rated against the seven Quality Areas of the National Quality Standard, and the Education and Care Services National Regulations. Our overall rating was "Meeting National Quality Standard" in January 2019, with our "Education Program and Practice" and "Relationships with Children" rated as "Exceeding National Quality Standard."

Our learning environments are thoughtfully designed, with five generously-sized, well-resourced rooms to cater to different age groups from 0 to five years. Our outdoor learning environment is divided into two separate areas, providing shaded and sunny spaces, along with established gardens.

We prioritize the health and well-being of our children by preparing all meals daily onsite, using fresh ingredients. Our meals provide a minimum of 50% of a child's recommended daily intake of all nutrients.

Since our establishment in June 2009, we have been committed to providing a stimulating environment that promotes play-based learning. We believe in the collaboration between families and educators to bridge the gap between home and the service, ensuring consistent care for each child. Our goal is to help children develop a strong sense of self, feel confident and secure, and reach their full potential as they transition to further education.

We are grateful for the positive feedback we receive from parents, such as the appreciation for our dedicated staff and the wonderful experiences their children have at our centre. We value the trust and involvement of parents in our service.

At Explore & Develop, we understand that each child grows at their own pace. We provide an unrushed environment where learning can occur naturally, allowing children to develop at their own rate and in their own time.

Thank you for considering Explore & Develop Waitara - Early Learning Centre as your child's educational and care provider. We look forward to welcoming you and your family to our centre.