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.
🌿 2027 Re-enrolments are now open! 🌿
It’s time to start planning for 2027, and we’re asking all families to please complete and return their re-enrolment forms by 30 September. Returning your form helps us secure your child’s place, plan room transitions, staffing and programs, and prepare for another wonderful year of learning at Explorers Learning Academy.
For our families whose children are heading off to big school in 2027, please also make sure you provide your child’s final day/end date on the form.
A little reminder that learning doesn’t stop in January! Our educational program, school readiness experiences, incursions, outdoor adventures and everyday learning continue throughout January. Explorers only closes for public holidays, so children transitioning to school are very welcome to remain enrolled with us right up until their school journey begins.
This can provide children with consistency, familiar routines, friendships and meaningful learning experiences during those final weeks before school.
Please return your form by 30 September to help us prepare for 2027.
We are so grateful to continue sharing your child’s learning journey with you small steps today, big adventures tomorrow!
Sep 17
🏴☠️🦜 Ahoy Explorers – We’re Getting Ready to Talk Like a Pirate! 🦜🏴☠️
Our preschoolers have been busy preparing for Talk Like a Pirate Day this Friday! As part of the excitement, the children have been working collaboratively to create their very own colourful parrot piñata, painting, designing and carefully adding colourful feathers to bring their creation to life.
But Talk Like a Pirate Day is about much more than pirate fun. It is an annual fundraising day supporting Childhood Cancer Support, helping provide practical and emotional support to children with cancer and their families.
Through participating, we can introduce our children to important ideas of kindness, empathy, helping others and being part of a community, while still enjoying all the imaginative language, creativity and play that comes with a pirate-themed day.
🏴☠️ This Friday, children are invited to come dressed as a pirate! Pirate hats, stripes, eye patches, bandanas or a full pirate outfit — we can’t wait to see our crew!
💰 Families who would like to support the cause can donate directly through the official Talk Like a Pirate Day fundraising page:
👉 https://fundraise.ccs.org.au/event/talk-like-a-pirate-day/home
We’re looking forward to a swashbuckling day of fun, learning and, most importantly, coming together to help support children and families affected by childhood cancer.
#TalkLikeAPirateDay #ChildhoodCancerSupport #ExplorersLearningAcademy #PiratesForAPurpose #CommunityConnections #LearningThroughPlay #PreschoolLearning #KindnessInAction
Sep 16
✋✏️ LITTLE HANDS, BIG LEARNING! ✏️✋
Today our Emus have been busy strengthening their fine motor skills through hands-on experiences including nuts and bolts, threading and connector activities.
These activities may look like simple play, but there is so much important learning happening!
Twisting nuts and bolts, carefully threading objects and pushing and pulling connectors together helps children develop finger and hand strength, pincer grip, wrist control, bilateral coordination and hand-eye coordination. These are all important foundations for learning to confidently hold and control a pencil, form letters, draw, cut with scissors and eventually write with greater control and endurance.
The learning goes well beyond writing too! These experiences encourage children to:
✨ Concentrate and maintain attention
✨ Problem-solve and think critically
✨ Develop spatial awareness
✨ Coordinate what their eyes see with what their hands do
✨ Practise patience and persistence
✨ Build independence and confidence
✨ Plan, create and adapt their ideas
Our School Readiness Program recognises that preparing children for school isn’t about rushing into worksheets and formal writing. It’s about intentionally building the physical, cognitive, social and emotional foundations children need to become confident and capable learners.
When little hands are twisting, threading, connecting and creating, they are getting stronger and more prepared for all the exciting learning ahead! 💪✏️🧠
“Play is the highest form of research.” – Albert Einstein
#ExplorersLearningAcademy #SchoolReadiness #FineMotorSkills #LearningThroughPlay #PreWritingSkills #EarlyChildhoodEducation #Emus #ConfidentLearners
Sep 15
LEARNING, GROWING & STAYING READY | FIRST AID & CPR TRAINING
At Explorers Learning Academy Bardia, professional development is more than completing a course it is an important part of our philosophy, our culture and our commitment to providing children with a safe, knowledgeable and high quality early learning environment.
Our team recently participated in First Aid and CPR training, strengthening the practical skills, knowledge and confidence needed to respond effectively in an emergency.
Ongoing professional learning gives our educators opportunities to refresh their knowledge, practise essential skills, reflect on their responsibilities and continue developing as early childhood professionals.
We believe that when we invest in our educators, we invest in our children.
Professional development at Explorers is ongoing throughout the year and includes child safety, health and hygiene, inclusion, curriculum and pedagogy, emergency management, leadership, wellbeing and many other areas that support quality practice.
Our goal is not simply to know what to do but to ensure our educators feel confident, capable and prepared to act when children need them most.
“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” — Benjamin Franklin
A big thank you to our Explorers team for continuing to learn, reflect and grow together.
#ExplorersLearningAcademy #Bardia #FirstAidTraining #CPRTraining #ProfessionalDevelopment #ContinuousLearning #EarlyChildhoodEducation #EducatorDevelopment #ChildSafety #QualityImprovement #LearningTogether
Sep 14
This week at Explorers Learning Academy, we welcomed our wonderful grandparents to join us for a special morning tea and fun activities! 💛 These meaningful moments bring generations together, helping children build strong relationships, develop a sense of belonging, and feel connected to their wider community. Sharing stories, laughter and experiences allows children to learn from their grandparents while creating treasured memories together. This experience links to the EYLF Outcome 1, as children develop a strong sense of identity, and Outcome 2, as they connect with and contribute to their world. ...
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
This week our Explorers children have been expanding their knowledge and learning new things. In our toddler room they have been learning about Skeletons and counting, which turned into our friends turning their teachers into mummies! Super Spooky. In our baby room, they have also been learning about counting using books and activities as a catalyst for their learning. In our preschool room, they have been learning about recycling and taking care of our ocean and the animals that live in them. ...
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
🌱 Springtime at Explorers Learning Academy! 🌼
Spring is a wonderful time to explore, discover and connect with nature! Our children have been busy planting in the garden and using recycled materials to create a beautiful fence garden for their plants. 🌿🌻
Through these hands-on experiences, children are discovering the wonders of the natural world, developing a sense of responsibility and learning how small actions can make a big difference. By caring for their plants and reusing materials, we are nurturing a love for our environment and encouraging sustainable practices from an early age.
These experiences link to the EYLF Outcomes 2 and 4, supporting children to connect with and contribute to their world, while developing curiosity, confidence and a sense of wonder through hands-on learning. 💚
Together, we are growing little gardeners and caring hearts, one plant at a time! 🌏🌱 ...
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Community engagement plays a vital role in a child’s early development, transforming everyday learning into rich, real-world connections that foster empathy, communication, and a strong sense of belonging. Receiving two thoughtful replies this week from Mogo Wildlife Park and Taronga Zoo after writing to them ignites genuine excitement and validates their curiosity by showing them firsthand how their actions reach beyond the classroom. Our children were very excited to get your lovely responses, Mogo Zoo and Taronga Zoo! Moments like these not only deepen their connection to wildlife conservation, but also teaches children that their voices are heard, their letters matter, and they are active, valued members of a wider community.
#mogowildlifepark #tarongazoo
Taronga Zoo Mogo Wildlife Park ...
0 CommentsComment on Facebook