The Hawkesbury community has welcomed an impressive new early childhood education and care option, with Explore & Develop North Richmond officially opening its doors to local families.

The centre has been established by experienced early childhood professionals Diane and Rachael, who together bring more than 30 years of experience to the sector. While the new service offers high-quality education and care, the pair say their vision extends well beyond the classroom walls.

From day one, the focus has been on becoming an active and connected part of the wider Hawkesbury community.

“At Explore & Develop North Richmond, our priority is not only to provide high-quality education and care, but also to become an active and connected member of the local community,” Diane said.

Located in the heart of North Richmond, the centre has already begun building relationships with local schools, community organisations and child-led specialists throughout the region.

“As a newly opened service, we are excited to begin building strong relationships throughout the Hawkesbury area,” Rachael said.

“We believe these partnerships are essential in creating positive outcomes for children and ensuring families feel supported and connected from the very beginning.”

The approach reflects a growing understanding within the early childhood sector that strong community connections play an important role in supporting children’s wellbeing, development and sense of belonging.

The team is particularly passionate about building collaborative relationships with allied health professionals and support services in the local area, including speech therapists, occupational therapists, inclusion professionals and family support services.

“We know that every child learns differently and every family’s journey is unique,” Rachael said.

“Creating strong partnerships with specialists within our local community allows us to better support children’s development, wellbeing and sense of belonging.”

The centre also hopes to become a hub for local families through future community events, family engagement opportunities and partnerships with local organisations.

That commitment was already on display recently when the service hosted its first Open Day and Community Market, welcoming local families to tour the centre, meet educators and connect with other members of the community.

While community connection remains a strong focus, Diane and Rachael said providing a high-quality early learning environment is at the core of everything they do.

The service follows a play-based, emergent curriculum approach, where educators tailor learning experiences to each child’s individual interests, strengths and curiosities.

Research continues to show children learn best through play during the early years, supporting learning and development by providing hands-on opportunities to problem-solve, investigate, create and collaborate in ways that are engaging and developmentally meaningful.

The architect-designed centre was purpose-built to create a calm, home-like environment where children feel safe, valued and confident to explore. Its indoor and outdoor learning spaces are filled with thoughtfully selected resources designed to engage and inspire curiosity.

As the North Richmond community continues to grow, Diane and Rachael hope the service will become a trusted and lasting part of the local landscape for children and families across the Hawkesbury.

“Our goal is to create an environment where children thrive, families feel supported and the community feels connected,” Diane said.

“We are incredibly excited to be open and look forward to growing alongside the families of North Richmond.”

For more information, visit exploreanddevelop.com.au/north-richmond.