Getting school-ready is a journey. It begins with your child’s very first day at our welcoming early education and care centres and continues with our dedicated preschool program.
Children learn to make friends and work together, while gaining the skills and independence they need to thrive through the big transition to school.
Welcome to our village, where being school-ready is about being life-ready.
Get more than
school-ready, get
life-ready.
Early Learning is a journey
At SDN, our three play-based program stages reflect key moments in your child’s learning and development. We know that each child learns and grows at their own pace. That’s why we set learning goals that are unique for your child - so no matter where they are on their early learning journey, we’re planning for their progress.
Our program fundamentals
Our program fundamentals describe the big ideas that underpin and enhance our early learning programs. These ideas help you understand why we organise and operate our programs the way we do, and the valuable difference that SDN offers. These fundamentals apply to all play-based stages, with incremental changes that show connection and continuity.
Curriculum through curiosity
We delight in the wonder of early discovery, celebrate children's rapidly changing abilities and we inspire children to pursue their interests, so they can learn about themselves and the world around them.
Small learning groups
Through routines and relationships, we sensitively respond to each child’s needs. We facilitate regular small group experiences that support children's emotional regulation, enhances social skills and broadens perspectives.
Partnering with you
We partner with you so both you and your child feel safe and secure in our care. Together we set goals and share regular progress, so we can support your child in realising their unique potential.
Passionate teachers and educators
Our qualified teams are skilled, caring and patient, guiding children as they master their independence, build knowledge and explore their world. Our preschool program at every centre includes a university-qualified teacher.
Vibrant spaces
Our calm and inviting spaces help children feel safe and sparks their curiosity to move, explore and grow. Our classrooms offer quality resources and our vibrant outdoor spaces encourage children to run, jump, play and enjoy the natural world around them.
Children as citizens
We create spaces where children have a voice, helping each child to actively participate, make decisions and learn from each other. We support them to begin knowing their rights and responsibilities of being local and global citizens.
Our learning pillars
Our learning pillars describe the ways our teachers and educators deliver SDN's early learning programs, with experiences that support children's holistic wellbeing, learning and development.
SDN uses Australia's Early Years Learning Framework. We follow an evidence-backed, play-based learning approach. Children have fun and follow their curiosity, while we weave in vital skills and learning outcomes. Our days are predictable but flexible, blending structured and spontaneous learning, free play, movement and quiet time.
Our centres have a transition to school program where our educators work together with local schools’ kindergarten teachers to prepare your child for a smooth transition, and we support families through the process.
Our infant program
A program that nurtures your child's rapid growth, enriching relationships and boosting brain development.
Relationships and social skills
We practice respect and build respectful relationships through caregiving, routines and spontaneous moments. Our interactions are warm and positive, allowing children to learn from what they see and experience, and to begin imitating prosocial behaviours.
Critical thinking and problem solving
We provide tactile materials so infants can explore with their senses, and actively discover the world around them. Our educators delight in children’s discoveries, giving them time to revisit, repeat and follow their natural curiosities.
Early literacy and numeracy
Our environments are language-rich, with educators describing, reading, singing, questioning and responding to children throughout each day. We sing and talk about numbers, and use positional language to describe a child’s experience of the world – over/under, inside/outside, above/below.
Our toddler program
A program that inspires curiosity, helping your child master their emerging skills and independence.
Relationships and social skills
Through supportive partnerships, we help toddlers and their families navigate bursts of new social skills. We target children’s developing language to support peer interactions, begin to share interests, follow other’s lead and practice turn-taking. We plan for dramatic play, supporting children to act out what they see in the world around them, try new roles and explore their own identity.
Critical thinking and problem solving
We use children’s interests as pathways for hands-on exploration, building new knowledge and vocabulary and helping children transfer that from one topic to another. Lots of chances for sensory play invite children to test, experiment and explore, as they play with cause and effect, and trial and error.
Early literacy and numeracy
We take care with our words and explain what we mean, building children’s vocabulary for peer interactions, independence and interests. We promote experimentation with playdough, clay, scissors, pencils and tongs to strengthen finger muscles, while children begin to give meaning to their creations. We use repetitive and predictable language in songs, rhymes and stories to help children become aware of sequences and patterns.
Our preschool program
A program that fosters your child's creativity and social connections, getting them school-ready and life-ready.
Relationships and social skills
We take the time to get to know each child and their family, creating a sense of belonging and safety. We target children’s diverse ways of communicating, building self-awareness, self-confidence, turn-taking, cooperation and negotiation. Our programs give children the chance to both lead and follow others, establishing some of their first friendships around shared interests.
Critical thinking and problem solving
Our longer-term projects engage different learning styles, allow children to explore an interest from multiple perspectives, and develop their sustained attention and persistence. Our open-ended resources allow children to use them in new and creative ways, while our teachers and educators follow children’s lead and support them to test, experiment and explore.
Early literacy and numeracy
We have a playful, diverse and hands-on approach to early literacy, with multimodal communication, writing, stories and song. We notice, respond to and encourage children’s efforts to communicate. Our approach to early numeracy includes spatial awareness, counting, grouping, ordering, recognising sameness and difference. Teachers and educators talk about numbers throughout each day, and music and movement give children a sense of repetition and pattern.
Our stories
Experience our SDN village
Join the waitlist
Ready to join? Place an application for up to three of any of our SDN early childhood and care centres now.
Book a tour
Tour any of our centres to learn more about our preschool program and experience the SDN village.