Questions? Contact Us

Map
Discovery House, 47 Bowes St, Phillip ACT 2606 Show On Map
Times
Mon-Fri | 7:30am - 6:00pm
Ages 6 weeks to school age
Phone
Enrolments (02) 8594 4200
Currently Enrolled (02) 6370 9740




Are You Based In Canberra?

Three-year-old Canberra children will be able to access 300 hours per year of free preschool from the start of 2024.
Gowrie Canberra Stamp Image

Primary Educator Relationships

Gowrie NSW teachers and educators allocate one staff member who will be your child’s primary educator to work closely with you and nurture your child through the first three years of life. Your child's primary educator will be highly attuned to their routines, rhythms and unique cues.

Our emphasis and commitment to working towardskey educator relationships promotes continuity, consistency and nurturing relationships between educators and children both individually and in small groups.

Your child will benefit from;

  • routines that are at their own pace and where they can participate in their own way
  • educators who take their ideas seriously
  • support to express feelings and show empathy for the feelings of others
  • encouragement to interact with other children and develop language and social skills
  • support to interact with children and adults in ways that are respectful and responsive
  • encouragement to listen to and respect the ideas of others.
"We have been sending our child to Gowrie Discovery House for a year now and couldn’t be happier. The educators are so engaged and caring with our little one. They provide a wonderful educational environment and our child is thriving. We are particularly impressed by how the educators integrate a structured educational program into fun play and exploration. They help us learn how to...
Jennifer
Canberra
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Meet our Centre Director

Nicole Tytherleigh

I am a university-qualified early childhood teacher, and I have worked in ECE for 30+ years in teaching and managerial roles with local government, not for profit organisations, the Department of Education and as an independent consultant.

I am motivated by the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of children and families. Our work in ECE allows us to do that each and every day which is exciting but also comes with a deep responsibility … the first five years are critical!​​​​​​​

FAQ

Located in Phillip, Canberra, Gowrie NSW Discovery House is a place of exploration and discovery. Days are filled with possibilities and stories of adventure and wonder.

Proudly rated 'Exceeding' against the National Quality Standards, we strive to create a place where children love to learn and educators love to work. 

Over many years, we have developed strong connections within our community. We pride ourselves on these connections and the relationships we have with our families and children. We support these relationships with regular updates via our secure online platform to help families feel like part of their child’s day.

Our commitment to excellence flows through all aspects of our early learning service. From our dedicated and passionate educators to our engaging educational programs and our stimulating environment. Our educators are lifelong learners, engaging in regular professional development to ensure best practice for your child.

Extensive early childhood research shows that for children under the age of five years, play provides the best vehicle for learning. If a child is interested in something, they’re more likely to persist at it. They soak up what they are learning and that knowledge stays with them. Play based learning is simple, effective and the basis of the Early Years Learning Framework. 
As simple as it is, the play based learning approach we implement at Gowrie NSW is in line with the children’s interests. We take the time to learn more about each child and then we plan experiences that will engage them in their learning. We also recognise that children are capable of playing an active role in their own learning so we also build opportunities for spontaneous, child-led activities.


Your child will enjoy:

  • Interesting and engaging experiences providing an opportunity for inquiry, exploration, discovery and problem-solving
  • Interactions with people and objects to help them understand the world and their place in it
  • Experiences that support and extend their thinking, beliefs and values
  • Rich play with materials that spark curiosity, wonder and investigation
  • Opportunities for the development of social, emotional, cognitive, creative and physical skills
  • Regular excursions to libraries, cafes, and nature reserves
Our infant space is influenced by the respectful practices of RIE (Resources for Infant Educarers). Through this approach, we understand the innate abilities of even our youngest children in our care.

As in all our centres, our team of educators at Gowrie NSW Discovery House combine experience, qualifications and a dedication to early childhood education. They deeply understand the importance of the early years and the difference a quality child care centre can make. They hold qualifications in children's services and bring years of experience working in early learning centres in Canberra and beyond.

As lifelong learners themselves, our educators are committed to a continuous improvement approach to their work. They actively engage in ongoing professional development to stay abreast of developments in the sector and the last early childhood research. They share their knowledge and learning with the team, working collaboratively at all times.

From day one, the educators work to make your child feel safe and secure, establishing a trusting relationship. It’s from this solid foundation that they can identify and provide engaging experiences to nurture and appeal to their sense of wonder and curiosity.

All our programs at Discovery House Early Education and Care are based on children’s strengths, knowledge, interests, concepts, and cultural backgrounds. The National Quality Framework stipulates that learning occurs best through play-based experiences.

Your child will enjoy;

  • Interesting and engaging experiences providing an opportunity for inquiry, exploration, discovery and problem-solving
  • Active engagement with people, objects, and representations
  • Experiences and provocations based on children’s emerging concepts and thinking
  • Rich play experiences by sourcing materials and creating environments that engage children’s sense of curiosity, wonder, and investigation
  • Opportunities for the development of a wide range of skill areas: social, emotional, cognitive, creative, and physical
  • Regular excursions to libraries, cafes, and nature reserves

Extensive early childhood research shows that for children under the age of five years,play provides the best vehicle for learning. Children are more likely to persist in something in which they are interested and play-based learning provides a great context for acknowledging children’s interests.

Our infant space is influenced by the practices of RIE and understanding the innate abilities of even our youngest children in care.

At Gowrie NSW Discovery House  Early Education and Pre-School, teachers and educators allocate one staff member who will be your child’s primary educator to work closely with you and nurture your child through the first three years of life.  Your child's primary educator will be highly attuned to their routines, rhythms and unique cues.

Our emphasis and commitment to working towards key educator relationships promotes continuity, consistency and nurturing relationships between educators and children both individually and in small groups.

Your child will benefit from;

  •  routines that are at their own pace and where they can participate in their own way
  •  educators who take their ideas seriously
  • support to express feelings and show empathy for the feelings of others
  • encouragement to interact with other children and develop language and social skills
  • support to interact with children and adults in ways that are respectful and responsive
  • encouragement to listen to and respect the ideas of others.

Learn More about Primary Educator Relationships

We use StoryPark to document your child’s discoveries and learnings. This ensures open and clear communication between educators, a child and their family. We document in real-time, as it happens, and share photos, video, audio and observations with you in a secure online environment.

Every family is encouraged to participate to ensure their child achieves the best learning outcomes.

It’s just like you’re there with them, every day.

Discovery House Early Education and Care caters for children aged from birth to 6 years. There are three learning environments. The age groups in each room vary each year according to our waitlist and service capacity.

  • 0-2 years: 12 children
  • 2-3 years: 24 children
  • 3-6 years: 30 children

In the right learning environment, children thrive. They have inspiring spaces, dedicated and supportive educators and resources that spark curiosity and wonder. That’s what we provide at Gowrie NSW. Our learning environments have been designed to support the individual learning, development and needs of the child. 

There is a natural flow between the indoor and outdoor learning spaces to support flexible learning styles. With a commitment to creating a calming environment for the children, we use natural materials and soft colourings across the learning spaces. 

Outdoors, the children can engage in gross motor and physical play while enjoying the wonders of sunshine and fresh air. There are opportunities for water play, sensory experiences and adventures fuelled by imagination.

When the children are ready to move to a new space, they are well supported in the transition. They are given time to familiarise themselves with their new educators, peers and the physical environment before they move. 

In addition to the physical learning environment and child care resources, we also have incredible educators and teachers. These experienced, qualified and caring individuals are highly skilled at what they do and strive to create a positive place where learning is fun.

We have a strong relationship with IP Australia and prioritise enrolments for IP Australia families.

Daily Fees (before Childcare Subsidy is applied)

Age Price
0 - 2yrs $152
2 - 3 yrs $150
3yrs+ $147

Out of Pocket? The Child Care Subsidy assists families with the cost of approved or registered childcare. Learn more about the ChildCare Subsidy here, and what you may be entitled to.

Inclusions

Refer to the Gowrie NSW Fee Policy here for more details.

Someone from our team will be in touch with you on the things needed before starting.

Fill out the Book a Tour form and choose an appointment time in the calendar. You can choose a morning or afternoon tours. If you require an alternative appointment time outside of the calendar options, please email our Enrolment Team at enrolments@gowriensw.com.au.

The Federal Government funds a package called the Child Care Subsidy (CCS). This is designed to help families with the cost of fees for childcare services. Gowrie NSW is an approved childcare centre to administer the Child Care Subsidy.

You may be eligible for the Child Care Subsidy and can use the Child Care Subsidy calculator to help determine the amount you’ll receive. Your eligibility for the Child Care Subsidy is influenced by different factors, such as your family income and circumstances.

Have a question? We'd love to help.

Call us on (02) 8594 4200 or fill in the form below.