Explore & Develop

Welcome to Explore & Develop Umina

Scroll down to learn more about our service.

Waitlist Join our team
Monday – Friday 7.00am – 6.00pm Open 50 weeks per year (excluding Public Holidays)
204 West Street Umina Beach NSW 2257
02 4388 1128

We are a child-safe organisation

MEET THE OWNER

Suzanne

“My personal philosophy has evolved over many years, through my experience in travel and from my own wonderful childhood growing up on the Central Coast. I believe that children need natural environments to explore, trained educators to support their learning and a community rich with diversity to nurture their development.

Each child is an individual and I wish to provide children with the best possible environment from which they can gain confidence and develop social and emotional skills, which will prepare them for life.

Features

In-house cook
Nappies, wipes, bottles and formula provided
Family owned and operated
Family events
Natural outdoor environment
Educational and developmental programs
Preschool program
Local excursions

Our approach

Our program is influenced by the principles and practices of the Early Years Learning Framework and based on the Walker Learning approach. This holistic teaching and learning approach is founded on neuroscience research and recognises the importance of relationships and attachment. We use the Walker Learning approach to create a program of planned learning experiences across all developmental domains. This approach revolves around creating a welcoming, inspiring home-like environment that fosters and nurtures active learning, creativity and exploration.

Learning Environments

Butterfly Environment

0 – 18 months

Our Butterfly Environment has up to 12 children per day, with a ratio of one staff member to every four children.

We pride ourselves on offering a high-quality, nurturing environment for children and their families during their first year in care.

We work closely alongside families in order to create home like routines for the children in this room, which allows for a smooth transition between home and care.

Our Butterfly Environment has up to 12 children per day, with a ratio of one staff member to every four children. We pride ourselves…

Ladybird Environment

1.5 – 2.5 years

Our Ladybird room has up to 16 children per day, with a ratio of one staff member to every four children.

Ladybird children love the opportunities available to them to exercise their new-found independence. As they are now more mobile, they are capable of exploring their natural, shaded outdoor play area.

Our Ladybird room has up to 16 children per day, with a ratio of one staff member to every four children. Ladybird children love…

Busy Bee Environment

2.5 – 3.5 years

Our Busy Bee room has up to 20 children per day, with a ratio of one staff member to every five children.

Busy Bee children are now in a similar routine to their older peers. In this age group, children are now becoming even more independent. Toilet training is supported through partnerships with families.

Our Busy Bee room has up to 20 children per day, with a ratio of one staff member to every five children. Busy Bee…

Junior Preschool

3.5 – 4.5 year

Our Junior Preschool room has up to 20 children per day, with a ratio of one staff member to every 10 children.

The Dragonfly room is where children enter their junior preschool year. This group is now quite independent and their involvement in setting class rules and guidelines helps the children develop a sense of respect for themselves, their peers and their environment.

Our Junior Preschool room has up to 20 children per day, with a ratio of one staff member to every 10 children. The Dragonfly…

Senior Preschool

4.5 – 6 years

Our Preschool room has up to 20 children per day, with a ratio of one staff member to every 10 children.

This is our senior preschool year, and the year in which most children prepare for life beyond Explore & Develop. Children at this age have a strong sense of autonomy and are keen participants in their learning environments. During this year, we extend upon and refine skills in key learning areas.

Our Preschool room has up to 20 children per day, with a ratio of one staff member to every 10 children. This is our…

Outdoor environment

Explore & Develop Umina provides a texturally-rich, natural outdoor environment for children to explore. Visually appealing play spaces, small, comfortable, yet challenging places where children can be stimulated, provoking their imagination in a variety of ways to challenge their development holistically.

Explore & Develop Umina provides a texturally-rich, natural outdoor environment for children to explore. Visually appealing play spaces, small, comfortable, yet challenging places where…

Rated 4.4 stars on Google

  • Gemma Wilson

    2 years ago

    Google

    I am beyond happy with the staff and services at Explore and Develop Umina. I can confidently drop my girls to them knowing the level of care from the educators will be of the highest quality. I love that they listen to the children's interests and then plan engaging activities accordingly. They might come home a little messy every now and then but that is half the fun. They say it takes a village to raise a child and I am more than pleased to have E&D Umina as a part of my village.

  • Tarryn Puntigam

    2 years ago

    Google

    We have attended 3 peninsula based centres since my daughter was 9months old and can finally say we have found our home. The care provided at E&D Umina is 2nd to none. The staff are friendly, welcoming and treat both my children with such kindness. The facility itself is clean, presentable and well equipped to allow my children to play and explore many different activities. I highly recommend this centre to anyone.

  • Lyn Sopp

    3 years ago

    Google

  • Lucy Lamont

    4 years ago

    Google

    We started our second child at Explore in 2017 when the centre first opened, and we liked not only the design and layout of the preschool, but the focus on play and early childhood development which saw our son transition perfectly into school in 2020. Since then we’re had 2 more children start at the centre and both are currently still there with some years to go. I’m quite confident they like preschool better than home, they are so engaged and comfortable with the educators. They are very happy about going every day, as are we. We get constant updates from food menus to daily photos through their custom app, and they are quick to call if anything goes wrong. If there was any downside to the centre it would only be the length of the wait list, which shows just how popular they are, so get on the wait list when you are pregnant 😂🤩

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)$159/day
Early learning (2-3 years)$159/day
Preschool (3-5 years)$153/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

Monday – Friday
7.00am – 6.00pm
Open 50 weeks per year
(excluding Public Holidays)
204 West Street
Umina Beach
NSW 2257
02 4388 1128

We are a child-safe organisation