At Little Scholars, we believe that the magic of science starts early – and for good reason. From bubbling volcanoes to magnetic wonders and curious critters, science sparks a unique kind of joy in children: the joy of discovery.
But beyond the “oohs” and “aahs,” there is a deeper purpose behind these moments. Science isn’t just fun; it’s foundational.
STEM – short for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics – is more than a buzzword. It’s a gateway to essential skills that prepare children for a fast-changing world. Here’s why STEM education for early childhood is crucial:
We don’t save science for special occasions – it’s woven into everyday learning, and we enhance it further through our extracurricular program. Here’s how we bring STEM education to life:
Extra Curricular Program with Lab Kids
Did you know that Little Scholars offers an exciting STEM program for our kindergarten children? In collaboration with our friends at Lab Kids, we provide an incredible educational STEM program that aligns with the Early Years Learning Framework and the Australian National Curriculum. Through hands-on activities and age-appropriate scientific exploration, our Little Scholars explore topics like motion and states of matter, to learning about light, sound and chemical reactions.
Excursions and Events:
This August, Little Scholars are excited to host our biggest celebration of curiosity yet, our much-anticipated Little Scholars Science Fair! Children, parents, and curious souls in between from all 17 campuses across South East Queensland are coming together for a day jam-packed with serious fun.
Expect hands-on experiments, whizz-bang demonstrations, and STEM games and challenges (your little scholars won’t even realise they’re learning!) It’s science, play, and community all rolled into one unforgettable event.
Everyday Learning!
As part of our everyday curriculum, children are regularly invited to participate in science-based activities, such as:
Our role as early childhood educators is to lay the foundation for a lifetime of curiosity. By embracing STEM from the start, we’re not just teaching science – we’re raising confident, capable, and inquisitive young minds. To learn more about our extracurricular programs at Little Scholars or to book at tour at your local campus, call our team on 1800 732 926 visit https://mylittlescholars.com.au/book-a-tour/.
Parents of little ones know the struggle: you need a safe, fun spot for your toddler to burn off energy (preferably without giving you a heart attack!). Luckily, if you’re searching for the best outdoor playgrounds in Redland Bay for toddler, you’re in the right spot. The Redlands Coast area of Queensland is home to some of the best toddler-friendly parks around! Think fully-fenced play zones, soft surfaces, mini slides, and even pirate ships. In this friendly guide, we’ll explore the top outdoor playgrounds in and around Redland Bay that are perfect for children aged 1–5. Grab your hats and snacks, and let’s go play!
Images and information courtesy of the organisations mentioned/linked below.
Thornlands Community Park is a toddler wonderland, fully fenced and packed with imaginative play zones. Both toddlers and parents fall in love with this place. It’s cleverly designed with all ages in mind, but there’s plenty here that’s pint-sized and perfect for the littlest park-goers. The entire playground sits on a soft rubber base and even features a sandy dinosaur “fossil dig” pit – yes, your mini paleontologist can unearth a dino in the sand! Kiddos can toddle from a mini farmer’s market cubby house to gentle climbing hills, while you relax on a bench (actually relaxing at a playground – imagine that!).
Toddler-Friendly Highlights:
Where to Find It: Thornlands Community Park is on Cleveland Redland Bay Road in Thornlands (near Waterline Blvd) – just a 10-minute drive from central Redland Bay (Google “Thornlands Community Park QLD” for the exact spot.) With its blend of safety and fun, it’s no wonder this park is often called one of the best toddler playgrounds in Redlands!
Raby Bay Esplanade Park boasts a beachside vibe and a towering play fort that even tiny tots can conquer. Located by the bay in Ormiston, this destination playground has something for all ages, but toddlers are far from an afterthought here. The star is a massive “Goliath” play tower that looks sky-high – yet it’s ingeniously accessible for little people, featuring low-level slides perfect for timid sliders. The whole playground sits in soft white sand (bringing the beach feels right underfoot) and even includes a cute imaginary “fish & chip shop” where kids can pretend to serve up lunch. A trickling pebble creek and water pump let toddlers splash safely, and there’s a 200m bike and scooter track adjacent with road signs for pint-sized cyclists – bring the balance bike and watch them zoom!
Toddler-Friendly Highlights:
Where to Find It: Raby Bay Esplanade Park is at the end of Raby Esplanade in Ormiston (near 3 Grenoble Place). It’s about 20 minutes north of Redland Bay. Look for the tall play tower – your kids might spot it before you do! This park truly never disappoints – the hardest part is convincing your kids to leave at the end of the day.
Beth Boyd Park brings a seaside pirate adventure to toddler play, complete with a shipwreck fort and water splash zone. Set by the tranquil bay at Thorneside, this park recently got a fabulous makeover and is now a must-visit for families with young kids. The highlight is a big pirate shipwreck-themed playground that looks like a half-sunk boat in the sand. Toddlers can clamber on deck, man the pirate wheel, peek through portholes, or dig for buried treasure in the sandpit. There’s an interactive water pump that feeds a little stream running through the play area – perfect for a barefoot splash or rinsing off sandy hands. Thanks to an abundance of mature trees, much of the play space is naturally shaded, so your little buccaneers stay cool. With the bay’s shoreline just a few steps away, you can easily combine playground fun with a beach stroll (and maybe spotting a pelican or two).
Toddler-Friendly Highlights:
Where to Find It: You’ll find Beth Boyd Park at the corner of John Street and Mooroondu Road in Thorneside. It’s about a 25-minute drive from Redland Bay. This toddler-friendly playground is a little slice of paradise where play meets the bay – don’t forget a change of clothes if your child loves water play!
Apex Park offers a magical forest fairy theme beneath shady trees – a quiet haven for imaginative toddlers. Tucked away in Wellington Point, this playground feels like an enchanted little world. It’s set well back from the road and blanketed by a canopy of leafy trees (plus extra shade sails), so it’s cool and comfortable even in summer. Toddlers can discover a charming gumnut fairy house, complete with tiny door and windows, and a mini dragonfly slide just their size. There’s a giant ladybug to climb, a little letterbox for “fairy mail,” and wooden balance beams that encourage wobbly walkers to practice their balance. One unique feature is the small in-ground trampoline – perfectly sized for toddlers to get some gentle jumps without bouncing out of control. And just beside the playground is a paved pump bike track with gentle hills; your under-5 rider might not tackle every bump, but they’ll love cruising the smaller dips and watching bigger kids zoom by.
Toddler-Friendly Highlights:
Where to Find It: Apex Park is at 8–12 Starkey Street, Wellington Point, behind the Wellington Point community hall. It’s roughly 25 minutes from Redland Bay. This park is a hidden gem with a relaxed vibe. Perfect for a quieter playdate or a picnic under the trees while the kids play make-believe in fairyland.
Wellington Point Reserve isn’t just a playground – it’s an adventure destination for little ones! Set right by the beach at Wello Point, this playground combines nature play with classic equipment under the sprawling branches of enormous fig trees. For toddlers, there’s a dedicated smaller play structure featuring a little pirate ship wheel and low slide, all oriented toward the sparkling bay. Scattered wooden huts and climbing frames invite creative play – one moment your child is in a house, the next it’s a boat or a shop depending on their imagination. Swings, including toddler swings, nestle under the leafy canopy, and a mini climbing wall gives budding climbers a safe challenge. The whole area has a wonderfully natural vibe – big tree roots to step over, leaves to crunch, and plenty of sticks and shells to collect.
One of the coolest bonuses of Wellington Point Reserve is the famed King Island walk: at low tide, a sandbar emerges leading across the bay to a tiny island. It’s an easy 1km walk (or paddle) that even toddlers can attempt with hand-holding – they’ll be amazed “walking on water”. Just plan around the tides and have towels handy! After playtime, families often spread a picnic rug on the large grassy area or splash in the calm beach shallows.
Toddler-Friendly Highlights:
Where to Find It: The reserve is at 2A Main Road, Wellington Point, at the very end of the Wellington Point peninsula. From Redland Bay it’s about a 30-minute drive. If you want a mix of toddler-friendly playground and natural seaside exploration, Wellington Point is a must-visit.
Capalaba Regional Park is the ultimate all-abilities playground, and it’s terrific for toddlers too. This large park in Capalaba features an expansive fenced playground with a soft rubber and bark surface that’s easy on little feet. The main play area boasts a wooden fort structure with wide ramps and low platforms – great for toddlers still finding their balance. There are built-in shopfront cubbies at ground level of the fort, so your tiny ones can play shop or “house” safely on the ground floor. Climbing nets, swings, and musical play elements (like steel drums to bang) provide sensory fun. Don’t miss the “musical forest” – a section with outdoor instruments that toddlers can happily clank and toot! The park also has gentle hills with built-in slides, a sandpit area, and a sensory totem maze for curious explorers.
Outside the fenced zone lies a beautiful parkland with duck ponds, bridges, and walking paths. It’s perfect for a pram walk or letting toddlers observe ducks and turtles after playground time. You truly can make a day of it here: play, nature walk, picnic, repeat!
Toddler-Friendly Highlights:
Where to Find It: The park is located off Pittwin Road North, Capalaba – about 25–30 minutes west of Redland Bay. Look for the signs for Capalaba Regional Park or follow the laughter of kids! It’s one of the most toddler-friendly playgrounds in Queensland, offering a fantastic blend of play equipment and natural surroundings.
Jingeri Park is a brand new playground in Redland Bay’s Shoreline community, featuring a unique 8.5m lighthouse play structure that will wow kids of all ages. This park is a showcase of community spirit and local culture – even its name “Jingeri” means “greetings” in the local Indigenous language. For toddlers, Jingeri Park provides plenty of safe adventures. The signature red-and-white lighthouse tower is big and eye-catching, but little ones can explore it via gentle ramps and stairs, and there are two slides (one enclosed) coming down from different heights to accommodate the tiny tots as well as older siblingsThe playground design incorporates local coastal themes: there’s a mini jetty-style boardwalk to toddle on, boat-shaped elements, and even carved wooden animals hiding around. Soft landscaping and sand underfoot keep things safe. Parents will love the thoughtful touches – shaded picnic areas and mature fig trees transplanted into the park provide shade and a connection to nature
This playground was created in partnership with Quandamooka traditional owners, so you’ll also find beautiful Indigenous art murals and native plants throughout, making it a subtly educational environment too. But for your 2-year-old, it’s just pure fun – climb, slide, repeat! After a play session, you can take a stroll on the walking paths or grab a coffee at the Shoreline estate café (if open) while the little ones nap in the car.
Toddler-Friendly Highlights:
Where to Find It: Jingeri Park is located in the Shoreline development at Redland Bay (near the end of Serpentine Creek Road, then into Shoreline Drive – look for Jingeri Street). It’s right in Redland Bay, so local families have a fantastic new toddler spot close to home. This park is a fresh addition to the Redlands Coast, combining cultural storytelling with playground fun – definitely put it on your list for a visit!
Denham Boulevard Park is a hidden gem in Redland Bay – a quiet neighborhood playground that’s especially great for toddlers and preschoolers. It may not have the giant towers of the bigger parks, but it shines in toddler-friendly design. Much of the play equipment here is undercover, with shade sails covering the slides and swings to keep kiddos sun-safe. Speaking of equipment, there’s a little bit of everything: modern climbing frames, a small flying fox (yes, a mini zip-line that even cautious toddlers can try with help), slides, and toddler swings. The playground is set next to a scenic wetland, so you might spot ducks paddling nearby as you play, adding a nice nature touch. Two spacious sheltered picnic tables sit right next to the play area – convenient for supervising parents to relax (and perhaps enjoy that takeaway coffee). There’s also an adjacent grassy field that’s perfect for kicking a ball or spreading a picnic blanket.
One thing to note: Denham Boulevard Park is a neighborhood park, so it’s not fully fenced and doesn’t have toilets on-site. You’ll want to keep a close eye on little runners since the park is open to the surrounds (though it’s set back from the road), and plan potty visits in advance. On the plus side, there’s a water bubbler for drinking water and even some outdoor fitness equipment for parents to use (or for toddlers to amusingly attempt mimicry). For a low-key, local outing this park is just the ticket.
Toddler-Friendly Highlights:
Where to Find It: Denham Boulevard Park is on Denham Boulevard in Redland Bay’s newer estate area. It’s roughly a 5-minute drive from Redland Bay town center. You can park along the street nearby. This little park is proof that sometimes the simple local playgrounds are the best for toddlers – easy, calm, and just plain fun.
(Pssst, also in Redland Bay: check out Neville Stafford Park on Banana Street for a waterfront playground option. It’s an unfenced bayfront park with a basic playground and gorgeous views of the bay – perfect for a stroller walk and play, especially if you fancy a ferry-watching with your little one.)
From pirate ships to fairy forests, the Redland Bay area has an incredible variety of toddler-friendly playgrounds waiting to be explored. These outdoor parks cater to what parents care about most: safe play equipment, shaded spots to beat the Queensland sun, soft surfaces for those inevitable tumbles, fences (where we need them), nearby amenities, and plenty of engaging fun to keep our little scholars busy and happy. The best part? Watching your child’s face light up as they conquer a new slide or dig up “dinosaur bones” in the sand – those moments are priceless.
So pack the sunscreen, strap on those tiny sandals, and head out to enjoy the best playgrounds in Redland Bay for toddlers. We’d love to hear from you: Which playground is your family’s favourite? Did we miss a great toddler spot in or around Redland Bay? Let us know on socials @littlescholarsearlylearning!
If you’re after the best childcare in Redland Bay, look no further than Little Scholars. We have two beautiful centres in the heart of Redland Bay – Little Scholars Redland Bay and Little Scholars Redland Bay South. Contact us or book a tour today to ensure your little one gets the best start to life that they can.
At Little Scholars, we’re not just about early learning, we are all about our families and community! That’s why we’re here to share our favourite outdoor playgrounds in Ipswich for toddlers.
Finding the perfect play spot for your toddler can feel like hitting the jackpot, and in Ipswich, Queensland there are plenty of winners. We’ve rounded up the best Ipswich playgrounds for toddlers – think soft-fall surfaces, mini slides, sand pits, and even friendly farm animals – all geared toward kids aged 1–5. These toddler-friendly playgrounds in Ipswich offer safe, fun environments for little ones to explore. So grab your sunhat and snacks, and get ready to discover the best outdoor playgrounds in Ipswich for toddlers!
Images and information courtesy of the organisations mentioned/linked below.
Queens Park is an all-in-one adventure for toddlers, combining an exciting playground with a mini wildlife experience. The playground itself features a wonderful water pump and little stream where toddlers can splash, pump water, and float leaves downstream. There’s loads of pint-sized play equipment on a soft-fall rubber surface, plus a big grassy lawn perfect for wobbling runs and family picnics. Towering shady trees keep much of the play area cool, and parents will appreciate the nearby Ipswich Nature Centre – a free mini-zoo home to kangaroos, farm animals, birds and more – accessed by a pram-friendly boardwalk. After meeting the animals, you can pop into the Environmental Education Centre across the path for interactive toddler activities, or recharge at the on-site café (which even has a kids’ menu). It’s easy to spend a whole morning here with your little explorer!
Toddler Highlights:
Location: 10A Milford Street, Ipswich
If you have an energetic toddler who loves to roam, Leichhardt Park will be your new best friend. This adorable playground is fully fenced (a huge relief for parents of runners!) and sits on a soft bark base for gentle landings. The entire play space is cleverly designed for under-5s with a charming fruit-and-vegetable theme. Little ones can bounce on a giant watermelon rocker, play shopkeeper at the pretend veggie market stall, and clamber up a pint-sized fort – all sized perfectly for tiny hands and feet. There’s even a big sandpit with a digger where mini construction-lovers can scoop and sift to their heart’s content. Covered picnic tables and BBQs sit within the enclosure, so you can relax and snack without losing sight of your child. With its imaginative theme and thoughtful design, Leichhardt Park truly ticks all the boxes for safe, creative toddler play.
Toddler Highlights:
Location: 1A Old Toowoomba Road, One Mile
You’ve probably heard the buzz about Flagstone Adventure Park – it’s one of the biggest playgrounds in South East Queensland, and it definitely lives up to the hype. But don’t let the epic scale scare you off if you have a toddler. Tucked within this 10-hectare mega-park is a fantastic dedicated toddler zone designed for little adventurers. In this smaller area, kids will find a low-to-the-ground climbing fort with mini slides and ladders, a fun tunnel built into a hill, toddler-sized climbing frames, and baby swings – all perfect for the under-5 crowd. There’s also an in-ground trampoline (just their size) and a sand play area for sensory fun. And here’s the best part: right next door is the Flagstone Water Play Park, a zero-depth water playground with sprayers, bubblers and jets where toddlers can cool off and splash safely!
While Flagstone Adventure Park isn’t fully fenced and can get busy (so keep a close eye on your little one), it offers endless entertainment. Older siblings can enjoy the giant climbing towers, skate plaza, and flying foxes, while you and your toddler stick to the gentler attractions. There are shelters and seating (the central play areas even have shade sails overhead), so you can take breaks as needed. A coffee cart/café is usually on hand near the water park – lifesaver! – and toilets are available on site. Pro tip: bring a picnic and maybe a change of clothes for the kiddo, because between the sandbox and water jets, they will get delightfully messy.
Toddler Highlights:
Location: Trailblazer Drive, Flagstone (Jimboomba area)
For a mix of playground fun and nature time, you can’t beat Denmark Hill Conservation Reserve. Nestled in 11 hectares of bushland right near Ipswich Central, this reserve includes a gorgeous nature-based playground that’s ideal for toddlers with big imaginations. The play equipment is all made from wood and natural materials, and it’s set low to the ground. Little ones can scamper over log balance beams, wobble across a small rope bridge, clamber on totem poles, and swing in a cute bird’s-nest swing. There’s even a pretend campfire ring and a tiny wooden stage – perfect for creative play and impromptu toddler performances! The ground is covered in soft mulch and sand, so tumbles aren’t a big deal.
What makes Denmark Hill extra special are the built-in mini hiking adventures. Just beyond the playground you’ll find several short, toddler-friendly walking trails looping through the forest. They’re easy, mostly paved or bitumen paths – great for little feet or even prams. Along one trail, keep an eye out for large metal storybook frames which are part of the reserve’s “Tales and Trails” story walk, adding a touch of magic to your stroll. After your walk, you can picnic at the tables near the playground (there are BBQs and shelters too), or simply enjoy the birds and butterflies in this peaceful green haven. Bonus: an amenities block with accessible toilets is located by the picnic area, so you have all the essentials for a comfy outing.
Toddler Highlights:
Location: 20 Chelmsford Avenue, Ipswich
Calling all future astronauts – Faye Carr Park is a must-visit! This vibrant park in Ripley is famous for its trio of giant red-and-green rocket ship towers that wow you on arrival. But for toddlers, the real fun is at ground level: a snakes-and-ladders themed toddler playground that’s jam-packed with interactive play equipment. There are mini forts and slides, toddler swings, little spinners, bouncy rubber domes to hop across, and even a custom rope obstacle run – all designed for the 1–5 age group. In total, the park boasts 16+ developmental play activities just for young children, so there’s no shortage of things to touch, spin, climb or slide on. It’s partly covered with shade sails and has a mix of soft rubber, sand, and bark underfoot for safe play.
One of the standout features here is the learn-to-ride track that loops around the playground. This mini roadway comes complete with street signs and road markings, offering the perfect practice ground for kids on trikes or balance bikes – don’t forget to pack your little one’s wheels! Beyond the toddler zone, Faye Carr Park also includes open grassy fields and a half basketball court, so older siblings (or energetic parents) can kick a ball or shoot hoops. Family-friendly extras like picnic shelters, BBQ facilities, and water fountains make it easy to linger for a lunch break. The park is relatively new, very clean, and although not fully fenced, it’s set back from any main roads in a quiet estate. Parents will also appreciate the accessible toilets and baby change facilities on site, plus convenient on-street parking. All in all, this “rocket park” delivers a space-age level of fun for little kids!
Toddler Highlights:
Location: 1 Joy Chambers Circuit, Ripley
True to its name, Grande Park offers a grand day out for families – especially those with adventurous toddlers. This park is a fully fenced wonderland of multiple play zones set amid beautiful eucalyptus trees. Inside the extensive fenced area, you’ll find a dedicated toddler playground as well as areas for older kids, all on soft bark and rubber surfaces. For the little ones, there’s a cute toddler fort with slides and a mini climbing wall, plenty of ground-level activities, swings (including a toddler bucket swing), and spinning elements that are just the right speed for younger children. One highlight is the pair of hill slides built into an artificial mound – even tiny tots can enjoy a gentle slide with a grown-up’s help. Meanwhile, mini daredevils can try the small climbing nets or wobble on the low balance beams. Because everything is enclosed, you can relax (a bit!) while your toddler toddles from one activity to the next in this safe space.
Grande Park also features an awesome traffic-themed learn-to-ride track just outside the main playground fence, winding through the trees. It has real road signs, painted lines, and little bridges – perfect for a preschooler on a balance bike or scooter to practice “road rules” (and burn extra energy). Bring the bikes and trikes! There are also walking paths leading to a small creek and bushland around the park, so curious little explorers can enjoy a short nature walk with you. Other facilities abound: picnic pavilions, BBQs, toilets (accessible), and even a fenced dog-off-leash area across the road for your furry family members. With so much to do, it’s easy to spend a whole morning or afternoon at Grande Park. Pack a picnic (and a change of clothes if mud or water play might tempt your tot), and make a day of it!
Toddler Highlights:
Location: 40 Grande Avenue, Springfield Lakes
Ipswich truly delivers when it comes to toddler-friendly playgrounds – from imaginative themed parks to nature-filled play spaces, there’s something here for every little personality. Now it’s your turn to explore! Why not plan your next family outing around one of these amazing parks? Pack the stroller, plenty of water, and a spare set of clothes (just in case!), and get ready for giggles and good times. We’d love to hear about your adventures, so feel free to share with us on social media @littlescholarsearlylearning! which Ipswich playground for toddlers becomes your family’s favourite.
If you’re after the best childcare in Ipswich, look no further than our brand-new campus, Little Scholars Karalee! Contact us or book a tour today to ensure your little one gets the best start to life that they can.
We believe that if children learn early on how to recognise and regulate their emotions, we’re setting up a future of more empathetic, kind and respectful generation.
It’s so important, in fact, it’s a huge part of our Collective curriculum across all age groups. Our educators incorporate age and development-appropriate emotions learning opportunities throughout the year. Children who learn how to understand emotions in themselves and others are better able to regulate their own responses to strong emotions, helping them to move through that emotion and focus on all the other aspects of their lives!
There’s of course a number of reasons why emotional regulation is important to children’s development and wellbeing.
The early childhood years (o-5) have been identified in numerous studies as a crucial period for the development of important executive functions such as attention, inhibition, working memory, and literacy skills, all that are necessary for successful school transition and later academic success.
Even though this seems important, there hasn’t been much research on how emotion regulation affects young children’s academic performance. But we’ve found a couple of examples that highlight what we feel to be quite important in children’s development. Since academic skills tend to stay fairly stable over time, it’s essential to understand how managing emotions can support a successful start to school, especially in primary school.
Researchers have identified factors such as anxiety, aggression and verbal abilities as challenges that can affect children’s success in school, and furthermore relationships and career. One such study, The Role of Emotion Regulation and Children’s Early Academic Success, looked at how emotional regulation in young children can help with early academic success. Researchers identified that adaptive functioning, which refers to ‘numerous global positive outcomes including normative social, cognitive, and language development as well as the ability to cope with daily living tasks and environmental changes’ can be affected negatively or positively depending on children’s ability to succeed in school.
This particular study also emphasises that transition to school. Children enter a school environment where they are expected to learn important skills like reading, maths, and socialising. At the same time, they may receive less one-on-one support because of larger class sizes and a greater focus on their independence. Adjusting to these new academic and social demands, without the extra support they may have had in an early learning setting, can be challenging for many young children.
Another study, The Development of Self-Regulation across Early Childhood, highlighted that children who learn how to understand emotions in themselves and others are better able to regulate their own responses to strong emotions.
That’s where we come in!
At Little Scholars, we believe helping children recognise and name their emotions is an important first step in developing emotional awareness. This approach is also supported by the Early Years Learning Framework, which encourages children to build a strong sense of identity.
One example from our campuses is the use of a much-loved book, The Colour Monster by Anna Llenas. This story helps children identify different emotions through colours. After reading the book, our educators extend the learning with creative activities that use colour and storytelling as tools for emotional recognition. These experiences help children build healthy emotional responses and support their overall wellbeing.
Our campuses also incorporate songs and affirmations as part of their routines to reinforce children’s understanding of feelings, and help them figure out what works for them in regards to regulating those feelings.
We also actively participate mindfulness activities into our days to help children process and manage big emotions. Along with songs and affirmations, we use our sector-leading Bush Kinder program to get children out into nature, as well as deep breathing exercises, meditation and yoga as helpful ways for children to slow down, reset, and navigate their feelings.
At Little Scholars, our goal is for our services to be a welcoming second home for children where they can focus on learning through play, and our educators to be a source of comfort and trust for these wonderful little people. We offer calming zones both inside our studios and in our outdoor environments to allow children to escape and rest when they need a break.
Our hope is the foundations we’re setting in children’s emotional and social development in those crucial first five years of development can be built upon in all stages of their childhood and beyond.
At Little Scholars, we’re focused on the holistic growth of each child in our care, by helping these small humans grow into kind, empathetic little legends who are ready to take on the big wide world. Book a tour at one of our 17 locations across the Gold Coast, Redlands, Brisbane and soon Ipswich to see how we incorporate social and emotional growth into our learning curriculum!
Did you know only about a quarter of Australian children aged 0-4 years regularly participate in organised sport and physical activity?
We all know regular exercise is important for maintaining good health, but we believe it’s even more important for little ones, not only for their health right now, but their optimal physical, emotional and brain development, and to form lifelong good habits for physical activity! The daily recommendation for children each day for physical activity ranges, so here we’ll break it down by age:
Infants (Birth to 12 Months)
Even before they start moving, babies should be active multiple times a day. This can include supervised floor play, reaching and grasping for objects, and at least 30 minutes of tummy time throughout the day while awake. Once they become mobile, activities like crawling, pulling up on furniture, and eventually walking (if ready) help build strength and coordination. Creating simple obstacle courses can encourage movement in a fun way.
Toddlers (1 to 2 Years)
Toddlers thrive on active play and should have at least three hours of physical activity each day, spread throughout the day. This should include energetic movement like running, jumping, twirling, skipping, and dancing. Playing tips, ball games, or setting up fun obstacle courses at home or in the park are great ways to keep them moving. The focus should be on making activity fun and encouraging exploration.
Preschoolers (3 to 5 Years)
Preschoolers also need at least three hours of activity daily, with at least one hour of energetic play. Running, jumping, throwing, kicking, skipping, and dancing all help develop coordination and strength. Activities should be spread across the day and designed to be enjoyable, encouraging curiosity and movement through play.
At Little Scholars, we ensure children are getting the recommended amount of physical activity each day in a number of ways!
Our extracurricular program includes a number of active offerings, including dance, soccer, swimming, sport and yoga, all designed and led by experts in their field who are specialised in child development to ensure these extracurriculars are getting heart rates up, improving coordination, building muscle as well as fine and gross motor skills, and most importantly, are fun!
Our outdoor Bush, Beach and Pram Kinder programs are thoughtfully planned to make the most of a child’s time outside. This means walking on uneven ground, climbing rocks and trees, picking up sticks, running and jumping. Even our little ones in prams are given time on grass or sand to crawl or enjoy tummy time on different surfaces providing new challenges to developing strength.
Our outdoor environments are designed to allow for sport, climbing, running, jumping, risk-taking, and other physical challenges! Not only do we have fantastic fort in each of our outdoor spaces for each age group, we have a range of other moveable equipment to help children build coordination and muscle such as climbing frames and trestles, bicycles, trampolines, balance beams and stepping stones.
At Little Scholars, we’re focused on the holistic growth of the whole child, not just building those rapidly developing brains, but ensuring we’re helping these little bodies grow strong and capable, all while learning valuable skills through play. By encouraging regular movement and active play, we’re helping children develop lifelong healthy habits. Whether it’s running, jumping, climbing, or dancing, every movement helps children grow in confidence and ability. We believe in creating an environment where children can thrive physically, mentally, and emotionally through play and learning.
Book a tour at one of our 17 locations across the Gold Coast, Redlands, Brisbane and soon Ipswich to see how we incorporate physical activity into our learning curriculum!
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Introducing solids is an exciting milestone for you and your baby! Around six months of age, most babies are ready to explore new tastes and textures alongside breastmilk or formula. At Little Scholars, we support families through this journey, whether you choose purees or baby-led weaning with soft whole foods.
Most babies show signs of readiness for solids around six months. Look for these cues:
Sitting up with minimal support
Showing interest in your food
Opening their mouth for a spoon or reaching for food
Losing the tongue-thrust reflex (pushing food out of their mouth automatically) Though as babies begin to take in food, this instinct may remain until they get used to it.
Whatever way you approach the first tastes, go slow and offer just a couple of teaspoon-sized portions at first. Hand them a spoon to let them hold, though they’ll likely just eat (squish) with their fingers
You can start by offering food once a day alongside their normal amount of breast milk or formula, then work your way up over the coming weeks to three or more feedings a day.
To help babies adjust to the unique tastes of foods, one approach we like starting with vegetables for the first 14 days, one new, iron-rich vegetable each day. This helps develop a taste for nutritious foods before introducing fruit or other sweet flavours, as they’re already accustomed to sweet flavours through formula or breast milk.
Queensland Health recommends including iron-rich foods every day to help baby grow well, such as lean meat and legumes, baby cereal with iron, and green leafy vegetables. Of course, you’ll need to work up to these denser foods. It’s also recommended to introduce nuts into diets soon, as this can help reduce allergies. However please note we do not offer nut products at our campuses.
We support both traditional purees and baby-led weaning (BLW). Here’s how they differ:
Purees: Smooth textures, spoon-fed by a parent or educator, with gradually thicker consistencies over time.
Baby-led weaning: Soft, whole foods in safe shapes that babies can pick up and feed themselves, encouraging independence and coordination.
Regardless of your approach, always supervise your baby while they eat and offer soft, easy-to-swallow foods. At our campuses, babies are closely supervised during meals and snacks, but we also use these as opportunities to bond, having lots of fun interactions and conversations with our little ones while they eat!
Offer solids when your baby is alert and in a good mood
Start with small amounts. A teaspoon or two is plenty at first
Encourage exploration. Expect mess, it’s part of the learning process!
Be patient. Some babies take time to adjust to new textures
Watch for allergies. Introduce new foods one at a time, leaving a few days in between common allergens like eggs, dairy, or nuts.
At Little Scholars, we help families introduce solids in a way that works for them. Our educators can support your baby with purees or baby-led weaning while ensuring meals are safe, nutritious, and enjoyable. We work closely with families to understand preferences and keep you informed about your baby’s progress.
Starting solids is an exciting step in your baby’s development. With patience, variety, and support, mealtimes can be a wonderful experience for both of you!
We aim to be an extension of your family and are here to support you and your child during those important childhood milestones. If you’re in need of high quality early childhood education for your little ones in South East Queensland, book a tour today.
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 learning, and what they’re interested in can be a mystery to many. Many parents have seen their baby pull out every book off a shelf, for example, watch it fall, then grab another, while that parent scratches his or her head and says ‘why?’
There’s an answer. It’s a schema. A schema is both a category of knowledge as well as the process of acquiring that knowledge. In play, babies are often involved in repeated actions or certain behaviours as they explore the world around them and try to find out how things work. Those repetitive actions, such as a baby pulling out book after book, allows a child to practice and construct meaning to something, until they’ve understood that schema. Then they find something else to focus on and lather, rinse, repeat!
As Yvette, educational lead from our Burleigh campus says, it’s children’s development making sense.
“All of those little things that you see children do that seem a bit cute, or frustrating even, like throwing, it’s a schema, a child’s pathway of development for making sense of the world,” Yvette says.
The repetitive action of a schema allows a child to practice and construct meaning until they have mastered the understanding of the schema. Being aware of play schemas helps in two ways:
There are a number of types of schemas when it comes to babies.
Trajectory schema – The trajectory schema is one of the earliest schemas observed in babies. They are fascinated with how they, and objects move. Children will often throw objects or food from their pram or highchair. They climb and jump in puddles and enjoy exploring running water.
Transporting schema – Little ones enjoy repeatedly moving resources around, from one place to another. They will carry many items at a time using their hands, pockets, containers,
baskets, bags, or anything else that will hold their newfound treasures.
Enclosing schema – Children show an interest in enclosed spaces. They may want to sit (and hide in) boxes or laundry baskets. Or they may show interest constructing fences and barricades to enclose toy animals or themselves.
Rotational schema – Children showing a rotational schema may display a preference for turning taps on and off, winding and unwinding string, and playing with
hoops. They may also be fascinated with the physical experience of twirling and twisting their body, spinning around on the spot, or rolling themselves down a hill. They have an interest in things that turn, such as wheels and windmills. They enjoy rolling tyres around, turning lids and watching the washing machine on a spin cycle.
Enveloping schema – Children with an enveloping schema are interested in covering and hiding items, including themselves. They will enjoy dressing up, and filling and emptying bags and containers with different objects.
Connecting schema – Children displaying the connecting schema want to join items together. They find resources like string to tie things. They connect and disconnect toys such as rail tracks.
They enjoy construction toys, and doing arts and crafts where they can glue and stick pieces together.
Orientation schema – Children like to turn objects and themselves around and upside down, to get a view from under the table or from the branch of a tree. They may bend over and look at the world backwards through their legs. They enjoy seeing things from a different view when exploring using cardboard tubes, binoculars or a magnifying glass.
By adapting this theory, we have been able to slow down and become more in tune to the children and noticing their behaviour patterns in play. It is now so important to us that we allow our babies and young children the time to explore the repetitive actions of schematic play.
-Jodie, lead educator
Jean Piaget was one of the first to use the term “schema” back in 1923. Piaget was an important child development theorist and his Theory of Cognitive Development was and still is read and followed today by early childhood specialists. He was one of the first who believed children think differently than adults and that they have an innate desire to learn and actively build up their knowledge about the world. They are not passive creatures waiting for someone to teach them.
Susan, our group pedagogical leader, is bringing her schema knowledge across our campuses to the lead educators in the nursery and toddler studios in 2023. Learn a bit more below about how we use schema theory, and how one educator has taken it on in her nursery.
Schematic Pedagogy
Through our collective curriculum, our educators are guided through a ‘schematic lens’, meaning they can plan for children’s thinking, not just activities. This has a strong link to our Collective Curriculum, our educational program for children.
The learning environment
Our educators apply teaching methodologies to design their play spaces and are intentional in the resources offered.
Observing and planning for children’s thinking
Through our collective curriculum, our educators observe the children through their play, to determine schemas explored through the children’s engagement to an activity or resource. Through observing patterns of learning, our trained educators can plan forward to scaffold their cognitive capabilities.
Partnering with children in play
Through ongoing mentoring and coaching, our educators are able use their knowledge of schemas and plan effectively. Our educators are encouraged to partner with children in their play and observe behaviours explored through schemas.
“Schemas are an intrinsic part of child development, knowledge to schemas provide our team of educators an opportunity to identify and encourage independence in children as they explore patterns of movement, often related to schemas,” Susan says. “Supporting assessing through a schematic lens, provides our educators with a framework which can be used to analyse children’s learning, supporting the planning process within our curriculum.”
You may be wondering if you have a baby or a small toddler in one of our campuses, how we use schemas to help their development. We talked to one of the educators at our Deception Bay campus about using schemas for educational programming. Deception Bay Little Scholars was recently rated as Exceeding the National Quality Standard (NQS) after it was assessed by the Department of Education. The NQS sets a high national benchmark for early childhood education and care in Australia. Jodie, lead educator in the nursery studio, says learning about schemas was a game-changer.
Both our younger babies and older babies really enjoy dropping objects or putting things in and out of containers (vertical trajectory). Using old formula tins and cutting an opening in the top with lids from jar foods a milk bottle lids, is a big favourite.
Our older babies are seen continuing with trajectory and begin to start exploring other forms of schematic play like, transporting, rotation, connecting and this can lead to a disconnecting schema where the child builds something that they can demolish or through [activities like] untying knots, as well as enclosing, positioning, enveloping and orientation, such as looking at things from different viewpoints like hanging upside down, looking through their legs, looking at things upside down. No wonder our little people are so busy and on the go all the time!
Thanks, Jodie!
Related:
Pedagogical Practices: Bringing new learning techniques to Little Scholars
When a baby or toddler is ready to reduce the number of naps they have each day, or even drop naps altogether, this can be an equally challenging transition for parents!
Daytime naps naturally lessen in length and frequency as a child gets older because they can tolerate more awake time, from both a physiological and neurological perspective as they grow. Circadian rhythms – your 24-hour body clock that helps control your daily schedule for sleep and wakefulness – also mature as sleep begins to consolidate, particularly at night.
Especially for new parents, you may be wondering what some of the signs are that your child is ready to drop a nap. Dropping a nap is a transition that happens over time. Babies need to decrease their number of naps incrementally, but that won’t happen on its own, babies and toddlers still need your guidance to help ease these changes. And our educators are here to help.
Since our educators spend a few days a week with your little one, they have the knowledge of what to look for in signs of tiredness, or readiness to stay awake just a little longer! It’s important to remember that each child is different. What works for one, won’t work for another exactly the same age or way, and this is not a process to rush, small people need their rest!
Here are some signs that may show your little one is ready to drop a nap:
“For some children, cutting down their bottles or altering their times they have bottles (obviously age-appropriate) may help with stretching wake windows,” says Hayley, an educator with our Deception Bay campus.
“We aim to wake the child through gentle means, such as hustle and bustle around them to help them wake more naturally, which can help too.”
Hayley says looking at wake windows as a guide for your child can help and you can find free resources and blogs by sleep experts online. But she says keep in mind small children going through leaps and teething may have more difficulty with their sleep, but these adjustments are usually temporary.
Keeara, an educator in the nursery at our Yatala campus says they’ve had some parents request help in stretching their child’s nap to one sleep to transition in the toddler room.
They find play in an outdoor environment during the morning keeps little ones occupied enough to stay awake – but says if their children did fall asleep, it was obviously needed, and educators will try for a short afternoon nap to make up for it.
Fresh air and active fun like sensory activities are a great way to stretch that wake time out a little longer for little ones. Maybe for your child, it’s making music or playing with different textures that will keep him or her engaged and interested just a little longer.
Our Facebook and Instagram channels offer ideas on creative activities our educators do across our campuses to entertain little ones, which can really help stretch out those wake windows.
Like Hayley, Keeara and her fellow educators have also found works is having lunch around 11:30 and putting bottles on the warmer at the same time so they’re ready to go when lunch is finished.
“We’ve found most of the children would have their bottle then self-settle in their cots as they were so exhausted at this point,” Keeara says. “Surprisingly, it worked really well and made the transition smoother, they even slept for a longer period of time having just the one sleep.”
Then comes the (often dreaded by parents) time when children are ready to drop naps completely.
“We have a fair few two-three-year-olds in our room who have dropped sleep,” says Skye, an educator at our Yatala campus. “The most common sign for them was becoming upset at rest time, moving around a lot and getting up for drinks, toilet and to just tell us something.”
She says even if educators suspect a child is ready to drop naps, they start off with still giving the child a bed, but giving them a quiet activity like books, puzzles, or drawing supplies.
“That way they still have the option to fall asleep if they want to, if they haven’t slept the whole week, we then move them to an activity mat that we keep clear of beds, again for quiet activities while their peers sleep,” Skye says.
Independent play is also important for your child’s development, and it’s central to effective quiet time, so it’s worthwhile implementing it into your older toddler’s daily routine. Quiet time is a time during the day where your child has an opportunity to rest their busy little bodies and minds. The length of quiet time can range anywhere from 45 minutes to 2 hours, depending upon the child, but consistency in this new quiet time will work wonders for the whole family.
Skye says dropping naps is something they talk to parents about, and from those discussions, they work together on a plan to help the child adjust.
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.
Or perhaps you have that sweet child, and while many take a leave of absence from work after baby is born, at some point families have to make the decision if and when they will return to work. That’s when you have to look at early learning and care for your children. Overwhelmed? We’re here to guide you and make life just a little bit easier.
There are several options. Consider what early learning services are nearby and how far you’re willing to travel to drop-off and pick-up. You could even do it during peak hour traffic to get a better idea of how long it might take to get to these locations.
Check out the websites dedicated to listing early learning services such as Starting Blocks, Australia’s free government website dedicated to early childhood, the National Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) national register or sites like Careforkids.com.au – which share services by location, including pertinent information such as assessment and rating outcomes, what each service offers, contact information and more.
Then, visit websites and start making some calls and book tours. That will be the best way for you to get ideas on philosophies, curriculums, learning and play environments, and they can answer any questions you may have.
Early learning and care providers in Australia have strict educator-to-child ratios, which is for the safety and benefit of both children and their educators, but that can mean spots fill quite quickly in each age and development learning environment, and in high-demand areas, waitlists can fill up quickly. However, don’t let us scare you, many high quality services have spaces available when you need them.
While this sector is thrilled to be able to allow more parents to continue or join the workforce, that does mean demand will be higher for quality early learning and care.
Start early. Contact the campus you’re interested in to see if there is indeed a wait list. Ideally, get names on wait lists at least six months to 12 months before you need care. Often, services will be considering what spots are available for the next year toward the end of the year – October to December. That doesn’t mean if you need care in May that you’re out of luck, but for busy services, thinking of the first of the year as a start time might be realistic. Sometimes, families get their unborn babies on wait lists just to be sure. At Little Scholars, if this is the case for your family, we’ll contact you about one month after your due date to see where your family is with thinking about care for your new addition.
Visit the service before joining the waitlist. Most early learning locations offer tours, you just need to book them in advance to avoid disruption and guaranteeing someone will be able to provide you the time you need to get a feel for the service.
Keep in contact with the service to see how your child is progressing on the wait list.
Some services offer places to families who have been on the waitlist the longest. Some may place internal families first, meaning families who already have a child in their care and are adding additional children. Some services may have a strict “first-in, best-dressed” approach. It’s worth asking what the policy is.
In early learning, a “ratio” refers to the comparison between the number of educators and the number of children they are responsible for supervising, essentially showing how many children each adult is looking after at a given time; it’s a crucial aspect of ensuring children’s safety and wellbeing in an early childhood setting, with different age groups often having different required ratios depending on their developmental needs.
The ratio for our children is as follows:
These ratios adhere to the requirements of the National Quality Framework.
The Child Care Subsidy (CCS) is a government initiative designed to help families manage the cost of early learning. Your child’s time in care is charged as a daily fee by the service, and the government may cover a portion of this cost based on your individual circumstances. This is known as the subsidy.
You can apply for the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) even before enrolling your child in early learning, in fact as long as your child has a birth certificate, you can apply. You then have 13 weeks to activate your CCS with an early learning service. If that time lapses, you can go online to reactivate it.
We have a helpful webpage dedicated to everything you may need to know about CCS!
The benefits of placing small children in early childhood education are numerous. Early learning can help babies develop social skills, motor skills, and cognitive abilities. Because of course, learning doesn’t start when a child begins school, it begins at birth!
Social development
Babies can begin forming connections, learning to share, and developing early communication skills in a supportive environment.
Motor development
Early learning settings provide safe opportunities for babies to explore movement, such as reaching and grasping. These experiences help strengthen motor skills, with research suggesting that babies who engage in active exploration may reach developmental milestones earlier.
Cognitive growth
Exposure to a variety of learning experiences supports cognitive development. Studies indicate that children who participate in early learning programs may develop stronger cognitive abilities compared to those who do not.
School readiness
Early learning helps children prepare for kindergarten by teaching them to follow instructions, interact with peers, and adjust to time away from their parents.
Academic success
Research shows that early education programs can contribute to improved academic achievement in children.
Little Scholars and most early learning services will suggest to parents that they enrol their children at least two days every week in care. Why? Nearly a quarter of Australian children start school without the foundational skills they need in areas like communication, social skills, emotional wellbeing, and physical health.
Attending for at least two years, with a minimum of 15 hours per week, is linked to better literacy and numeracy outcomes that persist into adolescence. High-quality early learning also supports secure attachments with educators, helping children settle and understand routines, and engage more actively with peers.
In our learn and play studios, At Little Scholars, we provide tailored, age-specific early learning and childcare across four key stages: nursery, toddlers, pre-kindy, and kindy. Our expertly designed programs cater to the unique needs and developmental milestones of each age group. Our children learn through play, reflected through our dedicated early learning curriculum.
We understand the bonds young children have with their parents or caregivers. There is no denying that it may not be a smooth process, but we encourage parents to remember all the benefits children gain from attending early learning. Research also proves that having a child in care doesn’t negatively affect the bond with his or her main caregivers.
If you have a little ones who you think may struggle with separating from parents, check out our blog post: Tips and tricks for dealing with separation anxiety
If you as a parent are struggling with feelings of being away from your baby, we have a blog post for you in which we spoke with a clinical psychotherapist for her suggestions: Children aren’t the only ones who deal with separation anxiety
We very much welcome you to chat with us if you or your little one are or may deal with these feelings. You’re not alone and we can support you both through this transition.
If you have any questions or concerns about your child, we have an open door policy and we invite you to talk to your educator, educational leader or campus manager any time.
Little Scholars offers you and your child the very best facilities, resources and early educational, play-based programs available, which are underpinned by the early years learning framework. Our belief is that through quality education and care for children we can also encourage, assist and support the entire family.
Our dedicated team of educators are committed to the individual needs and interests of children and their families, and thus we encourage and welcome family input and involvement.
We aim to be like an extension of your family and are very relationship-driven. We support nurturing relationships between our educators and your child, the relationships your child has with the other children who attend, and we value our relationship with you as the parent and other family members. So book a tour today to get started!
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 14-18 months, then can happen again when your child hits preschool and school-age. Or maybe your child is new to our service or has recently transitioned studios. The transition from home to early education is a milestone for both children and families. Separation anxiety can even happen for children who’ve been in Little Scholars for a while. It can be hard moving into a new studio where she or he doesn’t yet know new routines, where things are kept and spending time with different educators with different ways of doing things can be overwhelming for the child. This is all normal.
If you’re at a loss on how to make things easier on your little one, and yourself, we have some ideas.
Acknowledge and validate their feelings by saying something like “I know goodbyes can be hard, but I always come back. I will see you later today. I love you.” Give a big hug, a smile and a wink.
Then at home, if your child is old enough, have a chat about why she/he is having a hard time at drop-off, and think about what you can do to alleviate it. Ask him or her what make things easier. Perhaps it’s including a comfort toy, blanket or family photo. Maybe you each have a special bracelet that you can touch when you’re missing each other. Make a plan for something special together when you pick him or her up, like a walk or playing a game together, which will give your child something to look forward to through the day.
If you’re preparing your child to go to early education or school, it’s best they understand what their days will look like. So the conversation could look something like ‘we’ll all have breakfast together and get ready for the day. Then we’ll get in the car and first we’ll stop at Little Scholars. I’ll walk you in, give you a big hug, and you’ll go off to have a day of play while I go to work. When I finish work, I’ll jump in the car and come right over to pick you up, then we’ll go _____” These conversations may have to happen several times for it to sink in.
Also, if you’re pondering signing your child up for early education, this is why we offer play dates to children newly enroled but yet to start – this allows them to begin to become familiar with their new educators and studios.
Remember, you can always chat with your educator or campus manager about how to help. We’re always available, and we’ve been through this before, we can offer ideas or reassurances everyone will be OK!
We also know separation anxiety can be a two-way street, especially for new parents, or returning to work after maternity leave. Don’t forget we have our Little Scholars app so you can see pictures of your child, and be reassured that if there were tears from your child, they likely didn’t last long and they’re busy having fun and learning while you’re at work.
Related links:
At Little Scholars School of Early Learning, we’re dedicated to shaping bright futures and instilling a lifelong passion for learning. With our strategically located childcare centres in Brisbane and the Gold Coast, we provide tailored educational experiences designed to foster your child’s holistic 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!
