When we visited Little Zak’s Academy, Gladesville, it was easy to see that this is a centre where children and families are genuinely known. There was a lovely warmth to the way the educators interacted with the children, along with a strong sense of familiarity and connection throughout the centre.

That feeling is backed by a remarkably stable and experienced team, including a Centre Director who has been there since the service first opened. Add the character-filled heritage building, thoughtfully designed learning environments and wonderful opportunities for children to explore their local community, and there is plenty that makes this Gladesville centre special.

A Stable and Experienced Team

One of the centre’s greatest strengths is the consistency of its educators and leadership team.

The Centre Director has been part of Little Zak’s Gladesville since it first opened, while many of the educators have also worked at the centre for several years. This continuity allows children and families to build strong, trusting relationships with the people caring for them each day.

The educators work closely with families to develop individual learning goals for each child, creating a program that reflects their interests, strengths and developmental needs.

Six Rooms for Different Stages of Development

Little Zak’s Gladesville has six rooms, allowing children to learn and play in environments suited to their age and stage:

• 0 – 12 Months (Nursery/Infants): Sensory play, feeding, and sleeping routines tailored to babies.
• 13 – 24 Months / 25 – 35 Months (Toddlers): Play-based learning, motor skill development, and social interaction.
• Navigators Room (2 – 3 Years): Play-based learning mixed with early intentional teaching to build independence.
• Preschool Room (3 – 5 Years / Up to 6 Years): School readiness, literacy, numeracy, and group learning projects.

The nursery and toddler rooms are located inside the centre’s beautiful heritage building, giving these spaces a particularly warm and welcoming feel.

Both rooms also have direct access to their own dedicated outdoor learning environment. This makes it easy for the youngest children to move between indoor and outdoor play throughout the day, supporting exploration, independence and nature-based learning.

Three Age-Specific Outdoor Spaces

Rather than having one shared playground, the centre features three separate outdoor learning spaces designed for different developmental stages.

The secure 0–2 years area allows babies and toddlers to explore safely, with a safety gate preventing access to the spaces intended for older children.

The 2–3 years environment encourages active play, discovery and growing independence, while the spacious 3–5 years area offers opportunities for age-appropriate challenging and risky play. These experiences help children build confidence, physical skills, resilience and problem-solving abilities.

All three outdoor spaces include sandpits for sensory exploration, creativity and collaborative play.

Children can also help care for the centre’s vegetable and herb garden, taking part in planting and harvesting before using the produce in cooking experiences.

Learning Beyond the Centre

Little Zak’s Gladesville places a strong emphasis on helping children become confident and connected members of their local community. Regular excursions, incursions and community partnerships extend learning beyond the classroom and give children valuable real-world experiences. These include:

• Local excursions: Children visit nearby parks, libraries, cafés, shops and community services, helping them develop confidence, independence and practical life skills.
• The Little Zak’s bus: The centre’s own bus allows children to safely participate in excursions and experiences beyond walking distance.
• Community and school partnerships: Connections with local schools and community organisations strengthen children’s sense of belonging and help make the transition to primary school more meaningful.
• Regular swimming lessons: Through the centre’s partnership with Carlile Swimming, children can develop important water skills and confidence, travelling safely to their lessons aboard the Little Zak’s bus.

These experiences give children opportunities to explore their wider world, develop independence and build meaningful connections with their local community.

Family and Community Connections

Families are an important part of life at Little Zak’s Gladesville.

The centre holds regular family and community events, including movie nights and charity initiatives, creating opportunities for families to meet, connect and feel part of the centre community.

These events complement the centre’s ongoing partnerships with families, educators and local organisations, ensuring children’s learning is supported both inside and outside the classroom.

Child Safety Comes First

The safety and wellbeing of every child is the centre’s highest priority.

Little Zak’s Gladesville maintains a child-safe environment through active supervision, secure entry and exit procedures, regular risk assessments and policies aligned with the National Quality Framework and Child Safe Standards.

All educators complete child-protection training and ongoing professional development so they can recognise, respond to and report concerns appropriately.

Children are also introduced to protective behaviours, respectful relationships and personal safety through age-appropriate learning experiences. By working closely with families, the centre aims to provide a safe, caring and inclusive environment in which every child feels secure and supported.

The Details

📍 Location: Little Zak’s Academy, Gladesville, 2 Massey Street, Gladesville
👶 Ages: Six weeks to six years
🕒 Hours: Monday to Friday, 7am–6pm
📞 Phone: 1300 339 257
🌐 Website and tour bookings: Little Zak’s Academy Gladesville