Explore & Develop

02/09/2026

This Early Childhood Educators Day, we say THANK YOU you to all of the hardworking, professional and skilled educators working across the Explore & Develop group.

The work you do supporting children's learning and development is so important and you deserve recognition for your professionalism and skills.

We would also like to recognise all of the independent owner-operators of Explore & Develop services, who provide quality environments and positive workplace cultures for your educators to thrive in.

27/08/2026

It was a privilege to be part of the recent Nurturing the Next Generation – The First 2000 Days Conference hosted by our long-time partners, Tresillian Early Parenting.

Bringing together clinicians, researchers and early childhood professionals, the conference highlighted the importance of collaborative, evidence-informed practice in supporting infants, children and families.

Among the conference presenters was owner operator of Explore & Develop Baulkham Hills, Merran, who shared a poster presentation on infant pedagogy which detailed how respectful, relationship-based approaches support babies’ wellbeing, development and sense of security in the early years.

Our team enjoyed connecting with delegates and sharing more about what we do at Explore & Develop. Thank you to the entire Tresillian team for your ongoing partnership and for the fantastic day of cross-sector learning.

20/08/2026

The brilliant team from Explore & Develop Conder recently filmed this video with Early Childhood Australia to celebrate our sector for Early Learning Matters Week.

They perfectly captured the importance of advocating for our sector, for play and for the value of early childhood educators.

13/08/2026

This morning we celebrated Early Learning Matters Week at Parliament House alongside Early Childhood Australia, , the LEGO Group, the Minderoo Foundation and the wonderful team from Play School.

We were once again an official Champion of Early Learning Matters Week to support this year's ‘Learning Through Play’ theme, which aligns strongly with our organisation’s core purpose.

Throughout the week, our group of independently owned and operated services have celebrated and highlighted the important role of play in early education, showcasing the depth of learning that takes place through everyday play experiences.

We’re incredibly proud of all Explore & Develop service owners and their professional teams, who work hard to create meaningful, play-based learning experiences that make a positive and lasting impact on children, families and communities.

12/08/2026

So proud to support this conference again in 2026. It is always an inspiring day of PD - we are looking forward to another fantastic day focusing on nature connections in the early years on Saturday 29 August.

Looking for cost-of-living-friendly PD or simply wanting to feed your educator soul? We’ve got the conference for you! 🎓✨

🎟️ Tickets at 2024 prices�🥗 Lunch from The Grounds�✨ An incredible venue�🎤 Inspiring speakers and presenters

Come along for a day of learning, connection and inspiration — without breaking the budget!

Your educator soul will thank you. 💛

https://events.humanitix.com/nature-play-and-sustainability-connecting-people-and-planet

06/08/2026

Educational Leaders from across our group of independently owned services were lucky to hear from Explore & Develop Leichhardt EL Emma, who generously shared her recent experience undertaking an immersive Reggio Emilia study tour in Italy.

“One of my biggest takeaways from the Reggio Emila study tour was that learning never happens in isolation,” says Emma. “Seeing educators regularly come together to unpack curriculum, discuss learning environments and share ideas beyond work hours was incredibly inspiring.”

One of the best things about being part of the Explore & Develop group is benefiting from the varied experiences of so many incredible teachers and educators across the group.

Thank you Emma for so generously sharing your learnings with your peers.

23/07/2026

Proud Champions of Early Learning Matters.

In 2026 Explore & Develop is once again an official supporter of Early Childhood Australia's Early Learning Matters Week, an important celebration of the importance of early learning.

Thank you to all of the incredible educators across our group of independently owned and operated services who work hard to create engaging play-based experiences that support children's learning and development. The work you do is important and deserves to be recognised.

Explore & Develop Early Childhood Education and Care Services

16/07/2026

We are very proud to be a long-term supporter of Tresillian Early Parenting and a sponsor of their upcoming 'First 2000 Days' conference, which is going to be a fantastic day of professional learning for anyone in the early childhood field.

You can buy early bird tickets at the link below - we hope to see you there!

09/07/2026

We're honoured to be featured by Insync as a case study on maintaining connection and culture across our network of independently owned early childhood education services.

We've always believed that strong culture is built through shared values and genuine relationships with the people who make our organisation what it is.

As a network of owner-operated services, every Explore & Develop service is unique to its local community. Our role is to support, connect and empower our owners and their teams, while staying true to the values that unite us as a group.

A big thank you to the team at Insync for capturing our story and to our incredible owner-operators and their teams whose commitment to collaboration and continuous improvement makes this culture possible.

30/06/2026

Spotlight On: Explore & Develop Newcastle – King Street

Explore & Develop Newcastle King Street is owned by early childhood professional Suzanne Chiha.

Guided by the Walker Learning approach, everyday practice focuses on play-based learning, intentional teaching and building strong connections with children.

The service’s high-quality team and practices are reflected by its Exceeding the National Quality Standard (NQS) rating, which it achieved at its first Assessment & Rating.

The service has a strong emphasis on educator support and development, grounded in the belief that when educators feel supported, children thrive.

With strong connections to the local community through regular excursions to the library, local parks, and nearby shops. These experiences enhance children's understanding of the world around them, promote a sense of belonging, and support the development of community awareness. By embedding real-world learning opportunities into the educational program, children are encouraged to build confidence, develop social skills, and make connections between their learning environment and the broader community.