Penrith – Explore & Develop

6:30am -6:30pm Monday – Friday

65 Union Rd Penrith NSW 2750

1300 008800

penrith@exploreanddevelop.com.au rachael.sydir@exploreanddevelop.com.au

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We are a child-safe organisation

MEET THE OWNERS

Diane and Rachael

Diane Pelle has owned and operated Explore & Develop Penrith since 2009. She is deeply committed to building trusting, respectful, and collaborative relationships with children, families, educators, and staff. Diane believes these relationships are fundamental to achieving high-quality outcomes for children and sustaining a successful and values-driven service.

In 2019, Rachael Sydir was welcomed as a partner in the Explore & Develop Penrith business, having been part of the Explore & Develop network since 2008. Rachael brings over 20 years of experience in the early childhood sector and holds a Master of Early Childhood Education. She is also the Approved Provider of the service, with overall responsibility for ensuring compliance, quality, and the ongoing delivery of high standards in early education and care.

Features

Educational and developmental programs

Long-serving team

Inclusive, anti-bias curriculum

Nappies and wipes supplied

Parent communication app

Individually owned and operated

Indigenous education

Art program

Our approach

One of the key aspects of our curriculum is creating meaningful time and space for families, ensuring they feel comfortable, valued and truly welcomed within our service. This strong connection between home and the centre supports each child’s sense of belonging, while also respecting and embracing their individual beliefs, culture and family values. It also encourages open, ongoing communication between families and educators.

I remember feeling so nervous when my eldest started (typical first time mum stuff) and the team at Explore & Develop Penrith could not have been more understanding and supportive.
Three years (and second child) on, both my daughters attend Explore & Develop and they love it. The wonderful team there have become a significant and trusted part of both my girls’ lives.
The educators (and the gems in the office and the kitchen) love their jobs and it shows. Leaving your precious babies in the care of another is a big deal and I could not imagine sending mine anywhere else.

Mel Wallis

Waitlist

Learning Environments

Bilby Nursery

0 – 2 years

Our Bilby Room embodies a nurturing, home-like environment where children feel safe, secure and supported. Soft, textured furnishings create a calm and relaxing atmosphere, allowing children to settle comfortably into their day.

We value the importance of continuity between home and the service, and work closely with families to follow each child’s individual routines, including sleep and feeding. This ensures children feel a strong sense of familiarity and belonging.

Our Bilby Room embodies a nurturing, home-like environment where children feel safe, secure and supported. Soft, textured furnishings create a calm and relaxing atmosphere,…

Koala Room

2 – 3 years

Our Koala Room provides toddlers with their own engaging space to explore, discover, create and imagine through play-based learning. The environment and programs are vibrant, flexible and responsive to each child’s individual interests, strengths and developing abilities.

Children participate in a wide range of experiences including puzzles and manipulatives, early literacy and numeracy activities, construction play, creative arts, and music and movement. These experiences support cognitive development while encouraging curiosity and creativity.

Our Koala Room provides toddlers with their own engaging space to explore, discover, create and imagine through play-based learning. The environment and programs are…

Wombat Preschool

3 – 5 years

The Wombat Room caters for children aged 3–6 years and is designed to support each child’s growing independence and confidence as learners. The room is organised into small, shared learning spaces that encourage children to engage in a wide range of meaningful learning experiences.

Purposeful learning centres are provided to allow children to explore and extend their thinking in line with their individual strengths, interests and capabilities. These areas support development across key learning domains, including Literacy, Mathematics, Creative Arts, Science and Technology.

The Wombat Room caters for children aged 3–6 years and is designed to support each child’s growing independence and confidence as learners. The room…

Outdoor Environment

Our outdoor play space is designed with a strong emphasis on natural and sustainable environments, incorporating both multi-use and purpose-specific play areas.

Our aim is to provide an outdoor space that encourages open-ended interaction, spontaneity, risk-taking, exploration, discovery and a meaningful connection with nature. The environment is intentionally designed to inspire curiosity and support children’s holistic development through play.

Our outdoor play space is designed with a strong emphasis on natural and sustainable environments, incorporating both multi-use and purpose-specific play areas. Our aim…

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Fees & Inclusions

The daily fees for 2026

We are an approved Child Care Subsidy (CCS) service, which means eligible families will receive three days per week of subsidised care.

Use our CCS calculator for an estimate of your individual fees, or contact us and we’ll help you with it.

Our 2026 fees are outlined below. Note these fees are before CCS, which will significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs.

Our service is also eligible for Start Strong Fee Relief, providing a further saving for families of 3- and 4-year-old children, in addition to CCS.

AGE GROUP	DAILY FEE (BEFORE CCS and Start Strong)
Nursery (0-2 years)	$178.18
Early learning (2-3 years)	$172.97
Preschool (3-5 years)	$165.15

Our daily fee is all-inclusive, covering nutritious meals, snacks and drinks, nappies, wipes, sunscreen, bedding, educational programs and learning materials.

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Parent Information

A positive start to early education and care
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Parent Information

The lifelong benefits of Early Childhood Education and Care
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Parent Information

Download our ‘Learning Through Play’ Ebook
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