Pre-kindy

(3-4 years)
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Junior & Senior Kindy (2 - 4 years)

SUPPORTING GROWING INDEPENDENCE, FRIENDSHIPS AND A LIFELONG LOVE OF LEARNING THROUGH PLAY-BASED EXPERIENCES.

Bridging the gap between toddlerhood and kindergarten.

Little Scholars Kindy Painting Art Creative Learning

Junior and Senior Kindy at Little Scholars is an educational program for children aged 2 to 4 years designed around how this age group actually learns — through play, relationships and doing.

The play-based curriculum is guided by the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) and focuses on building language, social skills, confidence and growing independence across our Gold Coast, Brisbane, Redland Bay and Ipswich campuses.

Warm routines, intentional educators and rich learning environments — so your child can take that next big developmental leap with confidence.

Little Scholars Kindy Painting Art Creative Learning

Nurturing connections

Qualified, consistent educators helping children feel emotionally secure, ease
separation and build lasting trust.

Personalised care

Consistent routines for sleep and meals, plus experiences planned around your child’s interests and developmental stage.

Play-based learning

Experiences that build early literacy and numeracy, confidence, coordination and problem solving.

Family partnership

Daily communication and updates so you always know how your child’s day has unfolded.

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Where Learning Comes to Life

Exploring the learning havens for our Little Scholars

Our Junior Kindy and Senior Kindy Environments

Our Junior and Senior Kindy studios are thoughtfully set up so children can make choices and move between quiet and active areas. Inside you’ll find cosy reading nooks, creative corners, construction zones and dramatic play spaces that reflect children’s interests. Outside, children enjoy expansive playgrounds with sandpits, water play, climbing equipment, forts, bikes and nature.

The Curriculum

Learning through play in our Junior and Senior Kindy studios

At this age, the curriculum is highly play-based to match the rapid brain growth occurring in early childhood. Every experience is intentional, every moment is an opportunity to grow.

Key focus areas include:

Social & Emotional Growth

Learning to share, take turns, express emotions and interact with peers — the foundations of lifelong relationships.

Self-Help Skills

Supporting independence through daily opportunities — making beds, washing hands, cleaning up — building confidence in doing things for themselves.

Language & Communication

Expanding vocabulary through stories, group time and everyday conversation — preparing children for early reading and school.

Sensory & Physical Development

Exploring outdoor environments, sensory play and mastering fine and gross motor skills through active, hands-on experiences.

Pretend & Real-Life Play

Developing problem-solving and community awareness through rich dramatic and role play — home corner, dress-ups and beyond.

Early Literacy & Numeracy

Stories, sounds, counting, shapes and early writing — building the foundations for a confident transition to kindergarten and Prep.

Strong relationships.
Big feelings supported.

Little Scholars And Educator Playing Outdoors

Relationships are everything in our Junior and Senior Kindy studios. Consistent, caring educators get to know each child deeply — helping them feel safe, understood and ready to explore the world around them.

We gently guide children through big emotions, friendships, separation and growing independence with empathy and clear routines, building a strong sense of belonging and confidence.

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Our typical daily rhythm

A day in the life in our Junior and Senior Kindy Studios

Flexible and responsive to each child's ideas, interests and needs — while keeping the rhythm consistent enough for children to feel secure.

Arrivals & Settle
6:30 – 9:00
  • Warm handover and quick routine check
  • Child chooses a comfortable first activity — indoor or outdoor
Morning Rhythm
9:00 – 11:00
  • Group time and interactive learning
  • Intentional teaching and projects — literacy/numeracy games, science, culture, arts and crafts
  • Outdoor time and Bush Kinder experiences
  • Morning snack
Lunch & Wind-down
11:00 – 12:30
  • Meal time practising self-help skills — setting up, serving, cleaning up
  • Calm transition to rest with stories and quiet time
Rest
12:00 – 2:30
  • Supervised rest following individual routines
  • Quiet reading and independent activities for non-sleepers
Afternoon Rhythm
2:30 – 6:30
  • Group activities and indoor/outdoor play
  • Music, movement and calmer creative choices as the day winds down
  • Afternoon snack and warm pick-up handover

Extracurricular Programs for Junior & Senior Kindy.

Beyond the everyday - Enriching experiences woven into your child's week.

Programs vary by campus.

Music & Movement

Interactive sessions building rhythm, language, listening and coordination through songs, instruments and dance.

Yoga & Mindfulness

Gentle movement and breathing exercises that build body awareness, calm and early emotional regulation skills.

Bush & Beach Kinder

Supervised outdoor excursions into local parks, bushland and green spaces — building resilience, curiosity and a love of nature.

Cooking

Hands-on cooking that builds fine motor skills, maths, independence and a healthy relationship with food.

STEM Explorations

Science, technology, engineering and maths activities that spark curiosity and build early critical and creative thinking.

Sport

Fun, age-appropriate movement activities that develop gross motor skills, teamwork and a love of being active.

Gardening

Growing vegetables and caring for plants — teaching responsibility, science, patience and connection to the natural world.

Stingless Bees

Our unique sustainability program — children learn about nature, ecosystems and environmental responsibility through our native bee hives.

Outdoor Explorers

Bush Kinder outdoor adventures for curious minds.

Our Bush and Beach Kinder program gives Junior and Senior Kindy children regular, supervised time to explore local natural environments — parks, bushland and green spaces across SE Queensland.

Through climbing, collecting, listening and observing, children build confidence, resilience and a deep connection to nature while developing physical, social and problem-solving skills.

It’s one of the most developmentally powerful parts of our prekindy program — and one of the things children talk about most at home.

What’s included

Everything included in your daily fee.

Little Scholar Kids Cooking Play Based Learning

Little Scholars Junior and Senior Kindy across Gold Coast, Brisbane, Redland Bay and Ipswich includes everything your child needs. Specific inclusions may vary by campus.

Key inclusions:

Little Scholar Kids Cooking Play Based Learning

Your child's pre-kindy journey starts here

Whether your child is ready for Junior or Senior Kindy, our campuses across Gold Coast, Brisbane, Redland Bay and Ipswich are enrolling now for children aged 2-4 years. Come and see what we do - we'd love to meet your family.

Grow · Inspire · Learn · Contribute

Your Junior & Senior Kindy questions answered.

What ages is Junior and Senior Kindy at Little Scholars for?
Our Junior and Senior Kindy program is designed for children aged 2 to 4 years, across all our SE Queensland campuses — Gold Coast, Brisbane, Redland Bay and Ipswich. We use flexible groupings based on each child's developmental stage rather than age alone, so your child is always with peers at the right level for them.
What is the difference between Junior Kindy and Senior Kindy?
Junior Kindy is for children roughly 2–3 years old and focuses on building early independence, language, social skills and emotional regulation. Senior Kindy is for children approaching 3–4 years and introduces more structured learning — early literacy, numeracy, project-based experiences and school readiness skills — while remaining highly play-based. Both programs are guided by the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF).
What does a typical day look like in Junior and Senior Kindy?
The daily rhythm is flexible and responsive to children's interests and needs. A typical day includes a warm arrival and settle-in, group time with intentional teaching, outdoor and Bush Kinder experiences, lunch with self-help practice, supervised rest, and an active afternoon with music, movement and creative play — finishing with a warm pick-up handover.
How do you support big emotions and behaviour at this age?
Big feelings are completely normal for 2–4 year olds — and our educators are highly experienced in supporting them. We use empathy, consistent routines and positive language to help children understand and regulate their emotions. We never use shame or punishment, and we work in close partnership with families to ensure a consistent approach between home and care.
Do you support toilet learning in Junior and Senior Kindy?
Yes — but only when your child is developmentally ready. We follow your lead completely and never rush or pressurise children. Our educators provide consistent, encouraging support and keep you informed every step of the way, working as a team with your family to make the transition as smooth and positive as possible.
What meals and snacks are provided?
All meals are freshly prepared onsite daily by a qualified chef and approved by Nutrition Australia. We provide three-course meals and snacks designed for growing children, with full accommodation of allergies and dietary requirements. Nappies and wipes are also included in the daily fee for younger children.
How does the Junior and Senior Kindy program prepare children for kindergarten?
Our Senior Kindy program is specifically designed to build school readiness. Children develop early literacy and numeracy skills, fine motor control, self-help abilities, emotional regulation and confidence in group settings. By the time they move to our Kindergarten room or an external kindy, children are well-prepared, confident and genuinely excited about the next step.
What outdoor experiences do children get in Junior and Senior Kindy?
Children get outdoor time every day in our purpose-built outdoor spaces. We also run our Bush and Beach Kinder program — regular supervised excursions into local parks, bushland and natural environments across SE Queensland. These outings build confidence, resilience, physical development and a genuine love of the natural world.
How do you keep parents informed about their child's day?
We use the Little Scholars family app to share real-time photos, learning updates and daily summaries throughout the day. You'll also receive a warm verbal handover at pick-up, and our educator teams are always available to discuss your child's progress, any concerns and next developmental steps.
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Your Go-To for Pre Kindy Childcare in Brisbane and on the Gold Coast

Our first priority is your child’s growth and development

At Little Scholars, we are proud to provide the best toddler childcare in the Brisbane and Gold Coast region.

Our first priority is your child’s growth and development; we nurture, teach and guide them so they can develop the skills they need to succeed in life.

It’s an approach that recognises how crucial the first few years are for a child’s development and ensures your toddler gets all the support they need to flourish during this time. We believe that both nature and play are important educational tools, which is why we instil a contemporary, sustainable and values-driven learning foundation in every curious little mind we have the honour of caring for.

We have pre-kindy studios in all 17 off our campuses across South East Queensland. Find a campus near you and then contact us to book a tour or playdate!

Self-help

Offering self-help opportunities each day

Parents know three-year-olds can be fiercely independent, which we wholeheartedly support by offering self-help opportunities each day, such as making and putting away beds, washing hands, cleaning up after play and meals and more. Encouraging play such as dress-up in our imaginative play areas, allowing time for children to master the skills of putting on and off items, is supported, as this ultimately helps with fine-motor skills and even toilet training.

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Emotional awareness

Understand our little scholars' emotions

We also work with our little scholars to understand and name their emotions, as well as recognise and empathise with the emotions of their friends. And our three-year-olds need some time to themselves, our studios have a ‘calm down’ space children can access when they have identified certain feelings that warrant a visit to that space for them, with comfy seating, cushions, blankets, yoga mats, and books to cozy up with.

Getting bodies moving

Focus on moving the body and gaining confidence

There’s also a focus on moving the body and gaining confidence in their physical awareness such as walking, jumping and running with coordination, climbing and throwing items with distributed weight and keeping balance. We support children in developing these skills with age-appropriate obstacle course structures, encourage climbing and navigating physical structures and explore group games that include various levels of agility, speed, co-ordination and timing.

Bush kinder also provides physical awareness in children as they navigate uneven grounds, natural climbing structures and wide open spaces that encourage spatial awareness. Gaining large motor skills assists in building fine motor skills, necessary as children move closer to entering prep.

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Extra-Curriculars

Provide fantastic extra-curricular programs

Little Scholars provide fantastic extra-curricular programs, which include bush kinder, but also music and dance classes, sports, swimming lessons, and more. We will also teach them to be environmental warriors, as at Little Scholars, we take our environmental commitment very seriously, and we believe in instilling these values in the younger generation.

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Learning through play

Provide a safe, caring and educational environment

Most importantly, our three-year-olds learn through play. In everything they do, we encourage and are inspired by their adventurous spirits and intuitive instincts for discovery. We foster their imagination and discovery with endless resources and creative play opportunities.

Our Brisbane and Gold Coast childcare centres provide a safe, caring and educational environment that encourages children to be curious, creative and confident. Little Scholars School of Early Learning is the perfect place for your toddler to learn, grow and make new friends. Contact us today to book a tour of one of our Brisbane or Gold Coast campuses – we look forward to meeting you!

At The Heart of Everything we do at Little Scholars are our Key Pillars

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Come and see the Little Scholars difference

Let us hold your hand and help looking for a child care centre. Leave your details with us and we’ll be in contact to arrange a time for a ‘Campus Tour’ and we will answer any questions you might have!

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