Childcare is fast becoming big business, with record immigration intake and government subsidies adding demand to the sector. However, there’s a new approach to childcare that’s making waves – it’s called Reggio Emilia.
The Reggio Emilia approach is different to Montessori, even though both originate in Italy.
It focuses on self-directed, experiential learning in relationship-driven environments, where children are the protagonists with hundreds of languages or ways to express themselves, according to Explorers Early Learning founder Lynda Salvo.
“Montessori is all about structure, whereas we believe that children learn through structured play. So, it’s not that it’s unstructured, it’s conceptual too,” she says.
Explorers Early Learning has 22 locations across Melbourne with more opening soon. Picture: Supplied
Ms Salvo opened her first childcare centre in St Kilda in 2006 while pregnant with her first son. She was inspired to move into the sector when she couldn’t find anywhere suitable for her children to attend. She eventually sold the Tree Houses brand to focus on raising three children. She returned to the sector in 2014.
Now she runs the business with some help from her 21-year-old son James – who is still studying at university – including purchasing land in Somerville where a permanent 100-placement site will open in mid 2026.
The new state-of-the-art childcare and kindergarten on the Mornington Peninsula will open next month. Explorers Early Learning is Australia’s first nature-play format that’s situated on a large six-acre property, bringing “farm kinder” to families who want their children to thrive with a connection to the outdoors.
Explorers also runs 22 centres in Melbourne, with plans to move into the regions soon.
“Opening Somerville happened because we always listen to the community. We always ask ourselves: ‘How can we create an amazing place where children can learn and educators can grow?’ And how amazing would it be where children can go and have connection to land and culture and learn creativity while also being cared for,” Ms Salvo said.
Inside one of Lynda Salvo’s childcare centres. Picture: Supplied
She tasked son James to find a new commercial site to develop, and being close to public transport was key.
“He found a six-acre site and we immediately thought this could be so much more than a childcare centre.
“We chose Somerville because it’s a location that’s within half hour drive from other centres we have from Frankston, Mornington, Dandenong and Clyde North.
“It’s a growth corridor in Melbourne – and we’re in an area where local people can access centrally. We’ve also purchased buses that seat 12 and 22 kids so they can go on excursions with parental approval. It’s all about connection to community, visiting aged care and going for guided walks on the beach.”
Bush Kinder Artist in Residence programmes and an art exploration focus drives the agenda at Explorers. Five new centres are on the way – including Ascot, Vale, Officer and Shepparton their first regional post with Lynbrook, and Armstrong Creek – near Torquay also on the agenda.
Lynda Salvo is a big believer of the Reggio Emilia approach to childcare. Picture: Supplied
About the Reggio Emilia approach
Salvo’s childcare centre is inspired by the philosophical approach you find in Italy’s Reggio Emilia region, where creativity, independence and collaboration inform its learning. The focus is on enquiry-based learning, and follows in the steps of its founder, psychologist and educator Loris Malaguzzi.
The focus is to make sure they can deliver a strong outdoor program with nature a huge part of the learning curve.
And when it comes to the education model, it’s been informed by the demand of parents looking for the Reggio Emilia model.
“I’m not going to tell you that I’m an expert in pedagogy, but research shows that people want this style of education for early learning. It really resonated with me, and I thought it’s a wonderful idea to implement here in Australia,” Ms Salvo said.
The Explorers Early Learning location in Brighton East. Picture: Supplied
Professional, passionate staff and a strong safety culture
Salvo sends staff to Italy every year as part of its learning development. This month, 15 staff are already in region where they undertake a pedagogical focus to implement in Australia.
“They focus on learning about the curriculum and infuse the passion and the pedagogy through the centre,” Ms Salvo said.
Salvo says central to the format they implement at the centre, is a leadership team that enables them to deliver quality care.
“At Explorers, we’re quite unique compared to our competitors because we invest in several managers who are focused on specific areas from child safety, compliance, and a manager who looks at curriculum and pedagogy. These key figures in our system help us deliver quality care.”
Child safety is paramount at Explorers Early Learning. Picture: Getty
Salvo works closely with Explorers’ educators to make sure they’re across all facets of the business and listening to families as issues arise.
“I am a listener first and foremost – and as a business – we’re really quick to market when we have ideas. We act quickly when looking at sites to buy because the demand is there for the service,” she says.
And a big talking point among all families is child safety, Salvo said.
“Families want to know we are obsessed with child safety. I go and visit every single childcare centre, we run family nights to answer questions with families, and we did a full review of everything that’s raised. We’re also innovative and doing our bit to make everyone feel safe.”
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