We visited the brand-new, beautifully designed NextSense Preschool, situated in Macquarie Park. NextSense relocated from its North Rocks site to Macquarie Park in April 2024, formerly known as the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children (RIDBC)

Purpose-built for children with sensory impairments, the facility combines expert-led programs, a compassionate community, and cutting-edge technology in a warm and welcoming environment, Here, children with hearing and vision impairments receive a tailored education, supporting them from early childhood through to primary school.

Unlike the adjacent Primary School, which is only for children with impaired vision and hearing, NextSense Preschool is open to all community members including children who do not have sensory impairments, fostering a diverse learning environment where every child is empowered to reach their full potential.

Families looking for a supportive community will find a unique approach at NextSense Preschool, where children with sensory impairments and typically developing peers learn side-by-side.

Following a settling-in period for students who transitioned from the former location, NextSense is now warmly welcoming new families.

Specialised Early Education

Families love the focused care and education their children receive, and the educational structure. All rooms maintain a low educator-to-child ratio of 1:5, ensuring individual attention and tailored support. Each room will eventually host five educators, all of whom play a critical role in the children’s daily learning, socialization, and personal growth.

Each classroom is led by a qualified teacher who tailors the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) to support each child’s personal development, academic growth, and social skills.

The Preschool is divided into three dedicated rooms to cater to the unique needs of children aged 3-6 years:

Vision Room – Specifically designed for children who are blind or have low vision, providing a supportive, adaptive environment.

AUSLAN Bilingual Room – An inclusive space where AUSLAN (Australian Sign Language) is the primary language, supporting children with hearing loss.

Spoken Language Room – Geared towards children who use hearing aids or cochlear implants and those who are learning English as a second language.

A Community-Centric, Purpose-built Space

Designed with input from educators, the NextSense facility has been thoughtfully developed to accommodate the sensory needs of young learners. Spacious classrooms, custom learning tools, and sensory-friendly spaces make it a safe and accessible environment.

The bright, spacious, classrooms are acoustically optimised to reduce background noise and enhance audio clarity, ensuring children with hearing impairments can fully engage in lessons. Classrooms are equipped with custom learning tools and sensory-friendly spaces throughout the building, such as quiet rooms and textured activity zones, offer students a safe haven for relaxation and sensory regulation.

Seamlessly Integrated Therapies

The services at NextSense extend beyond the classroom. The centre offers comprehensive support for families navigating the challenges of hearing and vision impairments, providing in-house therapies, counselling, and family education.

This major benefit means that therapies are seamlessly integrated into the school day, reducing the need to leave the centre for outside support and ensuring continuity in their educational experience.

The holistic approach ensures that families feel empowered and equipped to support their child’s journey, while children benefit from consistent support within a trusted environment.

Why Choose NextSense?

NextSense Macquarie Park is a special place where kids of all abilities come together to learn and grow. With small class sizes, inclusive spaces, and a caring team of specialists, it’s set up to give every child the best start—both with and without sensory needs.

As a government-approved preschool, NextSense also qualifies for the Start Strong funding, making quality early education more accessible to families.

Tours of the facility are available every weekday at 10am and 3pm, offering prospective families a firsthand look at the enriching environment and the supportive community at NextSense Macquarie Park.