At Cressy Road Early Learning we continually strive to set the standard for high quality affordable early education and care.

A consistent and safe environment is essential for each child’s development. The welfare of our children is our first and foremost priority. An important element in achieving this is a close relationship between the centre and our families.

Cressy Road Cottages Early Learning is a privately owned, family run centre, with a strong commitment to participative, consultative and collaborative management. We welcome visits, ideas, suggestions and participation from each family.

We acknowledge that children have been learning here for tens of thousands of years and thank the First Australians for being such thoughtful custodians of this land. At Cressy Road Cottages Early Learning we thank the traditional custodians of the land, the Wallumadegal people for sharing their country. 

We promise to respect their land, their people, their animals and elder.

Current research shows that the earliest years of a child’s development forms the foundation of their understanding of the world. It is important to us that we create socially responsible community members, capable of reaching their full potential.

We believe that children should have input and guidance in the experiences provided for them, therefore our program is based on emerging topics that interest the children, including a mix of activities and experiences which are child initiated and teacher or child led. Educators and parents are actively encouraged to provide feedback and input for programmed activities, policies and practices.

Children learn and develop best through stimulating and challenging play. Our environment provides the opportunities for children to reach their potential in the areas of physical abilities, expressive arts, problem solving, mathematical skills, language and literacy and the sciences – and most importantly the ability to develop and maintain relationships and to make wise decisions. Our bespoke learning programs allow us to tailor our educational program to reflect to our centre, our community and our families.

Our children are responded to with care and sensitivity and we ensure that each child’s needs are met throughout the day. We believe that each family is unique and that all differences (and similarities) must be recognised and respected. The diverse values of families, educators and our community are incorporated into our daily practices.

We believe that within a secure, warm and loving environment, children require both acceptance and challenge. Our children are given positive guidance within the bounds of age appropriate acceptable behaviour. We model fairness, equity and social justice to all children.

We recognise the importance of our educators in our ability to implement these philosophies to provide the highest quality care. We invest in every staff member through our commitment to individualised training and development programs.

We believe it is essential that the centre play an active role in the local community through our own community interest group and participation in local activities. We believe that we can act as social advocates for our children, helping the broader community understand the importance of early childhood.

To ensure that we remain abreast of changing attitudes and latest ideas, our philosophy, goals, policies and practices will be evaluated by all stakeholders on an annual basis. We welcome your questions, suggestions and comments.

My child attended Cressy Road Early Learning three days per week. It is the only centre in the area that I would recommend. It's very discreet from the front, but wow! It has an unrivaled back garden with chickens, veggie patches, enormous sandpit, amphitheatre and fishing bridge! The play-based programs are fantastic with many extra-curricular programs included in the daily price. Ratios are very low and the preschool program is awesome.

Fiona, parent

Great centre. Caring and clever educators. A beautiful place to send your baby or child. We are grateful to have found Cressy road xx

Terese, parent 

My daughter is now 8 and went to Cressy Rd. One thing I always loved was how immersive the learning was. Whether it was building a habitat, recreating the surface of the moon or just being inspired by nature. She still has the same approach to learning today which was inspired early on.

Tina, parent

Our son has been with Cressy for 2.5 years now. We couldn’t speak more highly of the centre and staff. The centre is a warm, homely environment – exactly the kind of place you’d be comfortable leaving your child. It’s devoid of the tacky flashiness seen in a number of new centres, opting for a more natural and organic environment; lots of lovely spaces to play & an enormous leafy backyard. The staff are warm, professional & importantly treat the children with respect. Cressy embraces play-based learning in its truest sense. Our son loves his Cressy family; we highly recommend it.

Jenna, parent

At Cressy Road Early Learning, the learning programs consider the individual needs and interests of each child. 

A home away from home for little ones

Babies enjoy their own stand alone home-style cottage at the centre with a sunny playroom and floor to ceiling glass doors. The nursery children spend their days in small groups, making the most of the outdoor space with real grass, a sandpit and an undercover wrap around verandah.

The educators understand that each baby is unique and they seek to follow home routines as much as possible. There are just nine babies in the nursery, allowing for lots of personalised care.

The team at Cressy Road Early Learning was hand-picked to ensure all children build secure, strong attachments with the people caring for them. Many of the educators have been with the centre for a number of years, sharing their diverse cultures and language skills. The team does their best to place children with educators who speak the same home language to support bilingual children and their families. There is a balance of female and male educators at the centre at all times.

Nesha owns and runs the service. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and in English, a Master’s Degree in Psychology, a Post Graduate Certificate in Counselling, a Post Graduate Certificate in Special Education - Inclusive Support, a Diploma in Children’s Services and a Cert IV in Training and Assessment. Nesha is a registered senior supervising psychologist, a longstanding Member of the Australian Psychological Society, and a Justice of the Peace. She is the Vice President of the Australian Childcare Alliance (ACA) and works tirelessly to promote high quality education and care.

Morning

Leah is ten months old and loves to read books and have a cuddle with her educator when she first arrives. Her dad chats to the educator to fill her in on how Leah slept last night, before he heads off to work. A short while after Leah's dad has left, her parents are sent pictures on their app showing Leah happy and engaged in her play and learning.

Lunchtime

Leah enjoys some group time with her friends. Groups are planned to build on strengths and interests of each individual child, to be age appropriate and fun as her educators are singing some nursery rhymes to the children. She enjoys a nutritious lunch meal with her peers and educators, homemade in our kitchen fresh daily. Soon it will be time to have a rest and recharge for the afternoon.

Afternoon

Leah and the other nursery children head outside to the play area where they help the educators check on the herbs in the garden. Leah helps her educator to water the plants. Leah is given autonomy to play and explore and remains supported and supervised at all times. She enjoys afternoon tea, more freshly prepared food, some of which comes from our organic gardens. Refreshed and refueled, she goes back to learning and play.