With large outdoor play spaces, weekly STEM programs, cooking experiences and a strong focus on school readiness, Little Zak’s Academy West Ryde offers a learning environment that feels both nurturing and highly engaging for children across every age group.
Located in the heart of West Ryde (across the road fro the new Bennelong Sports Centre) the two-level centre caters for 62 children across three age-based rooms:
- Adventurers (0–2 years)
- Navigators (2–3.5 years)
- Pioneers (3.5–5 years)
The centre is open 52 weeks a year, closing only on public holidays, making it a convenient option for local families.
We just love that all meals are freshly prepared onsite each day by the centre chef, and that all children receive an enrolment pack that includes a backpack, hat and water bottle.
A Huge Outdoor Space Designed For Play & Exploration
One of the biggest highlights at Little Zak’s West Ryde is its generous outdoor learning environments. Children here have plenty of room to move, climb, explore and play in a natural setting.
The centre features two dedicated outdoor spaces tailored to different age groups, ensuring children can safely engage in age-appropriate activities and experiences.
Children also help care for the centre’s community garden as part of Little Zak’s Enviro Program, encouraging sustainability, responsibility and hands-on learning through nature.
Strong School Readiness Program
The preschool program at Little Zak’s West Ryde focuses heavily on building confidence, independence and school readiness skills in a fun and engaging way.
Children in the Pioneers room (3.5–5 years) participate in:
- Prep Books tailored to different developmental stages
- Literacy and numeracy experiences
- Child safety education
- Weekly STEM and science activities
- Reading Eggs learning program access
- Project books documenting their learning journey
The centre also provides Reading Eggs access both at the centre and at home, with progress reports available for families.
Meanwhile, children in the Navigators room (2–3.5 years) participate in weekly science experiments and STEM experiences designed to build curiosity, confidence and problem-solving skills.
A Huge Range of Extra-Curricular Activities
Little Zak’s West Ryde offers an impressive range of extra-curricular programs included as part of the learning experience.
These include:
- Weekly Soccer for children aged 2–5 years called Zakaroos
- Weekly STEM and science experiments
- French lessons every fortnight
- Yoga sessions every fortnight
- Little Zak’s Kitchen cooking experiences
- Optional swimming lessons with Carlile Swim School for preschool-aged children – during school hours, managed entirely by the educators
The much-loved Little Zak’s Kitchen program gives children hands-on cooking experiences each week, helping build confidence, independence and healthy relationships with food from an early age.
Bringing The Community Into The Centre
Regular incursions and visitors help bring learning to life for the children throughout the year.
Some of the experiences children enjoy include:
- Firefighter visits
- Police visits
- Reptile incursions
- Children’s first aid education
- Author visits and storytelling sessions
The centre also celebrates a variety of cultural and community events throughout the year, including Lunar New Year, Holi, St Patrick’s Day and ANZAC Day activities.
For local families with babies under 12 months, Little Zak’s also hosts monthly “Baby & Me” sessions, creating opportunities for parents to connect while experiencing the centre environment firsthand.
Passionate Educators Who Know Every Family
At the heart of the centre is its passionate team of educators, who focus on building strong relationships with both children and families. West Ryde is led by Miss RJ, who brings seven years of childcare experience and a warm, welcoming approach to every family she meets.
Parents are not just welcomed at Little Zak’s West Ryde — they’re genuinely known.
The Details
📍 21 Winbourne Street, West Ryde NSW 2114
📞 1300 33 9257
🕒 Opening Hours: 7:00am–6:00pm
👶 Ages: 0–5 years
🏫 3 rooms | 62 places
🌐 https://www.littlezaks.com.au/west-ryde/