When you’re comparing childcare centres, almost everything on a website is marketing. The one thing that isn’t is the NQS rating. It’s assessed independently by a national authority, it’s public, and it’s the same yardstick applied to every centre in the country. If you only learn to read one thing before choosing care, make it this.
Here’s what the rating means, what the top tier actually requires, and why so few centres in Brisbane City hold it.
Every approved childcare centre in Australia is assessed by ACECQA — the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority — against the National Quality Standard (NQS). There are five possible ratings:
Most centres sit at Meeting NQS. Nationally, only around one in five centres reaches Exceeding. In Brisbane City, it’s rarer still.
The rating isn’t a single score. ACECQA assesses a centre across seven distinct quality areas:
A centre’s overall rating reflects how it performs across all seven — not just the ones that are easy to put in a brochure. Staffing, governance and genuine family partnership count as much as the program itself.
This is the part most parents don’t realise. The gap between Meeting and Exceeding isn’t about having more equipment or a nicer foyer. ACECQA looks for three specific things in every quality area:
A centre has to demonstrate all three, in all seven areas, to be rated Exceeding. That’s why it’s a meaningful signal — it’s hard to fake and hard to sustain. It reflects a whole team operating at a high level, consistently, over time.
Inner-city centres face real constraints: tighter physical space, higher staff turnover, and the pressure of running at capacity. Those are exactly the conditions that make Exceeding harder to reach. While roughly one in five centres nationally is rated Exceeding, in Brisbane City it’s closer to one in twenty.
Little Scholars George Street is the only Exceeding NQS-rated childcare centre in the Brisbane CBD. It earned the rating in 2024 — across all seven quality areas — which in a dense inner-city environment is genuinely uncommon.
You don’t have to take any centre’s word for it, including ours. Every centre’s current rating is public. You can look up any Australian childcare centre on the ACECQA national register or through the Queensland Government’s Starting Blocks site, and see its rating across all seven quality areas. It’s worth doing for every centre on your shortlist — and being cautious about any centre that’s vague about where it sits.
It means a centre goes beyond the National Quality Standard in all seven quality areas, with practice that’s embedded across the team, informed by ongoing reflection, and shaped by the centre’s own community. It’s the highest standard rating most centres can reach.
Yes. Meeting NQS means a centre meets the national standard. Exceeding means it consistently goes beyond it across every quality area. Both are solid; Exceeding is the stronger signal.
Roughly one in five nationally. In Brisbane City it’s closer to one in twenty, which makes it a strong point of difference for a city centre.
ACECQA, the independent national authority, through an assessment and rating process. It’s not self assessed or paid for.
Look it up on the ACECQA national register or the Queensland Government’s Starting Blocks website. Ratings are public and free to view
Little Scholars George Street is the only Exceeding NQS-rated childcare centre in the Brisbane CBD, rated across all seven quality areas in 2024.
At Little Scholars School of Early Learning, we are incredibly proud of the passionate, dedicated educators who bring our values to life every single day. Our annual Pillar Awards recognise team members who truly embody our core pillars: Learn, Grow, Inspire, and Contribute.
In 2026, we are thrilled to celebrate four outstanding individuals whose commitment, heart, and impact have made a lasting difference across our communities.
Claire Forbes exemplifies what it means to be a lifelong learner. Her commitment to professional growth is evident in everything she does—actively seeking opportunities to expand her knowledge, reflecting on her practice, and embracing feedback with openness and purpose.
Claire consistently applies new learning to enhance outcomes for children, demonstrating curiosity, initiative, and a genuine passion for best practice. Beyond her own growth, she generously shares her knowledge with colleagues, fostering a culture of continuous learning within her team.
Her dedication not only strengthens her own practice but creates a ripple effect, positively impacting both her peers and the children in her care.
Llogan Nelson’s journey over the past year is a powerful example of growth in action. Stepping into the role of Lead Educator in the Senior Kindy studio, she embraced a challenging environment and transformed it with determination and resilience.
Faced with behavioural, team, and environmental challenges, Llogan actively sought feedback, welcomed guidance, and consistently looked for ways to improve. Her commitment to implementing strategies discussed in behaviour meetings led to meaningful and lasting change within the studio.
Now transitioning into Kindergarten, Llogan continues to build on this success—working collaboratively to ensure children experience a smooth, positive transition. Her willingness to learn, adapt, and lead with intention truly reflects the spirit of the Grow pillar.
Rylee Misa brings creativity, energy, and heart into everything she creates. As a content creator and events coordinator, she goes above and beyond to design experiences that are meaningful, memorable, and inspiring for children and families alike.
Rylee holds herself to a high standard, always striving to create environments and events that feel thoughtful, engaging, and special. What truly sets her apart is her ability to listen—ensuring the voices of children, families, and her team are reflected in every experience.
Her passion and attention to detail help shape vibrant learning environments where our community feels seen, included, and celebrated. Rylee’s work continues to inspire not only those around her, but the experiences we create as a service.
With nearly a decade of dedicated service, Lyle Bala is the heart of contribution within her centre community. Approaching her 10-year milestone, Lyle continues to go above and beyond for children, families, and her team.
She is always ready to lend a helping hand, never missing an opportunity to support events or step in where needed. Lyle takes immense pride in creating positive, welcoming experiences for families, and her warmth and enthusiasm are felt by everyone she meets.
Her supportive nature helps families feel valued and connected, while her energy and care make each day brighter for the children. Lyle is a truly cherished member of the Little Scholars community.
Each of our 2026 Pillar Award winners represents the very best of Little Scholars School of Early Learning. Through their dedication, passion, and commitment to our values, they help create environments where children, families, and educators can thrive.
We are incredibly grateful for the impact they make every day—and we are so proud to celebrate their achievements.
Congratulations Claire, Llogan, Rylee, and Lyle!
Inspired by our incredible educators? At Little Scholars School of Early Learning, we’re always looking for passionate, dedicated individuals who want to make a meaningful impact in the lives of children and families.
Discover what makes our team so special and explore current opportunities here:
At Little Scholars School of Early Learning, we’ve always believed that a love of reading begins in early childhood. Books open up new worlds — helping children grow their language, imagination, creativity, and confidence, all while building the foundations for lifelong learning.
That’s why we’re so proud to have Street Libraries at every one of our Little Scholars campuses. These special little libraries make it easy for families and our wider community to share books, stories, and the joy of reading together.
A Street Library is a small, community book-sharing box where anyone can take a book, leave a book, and connect through the joy of reading.
Each of our Street Libraries is filled with a rotating collection of books for all ages that families can borrow, read, and pass on. If yourself or your child has outgrown a favourite story, you can leave it behind for another reader to enjoy.
It’s a simple idea, yet it encourages lifelong learning, strengthens community connection, and brings a little extra magic to our campuses.
Reading plays an essential role in every stage of early childhood education. When children listen to stories, explore illustrations, and talk about what they see, they’re building vocabulary, comprehension, and a love of storytelling.
At Little Scholars, books and story time are woven into our daily learning experiences. Our Street Libraries extend this practice beyond the classroom — inspiring families to read together at home and making books accessible to everyone.
Even a few minutes of shared reading each day can make an incredible difference to a child’s language development and school readiness.
One of our favourite parts of this initiative is seeing children excitedly check the shelves to see which new books have arrived.
The Street Libraries give families the chance to discover new stories, revisit old favourites, and create meaningful moments together. Each shared reading experience builds not only literacy skills but also a sense of connection — between parents, children, and the joy of learning.
Our Street Libraries aren’t just for Little Scholars families — they’re for everyone. Neighbours, friends, and passers-by are all welcome to explore the shelves, borrow a story, or leave one behind.
This shared space reflects one of our core values at Little Scholars: community. Through these small acts of generosity, a book once loved by one child can easily become another child’s new favourite adventure.
Our Street Libraries are open and ready for everyone to enjoy. You can:
Every book shared helps keep our libraries thriving and supports early childhood literacy across our community.
While our Street Libraries may be small in size, their impact is anything but. By sharing stories, encouraging family reading, and connecting our community, these little boxes of books nurture a love of learning that will last a lifetime.
Next time you visit your local Little Scholars campus, stop by our Street Library. You might discover a new favourite story — or share the perfect one with a friend.
Take a book. Leave a book. Share the love of reading.
As we wrap up another incredible year at Little Scholars School of Early Learning, we’re taking a moment to reflect on all the wonderful moments that made 2025 so special.
From new beginnings to community milestones, this year has been filled with learning, laughter, and a whole lot of heart. Here’s a month-by-month look back at our highlights from across our Little Scholars campuses.
We started the year with an exciting milestone — the opening of Little Scholars Deception Bay North!
Our newest campus quickly became a vibrant learning community, filled with curiosity, creativity, and new friendships.
February was a big month of achievement and giving back.
March brought together our families and the community for our beloved annual Little Scholars Camp Out!
Families enjoyed an evening under the stars, where our children and families enjoyed BBQ’s and roasting marshmallows, some were treated to reptile shows, face painting and even fire twirlers.
We also had a special meeting with our Children’s Rights Council in our Nerang campus, empowering our little scholars to have a voice in shaping their learning environments.
April was a month dedicated to professional growth and shared learning. Our annual Learning & Development Day brought together hundreds of educators and leaders from all 17 of our Little Scholars campuses for a weekend of collaboration and inspiration.
We also celebrated Easter across our campuses. Our studios were filled with joy, crafts, and Easter themed activities
May was a month full of celebrations, achievements and professional development:
July was a month of culture, learning, and community.
August was a massive month bursting with imagination and discovery:
September was a time for both recognition and fun:
October was filled with excitement and exploration:
November brought reflection and gratitude.
We closed out the year with festive Christmas celebrations across all campuses.
From campus Christmas parties to Christmas-themed craft, December was filled with joy, gratitude, and friendships — the perfect way to end a wonderful year.
December was also a powerful reminder of what makes our Little Scholars community so special. As the year came to an end, our families, educators and children joined together in a truly generous effort to support Baby Give Back, an organisation that provides essential items to children and families who are doing it tough.
Because of the incredible kindness shown across our Little Scholars campuses, we collected more than 680 kilograms of much-needed items. These donations will help support over 200 children and their families, offering comfort and relief when it is needed most. Every nappy, toy, book and piece of clothing represents a small act of care that will make a genuine difference in a child’s life.
What touched us the most was the way our community approached this initiative. Parents, educators and children spent time sorting donations and packing items, and many families used the opportunity to talk with their little ones about kindness and helping others. Moments like these show our children what community really looks like, and how even the smallest actions can have a big impact.
We are incredibly proud of what we achieved together in December. Your generosity reflects the heart of Little Scholars and our commitment to giving every child the best possible start in life.
Thank you to everyone who contributed, participated and encouraged their children to be part of something meaningful. You helped make December a month filled with compassion, connection and genuine community spirit.
2025 was a year of milestones, learning, and community. We’re deeply grateful to our dedicated educators, our supportive families, and — most of all — our incredible little scholars who inspire us every single day.
Here’s to another year of discovery, growth, and happiness in 2026!
For many parents, walking into a childcare centre for the first time comes with a mix of nerves, hope and a hundred questions. During a tour at Little Scholars, something important usually happens – families start to picture their child here, happy, settled and thriving. That is often the moment they understand why 9 out of 10 parents who visit our campuses decide to enrol.
Here’s what parents tell us makes all the difference.
One of the first things families notice is how personal the experience is.
During every tour, our educators ask about each child’s interests, comfort items, allergies, routines and quirks — not out of obligation, but because we want to understand who your little one is before they even start.
Little Scholars is intentionally built around a warm, community feel. Parents tell us it feels like an extension of their family: educators who remember children’s favourite stories, who celebrate milestones, and who build relationships with parents from day one.
It’s that sense of belonging that makes the very first drop-off a little easier.
Our philosophy is simple: children learn best through play, exploration, imagination and real-world experiences.
Across our Gold Coast, Brisbane, Ipswich and Redland Bay campuses, children enjoy:
Parents consistently tell us these are the things that set Little Scholars apart and make early learning feel meaningful.
A tour gives families a true feel for our campuses: the learning environments, the natural materials, the artwork created by children, the soft lighting and the open-ended, nature-inspired play spaces.
Outdoors, you’ll find large shaded areas, sand pits, climbing structures, gardens and spaces thoughtfully designed for curiosity and safe risk-taking.
Behind the scenes, we take safety seriously:
Parents consistently tell us our environments “just feel right” — clean, calm and full of possibility.
One of the biggest surprises for new families is how much is included in our daily nutrition program.
With seasonal meals prepared fresh by our in-house chefs, a typical day might include:
Parents love that Little Scholars removes the pressure of meal prep — and that their children are trying (and loving!) new foods every day.
We know parents are juggling a lot, so our support extends well beyond the classroom.
Across our campuses, families have access to a “village” of services and supports, including:
Families tell us this makes childcare feel easier, more connected, and more supportive of their lifestyle and work commitments.
One of the most common things we hear from our Kindergarten parents is “I can’t believe how ready they were.”
Our school readiness program builds independence, emotional resilience, social confidence and foundational literacy and numeracy skills — all embedded in hands-on, play-based experiences.
We’ve seen children who once struggled with separations now walking confidently into Prep with their friends. We’ve watched quieter children find their voice, and energetic children channel their curiosity into problem-solving and teamwork.
These are the moments families remember most.
Our educators support gentle, consistent routines and communicate closely with you. Most children adjust far more quickly than parents expect. We’ve written a blog on our tips and tricks for dealing with separation anxiety so be sure to check it out!
We encourage you to visit, ask questions, meet the educators and see the environment firsthand. Transparency and open communication are core to how we operate.
We offer a variety of options that can be tailored to meet the individual needs of every child, however you’ll find that within our relaxed, shared mealtimes, even the fussiest of eaters are often trying new foods!
We’d love to welcome you to your nearest Little Scholars campus.
Your child’s early years matter, and Little Scholars is here to make them extraordinary.
At Little Scholars, our commitment has always been to deliver the highest standard of early education and care — and this year, we are thrilled to recognise three of our campuses that have been officially rated Exceeding during their 2025 Assessment & Rating visits, joining our growing list of ‘exceeding’ campuses! These results reflect the dedication, passion, and professionalism of our educators, as well as our commitment to creating exceptional early learning environments.
In February, our Nerang campus was recognised for its warm, inclusive community and its rich, play-based learning program. This Exceeding rating highlights the incredible work of the team, who cultivate an environment where every child feels valued, supported, and inspired.
Our Ashmore campus proudly achieved its Exceeding rating in September. Known for its inviting learning spaces and strong educator-family relationships, Ashmore continues to set the benchmark for quality practice and meaningful learning experiences.
In October, Parkwood earned its Exceeding rating — a reflection of its engaging educational programs, nurturing educators, and commitment to children’s wellbeing. The team’s dedication to going above and beyond in all areas shines through in this achievement.
These three campuses joined our growing list of ‘exceeding’ campuses, which now consist of: Little Scholars Burleigh, Little Scholars George Street, Little Scholars Nerang, Little Scholars Ashmore, Little Scholars Parkwood, and Little Scholars Deception Bay.
An Exceeding rating signifies that a service is not only meeting the National Quality Standards but consistently surpassing expectations across quality areas — from educational programming and relationships with children, to health, safety, leadership, and family partnership.
For families, these results offer confidence and reassurance: your children are learning, growing, and thriving in environments that exceed national expectations. For our teams, these achievements reflect their unwavering dedication to providing the very best early learning experience possible.
These results affirm the hard work and heart our educators bring to their roles — and the trust families place in Little Scholars each day. We are incredibly proud of all our Little Scholars campuses — and deeply grateful to our educators, children, and families who make these communities so special.
At the core of Little Scholars School of Early Learning lies a strong foundation built on four pillars: Contribute, Grow, Inspire, and Learn. Embracing these pillars, Little Scholars believes in a philosophy centered around understanding the purpose behind everything they do. Their focus is on nurturing children’s holistic development, encompassing social, cognitive, emotional, physical, and moral aspects. One of the fundamental elements of the Contribute pillar is Little Scholars’ meaningful partnership with Baby Give Back.
As a Southeast Queensland charity dedicated to assisting vulnerable babies, children, and families in the local community, Baby Give Back ensures that every child has an equal start in life. On 10 June 2025, they will be holding their annual fundraising event, the Baby Give Back Giving Day.l As a proud sponsor, all donations from our Little Scholars community will be TRIPLED in the lead-up to Giving Day. You can donate here.
The charity began after founder Carly Fradgley, a lawyer at the time, had completed her family and wanted to pass along her baby items that were still in great condition. Carly began collecting items and connecting with agencies, and her garage quickly became a makeshift storage shed for the donations received. Quickly growing, Baby Give Back moved into a warehouse and Carly now works full time for Baby Give Back as CEO.
Carly Fradgley, Baby Give Back founder with Jae Fraser, Little Scholars founder
The charity collects, besides funds, items from clothing to nappies, cots, car seats, prams and more. There is a thorough process to ensure that every item they collect is safe, clean and in great condition, to meet the needs of each family’s needs and circumstances. The need is big in the local community.
In 2024, their impact was BIG. Baby Give Back distributed over 5,800 clothing boxes, providing clean and recycled clothing to children in need. 2,214 Safe Start Boxes were distributed giving vulnerable families the essentials for a safe start in life. This was all achieved with the help of 646 volunteers, who have dedicated their time to help baby give back support local families in crisis.
While families need support for a variety of reasons, one of the biggest issues they face is domestic and family violence. In 2023, 42% of the nearly 10,000 children Baby Give Back helped were affected by domestic and family violence, and that still remains a top issue in the current year.
Little Scholars and The Scholars Group founder Jae Fraser first heard about the plight of Baby Give Back in 2019.
When Jae married that year, he and his partner requested no wedding gifts, but rather, asked their guests to each bring a new toy for a child in need. They didn’t know exactly where they would donate them, but their friend suggested Baby Give Back. That began a beautiful friendship.
“Our guests were so generous, and after we connected with Carly and her volunteers, we knew we wanted to help. Our personal gift drive inspired us to do the same thing with our campuses that Christmas,” says Jae. “It’s the perfect partnership.”
Carly agrees. She says she was emotional to see the gifts roll up.
“When Jae turned up at our warehouse with a car and trailer both overflowing with new gifts, I cried. It was so overwhelming to see so many wonderful gifts and know that I could jump on the phone to the caseworkers who thought their families would miss out,” she says. “There were more tears when caseworkers came to collect gifts with many of them telling me that these gifts would be the only things that the children would receive – they weren’t extras, it was all they would have.”
The toy drive was perhaps a little too successful for the small charity, as they ran out of storage room along with their essential items! Now, their focus is back to where it always was, ensuring deserving families have what they need.
Now, Little Scholars and Baby Give Back partner together over several fundraising events each year, and the wider Little Scholars community pitches in as well. Little Scholars employees and families donate gently used items at each of the 17 Little Scholars campuses.
To learn more about Baby Give Back and how to help, visit: babygiveback.org
“We have built a great partnership with Little Scholars over the last 7 years on a foundation of shared values in both of our organisations striving to give children the best possible start to life,” Carly says.
“The financial support from Little Scholars has been crucial to our ability to keep the doors open through some really rough times,” Carly adds. “They also coordinate collections of the donations we need across the year. In addition to financial support, Little Scholars sponsor our t-shirts for volunteers allowing us to provide these free of charge and the Family Packs that are given to every family we support, letting them know that the support comes from the community with compassion.”
The children and community love Little Scholars and are thrilled to help. All 17 campuses hosted individual fundraising events to support Baby Give Back ahead of its annual June Giving Day.
“The parents have been amazing with supporting our fundraisers,” says Nat Carey, Deception Bay campus manager.
Children at every campus participated in bake sales, sausage sizzles, art exhibits and gold coin events to raise as much as they can for their peers in need.
“While community service is part of the national framework that childcare campuses follow, it’s more than that”, says Alison Carney, campus manager of Little Scholars Ormeau Village campus.
“By engaging in charity events such as Baby Give Back’s Giving Day and all year round, and other events in the community, we not only contribute to the well-being of others but also shape the hearts and minds of our children, encouraging a generation empowered to create a more compassionate and inclusive world.”
Baby Give Back’s annual Giving Day will be held on 10 June
2025 and Little Scholars is proud to TRIPLE all donations leading up to this
event. Click here https://babygiveback-giving-day-2025.raiselysite.com/little-scholars
to make a donation today.
At Little Scholars, everything we do is guided by the four pillars that shape our philosophy: Learn, Grow, Inspire, and Contribute. These values are more than just words – they form the foundation of how we nurture children, support families, empower educators, and engage with our community. Each year, we honour four outstanding team members who bring these pillars to life through our annual ‘Pillar Awards’. This celebration recognises those who consistently go above and beyond – not only in their daily roles but in the way they lead, uplift others, and create a lasting impact.
While all our educators embody the spirit of Little Scholars, this year’s award recipients have stood out for their remarkable contributions in one pillar each – earning them the well-deserved title of our 2025 champions of Learn, Grow, Inspire, and Contribute.
Yvette Andrews from Little Scholars Burleigh is the recipient of the ‘Inspire’ Pillar Award for 2025.
Yvette was nominated for her ability to lead with intention, encourage reflective practice, and consistently support those around her to think deeply about the impact they have on young children’s lives.
How long have you been an educator, Yvette?
I started in 2010 so have been working in early childhood for 15 years now!
What made you pursue a career in early childhood education?
To play! I was a really energetic 20 year old so I really just wanted to play with the children.
What does winning the award mean to you?
It reminds me that what I’m doing is meaningful and the effort I’m putting in isn’t going unnoticed.
What do you like about working for Little Scholars?
I get to work in an environment with people I can make a difference with – building an environment where everyone wants to contribute and celebrate being amazing educators, and helping support amazing little humans.
Hannah Megginson from Little Scholars Parkwood is the recipient of the ‘Contribute’ Pillar Award for 2025.
As a Lead Educator, Sustainability Officer, and now 3rd In Charge at Little Scholars Parkwood, Hannah consistently goes above and beyond, contributing not only to the care and education of children, but to the support of her team and the overall growth of her centre.
How long have you been an educator and how long with Little Scholars?
I have been an early childhood educator for 14 years.
What made you pursue a career in early childhood education?
I have always loved watching children learn and grow, they have such unconditional love for others and can be pretty funny too.
What does winning the award mean to you?
It means so much to be recognised for my hard work and commitment to the children that I care for.
What do you like about working for Little Scholars?
I get to work in an environment with people I can make a difference with – building an environment where everyone wants to contribute and celebrate being amazing educators, and helping support amazing little humans.
Brooklyn Rice from Little Scholars Pacific Pines is the recipient of the ‘Grow’ Pillar Award for 2025.
Brooklyn has shown incredible growth in her role as Lead Educator in the Senior Kindy room at Little Scholars Pacific Pines. Over the past six months, she’s transformed the space into a nurturing and engaging environment, supported her peers with openness and care, and built strong connections with families and children alike.
How long have you been an educator and with Little Scholars?
I started my educator journey 2.5 years ago with Little Scholars.
What made you want to become an educator?
I have a deep passion for helping children grow and develop. The ability to make a positive impact on their lives, guiding them through their early years and watching them blossom.
What does winning the award mean to you?
Winning this award means that my efforts and dedication have been recognised and appreciated. It serves as validation for the hard work, passion and care I put into my role as an educator. It’s not just about the recognition but the reminder that what I do truly makes a difference in the lives of the children I work with. It inspires me to continue growing, learning, and striving to be the best I can be.
What do you like about working with Little Scholars?
I enjoy working with Little Scholars because is aligns with my values and allows me to grow both personally and professionally. They are so supportive and there’s a shared commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of the children in our care. Working here also provides me with the opportunity to make a meaningful difference, knowing that I’m apart of something larger that values both education and the wellbeing of the children.
Kadison Robertson from Little Scholars Ashmore is the recipient of the ‘Learn’ Pillar Award for 2025.
Kadi is a seasoned educator whose extensive knowledge and experience make her a trusted source of wisdom and support. Always eager to engage in professional development, she consistently offers guidance and encouragement to those around her. Through her passion, others witness the true magic of teaching and learning through play.
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 background on Jae, he’s spent more than half his life educating young children.
After years working in the early learning and care sector, starting as a trainee and working his way up to early childhood teacher and campus manager, Jae eventually became general manager of Australia’s largest ASX-listed childcare company. But he felt a constant pull to do things differently. This drive led him to purchase his first Little Scholars campus, a run-down campus in Yatala. Ten years later, Little Scholars now educates more than 7,000 children across 16 campuses and employs more than 600 staff.
From the beginning, he wanted to offer what no one else did. The result for families who are enrolled with the Little Scholars School of Early Learning are innovative offerings such as chef-prepared take home meals for busy parents who don’t have time to cook, as well as our Family Time program that offers specialist appointments as well as dental and haircuts so families can use their free time together. Little Scholars was one of the first to introduce Bush and Beach Kinder in Queensland, all of this as well as first-class education and care in beautiful spaces to play and learn.
As a passionate teacher, I never thought I would find myself in a corporate role as a general manager of a company with more than 500 centres and 6,500 staff, but I loved every moment of it, especially the people I had the pleasure of working alongside. I’d always felt a deep conviction about early learning. It’s absolutely more than a career, it’s my calling. I was incredibly proud of the work we did in my previous role, but I kept dreaming of something that could be even more child-centered, community-focused, and creatively enriching.
I wanted to create something different, something that families and educators hadn’t seen before, a space where children could explore, get messy, learn about kindness, and discover the world on their own terms, environments that . I had a vision to create an early learning centre unlike anything in the market—an elevated, high-quality experience where every environment is thoughtfully designed to inspire wonder, nurture growth, and offer a truly exceptional foundation for young learners.
Little Scholars was born from that vision. I didn’t leave because anything was missing per se, but rather because I knew there was something special, we could create that could go beyond the traditional expectations in early childhood education. Little Scholars was my chance to bring that vision to life fully.
Opening the Yatala campus was exhilarating but incredibly intense (and so so stressful). In those first few months, I was wrapping up my role as general manager, while putting everything I had into Little Scholars at Yatala. It was chaotic, but the kind of chaos where every long day, every sleepless night, felt like it had real purpose. There were times when I felt that I had taken on too much and was I ever going to get there?
When I eventually stepped away from my GM role to focus solely on Little Scholars, it was already showing the spark of what it could become. People were resonating with what we were building, a place where families felt at home and children felt empowered, and that was everything I’d hoped for.
We started with nothing but a dream, pouring all our savings into opening that first campus; with limited funds, we did everything ourselves – cooking, cleaning, gardening, renovating, and managing every detail to bring our vision to life while building a new business from the ground up. Honestly, I’ll never forget those early days. Family, friends, our new team, and even complete strangers chipped in, offering hands-on support, encouragement, and assurance. Andrew was there by my side constantly, and the team that joined early on was absolutely invaluable – they believed in Little Scholars right from the start. Local families and businesses welcomed us, and that sense of community support really set the tone for everything we’ve done since.
I also remember families telling us that they drove past four other services, to come to Little Scholars – they loved it that much and so grateful for what we were creating for their children. Little Scholars became a destination early learning facility, a place families were willing to travel to because of our never-ending commitment to education and our philosophy of learning through play, where every experience is designed to ignite curiosity, joy, and a lifelong love of learning.
The scariest part was wondering if this dream was something I could actually bring to life. If I could truly build a place where children would feel that they belonged and where parents felt absolute trust. Another was the relentless hours, working 15-16 hours a day, seven days a week, with barely enough funds to keep us going. I was constantly worried about whether we’d ever make it. We were now employers, responsible for our team’s livelihoods, knowing they depended on us to help pay their rent and mortgages. On top of that, there was the pressure of delivering on every promise I’d made, ensuring that our vision didn’t just stay a dream, but that the outcomes we set out to achieve would truly come to life.
There were days I’d wake up worrying about all the unknowns: ‘Will families see the value in what we’re doing? Will children thrive here the way I envision?’ But every time I walked into the Yatala campus and saw the smiles on those little faces, it reaffirmed that we were on the right path.
I remember when the moment I thought, ‘Oh my goodness, this might just work,’ so vividly. I mean, each Monday morning, after a weekend spent making improvements, we’d see the amazement on the children’s faces, the excitement in the educators’ eyes, and the families’ appreciation for what we were building. But the real turning point was our Open Day. Over 500 people came through, and the response was overwhelming! Families were captivated by the environment and everything we had created.
One of my friends, who had just come to visit, ended up taking enrolment fees on the EFTPOS machine because people were lining up, eager to be a part of it. Seeing that level of enthusiasm and belief in what we were doing was when I realised this dream was resonating with others in a big way.
I watched children running into the campus with huge grins, so excited to start their day, and I thought, ‘we’re onto something.’ Families would tell me how their children talked about their teachers, their new friends, and the garden we’d planted together. That’s when I knew this wasn’t just a service, it was really becoming a meaningful part of people’s lives. And even 10 years later, that feeling never gets old.
Oh, there are so many memories from those early days! I remember the late nights spent painting walls and bike tracks, filling sandpits, washing buses, planting gardens and laying turf until my hands were blistered. It wasn’t glamorous work, but it was honest and heartfelt, and every effort meant we were creating a place that was genuinely ours to share.
One memory that’s always close to my heart is my best friend Mel bringing her little boy into the campus on weekend to help while we were still setting up. He’d toddle around, exploring every corner as if he were inspecting our progress, and his joy and curiosity reminded me of exactly why we were doing this. Countless weekends were spent working alongside friends and family, all of us taking a quick break in the playground, enjoying a Yatala Pie before moving on to the next task.
Those moments of shared effort and laughter laid the foundation for everything Little Scholars stands for today.
Another of my biggest dreams in starting Little Scholars was to make it possible for educators to become teachers without facing the same struggles I did coming from humble beginnings. I always hoped that one day I’d be in a position to support others on that journey. I’ll never forget the day an educator at Yatala mentioned they wanted to study to become a teacher but couldn’t afford it. In that moment, I was able to look them in the eye and say, ‘I’ll fund your study and support you every step of the way to help you become a teacher.’ That educator is still with us today, teaching at our Yatala campus, and their journey is a constant reminder of what Little Scholars is truly about.
Looking back, it’s incredible to think that five campuses once felt like a dream, and now, with over 17, we’re just getting started. In the next 10 years, I see Little Scholars as a leading light in early childhood education, not through size or numbers, but through our commitment to quality and impact. We’re dedicated to refining what we do best, focusing on the growth and development of every child, and ensuring our teams have the support and professional opportunities to grow their careers and reach their potential. We’ll also continue to participate in meaningful research and projects to improve the educational journey and outcomes for children, even beyond Little Scholars. Our goal is to deepen our connections with families and communities, staying true to our heart-driven purpose to create spaces where each child feels seen, heard, and genuinely valued.
It’s about holding onto what makes Little Scholars special and continually raising the bar in early learning.
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 provides exceptional early learning and care for 108 children. Its unique location places children just steps away from some of Brisbane’s most iconic cultural spaces, including the Queensland State Library, Brisbane Square Library, Queensland Museum, and the Gallery of Modern Art.
Excursions like these, which pique children’s curiosity and understanding of the world, are just some of the unique offerings from Little Scholars George Street.
As Little Scholars approaches its 10th anniversary of serving South East Queensland families, the children, and the educators, are the heart of what makes this exceeding campus so special.
“Our team is incredibly dedicated to providing the best early education experience for our little scholars,” says Jae Fraser, founder of Little Scholars. “The Exceeding rating is a testament to their hard work, innovation, and commitment to the children’s development. They consistently go above and beyond to create a nurturing environment where each child can thrive, while also supporting families by making Little Scholars a true home away from home.”
Little Scholars’ Collective Curriculum emphasises how much of its educational experiences are child led, and this was noted in George Street’s assessment.
“Educators and service leaders actively sought the perspectives, opinions, and voices of children, families, and the community,” the assessment noted.
The assessment went on to say the George Street team demonstrated a strong, ongoing commitment to meaningful, authentic, and regular engagement to inform the program.
It highlighted the collaboration Little Scholars has with families and the community supported educators in designing and implementing programs that promoted belonging, valued each person’s unique contribution, and created a sense of wellbeing and calm throughout the service.
George Street team demonstrated a strong, ongoing commitment to meaningful, authentic, and regular engagement to inform the program.
An example of this approach is the Children’s Council, a key initiative at all Little Scholars campuses, including George Street. The Council, composed of children, their early childhood teacher, and educational leader, meets monthly to gather feedback on the children’s kindergarten experience and empower them to participate in decisions affecting their campus. The child-led meetings occasionally veer off-topic, but they offer invaluable insights into the children’s interests and perspectives.
Understanding how busy its families are, Little Scholars George Street goes the extra mile to ease parents’ daily challenges. The campus offers free parking, rare in the heart of Brisbane, along with a valet service where a caring staff member greets children and escorts them to the campus.
Additional support offered to families includes a daily breakfast bar, take-away meals to simplify dinner time, and quarterly date nights, giving parents the opportunity to reconnect while their children enjoy an evening of fun with friends.
“Given our proximity to government departments, law firms, and entertainment venues, we know our parents have demanding schedules,” Jae explains. “That’s why we’re committed to providing these additional services that truly make a difference in their daily lives.”
Amy Robertson, campus manager of Little Scholars George Street can barely contain her excitement, and says she’s proud of her staff, who she believes always goes above and beyond.
“Our recent assessment and rating at George Street has highlighted the exceptional quality of care and education our campus provides. We are proud to receive an exceeding rating, a testament to the dedication and professionalism of our educators,” says Amy.
“This achievement has been warmly received by our families, with one parent expressing, ‘We always knew the campus was exceeding, it’s gratifying to see the staff receive this well-deserved recognition from the Department,’” she adds.
Little Scholars George Street’s Exceeding rating reflects the hard work and dedication of its entire community, and it highlights the exceptional quality of early education and care provided at this remarkable campus.
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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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!
"*" indicates required fields
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