Freshwater Childcare Campus Overview
Our Freshwater Childcare and Preschool Campus offers welcoming learning environments where children are encouraged to explore, discover and grow through play. With thoughtfully designed indoor and outdoor spaces, experienced educators and strong community connections, we provide a nurturing environment that supports every stage of early childhood development
Why Choose Our Freshwater Childcare Centre?
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Expansive Outdoor Spaces: Families at our Freshwater campus enjoy three dedicated outdoor play areas, including our preschool yard, nursery and toddler yard, and sensory garden. These thoughtfully designed spaces feature a bike track, slide and climbing mountain, sandpits, cubby house and outdoor verandas, giving children opportunities to explore, discover and lead their own play.
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Age-Based Learning Environments: Our six age-based indoor rooms are purposefully designed to encourage children to learn, grow and explore their interests through both independent and collaborative play. Glass windows and high-visibility spaces support effective supervision and help create a safe, welcoming environment.
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Nature-Based Learning: Our sensory garden includes a vegetable and herb garden, large garden bed, composting bin and worm farm. Children engage in hands-on learning experiences that help them develop an understanding of sustainability and caring for the environment.
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Strong Community Connections: Partnerships with local schools, including Harbord Public School and St John the Baptist Catholic Primary School, help support children’s successful transition to school.
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Passionate Educators & Allied Health Specialists: Experienced educators and allied health specialists create a nurturing learning space that supports each child’s growth alongside their family.
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On-Site Nutrition Program: Fresh, seasonal meals and snacks prepared daily by in-house cooks using dietitian-designed menus.
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Play-Based Grow Curriculum: Our innovative Grow Curriculum supports Nursery, Toddler and Preschool children through intentional teaching in small groups, with ongoing monitoring of each child’s progress.
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All-inclusive Childcare Offering: Includes nappies, formula, bedding, sunscreen, and daily updates via our parent app.
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Occasional Care: OAC Flexi offers parents and guardians flexible, short-notice care in full-day or part-day sessions for children ages 12 weeks to 5 years.
At Only About Children Cromer, we offer More Than Childcare. Our unique approach to early years learning goes beyond education to encompass the health, social development and wellbeing of every child in our care. We call it The OAC Way.
Our Learning Spaces
Where to find us
We are located at 120 Oliver Street, Freshwater, only a three-minute drive to Freshwater Beach and Curl Curl Beach, or a 12-minute drive to Dee Why Beach.
With plenty of onsite parking, families can enjoy a smooth drop off and pick up every visit. We are a short walk to nearby bus stops that connect to the wider area in both directions. We are close to Harbord Primary School and Curl Curl North Primary School with a number of parks and playgrounds in the local area.
Interested in learning more? The best place to start is with a tour or call today us on 138 622.
Freshwater Nursery (6 weeks – 2 years)
At Only About Children Freshwater Nursery, our passionate educators focus on laying a foundation for enduring curiosity, confidence and a love of learning. Our Freshwater Nursery caters to the care and development needs of infants aged 6 weeks -2 years.
The Freshwater Nursery focuses on safe sleep practices developed by qualified Family Health Nurses and Consultants. Our nursery is a safe and stimulating environment that encourages your child to explore and play and implements both structure and a nurturing environment with our exceptional caregiving and play routines.
Our Freshwater Nursery Program includes:
- Age 6 weeks -2 years appropriate indoor/outdoor learning environments.
- Sleeping rooms with a focus on positive sleep practices.
- Dietitian designed baby menus with all meals and snacks included.
- Baby essentials such as nappies, cots, linen, and sunscreen.
- Balanced structured and unstructured play-based learning – Grow curriculum
For more information, download the Only About Children Nursery Room Guide
Freshwater Toddlers (2-3 years)
Our Only About Children Freshwater campus is focused on giving your child a calm and welcoming environment that balances play, exploration, and learning. Our Toddler rooms are led by passionate educators who create play-based learning activities designed to provide toddler-aged children with nurturing experiences that encourage growth and development.
Our Toddler rooms are safe, supportive spaces that facilitate creative exploration. Each space is expertly designed to encourage younger children to explore, solve problems, create, construct and interact with peers.
Our Freshwater Toddler program includes:
- Age 2-3 years of appropriate learning and playing environments.
- Balanced structured and unstructured play-based learning – Grow curriculum
- Small group learning activities.
- Dietitian designed menus with all meals and snacks included.
- Calm sleeping and resting rooms.
For more information, download the Only About Children Toddler Room Guide
Freshwater Preschool (3-5 years)
Only About Children Freshwater Preschool is focused on creating quality experiences that place your child in the best position to begin school. Our nurturing kindergarten educators give special emphasis on building school-ready skills, such as Literacy & Language, Exploration & STEM (Science, Tech, Engineering & Math), Sustainability, Music, Dramatic Play and Art. We aim to make your child’s transition to school as smooth as possible by providing balanced, small group learning activities that build independence and resilience along with academic skills.
Our team of highly-skilled educators and health specialists work together to create an integrated journey that enhances your child’s learning and development. Individual learning plans are created to empower each child with skills that will help them reach their full academic and social potential.
Freshwater Preschool program
- Provides an innovative curriculum focused on left brain logic and right brain creativity
- Includes both structured and unstructured play-based learning that considers the child’s individual interests and development
- Provides an ‘Individual Learning and Development Plan’ for every child with 6 monthly check-ins with families
- A learning focus from 9am to 3pm to prepare children for typical school hours and routine whilst providing the flexibility of long hours for social development and play
- Is guided by the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) and the National Quality Standard (NQS) for childcare.
- Includes Health and Social Development support in preparation for school, including complementary Vision Screening
- Is eligible for NSW Start Strong Preschool Funding
For more information, download the Only About Children Preschool Room Guide
Helpful Information
Freshwater Campus Educators
Louise Dowd
Campus Director
Louise has as Bachelor of Education and has worked in the Early Childhood Sector for over 18 years, including in Switzerland and the UK where she had the opportunity to experience and explore different approaches to Early Childhood Education. She has been at the Freshwater Campus for over 5 years and loves being part of the wonderful Freshwater community!
Louise Dowd
Campus Director
Louise has as Bachelor of Education and has worked in the Early Childhood Sector for over 18 years, including in Switzerland and the UK where she had the opportunity to experience and explore different approaches to Early Childhood Education. She has been at the Freshwater Campus for over 5 years and loves being part of the wonderful Freshwater community!
Louise has as Bachelor of Education and has worked in the Early Childhood Sector for over 18 years, including in Switzerland and the UK where she had the opportunity to experience and explore different approaches to Early Childhood Education. She has been at the Freshwater Campus for over 5 years and loves being part of the wonderful Freshwater community!
Childcare Subsidy
For more information, visit our Childcare Subsidy Information (CCS)
Contact Us
- Open hours: Mon-Fri 7:00am – 6:00pm
- Phone: 138 622
- 120 Oliver Street, Freshwater, NSW 2096
Important Information
Under these standards, childcare services are assessed and rated against the seven quality areas, 18 standards, and 58 elements that make up the NQS. Click here to find out more about the NQS quality areas, standards, and elements.
Meet our Campus Director
Louise Dowd
Louise has as Bachelor of Education and has worked in the Early Childhood Sector for over 18 years, including in Switzerland and the UK where she had the opportunity to experience and explore different approaches to Early Childhood Education. She has been at the Freshwater Campus for over 5 years and loves being part of the wonderful Freshwater community!
Louise has as Bachelor of Education and has worked in the Early Childhood Sector for over 18 years, including in Switzerland and the UK where she had the opportunity to experience and explore different approaches to Early Childhood Education. She has been at the Freshwater Campus for over 5 years and loves being part of the wonderful Freshwater community!
Louise Dowd
Campus Director
Louise has as Bachelor of Education and has worked in the Early Childhood Sector for over 18 years, including in Switzerland and the UK where she had the opportunity to experience and explore different approaches to Early Childhood Education. She has been at the Freshwater Campus for over 5 years and loves being part of the wonderful Freshwater community!
