Explore & Develop Brookvale

Thank you to Angela Mollard for including Kids First’s thoughts in this article, which has appeared nationally this weekend. It’s a conversation many parents will recognise.

Prams are incredibly helpful when children are tired, overwhelmed, unwell or when families are managing busy streets, crowds, siblings and everyday logistics. They're also often essential when families are supporting children who have unique needs.

According to Kids First's OTs, children need regular, safe opportunities to walk, climb, run, balance and play actively when they can so their bodies can develop strength, coordination, stamina and confidence.

So, the message is not “ditch the pram”, but rather:

💎 use the pram when it genuinely helps
💎 look for small, safe moments when your child can walk beside you
💎 build active play into everyday routines
💎 encourage children to use their bodies in playgrounds, parks, backyards and open spaces
💎 remember that movement helps children build healthy habits, one ordinary day at a time

As parents, we're all doing our best in real-world conditions. Sometimes the pram is the practical choice. But when children have safe chances to get out, move and play, those everyday moments really do matter!

Come and see it for yourself
⭐️Book a tour today⭐️
https://bit.ly/edbrookvale

Exploring our community 🌿
Excursions are such a meaningful part of our program, giving children the opportunity to connect with the world around them in real and purposeful ways.
Whether we’re visiting local shops to choose ingredients for our cooking experiences, spending time at the library selecting books to enjoy together, or caring for our environment through simple actions like collecting rubbish, each experience builds a sense of belonging and responsibility.
These moments support children to develop confidence in new environments, strengthen social connections, and begin to understand their role within the wider community. There’s something special about seeing familiar places through their eyes full of curiosity, care, and pride.
We love being out and about, learning alongside our community 💛

Book your tour now! https://share.google/w1KxWQZ7idBa4DncM

Choosing care for your child is a big decision… and we understand what really matters.
At Explore and Develop Brookvale, it’s not just about the day-to-day care. It’s about the relationships we build, the calm and welcoming environments we create, and the way each child is truly seen and supported.
Through hands-on experiences, gentle rhythms, and meaningful interactions, children are given the time and space to explore, connect and grow in their own way.
We value the small moments, working together, caring for our environment, and building a sense of belonging within our community.
Because what matters most is that your child feels secure, supported, and comfortable and that you feel confident leaving them in our care.

Come and see it for yourself.

Book a tour today

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Our learning environments are thoughtfully designed with a Reggio-inspired approach, using natural materials, soft lighting and familiar, home-like touches.
These spaces support children to feel calm, capable and connected as they explore and learn throughout their day.
Come and see for yourself the difference a thoughtfully prepared environment can make.

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😁A happy mouth is a happy life! That’s the theme of World Oral Health Day, which runs today (Friday 20 March).

❓Did you know that babies who continue with bottle feeding after 12 months are more likely to get tooth decay, ear infections and iron deficiency?

👶🏻For tips to teach babies to drink from a cup, go to: bit.ly/4rs5C6G

🪥For fun oral health ideas, go to: bit.ly/3MLpBOw

Our Preschoolers have been exploring insects through a range of hands-on experiences. The Preschoolers looked closely at different insects, counting how many legs they had and exploring whether they had wings. They then shared their ideas through drawing, with some children also exploring numbers to match what they observed. Together, they recorded their findings into a class graph.
The children also used magnifying glasses, models and natural materials to explore insects more closely. They created their own insects using leaves and natural resources, making their own choices and designs while sharing ideas and working alongside one another.
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📣 If you collect a child from daycare, preschool or OOSH at the end of the day, this may sound familiar.

Many children arrive at care around 7.30 or 8.00 in the morning and are not getting home until after 6.00 pm. By the time pickup arrives, they may have spent ten hours:

• listening carefully
• concentrating on learning
• navigating friendships
• following instructions
• coping with busy rooms and playgrounds

That is a very long day for a young nervous system.

Teachers and early educators often see how hard children are working all day. Many are doing an enormous amount of emotional and social self-management.

So, when a child bursts into tears in the carpark, refuses to walk to the car, or melts down the moment they see their parent, it can feel stressful - and sometimes a little embarrassing.

But very often, that moment is simply when the “trying hard” tank is empty.

They have held it together all day.

When they finally see the person they feel safest with, the effort releases.

It doesn’t usually mean they had a bad day.

It usually means they feel safe enough with you to let their guard down.

A few small things can help make pickup time easier.

🧸 Start with connection
Before heading straight to the car, take a moment for a cuddle, a calm hello or sitting together for a minute. That brief pause can help a tired child settle after a very long day.

🥚 Have a small snack ready
Even if dinner isn’t far away, many children benefit from something small straight away. Think of it as the 'starter', not spoiling dinner. Cheese, yoghurt, a boiled egg, a small sandwich or chicken strip can take the edge off hunger and help avoid the classic 6 pm crash.

🚶 Slow the transition to the car
Busy carparks, noise and lots of instructions can overwhelm tired children. Walking slowly and keeping things simple often helps their nervous system regulate.

🍽 Be flexible about the family meal
Of course, it’s wonderful when families can sit down together for dinner every night. But many working families don’t live in that ideal world - and that’s okay.

If weeknight dinners often end in tears and raised voices because everyone is exhausted, it may help to think differently about when your family connects around food.

Some families find that weekend dinners, Sunday lunches or even breakfast together are calmer and more enjoyable times to connect.

Children rarely remember what was on the plate.

They remember how it felt to be together.

📋 Use a simple evening routine your child can see
Late afternoons can become harder when children hear lots of instructions: take your shoes off, wash your hands, sit down, eat dinner, get ready for bath…

For many young children, a visual schedule can help enormously.

Pictures showing the “when we get home” routine - snack, play, dinner, bath, story, bed - give children something they can see and follow.

Children of this age learn best from what they can see, not from repeated verbal instructions.

A visual routine quietly shows them what comes next, which often lowers the stress level in the household after a busy day.

🌙 Lower expectations for the evening
After a ten-hour day, some evenings are simply about getting through dinner, bath and bedtime. That’s okay. The goal is not the perfect family evening. The goal is helping everyone land safely at the end of a big day.

🌆 If the late afternoon feels tricky at your place, hang in there.

Many children are simply running on empty by that point in the day.

And if you’ve just finished a long workday yourself, you might be too.

💛 Giving your child - and yourself - a little grace and space can make a real difference.

If you know a parent, teacher or educator who might find this helpful, feel free to share it with them.

From Spanish with Miss Aldi, Munch & Move, and yoga, to our sustainability program, children experience a range of meaningful programs throughout the week. Our learning also reflects our ongoing Reconciliation journey, where respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures is part of everyday experiences.
Guided by our Reggio-inspired approach, we create environments where children can explore, create and connect with the world around them. Come and see for yourself — book a tour today. https://exploreanddevelop.com.au/sem/brookvale/