Childcare and kindergarten in Essendon, designed for joyful learning.
At Explorers Essendon, children aged 6 weeks to school age are welcomed into a calm, relationship-led environment where learning begins with trust, curiosity and joy.
Located on Lincoln Road, our Essendon childcare centre supports families with long day care, nutritious meals, thoughtfully designed indoor and outdoor learning spaces, and integrated kindergarten programs. From gentle nursery care to confident school readiness, our educators take the time to know each child deeply and support their individual learning journey.
Guided by our Learning for Life curriculum and inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach, our Essendon early learning centre is designed to nurture confidence, creativity and belonging through meaningful, play-based learning.
With thoughtfully designed indoor spaces, nature-inspired outdoor play areas, fresh meals prepared daily by our in-house chef and a Bush Kinder program that gives children time to learn in nature, Explorers Essendon offers space to explore, discover and grow in a way that feels calm, caring and full of possibility.
Inside the centre
A walk through Explorers Essendon.
The classrooms, gardens, and spaces your child will get to know.
What you'll find here
Why families choose Explorers Essendon.
Reggio Emilia inspired
Our Learning for Life curriculum is child-led and play-based, shaped around what each child is curious about right now.
Integrated kindergarten
Three- and four-year-old kinder runs on-site, led by qualified Kindergarten Teachers. No separate drop-off, no extra fees.
Fresh food, every day
Our chefs prepare a nutritionist-designed menu in-house, using fresh local produce. Allergies and cultural needs catered for.
Indoor / outdoor flow
Children choose where they learn: open verandas, gardens, and dedicated outdoor classrooms are part of every day.
Family Hub
Accept offers, reconfirm your waitlist, and message the team, from your phone, whenever it suits you.
Programs
Programs for every stage of early learning.
From your baby's first days to the year before school, every classroom runs our Learning for Life curriculum: child-led, play-based, and grounded in the Early Years Learning Framework.
Choosing the right childcare is one of the most important decisions a family can make. At Explorers, child safety and wellbeing are embedded into every part of our practice, from secure entry systems and supervision procedures to the respectful, trusting relationships we build with every child. Our educators are trained in First Aid, CPR, asthma and anaphylaxis management, and our safety practices are supported by clear policies, regular risk assessments and a strong culture of care. Most importantly, we create environments where children feel emotionally safe, deeply supported and genuinely known.
At Explorers Essendon, learning extends beyond the classroom. Children may take part in Bush Kinder, local excursions, incursions, music, movement, visual arts and community experiences that help them connect with the world around them.
“My 2 year old started at Explorers Essendon this year and it has been nothing but fantastic. The educators are all so caring, kind and wonderful with all the children. Leadership know exactly what they’re doing, highly experienced and organised. I love that it is consistently the same educators each day in the rooms and my child is very happy and always cared for.”
“Amazingly dedicated staff and leadership team who love what they do. My niece attends Explorers and seeing the care and support she’s provided in her early development is amazing. She loves talking about the educators and activities she does everyday. The educators are incredibly warm, have created such a positive environment for the kids and always make us feel so welcomed. Special mention to Jas who my niece never stops talking about, she’s everything you could hope for and more in an educator. Would highly recommend this centre!!!”
“The team at Explorers Essendon are absolutely amazing. They are all so caring and friendly, Each and every time we walk through the doors we are greeted by our names and a big smile. You really get the feeling of a big happy family which makes us feel very comfortable leaving our son in their safe and capable hands. Cannot recommend this centre enough.”
“We couldn’t be happier with Explorers Essendon. My daughters have been attending for years now, and the level of care has been consistently outstanding.
The leadership team, all of the educators and Chef Anu are truly fantastic. They create such a warm, supportive environment where the children feel safe, valued, and genuinely cared for.
Our girls are so well looked after, and the centre has honestly become like a second family to us. We’re so grateful for everything they do and highly recommend them to any family looking for a nurturing and reliable daycare.”
“The team at Essendon is absolutely exceptional.
I toured this centre for the first time a few weeks ago and I can understand fully why this centre is in such high demand. From the beautiful spaces, the interactions educators had with children, the connections the families had, it is a wonderful community they have created full of much care and passion. Ash, Simone and Jordan really go above and beyond for all of their families. I couldn't recommend this centre enough!”
Use our Child Care Subsidy calculator to estimate your out-of-pocket childcare costs and understand how much support your family may be eligible to receive.
Can't find what you're after? Our Family Support Team is happy to help, give us a call or browse all FAQs.
Where is the centre located?
Our centre is located on Lincoln Road and is close to all the local shops, making it a convenient location for families.
What ages does Explorers Essendon care for?
Explorers Essendon provides early learning and care for children aged 6 weeks to school age, including nursery, toddler, 3-Year-Old Kinder and 4-Year-Old Kinder programs.
Do you offer funded kindergarten at Essendon?
Yes. Explorers Essendon offers kindergarten programs as part of our integrated early learning experience. Our kindergarten program supports children’s confidence, independence, social connection and school readiness through play-based learning, project work and strong educator relationships.
Is there onsite or off-street parking for pickups and drop-offs?
Yes, we have plenty of onsite parking available, making it convenient and safe for parents during drop-offs and pick-ups.
How can you get there by public transport?
Our centre is commute-friendly and easily accessible by bus or train. The nearest train station is Essendon Station, which is just a short walk away from our centre.
What Child Care Subsidy am I entitled to?
Your Child Care Subsidy depends on your family income, activity level and individual circumstances. You can use our Child Care Subsidy Calculator to estimate your possible out-of-pocket costs. Our team can also help explain how CCS may apply to your child’s care and how it works alongside funded kindergarten.
Availability can vary across nursery, toddler and kindergarten rooms. If there is a waitlist, we encourage families to register their interest so our team can keep you updated as places become available. You are also welcome to book a tour or contact the centre to discuss current availability.
Do you provide meals?
Yes. Fresh, nutritious meals and snacks are prepared by our in-house chef each day. We cater for allergies, dietary requirements and cultural preferences, helping ensure every child is safely included and well nourished throughout the day.
How does Explorers Essendon integrate sustainability into its indoor and outdoor learning environments?
We love nurturing a love for the planet early on! From hands-on gardening to fun recycling activities, we keep little explorers engaged in caring for the environment.
What are the qualifications and experience levels of the educators at Explorers Essendon?
In addition to their years of experience, our teachers are passionate about supporting children in their educational journeys. They provide a welcoming, engaging environment in which children feel supported, encouraged, and excited to learn something new every day.
How does Explorers Essendon support children with allergies or dietary needs?
Families are encouraged to share allergy, medical and dietary information during enrolment so our team can plan safely and thoughtfully. Our in-house chef can adjust meals where needed, and educators follow clear processes to support each child’s health and wellbeing.
How does Explorers Essendon include sustainability in learning?
Sustainability is woven into everyday experiences at Explorers Essendon. Children are encouraged to care for their environment through hands-on gardening, recycling activities and everyday conversations that help them understand responsibility, respect and care for the world around them.
In what ways are families encouraged to participate in their child's learning journey at Explorers Essendon?
We love having families be part of the learning journey! That’s why we regularly invite parents to join special events and activities, creating fun opportunities to learn, play, and grow together.
What measures are in place to ensure the safety and well-being of children, especially during outdoor activities?
We take serious safety measures by keeping all outdoor activities closely supervised by our trained educators. Outdoor play is closely supervised by trained educators, and our outdoor learning spaces are designed to be safe, age-appropriate and engaging. Educators support children to move confidently, take safe risks and enjoy the outdoor environment while maintaining clear supervision and safety practices.
Do you offer casual or part-time bookings?
Part-time care may be available depending on current vacancies, and casual days may be offered when places become available. Please contact our Essendon team to discuss your family’s needs and current availability.
Booking a tour
What to expect when you visit.
30 minutes, in person, with the Centre Director. Bring your child if you can, they often tell us more than we can.
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