If you’re looking for a Gold Coast childcare centre, we know how important it is to find the right fit. At Little Scholars, we have two highly regarded childcare and early education centres at Ashmore and Nerang. In addition to the uniquely enriching and premium service Little Scholars provides, each of our Gold Coast centres have their own unique benefits.
At Little Scholars Ashmore, one of our two Gold Coast Childcare centres, we’ve taken advantage of the leafy surrounds and incorporated them into the centre. Vegetable patches, rainforest walk, gardens, sprawling lawns and sand play scapes aim to encourage children to nurture and explore the environment. There are so many wonderful areas for play, imagination and story time at Ashmore including large mature trees, huge timber decks and play equipment. No matter the weather, all children from zero to five years old, can enjoy the natural surrounds through the floor to ceiling windows in the centre. Other key features of Little Scholars Ashmore include:
If you’re looking for a home away from home for your children and a centre focused on good old-fashioned play, Little Scholars Nerang is for you. The layout has been intentionally designed to nurture the physical, emotional, cognitive and social aspects of children from 15 months to 5 years. With three flowing classrooms and a specially designed water park, loose part environment for construction and an art space, children can engage with whatever sparks their interest. Other key features of Little Scholars Nerang include:
Reviews by parents
But don’t just take our word for it! Find out what parents are saying about Little Scholars childcare centres.
“Beautiful centre and friendly staff!” – Jay Luckie [Nerang]
“Little Scholars Ashmore is an amazing centre with wonderful staff thank you all. My son Leo has learnt so much since starting and he has grown so much more confidence in himself. He loves coming to daycare all thanks to the Amazing Staff great job.” – Robbie-lee Ryder
“This is by far the best centre we have been to. My 8mo loves her carers and always comes home happy… the carers do so many activities with the kids and send photos home of their day! The facilities are clean and well maintained inside and out. So happy we chose little scholars Ashmore!” – Karmelle Boehme
“Wow this Centre has transformed into something so special. The children have such a wonderful set up both for their outdoor environment, with a private yard for the babies. I went to have a look at their brand new nursery that has just opened. What a beautiful environment for a baby to learn through their play. Just beautiful. This centre is fantastic and provides all meals and nappies.” – Kristy B.
Book A Tour Today
Discover for yourself why more families are choosing Little Scholars as their Gold Coast childcare centre. Make an appointment for a personal guided tour – the coffee’s on us!
Brisbane skate parks (and their Gold Coast counterparts) are often dominated by big kids that can dwarf our little ones. However, there are a few family-friendly spots where you can go to take advantage of facilities that are better designed to meet the needs of little feet.
Not only will children be getting out and about in the fresh air, but they’ll also:
Here are the following criteria we used for the below list. Most of these skate parks are:
As recommended by local parents, your best picks are:
Parent tip: Time your visit. Earlier in the morning on weekends and during the school day are better than in the afternoon on a Saturday.
As recommended by local parents, your best picks are:
Parent tip: Slip, slop, slap. Even being out in the early morning is no protection against the harsh rays of the sun – particularly in South-East Queensland.
Looking for extra-curricular activities that will bring out the best in your Little Scholars? Get in contact with us for a tour today!
Dropping off your little angel at an early childhood centre for the first time can be understandably daunting. You leave your child with strangers and wonder if they will get the same amount of care and attention that you give them at home.
As a concerned and nervous parent, you can make it easier on yourself by asking an early learning centre a number of questions before you enrol your child. These questions will ensure you choose childcare that you can trust and that will go over and above to support your child’s development.
It’s important to know whether or not a centre has adequate security protocols such as methods to sign in and out, authorising who can sign children in and out as well as security systems to enter the centre via pin code.
At Little Scholars, safety is paramount. All centres are secure and can only be accessed using a pin. Only parents and guardians authorised on our Little Scholars App can drop and collect children. All educators pay close attention to children at all times, and all centres are fitted with security entry and exit points.
The childcare fees are just one of the factors that determine how much childcare subsidy you receive so it’s a good idea to ensure you’re getting value for money. Ask whether the childcare centre provides all meals, nappies and other extracurricular activities for the children.
At Little Scholars, childcare fees include three-course meals, snacks and beverages, nappies where required, linen and extra-curricular activities.
Link to childcare subsidy article
At Little Scholars, childcare fees include three-course meals, snacks and beverages, nappies where required, linen and extra-curricular activities.
For little growing bodies, a healthy and varied diet is crucial. Ask to see the weekly menus and question how the menu is developed, i.e. does it follow any guidelines? If your child has an allergy or intolerance, it’s important to ask if these are catered for and if the centre has policies to ensure no cross-contamination of food.
At Little Scholars, we have a six-week rotating menu to offer the children balance and variety. The menu has been created to meet 50 per cent of the children’s dietary requirements, this is recommended by ‘Australian Dietary Guidelines, an Australian Guide to Healthy Eating, Get Up & Grow: Healthy Eating and Physical Activity for Early Childhood’ and the National Quality Framework (NQF). Our menu is also endorsed by Nutrition Australia.
It wouldn’t make sense to place a child in a centre that didn’t replicate the same values as you share with your family. Ask the centre about the values they aim to embrace and request their values statement.
At Little Scholars, we are dedicated to our philosophy which is to provide a high standard of care and education within an environment that is both trusting and homelike. You can read our philosophy here.
Of course, you want to make sure your child isn’t sitting around doing nothing each day and that they enjoy stimulating activities that have been planned to offer variety and the opportunity to learn and explore.
At Little Scholars, our qualified educators plan experiences that involve both indoor and outdoor play, with the outdoor area designed to be an essential part of each centre. Providing stimulating and challenging experiences is an integral part of our curriculum to help children become effective learners. Play is a massive part of our learning environment which enables children to express their creativity and emotions.
Early childhood centres are required to base their programs on an approved learning framework which addresses a child’s developmental needs, interests and experiences while considering individual differences.
At Little Scholars, we aim to exceed the National Quality Framework across all of our centres. Each centre has a quality improvement plan in place to continually achieve this high level. The plan covers areas such as programs and practice, health and safety, physical environment, educator arrangements and relationships with children, families and communities.
It’s vital that educator to child ratios are met so that there is flexibility to respond to the needs of the children. The National Quality Framework (NQF) outlines required educator to child ratios here.
At Little Scholars, we take the NQF very seriously and adhere to the educator to child ratio at all times. Each centre is headed by a Centre Manager with years of experience in early childhood and who will always ensure adequate numbers or skilled educators are caring for your children.
The transition from kindergarten to Prep is a huge one emotionally and academically which is why it’s essential that centres have a program in place to support children.
At Little Scholars, we have a curriculum program that is aimed at building confidence and independence. We enjoy specialised activities that help prepare a kindy child for Prep and we work with parents to develop a custom learning program. We also partner with local schools and hold regular excursions so children can become familiar with the ‘big school’ environment.
Early learning centres can be a hive of activity, colour, noise and movement. This can be overwhelming for some children which is why it’s important that a centre has space for quiet play if a child needs it.
At Little Scholars, our centres have been designed with different indoor and outdoor spaces and themes, keeping in mind the diverse interests and needs of each child. These spaces include areas for quiet play that your child can access when they need it.
There are so many benefits of outdoor nature play which is why it’s important to ask about it. For children from 1-5 years old, it’s recommended to have three hours of outdoor play spread over a day. In addition to asking about outdoor play being part of the curriculum, ask about the outdoor environment and what opportunities for play are at the centre. Lastly, outdoor play means being sun smart so don’t forget to ask about the centre’s sun protection policies too.
At Little Scholars, the outdoor environment is an essential part of the children’s learning journey; babies, toddlers and kindergarten children all enjoy the outdoor areas at our early childhood centres. Playgrounds at our centres have been specifically designed for the development of coordination, balance and strength. Mud pits, waterways, riverbeds, vegetable gardens, grassy areas and bike tracks are just a few of the inviting opportunities for children at our centre to play outdoors and reap the benefits . We also have a Bush and Beach Kinder program where we take children to the bush or beach to interact with the beautiful surrounds.
Some centres have limited funds for the upkeep of equipment or to purchase new equipment which is why it’s always a good idea to ask and take a look. It’s also a good idea to ask if regular checks are made to ensure the equipment is safe.
At Little Scholars, our centres have the latest and brand new resources, equipment and furniture. It’s our goal to ensure that children are learning and playing with the best. But even though the equipment is new, we run thorough checks daily during set up and pack up.
Structure and routine are absolutely essential for young children; they thrive on it. Having structure and routine is also known to reduce the occurrence and severity of toddler tantrums. Ask to see a usual daily routine and whether or not this is maintained each day to avoid too much change.
At Little Scholars, we carefully structure each day to allow time for individual play, play in small groups and large group play. Language and literacy skills are developed during these play times as well as when the children enjoy story time, drama, poems, songs and games. We maintain the same structure and routine as much as possible because we know how much this can impact on eating and sleeping habits.
Falls, scrapes, scratches, knocks to the head…they all happen when young children are finding their feet, taking risks and getting to know each other, but there still needs to be a process in place to deal with and report these incidents. In particular, if your child has an allergy, ask the centre to show you how the allergy is communicated throughout the centre and the process taken in the case of an allergic reaction, e.g. administering an EpiPen. Also, request to see evacuation procedures in the case of fire and emergency and how regularly these procedures are practised.
At Little Scholars, we have in-depth health and safety procedures for emergency and accident situations. These procedures are reviewed regularly, all educators are trained in these procedures, and emergency evacuation or lockdown drills carried out with educators and children. We are always more than happy to discuss these procedures with parents and guardians.
Beyond play, extra-curricular activities are essential for confidence-building and to grow a child’s interests. Ask which activities are offered at the centre and whether or not they are included in the fee.
At Little Scholars, music, yoga, sport, cooking and language lessons are all included in the fee and enable children to engage in activities they may not otherwise have access to. We find these extra activities help children discover a whole lot more about themselves.
Not every early childhood centre is created equal which is why it’s a smart move to arm yourself with these questions when looking to enrol your child. You’ll feel much better about your child starting at a new centre when you’ve asked the really important questions.
Have more questions about the Little Scholars early childhood centres? Give us a call!
Little Scholars provides the best early learning and care services that Redlands has to offer. We have two campuses in Redland Bay with world-class facilities, innovative curricular and extra-curricular offerings and the little extras mean that these campuses are far and away the best choice for families in the area.
Open from 6.30am to 6.30pm weekdays, this superior choice is located in a peaceful, green setting that speaks to a love of nature and effortless, functional design. The garden offers the chance for children to get their hands dirty and learn about gardening, life cycles, where their food comes from, vegetables, compost and even a working worm farm.
Little Scholars Redland Bay South is down the road and also has everything you’ve come to expect from the Little Scholars team and more. Our architecturally-designed campus has eight beautiful studios which each offer a world of learning and meaningful play for our Little Scholars. Surrounding our campus is a spacious veranda which has open-ended space allowing a flexible indoor/outdoor program that is led by the children, as well as a professionally-designed playground which is tailored to specific age groups, including the area’s largest fort. The moment you enter our doors you will feel at ease as it is our Little Scholars mission to create a calm and safe environment for every child and family, and to give your child a home away from home. We have created nooks throughout our campus so children can have quiet time, large open spaces to allow free play, the Redlands’ largest bike track, loads of natural gardens, exploration spaces, as well as real grass.
Your child can experience:
Looking for the best childcare centre? Redlands Bay Little Scholars welcomes you to join our family! Contact Little Scholars today.
Juggling work and family often means that quality time goes down the drain. There is just no room for a lazy weekend with everyone giggling over pancakes when there are chores to do, classes to attend and grocery shopping to spend your hard-earned cash on. In the blink of an eye, the weekend is finished and those dreams you had all week of spending time with family are put off yet again.
Life can seem like one long to-do list with no chance to catch your breath and take stock of what’s most important – each other.
Little Scholars pride themselves on providing the most well-rounded experience your family could hope for. This promise includes a variety of services during the week that will free up your weekends for relaxing with the alarm clocks firmly switched off.
Here’s how Little Scholars will let you make the most of the weekends and have more family time.
Exhausted after a hard day’s work? Dreading dragging the children around the supermarket when you’d rather be reading them a story at home? Little Scholars provides a take home meal service for parents that will lift that weight off your shoulders. Simply order ahead and the cost of the meal will be added to your fees.
Little Scholars has worked Japanese lessons into our curriculum, knowing that the acquisition of language at a young age stimulates cognition and makes learning exciting. Having cultural learning activities like this during the week will allow more time for play and relaxation on the weekend.
Saturday sports can be a drain for many families. Early starts, driving long distances, playing in miserable conditions. Little Scholars offers health and fitness, yoga and even soccer as part of our weekly curriculum. Your children will be able to participate in those team sports and fitness activities that promote a healthy lifestyle so the enjoyable movement you do with them on the weekends can be just that – enjoyable!
Children find huge benefit in the cooking classes on offer at Little Scholars. Having a hands-on relationship with food preparation ignites a creativity in them that will carry their interest through to the quality time you spend with them at home. Fostering an appreciation of health and nutrition means fewer arguments at dinner time and more enjoyable time spent together as a family.
All of our Little Scholars campuses embrace the beautiful, natural environments they are housed in with a bush kinder program. This can be extended on the weekends as you travel with them on bush walks, adventures in the park and explorations of your own backyard.
The Little Scholars early learning curriculum allows children to experience the world through creative engagement – movement, play and physical activities. These sessions are conducted by specialist teachers trained in introducing children to a world of fun and learning that will make your precious time with them all the more special.
Searching for more quality time? Find out how Little Scholars can help you make the most of family time. Book a tour today!
Nature play isn’t a new thing, in fact, toddlers and kids of all ages have been indulging in nature play for centuries. The difference is these days it’s become alarmingly less the norm due to the advances in technology and extended periods of screen time. Our generation has also become more risk averse, concerned about children’s safety. But the benefits of nature play for toddlers are clear. Read on to discover how getting back to nature can help your child’s development.
Nature play is the same as it used to be when you were a child – unstructured outdoor activities that connect children with nature. Anything from bike riding, gardening, walking, water play, making mud pies or playing in a cubby house is nature play.
The benefits of nature play are incredible, and it’s no surprise that the children missing out on regular time in the great outdoors are falling behind or suffering mental health challenges. Let’s take a look at some of the major benefits of nature play for toddlers.
When a child explores the outdoors, they try new things. They might try riding a bicycle, balancing on a log or going on a swing. Each time they try a new thing, they develop confidence within themselves; confidence to try again and eventually ride without training wheels, balance all the way to the end of a longer log or swing a little higher.
Not everything in the outdoors is presented perfectly, and that’s the beauty of it; it’s perfectly imperfect. The ground may have a slope, there may not be the perfect branch to complete a hut, and there may not be enough stepping stones to go over the ‘lava’! When kids play outdoors, they encounter all of these situations, particularly risky ones, and learn to make decisions and problem solve to find a solution. And when things don’t work out? They learn important life lessons in resilience.
Gross motor skills are important because they help a child build body strength and confidence. Gross motor skills can be developed outdoors doing activities such as riding a tricycle, climbing, engaging in water play, playing on a playground and drawing on the concrete with chalk, just to name a few.
It’s a pretty obvious benefit, but many toddlers and older children are still not getting enough physical exercise. Being active outside whether it’s kicking a ball, climbing, running, riding or skipping, helps children maintain a healthy weight, it reduces stress, mental fatigue and connects children with the real world.
Whatever time your child spends with a screen, swap it out for time in the backyard. If that’s too big of a change, try it in small increments until screen time is substantially reduced. You can also fit in nature play by scheduling regular family outings to the beach, on nature walks or bike rides and look for outdoor events near you with fun activities for the kids.
The best thing about nature play is that you don’t have to plan it – nature play is best unstructured because it leaves room for imagination and discovery. Give your children the opportunity and encouragement to do it, and they will benefit now and through to adulthood.
Take a look at our early learning campuses where we embrace nature play as a crucial part of the curriculum.
We do things differently at Little Scholars. Our early learning philosophy is unique and we’re proud of it.
Our focus incorporates the whole family as opposed to just the child attending our campus. We understand that your child is your entire world and that, by reflection, you are the world for your child. It’s important to us, therefore, to ensure that each and every member of your family is catered for regardless of whether they attend the campus or not.
Interested? Here’s how that works.
We provide quality early learning and care at affordable rates so that families can access skilled, highly trained educators and educational programs. Our philosophy is to create and promote supportive environments in which each and every child can grow.
This means that our learning activities, extra-curricular programs, appreciation of the environment and innovative kindergarten program are tailored and catered so that each and every child can experience success and achievement.
That’s the learning covered. But what sets us apart in terms of our philosophy?
Our difference lies in our dedication to improving the lives of the families who attend our numerous centres.
Purely and simply, we believe in your family. We believe that quality family time is of the utmost importance and is your child’s stepping stone to a happy and successful future education. If providing these extra services means that you can slow down and enjoy your children’s childhood then it’s worth every penny and every ounce of effort we have to put in.
Why do we do it?
Because you’re part of our family now, too.
Contact Little Scholars today and discover how our childcare philosophy can help your family.
Horse riding has many benefits for young children. Far beyond cute photo opportunities, this is an outdoors activity that can have impressive social, emotional and physical benefits for young riders.
Allowing children to get up close and personal with these peaceful and majestic animals can be quite spectacular. These creatures are both incredibly imposing physically yet unimaginably gentle at the same time. This dichotomy has a profound effect on all of us, but particularly children.
There are physical benefits that come with horse riding. These include hand-eye coordination, the development of a stronger core and strengthening arms and legs. Horse riding also assists with improving balance and co-ordination. It’s a great opportunity to make physical exercise fun and to get your little ones out into the fresh air instead of inside glued to a screen. It’s a wonderful way to help your child feel more in tune with the natural world around them.
Listening to instructions, being responsible, exhibiting kindness and gentleness and showing respect are all emotional benefits of horse riding for children and toddlers. Watching staff tend to and dress the horses can demonstrate for children the importance of a kind and patient approach. Your child will learn to take their time as they work to find a harmony with the horse they are riding. It’s a beautiful lesson in forging connection and trust.
The social aspect of horse riding means that your child will be introduced to a range of people who will fulfil different roles. There will be instructors, fellow classmates and riders and their parents. This expanding of their social circle is a great opportunity for your child to test the social skills that they’ve been working on with you.
Here are some places to go horse riding in Brisbane.
Here are some places to go horse riding on the Gold Coast.
Would you like your child to develop an appreciation of nature? Talk to our team at Little Scholars today about our bush program.
Hell hath no fury like a toddler whose cup is orange when he really wanted blue. Ah yes, three-year-old tantrums. It’s a rite of passage that no parent can ever truly prepare for.
It’s like something out of a horror film. There you are, minding your own business in the canned vegetables aisle. Suddenly, a high pitched droning noise fills your ears. Everything around you slows down until that noise, that haunting noise, is all you can hear. The tiny demon shakes uncontrollably on the floor and innocent bystanders cower in terror. The horror… the horror
I was there. I was once like you. I speak to you with the wisdom of a mother of a slightly older child (he’s four). I know the pain of being requested to make toast and then shouted at for making said toast. I know the humiliation of getting your pants pulled down in the post office by a tiny version of yourself. I know the torture of never being able to use your phone in the eye line of a tiny human who will not stop yelling about Peppa Pig.
I can tell you, hand on heart, that this anxiety you are feeling will fade. Slowly and in increments. The sentences will become more intelligible, the ability to reason will start to emerge and you’ll begin to be afforded some clarity instead of this ‘what the hell is going on’ mindset you’re in at the moment.
For me, the answer was providing my son with extra stimulation. When children are this age, they’re like sponges. Always filthy and in the sink. And also the way they, you know, soak up all knowledge around them.
As a mum, there were just certain things that I couldn’t provide. I didn’t have the patience or time to be endlessly doing craft. I’m not the sportiest of mamas (unless putting on makeup is a sport, in which case, I am a gold medallist) and I’m just not that into nature. I get sunburned easily and am scared of most birds – they’re unpredictable, alright? Back off.
What I do have lots of, though, is intense love for my child. I want the best and I want him to have as many experiences as possible. I found that when I placed him in situations where his mind was stimulated and his creativity was tapped into, his tantrums and frustrations became easier to deal with. I felt less defeated and I felt like I had more of myself to give him than I did before.
Finding a workable solution is important because there is no return policy on children – even with a receipt! And selling things you made on Etsy does not extend to adorable and small people who sometimes get very angry. No, engaging their brains can be a circuit-breaker for those intense feelings that your little one is having. It’s worth exploring all your options – and maybe childcare is the right answer for your family.
How can your child benefit from learning in a new environment? Contact us to discover how Little Scholars is changing the lives of families.
If you’d like your child to learn Japanese in Brisbane, then look no further than Little Scholars. We offer Japanese lessons as part of our extracurricular programs.
Japanese classes are more than just an opportunity for them to engage in learning an additional language. They provide both opportunity and outlet for personal and social development, cognitive and developmental growth, the attainment of key learning skills and an appreciation for cultures other than their own. By allowing your child to learn Japanese in one of our Brisbane, Logan or Gold Coast childcare centres, your child learns more than just a second language. For parents it means giving a young learner a head start, without taking up valuable family time. Want to find out more? Book a tour or contact us today.
The National Quality Framework calls for early year’s education to be centred around a variety of outcomes. These are:
We offer Japanese lessons in Brisbane and on the Gold Coast for children as part of our extra-curriculuar program. We believe this gives children the opportunity to embrace their sense of identity and connectedness. Specialist teachers allow for an expert approach to create an atmosphere in which children will feel encouraged and supported as they experiment with language, sound and understanding.
The Japanese classes your child undertakes as part of their extra-curricular involvement at Little Scholars will have additional benefits in the home.
The engaging and exciting learning environments at Little Scholars will provide ample opportunity for you to connect with your child about their learning. You may even pick up some Japanese yourself! It is an exciting opportunity for your child to begin their learning journey in a strong and positive position as opposed to feeling resistant or intimidated about learning new things. The arguments about homework, the refusal to try new skills and all of the other potential fears about your child’s education may well be staved off by academic opportunities offered in the pre-school years. It’s part of the Little Scholars Philosophy of Learning.
Interested in Japanese classes? Brisbane and Gold Coast boutique childcare centres, Little Scholars, offer specialist teaching experiences across all our campuses.
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!
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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