Explorers Learning Academy in Mittagong is located in a peaceful rural setting.
The children look out onto the cows and goats and watch trains passing by.
We boast an experienced, long term team, and this is complemented by some younger educators who have bucket loads of enthusiasm and new ideas.
Our cook provides fresh and nutritious meals. Mealtimes are a social occasion for children to relax and enjoy good food in the company of friends.
Our babies are cared for in a beautiful homely environment where they are encouraged to discover their world in their own time A free-flowing mix of indoor-outdoor play means that our learning environments are calm and purposeful.
Our children are true Explorers! In the year before school, our Preschoolers travel in our Explorers bus to visit our local library, and explore nearby bush land, and more.
Our preschool and transition to school programs foster skills and learning that will support and prepare your child to head confidently off to Kindergarten when their journey at Explorers comes to an end.
Here’s what parents and carers are sharing on Google Reviews
I was quite nervous leaving my daughter for the first time at 4 years old, but all the staff were very welcoming, warm and just really lovely. Highly recommended! Wouldn't go anywhere else!
The teachers are so lovely, and so passionate about the work they are doing with these little minds. We only have 1 year left now before big school and I am excited to see the new things Scarlett will pick up as a ‘Schoolie’ next year. My kid adores her teachers. Talks about how great they are all the time.
She will really miss coming here when she graduates. Another thing I really appreciate about these wonderful ladies is that they want to send my girl out into the world completely prepared for what comes next. They are dedicated to making sure these kids are equipped to handle the transition to ‘big school’ so they will not just ‘be fine’ at school but excel! Thanks again Explorers for looking after my Scarlett. Highly recommend.
Clean Up Australia Day at Explorers Learning Academy Bardia.
Today our Explorers proudly participated in Clean Up Australia Day, with everyone getting involved in caring for our environment and community.
Throughout the day, children engaged in meaningful, hands-on experiences. Our younger learners explored themed sensory trays, discovering how we can sort and care for our world through play. Outside, the children worked together to help clean our garden and play areas, showing wonderful teamwork and responsibility.
We also learned new clean-up songs that made caring for our environment fun and memorable, and the children watched a short film about Clean Up Australia Day in our local community. This sparked thoughtful conversations about how even small actions can make a big difference.
Experiences like these support children to develop:
• A sense of responsibility for the environment
• Cooperation and teamwork skills
• Early understanding of sustainability and community care
• Confidence in contributing to their world
We are so proud of our young environmental champions and the care they showed for our beautiful learning space and wider community.
#ExplorersLearningAcademyBardia #CleanUpAustraliaDay #SustainabilityInAction #LittleEnvironmentalists
Mar 2
Our Tiny Echidnas’ Sensory Adventure!
This morning, our Tiny Echidnas had so much fun exploring our water sensory bags! The bags were filled with different textures and vibrant colours, giving the children a hands-on experience to touch, squish, and explore.
Through this activity, the children are developing important early learning skills, including:
· Fine motor skills: squeezing, pressing, and manipulating the bags strengthens tiny hand muscles.
· Sensory development: exploring different textures and colours stimulates their senses and curiosity.
· Cognitive skills: observing cause and effect as the water moves and noticing colour changes encourages problem-solving and early science concepts.
· Language development: talking about what they see, feel, and hear expands their vocabulary.
It was wonderful to see their curiosity and excitement as they discovered new sensations and shared their experiences with friends.
#ExplorersLearningAcademy #SensoryPlay #TinyEchidnas #EarlyLearning #EYLF #ChildDevelopment
Feb 24
Happy Lunar New Year – Welcome to the Year of the Horse!
We would like to wish all of our wonderful families a very happy and prosperous Year of the Horse. Today, our children have been immersed in beautiful celebrations as we explored the rich traditions and cultural significance of Lunar New Year together.
Throughout the day, the children discovered their individual Chinese zodiac animals, sparking meaningful conversations about identity, culture, and belonging. They joyfully created festive party hats, engaged in imaginative role play using traditional masks, and expressed their creativity through hands-on experiences. Our sensory trays, thoughtfully inspired by Lunar New Year, invited children to explore colour, texture, and symbolic elements connected to the celebration.
One of the highlights of the day was watching our Emus group create stunning cherry blossom trees. The cherry blossom symbolises renewal, hope, and the beauty of new beginnings a meaningful reminder of the fresh start that the Lunar New Year brings.
As a Chinese proverb shares, “A new year brings new opportunities, new beginnings, and new blessings.”
We feel privileged to celebrate the diverse cultures within our learning community and to support children in developing respect, curiosity, and appreciation for the world around them.
Wishing all our families happiness, good health, and prosperity in the Year of the Horse. 🧧
Feb 17
Happy Chinese New Year – Year of the Horse!
Explorers Learning Academy Bardia would like to wish all our children, families and community a very happy Chinese New Year!
The Year of the Horse symbolises energy, confidence, kindness and growth values we love to nurture in our little explorers every day. Throughout this celebration, our children will enjoy learning about Chinese culture through stories, creative experiences, music and meaningful conversations that celebrate diversity and belonging.
We are so proud to share these moments with our families and to support children in developing respect, curiosity and a love of learning from an early age.
Wishing everyone a year filled with good health, happiness and new adventures!
Feb 16
Last week, Captain Crackers visited Explorers Learning Academy, bringing energy, laughter and an important message about caring for our planet. Through songs, storytelling and hands-on activities, the children explored ways to reduce waste, recycle and protect our environment. This experience strongly connected with the Early Years Learning Framework, particularly Outcome 2: Children are connected with and contribute to their world. The children developed a growing understanding of responsibility, respect and sustainable practices in meaningful, age-appropriate ways. At Explorers Learning Academy, we are sending a clear message that every small action matters. By empowering children to care for the Earth now, we nurture confident, informed learners who understand they can make a positive difference in their world. ... See MoreSee Less
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Are you looking for a traineeship in Childcare?
Early Childhood Traineeships are now available at Mittagong and Mittagong West Centres.
Please email resume and any enquiries to careers@explorerslearningcademy.com.au ... See MoreSee Less
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This week we are practicing emergency drills as part of our commitment to children’s safety. Consistent practice ensures our team is well prepared for emergencies that may occur. Today we are using a training EpiPen to practice our response to anaphylaxis. #emergencydrills #mittagongchildcare #explorerssouthernhighlands ... See MoreSee Less
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At Explorers Lego play is a powerful learning tool that supports childrens development in so many ways. Building fine motor skills through snapping, stacking and connecting peices to strengthen little hands and fingers. Encouraging problem solving skills through planning, testing and adapting. Early STEM concepts such as balance , patterns, size and structure as well as promting creativity and social skills. We use Lego play to assist children to learn to persist, think critically and feel proud of what they create. It is hands-on learning that grows confidence and a love of learning. ... See MoreSee Less
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