
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.
NAIDOC Week at Explorers Continues.
What a wonderful week of learning, creating, and connecting as we celebrated NAIDOC Week together!
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Our littlest explorers embraced this special week through hands-on experiences, including sensory hand painting, creative nature-inspired crafts, and exploring the beauty of the world around us. We talked about caring for our environment, respecting the land, and the importance of looking after nature for future generations.
We also enjoyed singing traditional songs, sharing stories, and learning about the rich cultures, histories, and contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. These meaningful experiences encouraged curiosity, respect, inclusion, and a deeper connection to Country.
By celebrating the world’s oldest continuing cultures, we are helping our children grow into compassionate, respectful, and inclusive members of our community.
“Our rich and diverse cultures are what make us stronger when we walk together with respect, understanding, and kindness.”
❤️💛🖤 Happy NAIDOC Week! 🖤💛❤️
#NAIDOCWeek #NAIDOC2026 #LittleSetExplorers #EarlyLearning #EarlyChildhoodEducation #LearningThroughPlay #AboriginalCulture #TorresStraitIslander #FirstNations #RespectCountry #CaringForCountry #ConnectionToCountry #CulturalLearning #IndigenousEducation #InclusionMatters #BelongingBeingBecoming #NaturePlay #CommunityConnections #GrowingTogether #RespectUnderstandingKindness #FutureGenerations #CuriousLearners #LittleExplorers #ECEC #ChildcareAustralia #explorerslearningacademybardia #bardia
Jul 9
Yesterday, our centre proudly began celebrating NAIDOC Week, taking time to reflect on this year’s theme and what it means to our children, educators, families and the wider community.
Throughout our rooms, we explored the rich histories, cultures and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through meaningful experiences, discussions, artwork and storytelling. NAIDOC Week is an opportunity to honour the world’s oldest continuing cultures, acknowledge the strength, resilience and wisdom of First Nations peoples, and inspire our children to grow with respect, curiosity and a deep appreciation for Country, culture and community.
Our morning became even more special when we were visited by some beautiful local laughing kookaburras. Their unexpected visit brought so much excitement and wonder to the children, naturally leading us into sharing Dreaming stories about the kookaburra and other native Australian animals. It was a beautiful reminder of the connection between nature, storytelling and the traditions that have been shared across generations for thousands of years.
As educators, we are committed to creating opportunities for children to learn about Australia’s First Peoples in meaningful, respectful and authentic ways, helping to nurture the next generation of compassionate and culturally aware citizens.
“Culture is not just about the past—it lives in our stories, our connection to Country, and in every generation that chooses to listen, learn and walk together.”
💛❤️🖤
#NAIDOCWeek #TheNextGeneration #StrengthVisionLegacy #FirstNations #AboriginalCulture #DreamingStories #LearningThroughPlay #ConnectionToCountry #EarlyChildhoodEducation #Community #Respect #ExplorersLearningAcademy
Jul 6
✨❄️ Warming Little Tummies This Winter! ❄️✨
Today’s lunch is one of our delicious winter favourites, freshly prepared to keep our little explorers warm, nourished and ready for a fun-filled afternoon of learning and play!
Winter Chicken & Vegetable Pasta Bake
Made with tender chicken, wholesome vegetables and a creamy, cheesy sauce, baked to golden perfection.
Vegetarian Option
Our delicious Vegetable & Mushroom Cheesy Pasta Bake is packed with colourful vegetables, mushrooms and a rich, creamy cheese sauce, ensuring our vegetarian children enjoy an equally nutritious and satisfying meal.
At Explorers Learning Academy Bardia, we believe healthy, balanced meals help children grow, learn and thrive. Our menus are thoughtfully planned to provide a variety of seasonal ingredients, essential nutrients and flavours that children love, while catering for individual dietary requirements and family preferences.
Nothing makes us happier than seeing empty plates and smiling faces around the lunch table!
#ExplorersLearningAcademyBardia #HealthyChildren #WinterWarmers #NutritiousMeals #HealthyEating #EarlyLearning #GrowingHealthy #FreshFood #ChildcareNutrition #YummyLunch #SeasonalMenu #LearningThroughHealthyChoices
Jun 30
Supporting Strong Starts for Big School!
At Explorers Learning Academy Bardia, we believe every child deserves the very best start to their learning journey.
Today, our Preschool children had the wonderful opportunity to participate in speech and language screening with a local Speech Therapist as part of our commitment to supporting children’s successful transition to school.
These screenings provide families with valuable information about their child’s communication development, helping to identify strengths while also highlighting any areas where additional support may be beneficial before starting Kindergarten. Early identification allows children to access the right support at the right time, giving them the best opportunity to thrive.
We are incredibly grateful for the ongoing partnerships we have with local health professionals and our families. By working together, we can build a strong network of support around every child, ensuring they feel confident, capable and ready for their next big adventure.
Together, we’re building confident communicators and lifelong learners.
#ExplorersLearningAcademyBardia #SchoolReadiness #SpeechAndLanguage #EarlyIntervention #PartnershipsWithFamilies #CommunityConnections #EYLF #NQS #ReadyForBigSchool #EveryChildMatters
Jun 29
Are you our next Trainee? We are looking for a Full Trainee to start your journey in the Childcare Industry at Mittagong West. Please send your resume to careers@explorerslearningacademy.com.au ... See MoreSee Less
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We are looking for a Fulltime and Part Time Certificate 3 educator at our Mittagong Explorers Learning Academy Southern Highlands.
Please apply via the link below
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Early Childhood Educators Certificate 3 Job in Mittagong, Southern Highlands & Tablelands NSW - SEEK
au.seek.com
Rewarding early childhood role - Employee discounts, flexible work, and great team culture. Apply now!0 CommentsComment on Facebook
At Explorers Learning Academy, children explored clay as an art medium. Clay is an important art medium in an early childhood setting. Working with clay encourages children to strengthen fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, creativity, and problem-solving while developing confidence in exploring new techniques. These experiences support developmental milestones by enhancing sensory exploration, persistence, and self-expression. It supports the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) Outcomes 1, 3, 4, and 5 by fostering identity, wellbeing, confident learning, and effective communication through hands-on experiences. ... See MoreSee Less
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At Explorers Learning Academy, we value collaborative project work that builds on children’s interests and curiosity. This week, our Preschool children have been investigating bugs and insects, using careful observation to create their own detailed drawings. Observational drawing strengthens concentration, fine motor skills, creativity and scientific thinking while encouraging children to notice the unique features of the natural world. This experience aligns with the EYLF, particularly Outcome 4, where children become confident and involved learners, and Outcome 5, as they express ideas and observations through a variety of creative and visual forms. ... See MoreSee Less
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