Explore & Develop

Welcome to Explore & Develop Norwest

Scroll down to learn more about our service.

7.00 am to 6.00 pm Monday to Friday
Suite 308, 14 Lexington Drive, Bella Vista NSW 2153

0–6

MEET THE OWNER

Marcelle Thomson

Explore & Develop Norwest has been owned by Director and Approved Provider, Marcelle Thomson, since 2011. Prior to starting at Explore & Develop, Marcelle held leadership roles in a demanding corporate career for over a decade since arriving in Sydney from the UK in 2000. As a parent of two young sons herself, Marcelle, understands firsthand the vital role that Early Childhood Education and Care provides to parents and children.

Features

Preschool program
Nutritious varied menu
Local excursions
Parent communication app
Long-serving team
Individually owned and operated
Incursion programs and activities
STEM/STEAM program

Our approach

Explore & Develop Norwest is conveniently located in the heart of the thriving Norwest Business Park, in modern and purpose-built premises with four large, bright learning environments, two spacious and private playgrounds, and open views across to the beautiful Blue Mountains.

Led by our highly skilled and passionate Educational Leader and supported by the latest thinking in Early Childhood Education within Australia and globally, our curriculum supports the research that children learn best through play. We focus on the holistic development of individual children, supporting them to become confident to take the next step to school and life beyond!

  • Caring staff and great facilities – wouldn’t trust my kids with anyone else!

    Veronica Ritchie
  • Very caring and friendly environment for kids with full of learning activities. Love this day care!

    Paru Kumar
  • It’s a joy when you children want to go to ‘school’ and you know they are truly cared for.

    Cally Coomber
  • I highly recommend this centre both my children have attended since they were ten months old and we have had wonderful experience we are very sad to be leaving and off to big school.

    Rosey Grayson
  • It was my little angel’s first day at Explore & Develop, Norwest. Both the director and teachers are extremely nice, friendly, welcoming and caring. The facilities are safe, open, fun, happy and great for the curious little kiddies! My daughter was so excited when she got home today. Never seen her as happy as she was. She must’ve had a great time because she full of energy and happiness. The teachers are talented, patient and caring. Without them, we couldn’t do this. Well done, ladies! You’ve made it really easy!

    Nazia Judkins

Learning Environments

Wallaby Room

0 – 2 years

Our Wallaby Room provides a nurturing, home-like environment for up to 16 infants and their families. Unhurried time is offered for babies to explore a range of age-appropriate and sensory experiences. Routines from home are followed here, to ensure the day runs as smoothly as possible for the babies and their parents. All meals and nappies are supplied. We ask parents to provide nappy cream, formula and cot sheets for their child.

Our Wallaby Room provides a nurturing, home-like environment for up to 16 infants and their families. Unhurried time is offered for babies to explore a range of age-appropriate and sensory experiences. Routines from home are followed here, to ensure the day runs as smoothly as possible for the babies and their parents. All meals and nappies are supplied. We ask parents to provide nappy cream, formula and cot sheets for their child.

Koala Room

2 – 3 years

Our Koala Room offers a stimulating and safe environment for up to 20 busy two-year-olds to put their curiosity, increasing independence, developing language and self-help skills to work! Multiple age-appropriate experiences are offered simultaneously, to keep active minds occupied. All meals are provided along with nappies.

Our Koala Room offers a stimulating and safe environment for up to 20 busy two-year-olds to put their curiosity, increasing independence, developing language and self-help skills to work! Multiple age-appropriate experiences are offered simultaneously, to keep active minds occupied. All meals are provided along with nappies.

Kookaburra Room

3 – 4 years

Our Kookaburra Room provides an exciting and varied mix of learning environments for around 20 three-year-olds. The children have opportunities to explore, make choices and take on increasing responsibilities. All meals are provided.

Our Kookaburra Room provides an exciting and varied mix of learning environments for around 20 three-year-olds. The children have opportunities to explore, make choices and take on increasing responsibilities. All meals are provided.

Wombat Preschool Room

4 – 5 years

Our Wombat Preschool Room caters for up to 24 four- and five-year-olds in the immediate years before they start school. Our focus is to ensure that each child has the important skills to help them enter school confident, capable and involved learners. All meals are provided.

Our Wombat Preschool Room caters for up to 24 four- and five-year-olds in the immediate years before they start school. Our focus is to ensure that each child has the important skills to help them enter school confident, capable and involved learners. All meals are provided.

Outdoor environment

All ages

Our spacious and private playgrounds provide children with ample opportunity to play, socialise, explore, run and climb, all with open views to the Blue Mountains! Our focus is to help children to feel safe enough to take ‘risks’, therefore, providing rich opportunities for learning, problem-solving and developing social competence. Our Indoor/Outdoor program means children of all ages can continuously choose to play and learn indoors or outdoors. Our playgrounds offer a natural environment where the children have the opportunity to participate in growing and tending to plants.

Our spacious and private playgrounds provide children with ample opportunity to play, socialise, explore, run and climb, all with open views to the Blue Mountains! Our focus is to help children to feel safe enough to take ‘risks’, therefore, providing rich opportunities for learning, problem-solving and developing social competence. Our Indoor/Outdoor program means children of all ages can continuously choose to play and learn indoors or outdoors. Our playgrounds offer a natural environment where the children have the opportunity to participate in growing and tending to plants.

Rated 4.8 stars on Google

  • Marilyn Landers

    4 months ago

    Google

    Since our two children joined Explore and Develop Norwest in January 2026, we've seen firsthand how much a dedicated leadership team and a passionate group of educators matter. It is this combination that elevates an early learning centre from being just good to being great. After looking at several local options, my first meeting with the Director, Marcelle, stood out. Her professionalism and family-focused approach gave me confidence in her leadership and the team. Our children have been enrolled in other centres in the past, but the communication here at Explore and Develop Norwest has been quite impressive. It’s a relief for me and my husband to speak with just one staff member and know the message will be passed on; We have not had to repeat from teacher to teacher. We also love that you are always greeted with a genuine smile and warmth from the wonderful Michelle and Sally in the office the moment you walk through the door. These may seem like small things but it has helped us feel a genuine sense of trust and community at Explore and Develop Norwest. The educators are calm, warm, and down-to-earth. We’d like to give special recognition to Revathi, Farah, Pawan, Agnes, Rachael, Keira, Mahnoor, Erum, and Penny. They are amazing and you can see how many of the children enjoy being with them. Under their care, we have seen our children grow in their independence, confidence, and knowledge as well as picking up practical life skills like dressing themselves. The rooms are a lovely, bright space—they’re filled with natural light, family photos, and thoughtful decorations that even start right at the front doors of each room and the decorations are updated regularly. There is a great outdoor area for the kids to play as well as a dedicated art studio. We also appreciate how well-maintained and clean the facilities are in the rooms. It’s those little things, like seeing the educators prep and cut up fresh fruit for morning tea, all placed neatly into bowls right before they serve it to the children, that show how much they really care. The best part is knowing how much our kids enjoy being there. Our youngest, who attends five days a week, almost always tells me during pick up, "Mummy, I had a good day today." In fact, both of my children often have a hard time leaving at the end of the day, even asking why the centre has to close and why their teachers have to go home! We are very grateful to Marcelle and her team for creating such a stable, nurturing environment where our children feel very much at home.

  • CC Sydney

    5 months ago

    Google

    Entrusting your child to someone else is a difficult and nerve-wracking experience. When I had to return to work when my son was 6 months old, we visited several centers, but this was the only one that truly gave me peace of mind. The educators in the Wallaby Room gave us so much confidence; Veronika and Linda, in particular, have been there for a long time and are wonderful. Together, we navigated challenges and adapted to new routines. Now that my son is 18 months old, the center feels like a second home to him. Beyond the care, we have seen significant growth in his cognitive development, social skills, and motor abilities. Just take this opportunity to recommend to other moms if you are looking for a safe hand with genuine care for young kids. —Cecilia

  • Aisha Sayour

    7 months ago

    Google

    We had such a wonderful experience at this childcare centre. The educators and all the staff are truly amazing, so caring, loving, and supportive. From day one, they made us feel so comfortable and welcomed, like we were part of a family. My daughter absolutely thrived here, and it gave me such peace of mind knowing she was in such safe, nurturing hands. I’m genuinely heartbroken that we had to leave due to relocation. If I could, I’d take her back in a heartbeat. I can’t recommend this centre highly enough! Can’t thank the staff enough for the most amazing experience

  • Sam Johnson

    a year ago

    Google

    We’ve had the pleasure of our daughter attending Explore and Develop Norwest since she was 10 months old. The love and care Marcelle and her wonderful team of educators have shown our daughter has been phenomenal. At 5 now, as she is beginning the transition to primary school next year, we look back on all the wonderful skills and experiences Explore and Develop have provided her. And are so grateful to have been a part of this wonderful community. We’ve never had a single shred of doubt that when we leave, the care will be anything but exemplary. We thank the whole team for helping us to raise a polite and empathetic, social child.

  • Sanea P

    a year ago

    Google

    I often tell friends and family that this the best daycare I have sent my child to and I do mean it. Having sent both my kids to 3 childcare centres in the vicinity over the years, Explore and Develop exceeds all of them and stands out in many ways. This is very much because of two important things: Marcelle as the director and the exceptional staff/educators. Marcelle has always been welcoming from day one and her professionalism and warm manner never goes unnoticed. The staff and educators are kind, caring and trustworthy. From the small things, such as a genuine greeting in the morning to my son as he enters the room makes a world of difference to the big things such as a focus on the curriculum, regular communication and the emphasis on providing nutritious food makes Explore and Develop Norwest stand out! Thank you to Marcelle, Michelle, Sally and the educators. Your passion and emphasis on high quality care is very much appreciated.

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 GROUPDAILY FEE (BEFORE CCS and Start Strong)
Nursery (0-2 years)$182/day
Early learning (2-3 years)$177/day
Preschool (3-5 years)$171/day

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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Contact us

7.00 am to 6.00 pm Monday to Friday
Suite 308,
14 Lexington Drive,
Bella Vista NSW 2153

0–6