Shirley Rd

Preschool

Cnr Shirley Road and Nicholson Street, Crows Nest NSW 2065
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3 years - School Age

Mon-Fri, 8:15am - 3:45pm

Enrolments
(02) 8594 4200

Currently Enrolled
(02) 9439 2247

enrolments@gowriensw.com.au

We are proud to be rated as Exceeding, rating against the National Quality Standards.

A New Discovery Every Day

Enriching Childhood, Empowering Families, Strengthening Communities.

A proud legacy - part of the community for over 50 years.
Trusted and proven transition to school program
Child Safe and family inclusive - we prioritise safety, trust and inclusion, creating a warm, respectful environment where every child feels safe and valued.
Carefully designed curriculum to support a love of learning and a seamless transition to school
Nature inspired outdoor spaces that encourage exploration, adventure and connection to the natural world.
Learning in the heart of Crows Nest - families love our strong community feel and local connections

A proud place in the community...and a place of belonging

Shirley Road Preschool has been part of the Crows Nest community for more than 50 years, welcoming generations of families through its doors. As Gowrie NSW’s first preschool, it holds a proud place in our history and continues to offer children a safe, nurturing and inspiring place to learn. With a warm, boutique setting and a close-knit community feel, families know their children are seen, valued and supported every day.

Learning that nurtures confidence, curiosity and connection

Our preschool is designed for children aged 3–5 years and led by passionate, highly qualified teachers and educators who bring curiosity, care and expertise to every interaction. Indoors and outdoors, children are encouraged to explore, question and imagine...whether it’s through creative arts, nature play, or hands-on discovery. Families are partners in this journey, kept connected and involved through strong relationships and regular updates.

Our Approach to Early Learning

Mara Tainsh

Meet Our Centre Director

Hi, I'm Mara, Centre Director here at Shirley Road. I am so proud to be part of this wonderful community, and to have the opportunity to impact the lives of so many children. It's a great passion to support and inspire the teachers and educators at Shirley Road to continuously reflect and improve on the teaching and learning that occurs here with focus on a sensory lens. This in turn ensures positive outcomes for the young children in our learning community.

All our programs at Shirley Road Preschool 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 opportunities 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 which 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 at something in which they are interested in and play-based learning provides a great context for acknowledging children’s interests.

We also engage in learning beyond the classroom. All children participate in frequent local excursions and begin to see themselves as active and contributory community members.
We use Storypark to document your child’s discoveries and learnings and this ensures open and clear communication. We document in real time, as it happens, and share photo’s, video, audio and observations with you in a secure online environment.

Families are encouraged to participate in this process to ensure children achieve the best learning outcomes.

It’s just like you’re there with them, every day.
Children's lunch and a drink bottle.

Families are required to bring their child's lunch each day in an insulated lunch box with enough food for their child.

We are a nut-free environment and ask families to ensure the food they bring for their child is nutritious and free of nuts to support children with high allergies.

Shirley Road Preschool is funded by the NSW State Government. The NSW State Government is committed to ensuring all children in NSW participate in 600 hours of quality preschool education in the two years before they start school. This equates to 15 hours of preschool each week.

Fee Relief. For families nominating us as the fee relief provider, it is 2 days at $30 per day, and $92 for all other days afterwards. For families who have not nominated us as the fee relief provider, it is $91 per day. For your child to be eligible they must turn 3 or 4 by 31 July in that year, and be enrolled in a preschool program 15 hours per week.

Fees	Amount
Attending 2 days (3-5 year olds) and has nominated Shirley Road Preschool as the fee relief provider	$30
Attending 2 days (3-5 year olds) and has not nominated Shirley Road Preschool as the fee relief provider	$91
Unfunded Fee (day 3)	$91
Unfunded Fee (day 4)	$91
Unfunded Fee (day 5)	$91

Fill out the Book a Tour form here 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.

What Our Families Say...

Absoalutely the best preschool in the area. I would get your name on the waitlist asap if you are looking for a place for your little ones. I could not recommend this preschool more!

Jennifer

Parent
I would give it 10 stars ⭐️ This is absolutely the best preschool in the area. My daughter has been attending since Feb last year (2 days a week), and this year, she asked if she can attend all 5 days because she just loves it so much, compared to the daycares she has been to. Her friend has similar experience, she currently goes to a different daycare the other days, and she 100% prefers Gowrie Shirley Road Preschool over the other (much more expensive, big name, fancy building Centre!).

Louise

Parent
Our 1st child has just completed 2 years at Shirley Road and our 2nd has just commenced. We couldn’t recommend this preschool more highly. The staff are highly experienced and there is a very low turnover. The educators have gone above and beyond on numerous occasions. They genuinely care. It has been a wonderful experience and our kids are richer for being able to attend this beautiful little pre school.

Astrid

Parent