Tips for new parents navigating childcare for the first time
Articles, Parents Corner
Tips for parents looking for care for their child for the first time
You're having a baby! Congratulations! It's such a thrilling time! But it can also be intimidating, stressful and overwhelming thinking of all things you need to think about and prepare for, before your child even arrives.Par
Keep your family cool this summer on the Gold Coast
Articles
Lara Suddards
Guest Blogger for Little Scholars
Little Scholars is thrilled to welcome our guest blogger Lara Suddards. Lara is a mum of two small children and writer of her popular blog Mrs Lardeedah.com, which shares thoughtful ideas, advice and recommendations to grateful parents of fun t
South East Queensland’s best family-friendly events in 2025
Articles Lara Suddards
Guest Blogger for Little Scholars
Little Scholars is thrilled to welcome our guest blogger Lara Suddards. Lara is a mum of two small children and writer of her popular blog Mrs Lardeedah.com, which shares though
Why children lie and how parents can respond
Articles, Parents Corner
If you're the parent or guardian of a child under five, you've probably observed some lies at some point during their young life.That's normal and dare we say, developmentally appropriate. We didn't say it's OK, but it's common! Your child isn't headed for a life of crime and incarceration, so you c
14 fabulously festive ways to celebrate Christmas on the Gold Coast, Logan and Redlands
Articles Lara Suddards
Guest Blogger for Little Scholars
Little Scholars is thrilled to welcome our guest blogger Lara Suddards. Lara is a mum of two small children and writer of her popular blog Mrs Lardeedah.com, which shares though
Raising little boys to be kind, compassionate, and respectful
Articles, Parents Corner
Supporting boys in understanding emotions to grow into kind, resilient individuals
In recent years, news headlines have frequently highlighted the challenges surrounding men’s mental health, and the troubling rates of violence and suicide among men. While these stories are not representative of m
Reflecting back on the 10 year journey of Little Scholars
Articles
As Little Scholars celebrates its milestone decade of educating and caring for South East Queensland children we met up with Jae Fraser, the founder of Little Scholars, to hear his memories and reflection of the past 10 years operating Little Scholars School of Early Learning! For a bit of backgro
The best Christmas movies for children and where to find 'em
Articles, Parents Corner
As the year draws to a close, our thoughts eagerly turn to the holiday season. After all, it should be a time for rest, cherished moments with family, enjoying all things Christmas-themed! What's better than snuggling up on the couch, next to a brightly lit tree, watching a Christmas movie together?
Fun family-friendly things to do in Ipswich
Articles, Parents Corner
Ipswich! You may have heard Little Scholars School of Early Learning is coming to you! We're thrilled our newest campus is coming to Ipswich in early 2025. As we prepare to open our doors, we want to celebrate by sharing some of our favourite family-friendly activities in Ipswich, because we’re no
7 Bonding Activities for Grandparents and Grandchildren on the Gold Coast
Articles Lara Suddards
Guest Blogger for Little Scholars
Little Scholars is thrilled to welcome our guest blogger Lara Suddards. Lara is a mum of two small children and writer of her popular blog Mrs Lardeedah.com, which shares though
17 great ways to spend a day with the family in Moreton Bay
Articles
Deception Bay is a vibrant community in the City of Moreton Bay, just 45 minutes from Brisbane. Little Scholars has proudly been a part of this community since 2018. As we gear up to open our second campus, Little Scholars Deception Bay North, in January 2025, we’re excited to share some of our fa
Our Brisbane City Little Scholars rated exceeding
Articles
The children, educators, staff and families are celebrating Little Scholars George Street receiving an Exceeding result in the National Quality Standards (NQS) Assessment and Rating recently.
Situated in the heart of Brisbane’s bustling central business district, Little Scholars George Street
Family adventures on the northern Gold Coast: the Ormeau, Yatala, and Stapylton hotspots
Articles Lara Suddards
Guest Blogger for Little Scholars
Little Scholars is thrilled to welcome our guest blogger Lara Suddards. Lara is a mum of two small children and writer of her popular blog Mrs Lardeedah.com, which shares though
EYLF - A breakdown of the framework’s pillars, principles, practices, and learning outcomes
Articles
At Little Scholars, we use the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) to guide our approach to teaching and learning. We combine the EYLF with our commitment to fun and engaging experiences, inspired by the Reggio Emilia educational philosophy, for children that promote their social, emotional, and
Why mindfulness is so important for young children
Articles
These days, life feels busier, more rushed, more overwhelming, so the need for bringing calm into our bodies and minds has never been more welcome.
We introduced our Little Scholars Mindfulness Program back in 2021, a time when the world was chaotic, and the early learning sector was facing its o
Your family-friendly guide to dining across the Gold Coast
Articles Lara Suddards
Guest Blogger for Little Scholars
Little Scholars is thrilled to welcome our new guest blogger Lara Suddards. Lara is a mum of two small children and writer of her popular blog Mrs Lardeedah.com, which shares tho
Helping children develop confidence in their abilities through play
Articles
Building confidence in early learners through play
Children’s positive views of themselves as learners are more important than being told they are clever.
This insight from Nathan Wallis’s talk at the Australian Childcare Alliance (ACA) conference resonated with us, and we believe it’s val
Fun family-friendly things to do in Ipswich
Articles Ipswich! You may have heard Little Scholars School of Early Learning is coming to you! We're thrilled our newest campus is coming to Ipswich in early 2025. As we prepare to open our doors, we want to celebrate by sharing some of our favourite family-friendly activities in Ipswich, because we’re no
25 fun-filled children's activities on the Gold Coast
Articles
Are you a local looking for some new children's activities on the Gold Coast, or here on holiday trying to plan some fun family outings? We can help!
Apart from the beautiful beaches to explore, playgrounds to climb, and the hinterland to hike in, there are plenty of other entertaining and engag
How woodworking teaches children essential life skills
Articles
Over the past couple of months, we have started to launch woodworking stations at our campuses! But why, you may ask. It's dangerous! They could get hurt! At Little Scholars, we actively guide children through 'risky' activities to build up their skills, confidence, and resilience. Engaging in wood
The best playgrounds on the Gold Coast, Redlands, Logan and Brisbane
Articles
If you’re after the best playgrounds in the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Ipswich and Redland areas, look no further. Here we cover all of the top playgrounds in the region so that you can have a fun day out with your little one no matter where your adventures take you!We think South East Queensland has r
Little Scholars supports research of intergenerational bonds with children
Articles
Our Parkwood little scholars are not only a part of our newest intergenerational program, they're helping contribute to important research that looks at how intergenerational bonds support children's emotional wellbeing as well as that of older people who often experience feelings of loneliness in
The benefits of early education for everyone
Articles
Why is early childhood education important for everyone?
Early childhood education has far-reaching benefits, not just for children, but for society as a whole. By investing in the early years, we create a foundation that supports the well-being of families, strengthens communities, and drives econ
Rainy day adventures on the Gold Coast & Brisbane for family fun
Articles
Things to do with your children on rainy days on the Gold Coast, Redlands and Brisbane
Families who live in South East Queensland, a truly beautiful part of the world, are fortunate to enjoy pleasant weather most of the time. But, like anywhere, we get our (small) share of rainy or cooler days. And
Navigating difficult news - tips for talking to young children about world events
Articles
While it feels increasingly common, when the news cycle often brings unsettling stories into our homes, it can be tough for parents to find the right approach to discuss such events with their young ones, or even know if they should. Here we share some thoughtful strategies to help you navigate thes
The Child Care Subsidy (CCS): an explainer
Articles
So you've decided to send your child to early learning - how exciting!
For first-time parents, preparing for this new chapter involves more than just packing a backpack, it means understanding key essentials like the Child Care Subsidy (CCS). Navigating the CCS can seem daunting, but fear not! We
Keeping children mentally active to boost cognitive and emotional development
Articles
We hear a lot about how important the first five years are for children's brain development, and it's a time when children's curiosity is at a lifetime high, so it's the perfect time to embrace their curious minds by extending these interests and keeping those little minds active and absorbed, and a
Little Scholars pillar awards honour educators 2024
Articles
At Little Scholars, we have four pillars that underpin everything that we do at Little Scholars – for our children, families, educators, and our community.
As part of our annual awards, we have four awards dedicated to those Little Scholars’ values – learn, grow, inspire and contribute. Thi
Helping children to regulate their emotions
Articles
The importance of building emotional regulation skills young
Babies are not born knowing how to control their emotions, nor are adults necessarily well-versed in how to regulate their emotions, even after decades experiencing them. While modern society is making way and space for people to feel and
Children aren't the only ones who deal with separation anxiety
Articles
Parental separation anxiety : what it is and how to deal with it
Elizabeth Stone, an award-winning essayist and journalist, once captured the essence of parenthood with a poignant quote, ‘Making the decision to have a child – it is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walkin
30 surprisingly refreshing tips to get your selective (picky) child to eat
Articles, Parents Corner
Food ideas to get the approval and acceptance of your little food critic
We're sure approximately 96.3 per cent of parents deal with a child who, let's say, is choosey about what they want to eat. So choosey, in fact, they may choose to eat almost nothing you put in front of them. The amount of str
Proven techniques for boosting speech development in early childhood
Articles
For anyone who's ever tried to learn a new language, you can probably attest to the fact it's challenging. You think in one language and translate into another. There are new tenses, jargon, sentence structures, plurals versus singular words, never mind having the muscular movement necessary to form
Age appropriate answers to sometimes hard-to-answer questions from children
Articles
We adore the endless stream of questions that little ones bring to us every day! From an early education standpoint, we want children to learn at every opportunity. Children are inquisitive beings, and they have lots to learn! At Little Scholars, we cherish this innate curiosity in children and st
The benefits of bringing children of different ages together in early learning
Articles
If you're a parent of more than one child, or spend time with children of varying ages, you may already see the benefits of those children interacting with each other. In early learning, while we arrange for children of similar ages or development together most of the time, we do make time and space
The best activities to entertain your child while travelling
Articles
As the year draws to a close, our thoughts eagerly turn to the holiday season—a time for rest, cherished moments with family, and often, travel adventures with our little ones in tow.
Travelling with young children, whether by car or plane, can sometimes be a challenge for parents. But fear not
Social robots, AI and early childhood learning
Articles
The Little Scholars School of Early Learning recently joined forces with Southern Cross University for an innovative project, looking at how children engage and interact with social robots. NAO is a social robot that has been programmed to interact socially with people and this digital tool has the
How we can support 'slow to warm up' children
Articles
Each child comes into the world with a unique temperament, or personal way of engaging with their surroundings. One key aspect of this temperament is how a child reacts to new experiences and people they haven't met before. While some children are naturally at ease and dive straight into unfamiliar
Tips and tricks for dealing with separation anxiety
Articles, Parents Corner
Do you have a child who's struggling with separation anxiety, especially at when being dropped off at school or early education? Perhaps they're going through a developmental milestone that makes them need Mum or Dad a bit more than before. This is common starting around six months of age, peaks at
Children and risky play - why we should be encouraging it
Articles
Everyday life is full of risks and challenges, and at Little Scholars, we believe children need opportunities to develop the skills associated with managing risk and making informed judgements about risks from a very young age. Risky play helps to develop important life skill learnings such as; buil
The benefits of playing with clay in early childhood
Articles
Did you know that clay is not only a fun material for children to play with but also incredibly beneficial for their development?
What's fantastic about clay is its open-ended nature. There's no right or wrong way to play with it, giving children the freedom to explore and express themselves. Whe
How books can inspire and empower young children
Articles
Have you ever wondered how the books your children read can influence their growth and development? If not, you're not alone, and it's never too late to start paying attention. As parents, we all wish for our children to grow up as thoughtful, intelligent, resilient, and kind individuals. Regardless
Getting messy in early childhood
Articles
Learning to write. Learning to read. Learning to count. There is a certain set of expectations of things children are expected to learn around the time they are about to start school, but what about other equally important things, things that will give children just as many future benefits, but make
How to teach self-respect to your child: tips for parents
Articles, Parents Corner
Teaching a small child self-respect, to find and use his or her own voice can be one of the most valuable lessons you share as a parent or special adult in that child's life. When children can speak up for themselves, this will help them in every aspect of their lives, for the rest of their lives. H
The Collective: Little Scholars' educational initiative
Articles
If you have a child at Little Scholars, you've likely heard of 'The Collective' but do you know what it is? We thought it might be time for an explainer!
Little Scholars School of Early Learning’s The Collective is a service-wide, multi-faceted educational initiative, designed to enhance each c
Benefits of sensory play For children
Articles
Contrary to what you may have heard, it’s not only children with difficulties related to social integration that can benefit from sensory play but something all children can benefit from.
The benefits of sensory play for toddlers and babies go beyond simply having fun with your child. As parent
The importance of routines for children
Articles
The importance of routines for children is often overlooked. Life moves with different patterns each day, and habits can help children make sense of it all. As parents or carers, it’s crucial to be aware of this and implement healthy structures in your child’s life. Following these routines make
Reflective practice at Little Scholars: what it is, examples, and why it’s important
Articles
As early childhood educators, we encounter a variety of situations on a daily basis, ranging from ordinary to interesting (to say the least!). Reflective practice in early learning is about taking a step back and critically examining these experiences to better understand what happened and why. By r
Understanding the ECA Code of Ethics
Articles
At Little Scholars, the Early Childhood Australia Code of Ethics serves as one of the guideposts in our approach to education, informing our interactions with children, families, colleagues, and the wider community. Our dedicated educators embrace these ethical standards, continually striving to pro
Embracing the Reggio Emilia Approach
Articles
At Little Scholars we are dedicated to creating a nurturing, stimulating, and safe educational setting for children. To accomplish this, we have integrated the Reggio Emilia approach into our curriculum. This powerful educational philosophy puts the child at the heart of their learning journey, ali
Little Scholars celebrates bond with 'grandfriends'
Articles
Since nearly the beginning of Little Scholars, Little Scholars School of Early Learning has been proud to have special friendships in the community with people who live in aged care setting.
The premise of Little Scholars Intergenerational Program, dating back to 2015, is simple. It’s all a
Unleashing STEM superstars through Early Childhood Education
Articles
In today's fast-paced world, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) are the driving forces behind innovation and progress. To equip the next generation with the skills they need to thrive in this exciting landscape, we have to recognise the incredible impact of early childhood educ
Why getting children outside is so important at Little Scholars
Articles
If you follow our social media posts, you know we’re passionate about getting our Little Scholars outside. Have you ever wondered why outdoor play is such a vital part of our early educational program?
Here are a few compelling reasons:
Embracing the sensory experience
Imagin
What reading looks like in early education
Articles
Because we offer a transition to school program through our kindy and pre-kindy studios, from time to time, our educators and early childhood teachers are asked, 'when are you going to teach my child to read?' to which our answer is, we already are! But perhaps, not in the way parents expect.The exp
Is Childcare Tax Deductible in Australia?
Articles
Welcoming a new addition to your family is an extraordinary blessing. Along with the joy and love that fills your home, there are practical matters to consider, such as childcare. When you entrust your precious little ones into the hands of capable, nurturing early childhood educators, it’s an inv
Understanding Attachment Theory: The Impact of Early Education and Care on Babies
Articles
For parents leaving their babies or young toddlers in care for the first time, it can be a stressful experience. When the paid maternity leave ends, parents must make the decision of whether or not both parents will work outside the home. The choice to leave their young child in early learning and c
Healthy Eating Habits for Children
Articles
It’s no mystery that food plays a vital role in a child’s growth, and healthy eating makes a healthy child. While eating a small number of unhealthy foods like sugary sweets and processed snacks won’t cause much harm, a balanced diet filled with fruits and vegetables is best. The foundations o
What is a pedagogical leader and why is it important to have one at Little Scholars?
Articles
When you think of childcare, you might not necessarily think of early education, but that's precisely what Little Scholars is doing; providing high calibre early education for the critical first five years of a child's life, and at the same time, changing society's perception of what childcare, or e
Little Scholars Award Winners 2023
Articles
We have the very best early education educators at Little Scholars School of Early Learning. It’s our great honour to present our 2023 Little Scholars Employee Award winners. 🎖
These outstanding recipients, through some challenging times, have demonstrated their dedication, commitment and ha
The BEST Australian podcasts for anyone who spends time with children | Little Scholars
Articles
What an incredible asset online media has become when it comes to raising or educating children. From YouTube to Instagram, there's a wealth of expert information at your fingertips that previous generations simply didn't have. Thanks to online media, parents and educators can now access an array of
Schemas - how babies learn about the world | Little Scholars
Articles, Parents Corner
Babies are a mysterious bunch. For many months, their main forms of communication are cries, squeaks, gestures and coos. Parents fall madly in love with these little humans without knowing what they’re thinking and feeling, often just guessing at best.How babies play, how and what they’re learni
Little Scholars pillar awards honour educators
Articles
At Little Scholars, we have four pillars that underpin everything that we do at Little Scholars – for our children, families, educators, and our community.
As part of our annual awards, we have four awards dedicated to those Little Scholars’ values – learn, grow, inspire and contribute. Thi
Easy 3 Ingredient Scone Recipe
Articles, Parents Corner
Looking for an easy snack to make with ingredients from home? Here is one of our delicious snack items from our Little Scholars menu. We had to share this recipe as it is super easy to make and you can add whatever toppings you want! You probably already have these ingredients in your kitchen!
Alternative ways of saying "No" to a child
Articles
Explain the reason why instead of just saying no to children
Take the time to tell them why they can’t. Statements such as “Because I said so” or “Because I told you so” are not efficient in this situation as you aren’t giving them an appropriate reason instead of just saying no to ch
Bringing Children's Indigenous Dolls to Little Scholars Campuses
Articles
Little Jarjums is a Children’s Indigenous dolls and clothing line created and designed by Emily Rose, a proud Ngarabul woman born and raised on Quandamooka country (North Stradbroke Island) and mum of two.
Emily started making First Nations dolls to help her make an income to support her educat
Little Scholars Award Winners 2021
Articles
We have the very best early education educators at Little Scholars School of Early Learning. It’s our great honour to present our 2021 Little Scholars Employee Award winners. 🎖
These outstanding recipients have demonstrated their dedication, commitment and have gone above and beyond this yea
Why is the sky blue? (For children)
Articles
We all know that the sky is blue, but many of us take this fact for granted. Have you ever wondered why the sky is blue? Well, you’re not alone! It’s a question that lots of children and adults have (and one that has left many a parent stumped…).
In this blog, we take a close look at one of
Food Allergy or Intolerance?
Articles, Parents Corner
3 steps to telling the difference.
Everywhere you look these days there seems to be more and more ‘free’ foods. Dairy free, gluten free, egg free, nut free… So, it is any wonder that parents are considering food as the culprit if their child has developed unusual symptoms or behaviours.
Wh
How much sleep do children need?
Articles
The amount of sleep a child needs will depend on their age, with infants (4-12-month-olds) needing roughly 12-16 hours a day, toddlers (1-2-year-olds) requiring 11 to 14 hours a day, pre-schoolers (3-5-year-olds) needing 10 to 13 hours, grade schoolers (6-12-year-olds) needing 9 to 11 hours, and tee
Disadvantages of Watching TV While Eating
Articles
If you’re a parent or caregiver to a young child, you have probably noticed that putting a screen in front of them at mealtimes keeps them sitting in their chair. But is it bad to eat while watching TV? Well, unfortunately, the disadvantages of watching TV while eating might outweigh the benefits.
10 Things to Look For in a Childcare Centre
Articles
Wondering what to look for in an early learning campus? Finding the right one can be tricky and may even stir up anxiety in some parents. While this may come as no surprise to some, it does not have to be this way.
A childcare centre is a special place that should nurture and enhance your child�
Should we fuss about fussy eaters
Articles
The short answer is yes but more about that later.
I think it is fair to say that one of our jobs as parents is to raise children who bounce. And by bounce we mean have resilience - to be able to take some of the knocks and scrapes that happen in life.
Good food and nutrition is a pretty big p
A Day in the Life at a Little Scholars Early Learning Campus
Articles
You pile the children into the car, late as per usual, and do the panicked drive to your local Little Scholars campus.
Upon entering your Little Scholars campus, you’re suddenly enveloped into an atmosphere of calm. There’s coffee and croissants waiting for you next to a sign-up list for take
The Little Scholars community focus
Articles
By introducing children to the people and places around them at an early age, your child will begin to establish a sense of familiarity and recognise first-hand the importance of belonging to a community. As part of their community involvement program, Little Scholars partners with local schools, li
This Is Why Your Toddler Should Be Colouring In, Every Single Day
Articles
Colouring in activities are not only great fun but there are some wonderful benefits for your toddler to gain via this simple activity. Colouring in is an easy and largely mess-free activity to implement at home and is also a great way to keep toddlers busy when out and about.
Children simply l
Toilet Training Trouble – Tips for Struggling Parents
Articles, Parents Corner
Don't do it alone. We are here to help.
Including us (the Little Scholars crew) in the toilet training process is invaluable because our Educators often are among the first to recognise when a child is developmentally ready to toilet train, we can communicate with you and provide appropriate and
Ready for Prep? Top Primary School Rankings and Ratings Near You!
Articles
Little Scholars’ Government Approved Kindergarten Program is the perfect way to help your child prepare for prep and everything that transition entails. As a parent, you have probably given considerable thought to where to send your child once they’re ready to take that next step. Consulting pri
Useful links on childhood development
Articles
H2 Here is a collection of useful websites for parents on child development.
Starting Blocks
Startingblocks.gov.au is a new, family friendly resource available to help new parents answer child care questions and better understand the benefits of early childhood education and care. It offers he
Settling In
Articles
We aim to ensure that you and your little scholar settle in and enjoy the Little Scholars experience.
Introducing your little scholar to care can be an emotional time. It is fair to expect some tearful goodbyes in the early days however; there are many ways to assist your child with this transiti
Useful Tips
Articles
Useful Tips
Separation anxiety is normal in the early weeks, so don’t worry if your child seems upset at first. While there’s no magic formula to make separation anxiety miraculously disappear, there are a few tips that can certainly help:
Take your chil
Why you feel upset during a toddler tantrum (and what to do about it).
Articles
Why you feel upset during a toddler tantrum (and what to do about it).
For more information on parenting visit KidsInTheHouse.com
Stingless Bees Provide Rich Learning Opportunities - Little Scholars School of Early Learning
Articles
Bees are the darlings of the insect world and this weeks marks the launch of our Stingless Bee program at Little Scholars Ashmore and Little Scholars Yatala
What are Stingless Bees
Stingless native bees enable children to safely explore, engage, learn and experience close up the social behavi
