
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 βSchoolieβ 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 βbig schoolβ so they will not just βbe fineβ at school but excel! Thanks again Explorers for looking after my Scarlett. Highly recommend.
πππ Healthy Growing Bodies Start with Healthy Food! πππ
At Explorers Learning Academy Bardia, we proudly serve fresh fruit platters daily alongside our meals and snacks. Our children enjoy a colourful variety of seasonal fruits that provide essential vitamins, minerals and nutrients to support their growth, development and overall wellbeing.
Offering a wide range of fruits encourages children to explore new tastes, develop healthy eating habits and build a positive relationship with nutritious foods from an early age. Fresh fruit also supports healthy immune systems, energy levels and concentration throughout the day.
βChildren who are offered a variety of healthy foods in their early years are more likely to develop lifelong healthy eating habits.β
We love watching our little explorers discover new flavours and enjoy healthy choices with their friends each day! ππ
#ExplorersLearningAcademyBardia #HealthyEating #GrowingHealthyBodies #FreshFruitDaily #EarlyChildhoodNutrition #MunchAndMove #HealthyHabitsForLife ππππ
Jun 17
π’π World Sea Turtle Day at Explorers Learning Academy! ππ’
Today, our children enjoyed participating in World Sea Turtle Day, a special opportunity to learn about these incredible marine animals and the important role we all play in protecting their habitats.
Through hands-on experiences, discussions, creative activities, and exploration, the children discovered fascinating facts about sea turtles, their life cycle, and the challenges they face in our oceans. Together, we explored ways we can care for the environment, including reducing waste, recycling, and helping to keep our waterways and beaches clean.
At Explorers Learning Academy, we believe that fostering a love and respect for nature from a young age helps children develop a sense of responsibility and connection to the world around them. Experiences such as these support children to become active participants in caring for our planet and its wildlife.
βThe greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.β β Robert Swan
Through meaningful sustainability experiences, our little explorers are learning that even small actions can make a big difference for the future of our oceans and the amazing creatures that call them home.
#WorldSeaTurtleDay #ExplorersLearningAcademy #Sustainability #EYLF #NatureBasedLearning #FutureCustodians #CaringForCountry #OceanConservation #LittleExplorersBigImpact
Jun 16
π Long Weekend Closure Reminder π
As we head into the long weekend, we would like to wish all of our children, families, and educators a safe, happy, and joyful break filled with special moments together.
Please note that Explorers Learning Academy Bardia will be closed on Monday for the public holiday and will reopen as normal on Tuesday.
We look forward to hearing all about your adventures when we return!
#LongWeekend #FamilyTime #ExplorersLearningAcademyBardia #StaySafe #SeeYouTuesday
Jun 4
π€πβ€οΈ Reconciliation Week Continues β€οΈππ€
Our little children have been continuing their Reconciliation Week journey through hands-on sensory exploration, creativity, and meaningful conversations.
The children explored a variety of sensory trays inspired by nature, colours, textures, and symbols that help us learn about and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. Through touching, scooping, pouring, and investigating natural materials, our youngest learners engaged their senses while developing curiosity about the world around them.
We also enjoyed painting experiences using traditional colours and patterns, encouraging children to express themselves creatively while exploring culture, identity, and belonging. These experiences provided wonderful opportunities for fine motor development, language growth, and social interactions as children worked alongside their peers.
At Explorers Learning Academy, we believe that building respect and understanding begins from the earliest years. Through meaningful experiences such as these, we support children to develop a sense of connection to Country, culture, and community.
βEvery child has the right to learn about and respect the histories, cultures, languages, and traditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.β β EYLF V2.0
π± Learning through play
π¨ Exploring colours and creativity
π€ Building respect and understanding
π Connecting with culture and community
#ReconciliationWeek #ExplorersLearningAcademy #EchidnasRoom #JoeysRoom #EarlyLearning #BelongingBeingBecoming #EYLF #LearningThroughPlay #Respect #Culture #AboriginalEducation #SensoryPlay #GrowingTogether #BardiaChildcare #NatureBasedLearning π€πβ€οΈ
Jun 3
At Explorers Learning Academy, building connections with the community is an important part of childrenβs learning and development. Today, Fire and Rescue visited our service, and the childrenβs faces showed great excitement and curiosity. The crew spoke with the children about fire safety and ways to stay safe in an emergency before inviting them to explore the fire truck, sit in the cab, and use the hoses. Experiences such as these help children develop a sense of belonging and confidence as they engage with people who contribute to their community. This aligns with the EYLF Outcome 2: Children are connected with and contribute to their world, as children learn about community roles, develop respect for others, and build an understanding of how community members support and protect us. ... See MoreSee Less
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Last week was a magical time for learning and discovering and our children are actively building their spatial awareness by exploring positional skills and opposites. Through everyday play and guided activities, they are learning to navigate the world around them by understanding what it means to be inside a cozy reading nook or outside on the playground. They are also discovering how concepts connect and contras for example, realizing a box can be open or closed, a toy can be on top of or under a table, and their movements can be fast or slow. Mastering these foundational concepts doesnβt just boost their vocabulary; it also sharpens their math and reading readiness by helping them structure and describe everything they see. ... See MoreSee Less
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Reconciliation Week at Mittagong West has been full of learning and different experiences for our Friends. Last week, we have had meaningful discussions about Reconciliation and what this word means. We have been engaged in many games including Traditional Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander Games from βYulungaβ The Australian Sports Commission Including the game β Puthβ and β Koabanganβ. βYulunga means playing in the language of the Kamilaroi (Gamori) people of northern-western New South Wales.β We asked our preschool children why they thought we might have an Acknowledgement of Country. One of our friends in the preschool room answered, βBecause this is the land of the people that were here before us, and they took care of it, so we have to say thank you.β Weβre teaching our children here at Explorers that a brighter, more connected future starts with kindness and respect today. ... See MoreSee Less
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At Explorers Learning Academy, we recognise the importance of reconciliation in early childhood education and are committed to fostering respect, understanding, and appreciation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. Through meaningful experiences, children engage with Indigenous perspectives using sensory activities, cultural symbols, storytelling, music, art, and discussions about Country and community. We incorporate an Acknowledgement of Country into our daily practices, helping children develop an understanding of the Traditional Custodians of the land and the importance of respecting culture and heritage.
These experiences support the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF V2.0), particularly Outcome 1: Children have a strong sense of identity and Outcome 2: Children are connected with and contribute to their world. By embedding reconciliation practices into our curriculum, children develop a sense of belonging, respect for diversity, and an appreciation of Australiaβs First Nations peoples. This approach promotes inclusion, cultural competence, and positive relationships, laying the foundation for children to become active and respectful members of their communities. ... See MoreSee Less
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