Applecross Pre-Kindy and Childcare
Nurturing the Changemakers and Entrepreneurs of Tomorrow
Applecross Pre-Kindy is a standalone early learning centre at 797 Canning Highway, Applecross WA 6153, providing long day care and kindergarten for children aged 18 months to 6 years. Open Monday to Friday, 7am to 5:30pm, 52 weeks a year. Approved for the Child Care Subsidy.
What families say about us
Nature‑rich outdoor play is one of our core values, and families feel that deeply. It’s a space where children grow with confidence, and families recognise its purpose the moment they arrive.
“One of our favourite things is the nature playground. It’s such a great space for the children to explore and play. We’ll be sending all three of our children here.”
“They’ve helped my son grow so much in confidence and independence. It’s been beautiful watching him form friendships and actually look forward to going each day.”
“The educators are warm and caring, and we especially love the outdoor environment. It’s beautiful, spacious, and perfect for the children to explore.”
Early learning and long day care in Applecross
Applecross Pre-Kindy and Childcare follows a curriculum built on ten guiding principles that shape how educators speak to children, set up rooms and respond to the small moments. Our curriculum honours the Early Years Learning Framework, but it’s driven by what matters most — nurturing identity, problem‑solving, resilience and a deep connection to nature.
Instead of reacting to actions, our educators respond to the root cause behind the behaviour. They help children learn these same insights to understand their own emotions. By supporting independent conflict resolution, our educators help children become confident communicators and manage situations independently.
Nature-based spaces are the ultimate environment to raise children, teaching emotional control and hands-on trial and error. Unlike screens and indoor walls, that stifle growth, the outdoors build resilience, eases anxiety, and sparks creativity. This natural approach gives children the fuel they need to spark their limitless imaginations.
Real nature, not manufactured play
Our backyard is changing. We’re replacing artificial turf and hard surfaces with real grass, sand, woodchips and natural textures — building on what families already love and elevating it to a richer, more purposeful outdoor environment supporting children’s natural development.
Our outdoor space feels alive — bridges to cross, a sand kitchen that sparks imagination, water play that pulls children in, and a winding path that leads them straight into the trees. Marri logs, river rocks and fruit trees create a landscape made for climbing, shifting, digging and getting wonderfully muddy. Children follow their curiosity, and our educators are right there beside them, leaning in with a simple, exciting “I wonder…”
Natural materials settle children and hold their interest, and they offer the kind of small, manageable risks that build confidence. It’s one of the things families value most about our outdoor space.
Programs by age group
Applecross Pre‑Kindy and Childcare offers three programs for children aged 18 months to 6 years. Our programs run from 9:30am to 4:00pm, with care available from 7:00am to 5:30pm. These extended hours give families flexibility and support children to enjoy a full day of play, care and learning.
Toddlers, 18 months to 2 years
A dedicated play, sleep and natural outdoor space where our youngest children explore, build confidence and connect with nature through sensory play.
Pre-Kindy, 2 to 4 years
A nature‑rich environment that encourages curiosity, problem‑solving and early independence, with open‑ended materials and outdoor experiences that spark big ideas that educators shape with intent.
Kindy, 4 to 6 years
A dynamic, inquiry‑driven program where children investigate real‑world concepts, collaborate with peers, and deepen their connection to nature through hands‑on learning and community partnerships, including our work with Perth Zoo.
Families are part of how this place works
Parents are welcome to stay for a short while if their child needs support settling in — some choose to, others prefer a quick drop‑off, and both are perfectly okay here.
If you have a skill worth sharing, come and share it. Parents have run science experiences, emergency services displays and music mornings, and our educators help pitch it to the right level for the age group.
Transitions are gentle, conversations keep going, and you hear about the small things as well as the milestones.
We welcome families in to celebrate regular events and cultural traditions.
Where to find us
Applecross Pre-Kindy and Childcare is at 797 Canning Highway, Applecross WA 6153, with the entry next to 42 Simpson Street.
Phone (08) 6113 1442.
Open Monday to Friday, 7am to 5:30pm.
Families come to us from Applecross, Ardross, Mount Pleasant, Booragoon, Brentwood and across the City of Melville.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Our Kindy program is designed to grow future changemakers — children who can regulate emotions, solve problems, think critically and creatively, and navigate conflict with confidence. Through our inquiry‑led “Anchor & Explore” framework, children engage in real‑world, nature‑connected learning that is genuinely child‑led and educator‑facilitated. With a low 1:10 ratio, deep outdoor learning, and our partnership with Perth Zoo, children experience hands‑on, meaningful learning that builds the foundational skills that truly matter now and into the future.
-
Around 90% of the day is outdoors. Our outdoor spaces are designed to be used all year round. We have inviting indoor spaces predominately used for rest periods, mat sessions and when required.
-
We use an “Anchor & Explore” framework that brings inquiry‑based, play‑led learning to life — deepening children’s understanding through intentional teaching, child‑led exploration and responsive educator facilitation. Guided by our 10 principles, this approach builds confidence, curiosity, emotional intelligence and real‑world problem‑solving in every child.
-
Applecross Pre-Kindy and Childcare welcomes children aged 18 months to 6 years across three programs. A dedicated house is available with multiple rooms for our youngest children, with places usually offered to siblings first.
-
Applecross Pre-Kindy and Childcare is open Monday to Friday, 7am to 5:30pm, 52 weeks a year (excluding Public Holidays). Programs run 9:30am to 4:00pm.
-
Yes. Applecross Pre-Kindy and Childcare is an approved Childcare Subsidy provider. The subsidy can cover up to 90% of the daily fee depending on your family income and activity level, and it is paid directly to the centre.
-
Availability changes by age group and by which days you need. Call (08) 6113 1442 or book a tour and we will tell you what is open right now. A waitlist is normally genrated for the coming year and positions held with a deposit, which is refunded upon first attendacne.
-
Currently, this is an option through our relationship with a local cafe to provide a lunchbox for the day. This is a separate daily fee. We plan to move to self-catered meals as a part of our redeisgn.
-
Each enrolment recieves a hat, t-shirt and bag. With these items you would add any meals (if the lunchbox fee is not selected), a change of clothes (we get messy and the weather can change), water bottle and any required medication.