Business Details
Your Trusted Child Care Partner in Mittagong
Mittagong Preschool is a not-for-profit community-based early childhood education provider dedicated to fostering holistic development in children aged 2-6 years. Established as a parent-led association, we deliver play-based programs aligned with individual and group interests, prioritising social-emotional growth, creativity, and cultural inclusivity. Our team of experienced educators, including qualified teachers and support staff with decades of combined expertise, collaborates to create nurturing environments that reflect local community values.We maintain strong partnerships with families and adhere to national early childhood frameworks, ensuring quality care and educational outcomes. Our commitment to continuous improvement is demonstrated through regular program evaluations, staff professional development, and active engagement with evolving pedagogical practices.
Services
Early Childhood Education
Play-Based Learning
Community Programs
Outdoor Education
Special Events
Waitlist Management
Family Engagement
STEM Activities
Cultural Programs
Language Development
Highlights and features
- We offer a holistic approach to early childhood education with qualified teachers
- Our community-based model fosters strong family engagement and local connections
- We implement structured play-based programs aligned with national educational frameworks
- Our educators have over 25 years of combined experience in early childhood education
- We maintain small class sizes to ensure individualised attention and care
Services
Early Childhood Education
Our play-based learning programs cater to children aged 2-6, focusing on holistic development through structured activities and free play. Qualified educators design individualised learning plans that address cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development. We follow national early childhood frameworks while incorporating local cultural contexts and family values.
Community Engagement
We actively involve families through parent committees, regular communication, and collaborative decision-making processes. Our community-based model encourages volunteer participation and hosts regular events to strengthen family connections. This approach creates a supportive network that enhances children's learning experiences and social development.
Outdoor Education
Our outdoor learning environments promote physical development and environmental awareness through nature-based play. Children engage with natural elements, gardening activities, and bush exploration to develop motor skills and ecological understanding. Qualified outdoor educators facilitate experiences that connect children with local ecosystems and sustainable practices.
Special Events
Themed programs and excursions enrich our curriculum with cultural, scientific, and artistic experiences. Activities include Harmony Day celebrations, library visits, and cooking workshops that broaden children's perspectives. These events foster creativity, social skills, and cross-cultural understanding through hands-on learning opportunities.
STEM Activities
Our STEM-focused learning spaces encourage curiosity and problem-solving through age-appropriate experiments and explorations. Children engage with basic scientific concepts, technology tools, and engineering challenges in a playful context. These activities develop critical thinking skills and foundational knowledge for future academic success.
People
Pauline Iacono
Director
Director and Educational Leader with over 25 years' experience in early childhood education. Holds a Diploma of Teaching in Early Childhood Education and has led Mittagong Preschool since 2005. Specialises in innovative teaching approaches and community engagement.
Helen McDonald
Early Childhood Teacher
Bachelor of Education graduate with 30+ years' teaching experience since 1989. Former director in long day care settings and developer of the PALS program at Bowral Community Health. Joined Mittagong Preschool in 2019.
Georgie Spong
Early Childhood Teacher
Qualified teacher with primary education background and recent Early Childhood qualifications. Has lived in the Southern Highlands for over a decade, bringing local knowledge and family-centred approaches to her teaching practice.
Michelle Hinton
Early Childhood Teacher
Bachelor of Education graduate with extensive experience since 2017. Former student at Mittagong Preschool who now teaches there, combining personal connection with professional expertise in music, literature, and science exploration.
Noriko Tunnell-Jones
Early Childhood Teacher
Outdoor Educator and Room Leader with Bachelor of Education qualifications. Completed ECT studies in 2025, bringing fresh perspectives to nature-based learning while maintaining 15+ years' experience in early childhood education.
Questions
What age groups do you cater for?
We accept children aged 2-6 years, though currently prioritise 3-5 year olds due to government funding focus on pre-school children.
How do I join the waitlist?
Complete our online waitlist form, which prioritises children based on NSW Government Access Guidelines, with priority given to children in their pre-school year.
What are your operating hours?
We operate Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm during school terms, following the NSW state school calendar with similar pupil-free days.
What educational approach do you use?
We implement play-based learning programs that address all developmental areas, with structured activities in literacy, STEM, music, and language groups.
Are there special programs available?
Yes, we offer themed programs like Harmony Day, library excursions, cooking workshops, and outdoor education activities throughout the year.
How is learning progress communicated?
Educators document learning stories in Floorbooks and provide fortnightly planning sheets. Parents can access digital records through our password-protected online portal.
