Locations
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.
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 primary school rankings is one way that you can arm yourself with the information required to do the very best by your daughter or son.
Checking primary school rankings is only one part of the puzzle when it comes to choosing educational options. You may also want to consider the following:
Little Scholars would recommend getting as much information as you can as early in the process as possible. Booking a tour to see the school and the learning in action will allow you the opportunity to truly get a feel for the culture of the place.
With that in mind, comparing primary school rankings can be a good way to gauge how the school approaches literacy and numeracy, as well as the access that it has to educational resources.
Here are the primary school rankings for educational establishments that surround our seven centres. Using this information as part of your decision, in consultation with your Little Scholars teachers, could help you make the choice that will shape your child’s educational journey.
Our George Street campus is located right in the heart of the city, providing easy access to Roma Street Transit Centre and the George Street Bus Depot. It’s only 300 metres away from the Queen Street Mall and it’s very close to some of Brisbane’s best schools.
Primary School Rankings as determined by state overall scores:
The gorgeous Little Scholars School of Early Learning Campus in Ashmore is firmly ensconced in the fabulous surrounding bush environment. This brand new centre boasts state of the art facilities presented in a calming, relaxing design that showcases the great work that goes on there.
Primary School Rankings for nearby schools:
Huge learning spaces and the promise of before and after school care (including vacation care) make our Little Scholars Deception Bay campus an attractive option for many families. There are a number of great schools nearby that you may be interested in for your son or daughter’s prep years (and beyond).
Primary School Rankings for nearby schools:
The Little Scholars School of Early Learning in Nerang is the newest member of the Little Scholars educational family. Their vision for the lucky students who attend is to arm them as much as possible with the skills they need to get ahead in today’s modern world; a great place for preparation for primary school! \
Primary School Rankings for nearby schools:
The Little Scholars School of Early Learning in Redland Bay is the glittering jewel in the crown of bayside life for local families. This centre provides state of the art educational programs, specialised teaching and plentiful resources to the students.
Primary School Rankings for nearby schools:
The picturesque Stapylton campus of Little Scholars has been awarded a 6 star Eco Estate rating. The good works of the staff have ensured that attendees of Little Scholars are primed and ready to support their environment in the years to come.
Primary School Rankings for nearby schools:
The Yatala campus of Little Scholars School of Early Learning offers premium educational opportunities in an expansive, responsive setting. The indoor / outdoor program takes advantage of the space and incredible design on offer to students.
Primary School Rankings for nearby schools:
Have further questions regarding primary school rankings and preparing your child for school? Get in contact with Little Scholars to discuss how to best move your child from childcare to kindergarten to prep. It doesn’t have to be a scary time – you just need the right support.
An easy transition from kindy to prep is crucial for your child’s well-being.
We can help your child make this big step. Our kindy program goes beyond academic preparation. We take your child’s well-being seriously, talk to us now.
When you work in Brisbane City, it’s often the case of having to drop your child at a suburban childcare centre early in the morning to get to work on time. Days are long, and the distance can be a tad inconvenient. Imagine being able to say goodbye to the hindrances of suburban childcare? Brisbane City offers quality early learning options and here are some great reasons why you should consider it.
Instead of spending your commute time sitting on your own in traffic, on a bus or train, think about how much more time you’d have to really connect with your children if they shared the trip with you each day. There’s nothing so chatty as a toddler in the car – Brisbane’s famous for its long commute times, use that time to talk to your little person!
There’s nothing worse than having to commute an hour or more to a sick child who needs you. With Little Scholars city campus in George Street, a mere ten minutes away from your office building, you can be with your child in no time. With very easy drop off and pick up, and a parent’s breakfast station (with coffee, we understand the importance of morning coffee!) you can pop them into their city childcare centre and even visit at lunch if you want to be sure they’re having a wonderful day!
When you work in the city, the commute time and horrible traffic means it can often be around 6 pm or later when you get to your children in the suburbs. Childcare in Brisbane City, on the other hand, will have you finishing at 5 pm and picking up your children at 5.10 pm; this means more family time and shorter days. Make it even easier on yourself and order from the Little Scholars Take Home Dinner Menu so you don’t have to worry about the children’s dinner when you get home.
When you’re so close to your children’s childcare in the city, it’s so much easier to attend special family days, for example, Little Scholars Father’s Day. You can even drop in for a lunch date to celebrate a birthday. Your children will be so pleased to see you, and you’ll no longer have to live through the parent’s guilt of not being able to attend. Using childcare in Brisbane City that’s close to your office means taking one hour of your time instead of two, three or more.
There are so many exciting things to do with children in the city; you don’t have to wait for the weekend to do them! Our Little Scholars Childcare Brisbane Campus, means you can finish work early, collect your children and take them to explore city favourites like QAGOMA Children’s Art Centre or the Queensland Museum. Work and childcare in the city opens the doors to so many fun opportunities and quality family time. Learn more about the best parks in Brisbane for toddlers and little ones.
Working in the city doesn’t have to be such a strain on family life; make it work for you and your family and consider the benefits of childcare in Brisbane City.
Find out more about Little Scholars’ city childcare in Brisbane or contact us to book a tour of our campus.
How much does childcare cost? The Child Care Subsidy (aka CCS) is proving difficult for time poor parents to calculate. We’ve prepared this useful guide to figuring out how much childcare costs using the CCS calculator to help make it simpler for busy mums and dads. Once you understand how much your childcare will cost, we’ll help you figure out if you’re getting good value for money.Just like you would with your insurance or electricity, it pays to work out just how much you’re paying for childcare and what you’re getting for it. Here’s our guide to the CCS and how it’s calculated so you can understand the rate you pay. How much does childcare cost? That’s determined by the government. What you get for your money? That’s up to you.
The Australian Childcare Subsidy commenced July 2, 2018 to replace the Child Care Rebate and the Child Care Benefit. The CCS is a more streamlined rebate system which is calculated by a number of factors and paid directly to the childcare provider of your choice.
The amount that is paid directly to your childcare service provider is calculated by considering the following:1. Your activity level (Paid work, self-employment, unpaid work in a family business, training, education, volunteering, looking for work and travel to and from work.)2. Your combined family income3. The type of childcare service and their hourly rates.When calculating how much CCS you are entitled to, the result is based on the guardian/parent who has the lowest activity rate. It is important to note that both parents have to work to satisfy the activity test for CCS. If one parent does not work, they are ineligible for the subsidy. The CCS has been designed to encourage contributions to the economy.
The activity test is the crux of determining whether or not you are eligible to receive the child care subsidy, how many hours of care are covered and the percentage of CCS you receive off your childcare fees. Click here to check your CCS subsidy status.
If you work up to 8 hours a fortnight (or your family earns less than $66,958) You are eligible for max. 24 hours subsidy per fortnight
If you work 8 to 16 hours a fortnight You are eligible for max. 36 hours subsidy per fortnightIf you work 16 to 48 hours a fortnight You are eligible for max. 72 hours subsidy per fortnightIf you work more than 48 hours a fortnight You are eligible for max. 100 hours subsidy per fortnight
$665 paid to childcare provider
$334.60/ fortnight out of pocket
The reality is that the child care subsidy works for some families and not others. It’s not a scheme that will change any time soon and so the best thing to do for your family budget is your homework. When researching different childcare centres, look at the actual cost of the centre. For the hourly rate you pay, what is included? At Little Scholars, our fee is not only competitive, it includes five chef prepared, nutritious meals each day. If you’re currently having to pack meals for your child, work out just how much you could save if you sent your child to a centre with supplied meals (not to mention nappies!) The same goes for extracurricular activities. Perhaps you currently pay extra for your child to attend activities like yoga lessons or soccer. Now, work out how much you could save by sending your child to a childcare centre like Little Scholars where extracurricular activities like this are included in the fee.
The Child Care Subsidy has forced many families to ask the question, ‘How much does childcare cost?’ It certainly pays to sit down and do the maths and work out if you’re currently getting the best deal because choosing a childcare centre with all the bells and whistles is often the better choice.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is current as at June 2018 and may change. The case studies in this article are examples only. To determine your eligibility and entitlements, please refer to the Centrelink Estimator.
*This hourly rate is an example only.
Talk to one of our experienced centre managers now. We can help you work exactly what your Little Scholars childcare will cost and how we can help you get the most from your child’s early education.
Whether you’ve been offered a new position with your dream company or you’re simply looking for the best ‘childcare near me’ in your area, there are a number of factors that require careful and deliberate consideration. Just because it’s urgent doesn’t mean you need to settle for the low bar of “childcare centre near me” – in every area across Brisbane and the Gold Coast, there are childcare centres that go beyond supervision and into education – so, no matter how quickly you need to find a centre, it’s worth comparing the options near you.
Selecting the best childcare Brisbane option for your family is not to be taken lightly. If you are hoping to ensure that your child or children receive the best possible care in the best possible centre, this is a decision-making process that you should begin as soon as you can.
You may be thinking of a childcare centre close to home or close to where you work (and there are benefits to both ideas). With that in mind, here is a brief guide to choosing the best childcare near your work or home.
Perusing a website is a great starting point to selecting the right childcare centre for your family but it doesn’t give you a complete and accurate picture of the philosophy, atmosphere and methodology behind an early education centre. You must visit the facilities to see the learning in action.
Your best option is to secure yourself an individual tour as opposed to being on a group. Questions and concerns can get lost in a crowd and a big group of adults can be a distraction to the children’s learning so you won’t get to see them properly engaged (or not, as the case may be).
You might want to ask the following questions on your tour of a childcare near you:
Other questions may naturally arise during the course of your tour. Pay careful attention to what the children are doing and how their educators are interacting with them. Consider how you would like your child to be treated and see if you can imagine them in this particular space.
We have 14 early learning campuses across the Gold Coast, Redlands and in Brisbane
Your child must have a CRN (customer reference number) with Centrelink in order for you to receive the Childcare Subsidy. You also must have completed your Childcare Subsidy Assessment. You can find further information on that topic here.
Once your centre has your CRN and you are registered with Centrelink for the childcare subsidy then you can leave it in their hands. Subsidy payments will be made directly to the centre according to the rate of subsidy you are eligible for.
Once you have chosen the perfect childcare either near your work place or close to home, there will be a range of enrolment steps you have to go through. A typical enrolment process will include:
It is vital to work with your child and their future educators to create as smooth a transition into childcare and early years learning as possible. This will be dependent on your child’s personality and their prior experience with learning outside of the home.
Your centre should (and make sure you ask this on the tour) have an orientation system in place wherein you spend some time with your child in their learning environment. You might stay for an hour and then leave briefly to see how they go. This is a process that should be tailored to your family’s individual needs – be wary of centres trying to force you out the door before you feel comfortable!
Beyond the orientation program, there are a few things that you could do to ease this transition process.
Finally, ask others for their opinion. Try local Facebook groups, friendship circles and family to see what they have heard about your chosen centre. Check for testimonials that speak in an honest, genuine way about how childcare has enriched the lives of families just like yours.
Choosing the best childcare centre near you is no easy feat. There are so many variables to consider and so little time to make big decisions in! After all, this is your baby. You don’t want to trust your beloved child to just anyone.
If you’ve Googled “childcare near me” talk to Little Scholars School of Early Learning before you settle on a childcare centre. Our commitment to Brisbane, Redlands and Gold Coast families is to provide more than “just supervision” – we go beyond “childcare” – we even go beyond the EYLF guidelines for quality early education.
We believe that these formative years are the building blocks for your child’s whole life and we don’t take that responsibility lightly. Yes, we offer childcare near you, but we offer so much more than that. Just because you urgently need a place for your child, doesn’t mean you need to compromise on care.
Your child doesn’t just deserve the closest childcare to you but the best one. Little Scholars provides the resources and opportunities for your child to flourish
A return to work after having children isn’t all that bad – in fact, there are some pretty good reasons why it could be the best decision you’ll make! Of course, as many mothers experience, mummy guilt will be in full force, but hopefully, these benefits will help you see past that guilt so that you can genuinely look forward to putting your career hat on again.
Just imagine being able to have real adult conversation and drink your coffee in peace – without it going cold. Being able to have a chat on an adult intellectual level is extremely refreshing. No doubt your children will be on your mind at some point in the day which is why you can login to Kindyhub to see what they’ve been up to!
It makes sense, less time with the children at home means your house is likely to stay a lot tidier and you won’t have to clean as often. If mess and clutter does appear, use some nice baskets to quickly throw the clutter into and deal with it on the weekend. Now that’s got to be a huge win, right?
It’s not uncommon for some mothers to feel they lose a bit of themselves when they are home raising a family. They go from being a career woman with ambition to a stay at home mum who finds it hard to focus on her own passions amongst nappy changes, playtime, tantrums and making meals. Of course, every woman is different but many women certainly do regain a sense of purpose and identity when they return to work.
There’s no doubt about it, returning to work after a long period spent at home with your children isn’t easy but, it can be made easier. If you work in Brisbane City, Little Scholars city childcare means you can enjoy quick lunchtime visits to curb the ache!
Looking at the same four walls at home day in and day out can be debilitating for some. Returning to work can mean having the chance to listen to your own music in the car (not The Wiggles), talking to different people every day, looking at different walls and looking out different windows. They say a change is as good as a holiday and returning to work is no different.
As a stay at home mum, having limited opportunities for intellectual stimulation can lead to discontent and restlessness. Although reading books, listening to podcasts or meeting up with friends can be a good way to give your brain a workout, they’re often not the same as getting back into work and doing something that you enjoy and do well.
Going from a stay at home mum to a working mum now juggling two roles, you may think that you’re failing in so many ways. The truth is, going back to work will have your children seeing another side of you and admiring the new you at the same time. You’ll truly become supermum in your child’s eyes if you order their favourite from the takeaway dinner menu, too!
As a mum, you’ll always be your own worst critic but when it comes time to return to work, why not look at the positives and remind yourself that you’re doing it for you – and a better you means you can be a better person for your kids.
Time to return to work? Contact us to arrange a tour!
Make going back to work easier for yourself and your little one. With convenient locations and speciality services Little Scholars will ease the mental load so you can enjoy your return to work.
This is a contribution from Kerry, one of our mums. She’s recently undergone some terrible bullying in an online ‘mummy group” around her choice to go back to work after having her babies. We hear a lot of stories about discrimination against working mothers, so we thought it important to share her story.
I’m a working mother… actually that’s not entirely true, I’m a mother and I have a career. I value my career. I am passionate about it. I am good at it. I’ll take whatever labels you want to stick on me. You should know that I stick those mental labels on you too, dear Sanctimummy. Rant away in Facebook groups and share your carefully staged Insta pics with passive aggressive hashtags. I am OK with how you raise your babies. It’s your choice. Just like my career is mine.
While we’re talking labels, I am somewhat of a tiger mum too – at least, how I like to define it. I like my kids to be passionate about their interests. I want them to have access to all kinds of cultural, sporting and academic pursuits. And I want them to apply themselves and achieve their goals in the areas that interest them. For this, I am the most vilified mum on social media.
“He mustn’t earn enough.”“She must have had post-natal depression.” “She’s a feminist.”
Actually, we’re fine mentally and financially and even if we weren’t, how we deal with that is our business. I will proudly wear the badge of feminism and I thank you very much to not use it as a derogatory term. Feminism is about equality between the genders. If you wouldn’t make the same assumption or judgement about my husband, don’t make it about me. It is about choices for all women. I made a choice to go back to work. You made a choice to stay at home. You have that choice because of feminism. You can choose what to do next. You have access to work, to education, to equality in the eyes of the law. It might not be perfect just yet, but you benefit from the struggles of our mothers, just as I do.
I do. In fact, everything I do is for my children – I love those two little humans so much it hurts. Their needs, the human beings that they are and the humans they will become all shape my choices every day. Including my choice to go back to work. My choice to constantly feel exhausted and stressed and spread too thin. They’re the reasons I push myself so hard.
So I rise in the wee hours, do some work and then get two children up, dressed and off to childcare. Like everything I do, I scrutinised the childcare system and centres until I found one that would enrich my children, extend my children, stimulate their minds and develop their creative sides. In short, my childcare choice is an extension of my parenting choices and I feel no guilt about placing my kids in their capable hands. It’s not a sacrifice. My kids need more than “just me” to draw out their potential. It’s not about me. It’s about them. It’s about them interacting with other kids. It’s about them being excited to learn new things. It’s about their pride when they show me what they made at childcare today. I will not pretend to be crafty. I will not pretend to be an amazing cook. I don’t speak a foreign language to teach them. I don’t pretend to be as good at child enrichment as a qualified, dedicated early educator. That is their career. It’s their passion. It’s what is best for my children.
That’s not to say we don’t enjoy quality time. In fact, we adore reading together and we do it every day. We love getting out into the bush and trekking to beautiful places. We love bike rides. Most of all, we love to talk. We talk about everything, and nothing. Every day. Stop assuming I ignore my kids just because I work.
What I don’t do is clean my house. I don’t cook gourmet meals. I don’t iron. Not even once. My whole life I will never iron a shirt. My time is valuable and so I choose to spend it with my kids. Everything else can be done by a helpful lady (her name is Cath, she’s a working mum with her own business, for the record) or a good quality meal delivery service (and my childcare centre does this, and also provides me with my best friend – morning coffee. Sorry Alli, I know we’ve been besties since high school but you’re still not as close to my heart as coffee).
No, it’s not so I can keep him knee-deep in Playstation Games. Stop making assumptions about my motivations, please. I am raising a man. I wish for him to be strong, independent, confident, respectful to women, to see women as his equal and if he chooses to marry a woman, then to partner with a woman who he respects and who respects him back. If he chooses to have children, I want him to raise strong women and strong men. Equally. By excelling in my career while nurturing his mind and emotional wellbeing, I am demonstrating that I am just as capable as his father. I am empowered. I am both independent and a dedicated part of our little family.
I am raising a strong, independent and confident woman who instinctually knows that she’s equal to the boys and men around her. She gives and demands respect. She’s not fearful. She’ll never be forced into poor choices through lack of means, education or confidence. If she chooses to have children, I want her to know that she can make any choice she wishes when it comes to parenting. She can choose to stay at home with them, she can choose to further her career – my daughter will understand choice and know how to choose well. She’ll likely never learn how to iron a shirt, but I’m OK with that too.
We understand the stress and the mental load of career women. We provide a range of services to help make your life easier. It’s not just childcare, it’s parent care too.
Thinking of bushwalking in Brisbane with little ones in tow? There are great tracks that are closer than you think. Taking young children bushwalking can be an excellent way to contextualise the great learning they do about nature with actual immersion in a natural setting. Outdoor nature play features heavily in the Little Scholars curriculum design – so much so that you might be surprised by what your young children will be able to teach you!
Little Scholars would like to remind readers of the policy of ‘leave nothing and take nothing.’ Natural environments should not be disturbed and animals should be left well alone. Here are some easy nature walks on the Gold Coast and in Brisbane that toddlers can do as well!
There are a number of easy, short tracks that little legs will find somewhat manageable. Ensure that you bring appropriate clothing, sun protection and the obligatory snacks that must accompany any outing with small children!
This track is only 1.6km return and can be found in Springwood National Park. There is a beautiful outlook to Currumbin Creek that will prompt many discussions of environmental concepts like water flow and erosion. Kids can even safely swim depending on the time of year you go!
Again, you’ll find this track manageable as it is a mere 1.6km return. You can head to the lookout at Kings Beach where you will have the opportunity to learn about the Indigenous heritage of the beautiful surrounds.
Natural Bridge in the beautiful Springbrook National Park is a very easy 1km circuit that includes a glow worm cave (best viewed in the evening) and waterfall. If you know where to look, you may also get a glimpse at a trap door spider so hold little hands and avoid touching muddy embankments! You will find a lot of stairs on your walk, so it’s not suited to a pram but still an easy walk for kids of all ages.
The morbid name does not represent the wonderful experience that awaits your toddler! Brisbane bushwalking for kids is well represented by a number of tracks that differ in terms of difficulty and duration. There is also Indigenous artwork along the way to inspire and promote discussion. Take your swimmers as the track offers plenty of shallow water creeks in which little ones can paddle.
This south side Brisbane location boasts a number of tracks as well as family-friendly facilities designed to promote engagement with nature. There are a large number of animals in this area as well – perfect for the eagle-eyed toddler.
Freshwater National Park on Deception Bay Road is a hidden gem for parents of nature loving little ones. Besides the very easy walk through a forest of beautiful grass trees, Freshwater National Park is home to a reclusive koala population, lizards, birds and wallabies.
Cedar Creek, with its deep and shallow swimming options, meanders its way through 11 different picnic spots, ideal for families to spend a leisurely afternoon. The once popular Cedar Creek Falls now lie on private property but there are still ample opportunities enjoy a little bushwalking in Brisbane’s outer west. If your little one is all about the exploring rather than the walking, Cedar Creek offers plenty of exploration opportunities with a little bit of exercise thrown in!
Kindergarten and early learning programs that feature nature play prepare our children to embrace sustainability and foster a healthy respect for the environment. Take the lessons of your Little Scholars’ classroom into the great outdoors this weekend. At Little Scholars, we believe sustainable living, bushwalking and immersing children in the natural environment is an important element of their education and development. Learn more about our unique curriculum here.
Our innovative programs not only promote values around conservation and sustainability, but also pique your child’s interest in the natural world. Your child doesn’t need to be a budding scientist (although we’ll always encourage children to pursue an interest in science) to benefit from keen observation skills and natural curiousity. A fundamental interest in the natural world and “how things are” is the foundation for a life time of learning. As early educators, we believe that this is invaluable to little minds. All of our centres feature a comprehensive nature based curriculum – with Yatala currently trialling a cutting edge program for little scientists and nature lovers. Read about our nature walk in Yatala here.
As a freshly-minted lawyer, the 13-hour days didn’t matter that much. I was footloose and fancy-free, oblivious to the challenges having a career and a family would present down the road. Fast forward to 40 and I’m the working parent of two young children. Life has become a relentless juggling exercise as I try to emulate Lady Justice with her scales and sword. I’m always looking for that elusive lawyer work-life balance: that sweet spot where my kids are happy, the mother guilt is dialled down to a dull roar and I’m still able to meet the most critical work deadlines.
I know all too well what lawyer stress looks like. It looks like 9:30am and a line out the door of the court building and halfway down the street. A post-it note covered bundle of files apologetically dumped on my assistant’s desk. It’s me standing up my office day to rush down to court for an urgent matter. Staying back late to finish the brief to counsel. The crumpled school notices in the bottom of the bag noticed too late. The crazy hair day I failed with a standard, run-of-the-mill plait. It’s being up half the night dealing with vomit or worms or a night terror and still being sharp enough the next day to ask the right questions in cross examination so I don’t blow my client’s only shot at bail. Lawyer stress looks heart-breakingly familiar to me. So familiar, in fact, that it’s hard to tell where I stop and it begins, but I suspect it’s lurking like a moray eel near my guts, tearing at my digestive system.
I can tell you what lawyer stress sounds like. It’s the non-stop ringing of my iPhone. The squawk of my surname over the PA as I’m paged, pinball machine-style, from one end of the court building to the other. It’s the theme song of my current existence, the worn-out soundtrack of ‘sorry I can’t make it, something urgent’s come up.’ It also sounds like my babies crying at drop off because they’re the first ones there, again. It sounds like their voices over face time, saying goodnight because this brief is due tomorrow.
I can even tell you what lawyer stress smells like. It smells like a packaged meal being microwaved at 7.30 pm at the office. It smells like overcooked, soggy broccoli because my lawyer stress causes his cooking stress. It’s my kids’ freshly washed hair fanned out over their pillows as I creep in late from work to kiss their sleeping faces goodnight.
Most of all, I can tell you what lawyer stress feels like. It’s being spread too thin. It’s being torn between being present for my kids and the crushing responsibility that comes with holding a practicing certificate and with it, the dangling Damocles sword of professional negligence. It’s a hot coal sitting in my guts, burning me out. It feels like throwing in the towel. It’s googling dog washing franchises. Crunching the numbers to see whether I can afford to go back to uni to study something else, anything else. It’s the sadness of contemplating an exit of my profession after years of study and sacrifice. Most of all, it feels like the heavy shackles of guilt pulling me under when I’m the crappy parent not at the Mother’s Day breakfast.
But it doesn’t have to be that way. As much as I don’t care to admit it, it is actually up to me. I’m not going to drop the ball but I am going to start playing the game differently. I’m going to start calling on the village for help. Hiring that cleaner. Learning to say the word “no” at work without tacking on an apology at the end of it. I’m going to check my entitlements and start taking advantage of any family-friendly policies on offer. I’m not going to be doing what I’ve always done; trying to be everything to everyone. But at the very least, I’ll be as much as I can to the people who matter most to me. There’ll be times when the stars don’t align and circumstances dictate that I can’t be there for my kids. When that happens, I’m going to make darn sure I find the next best thing for them and keep striving to be the best working Mum I can possibly be.
Your Little Scholars centre provides the little things that make your busy life simpler. Easy drop off, breakfast on the run, tasty take home meals and all those services that lighten the mental load. We’ll even organise your child’s next haircut… because no parent ever enjoyed visiting the hairdresser with a toddler!
We get it. Let us give you a hand.
A trip to the park is an excellent way to promote not only physical activity and healthy living for our families but also to foster an appreciation of nature and the great outdoors. Finding the best parks Brisbane has to offer can mean a bridge is forged between the excellent work done in their nature classrooms in early learning centres and the experiences you provide when they are with you. There are a range of wonderful parks in Brisbane that represent careful planning and community consultation in terms of their facilities. There are change rooms, appropriate fencing and age and developmental-appropriate play equipment. As an added bonus for busy parents, many of these parks also provide access to Council Wi-Fi and have areas where you can set up and get a bit of work done while your children, depending on their age, play. We’ve chosen the best parks in Brisbane for busy parents to take a laptop and get a little work done, while they enjoy time with their kids. Because let’s face it, we’re all multi-taskers these days!
It’s important to encourage our children to play independently and to take healthy risks. It’s also important that, as today’s workload expectations increase, parents find the time to multi-task and take care of both themselves and their children. If that means answering emails for five minutes while your child enjoys their time with others in the play area, then so be it.
Here are the details of the best toddler parks in Brisbane to combine your child’s love of nature and fun and your pressing need to have a minute’s peace.
See a full list of Brisbane City Council parks with WIFI here.
The City Botanic Gardens Playground is a sensory playground that provides little ones with the opportunity to experiment with colour and sound in a carefully curated natural setting. There are change facilities and, while the area is not fenced, it is in an enclave that separates it from passing foot and bike traffic. You can also access Wi-Fi at this play area and there are ample, shaded places for you to set up your laptop. For fairy and nature loving toddlers, stay until the evening because there’s plenty of possums and other creatures about and a stunning display of fairy lit fig trees to explore, making this one of the best toddler parks in Brisbane.
Head to gorgeous Sandgate for the Einbunpin Lagoon Parklands, Sandgate Lagoon Playground. This fenced-in playground has easy access to toilets, toddler-safe ground coverings and council Wi-Fi connection. While there’s no table for working parents at this park, there is seating just outside the fully fenced playground. Happily, this playground is right alongside the nature reserve and is close to an observation bridge so you can take in the true beauty of the area and spot ducks, eels and other wildlife in the lagoon.
The Grand Dame of the best parks in Brisbane, New Farm Park has just as much to offer toddlers now as it has in years gone by. Excellent play equipment that will challenge and delight, a picturesque natural setting, free council Wi-Fi and plenty of places to park, making this an excellent toddler park in Brisbane.
Affectionately known as “Train Park” by local toddlers, the fully fenced Scarborough Beach Park has it all. Barbecues, covered seating for parents, wide open spaces, hills for rolling down, bike paths, a broad selection of play gear for kids of all ages, an enclosed climbing tree area and also, nearby beaches teaming with treasures. Scarborough Beach Park gives toddlers a feast of sensory stimulation and nature inspired play activity. After your play in the park, head out to any of the many local reefs, and hunt for natural treasures.
The Rocks Riverside Park at Seventeen Mile Rocks is a large open parkland on the west side of Brisbane. It offers water play and a huge variety of kids’ activities. There is plenty of toddler specific play equipment and if your child is a fan of sandpits, this is the place to be! You’ll also find free Wi-Fi, coffee kiosk and covered seating to help you get through those emails while your child plays, making it an all-in-one toddler park with enough activities to keep the whole family busy for the whole day!
Making a day of it? Check out our guide to toddler friendly Gold Coast and Brisbane bushwalking!
Exploring the best parks Brisbane has to offer is key to developing your child’s love of nature and we believe in incorporating nature play into more formal learning, too. Contact Little Scholars to discuss how this could benefit your child’s development.
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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