From about eight months of age, baby is ready for some creative play with your help and guidance. Baby can now lift and hold things and is starting to explore more. Baby play is all about learning new things and there are lots of things to start showing and teaching baby. Encouraging and creating lots of baby play environments will assist them in continuing to develop their fine and gross motor skills, language and visual perception play.
Finger painting is a wonderful place to start your baby play fun. If you are concerned about your little one eating the paint, you can make your own safe finger paints easily by mixing baby rice cereal as per instructions and then adding a little food colouring. Sit baby in their high chair, in the bath or even outside with some paper and finger paints and let them explore the colours and textures.
If you are after a less messy baby play idea, why not try stickers? Stickers are fun to watch baby interact with. You will need to help baby remove them from the backing sheet but they are often fascinated with stickers sticking to their hands, feet and clothes. Once baby learns that they stick where you put them, give them some paper and start sticking them on. Stickers are great for fine motor skills. Keep some handy in your bag for times when you need to keep baby entertained when out and about.
Bowls, cups and spoons are an easy, instant baby play idea – and great for when you are in the kitchen and baby wants to come, too. Sit baby on the floor with a variety of metal, plastic and wooden tools like spoons, cups and bowls and show baby how to play. Stack and knock over the cups, use the spoons as drumsticks and even put all the spoons in a bowl and tip them out again. Babies love to make noise so banging a spoon on a bowl or saucepan is a favourite way to play.
Playdough is wonderful fun for babies from about eight or nine months old and is an activity that children find engaging well into primary school. Each developmental stage has new benefits of using playdough. Starting out with playdough is more about poking and prodding. Roll some balls with the play dough and show baby how to bang them flat with their hands. Squish some playdough and give them some tools and just let them dig, stab and smoosh it. Playdough can be purchased ready-made or you may like to make a big batch at home. Just remember to make it non-toxic in case baby decides to give it a taste test!
Discover how the unique curriculum at Little Scholars can enhance your child’s development. Contact us today.
Personalised service, extra-curricular programs, innovation and creativity. Healthy meals, happy educators and supportive administration. When looking for ‘the best childcare centre near me’ in far north Brisbane, the Deception Bay childcare branch of Little Scholars is head and shoulders above the rest.
So what’s the Little Scholars Difference?
The Little Scholars difference really comes down to you. The needs of parents and their children was considered above all else when it came to design, curriculum, innovation, meal planning and the million-and-one extras that give Little Scholars centres that special touch. This is a childcare program that has children and their parents firmly at the centre of all decision-making. This is a true best practice educational environment and you’ll be able to tell that on your very first tour of the Deception Bay childcare centre.
All the Little Scholars centres offer:
Interested in Little Scholars? You can arrange a personalised tour here.
All childcare centres must pass strict guidelines to do with quality of care and deliverance of a learning framework. As parents, it can be confusing to know which centres are best meeting those guidelines and perhaps exceeding them wherever possible. The wonderful thing about Deception Bay childcare is that parents are offered choice. This is the choice and the opportunity to give your child the best step forward in terms of their educational, social and emotional development. And at Little Scholars, the uniquely engaging and enriching programs on offer make them exceptional by anyone’s standards.
If you have the very best on your doorstep, you owe it to yourself to consider what life would be like if you were a Little Scholars family.
Are you currently searching “childcare centre near me”? Let us show you how incredible Deception Bay childcare can really be. Arrange your Little Scholars tour today!
The decision to enrol children in a reputable, high-quality childcare environment is no longer just to do with the working life of their parents. Increasingly, it’s become an active choice for fostering child development, socialisation and the gathering of real-world practical skills that will positively impact a child’s future academic pathways.
Good early learning and pre-school programs encourage babies and toddlers to become active participants in the world around them. A kindergarten program school transition that follows a set of academic standards, supported by carefully chosen resources and highly-trained staff, has statistically demonstrated increased levels of numeracy and literacy by the time children reach formal schooling. Early childhood care that is lovingly and thoughtfully crafted to ensure best possible outcomes for children provides them with a stepping stone into their primary school education (and beyond) that may not be possible if they were taught purely in a home environment.
”{Childcare} offers long-lasting social, economic and academic benefits for kids and their parents. Studies have shown that children, including babies and infants from the ages of 6 months to 4 years, benefit from the {childcare} environment, including its quality instruction, structure and social lessons.”
– 6 Benefits of Daycare for Young Children, The Childcare Advantage.
Not only is child development enhanced by attending childcare but securing children into an excellent childcare and kindergarten environment can also increase the social support network for parents themselves. The ability to speak to, empathise and make connections with like-minded parents not only provides children with weekend play-date opportunities but the parents themselves are given a much-needed social lifeline.
The Raising Children Network offers parents a glimpse at typical child development milestones. As with any resource, these should be read as a guide instead of a prescriptive map of behaviour.
Many of these milestones can be developed at a greater rate by engagement with highly trained childcare professional educators supported by an innovative and exciting early years learning program. Little Scholars prides itself on delivering the utmost care to the young people who attend its centres across South-East Queensland.
Babies will be encouraged to develop their movement, vision, speech and language and social behaviour through a gentle, compassionate early years program.
Toddlers will work on their emotional development under the watchful eye of trained educators. Their speech development, cognitive leaps and play-based learning will be encouraged through a curriculum designed to promote each child’s abilities.
Children embarking on their kindergarten program will be presented with a range of activities, including key extra-curricular involvement, that will allow them to be learners who question and interact with the world around them rather than passive engagement.
If you’d like to know more about how Little Scholars benefits child development and learning, book a tour today to see our unique curriculum in action.
When considering the pros and cons and googling ‘childcare near me’, look at your current situation and potential future situation then consider all scenarios. Could a new job be on the horizon, a new baby or a sibling attending school? These are just a few things that will impact the decision you make on childcare location.
Click here to find a Little Scholars Childcare near you or your workplace.
Introducing young children, particularly toddlers, to the beauty and fun of natural swimming holes is like opening up a photo album of your own youth. The gorgeous, untouched glory of the wide variety of waterfalls Brisbane region has to offer cuts through any over-dependence on screens and phones within seconds. Be transported to a different time by the whipping sounds of native birds, the crispness of the air and the cold lick of the swimming holes on the backs of your legs. It was a simpler time, when kids were kids.
Here’s where you can go to grab a slice of Brisbane waterfalls magic for yourself.
It would be impossible to include every last natural swimming hole in South-East Queensland. We are incredibly lucky to find ourselves living in such an ecologically diverse environment. The information collated below was chosen because of the toddler and small child-friendly nature of the landscapes. Larger, deeper swimming holes have not been included.
Please also consider the following points when travelling to the waterfalls Brisbane has to offer.
There are no lifeguards on patrol at any natural swimming holes. The safety of your children is entirely your responsibility. They must be appropriately supervised at all times, never leave your sight and be encouraged to behave and play safely.
It is the firm belief of Little Scholars to engage positively and respectfully with the environment. Do not leave rubbish in or around swimming holes – take it with you. Obey all signage and ensure that you leave the area as beautiful as it was when you found it.
This is one that not many have heard of. Lees Road Crossing in Dayboro is just within reach of Brisbane and offers a plethora of places to sit calmly and watch the world float by. There are shallow spots for toddlers to splash and play and plenty to explore.
Families with young children will be heading to the Sunshine Coast (near Maleny) to find the wonderful Gardners Falls. A shallow rockpool awaits toddlers and small kids and there is plenty of shade to be found for happy travellers. Bring the camera as this is a natural setting you won’t want to forget, set to the soundtrack of gorgeous native birds.
The falls themselves are surrounded by many different rock ledges but the rock pools are definitely going to hold the most appeal for your toddlers. Of note is the short walk from the carpark to the water as well – easy, accessible, brilliant.
Perhaps the most iconic Brisbane swimming hole, Cedar Creek has entertained generations of Brisbane families. Halls Road Crossing is the best choice for families with toddlers as there is a wide variety of wildlife as well as safe land to walk around on (but there are no toilets). You must ensure you wear appropriate foot wear at all times (even in the water) as this is quite a rocky area.
Andy William’s Park has plenty of rock paddling pools for toddlers as well as picnic facilities.
This swimming spot can be found on the Gold Coast near Thunderbird Park. Once the steps and paths are negotiated (potentially a little difficult for small legs but some help from mum and dad should do it), you’ll come across three separate rock pools that offer delightful swimming opportunities for any age or ability. There are lower rock pools that are more suitable to small ones as the top one is quite deep.
This is a very natural setting – there are no bathroom facilities or rubbish bins. There is, however, opportunity to have a picnic or use one of the BBQs.
Visiting this waterfall involves a drive north. It’s found in the Sunshine Coast hinterland (near Montville) inside the borders of the Kondalilla National Park. Admittedly, there is a steep descent from the carpark to the water which must be taken into consideration depending on who is in your group.
Once you get here, it’s definitely worth it. The falls themselves tumble down four metres of rockface – making this one of the most gorgeous sites you’re going to see outside of a picture book. The swimming hole is absolutely beautiful and the kids will simply love it.
If you’re feeling particularly energetic (or you have older kids who need wearing out), there is a walking track that traverses about 5km and includes 100 steep stairs. Ensure you have appropriate sun coverage as well as food and drink.
This is an easily accessible spot for families with young children. It’s a mere half hour or so from the CBD. There are shallow waters for splashing and exploring that are just perfect for toddlers and little ones. The water is clean and mostly clear, and there are plenty of shady spots to spread out a picnic blanket and make the most of the day.
Sustainability lovers and nature explorers of Little Scholars will be thrilled by the amount of wildlife that can be found at Bunya Crossing Reserve. Ducks, lots of fish, marsupials and cheeky tadpoles are just waiting to be examined!
This idyllic spot borders the South Pine River and is set back in a secluded, natural setting. Close by the carpark, you’ll find a wonderful rock pool area that almost seems like it was designed for toddlers to play in.
This is the perfect way to spend time with the family, all while not spending any money. Ensure that sun protection and personal safety are accounted for and that you take all rubbish with you when you leave.
When you’re done exploring waterfalls, Brisbane childcare excellence is waiting to be discovered. Learn how our early learning program inspires environmental awareness in little ones. Contact us today.
The Gold Coast is ripe with opportunities for healthy, outdoor family fun. You’ll be bombarded with suggestions for theme parks and the like but if you’re looking for more creative things to do on the Gold Coast with toddlers, the following suggestions are bound to make for some excellent memories.
The best bet is to head to Harley Park and Ian Dipple Lagoon (Broadwater). Charis Seafood does daily pelican feedings at about 1.30pm every day. The clever birds start massing an hour or so before (they must have watches in their massive beaks). This is an exciting and impressive activity that little kids will enjoy as they take in the wonderous size and amusing antics of these impressive water birds.
This is not an editing error! Bushwalking with a toddler in tow is possible and it can be enjoyable as well, as long as you’re prepared.
Bushwalking provides toddlers and young children with the opportunity to exercise in an entirely natural setting. It promotes an appreciation of the beautiful natural settings that we often take for granted in Australia and it’s an excellent way to spend some quality time together as a family.
The best locations for bushwalking with young children on the Gold Coast are:
The big theme parks have the crowd, the prices and the plastic. If that’s exactly what you’re hoping to avoid with your little ones, take heart! There are a number of fantastic family-friendly venues on the Gold Coast that promote sustainability and conservation. They provide families with animal experiences in a natural, respectful way that sets up a lifetime appreciation for the wonderful creatures we share our world with. These can make for excellent days out and really are one of the best things to do with toddlers on the Gold Coast.
Places you can take toddlers to see animals on the Gold Coast:
How can nature and creativity enhance your child’s learning? Contact Little Scholars today to find out how.
If you’re looking for a Gold Coast childcare centre, we know how important it is to find the right fit. At Little Scholars, we have two highly regarded childcare and early education centres at Ashmore and Nerang. In addition to the uniquely enriching and premium service Little Scholars provides, each of our Gold Coast centres have their own unique benefits.
At Little Scholars Ashmore, one of our two Gold Coast Childcare centres, we’ve taken advantage of the leafy surrounds and incorporated them into the centre. Vegetable patches, rainforest walk, gardens, sprawling lawns and sand play scapes aim to encourage children to nurture and explore the environment. There are so many wonderful areas for play, imagination and story time at Ashmore including large mature trees, huge timber decks and play equipment. No matter the weather, all children from zero to five years old, can enjoy the natural surrounds through the floor to ceiling windows in the centre. Other key features of Little Scholars Ashmore include:
If you’re looking for a home away from home for your children and a centre focused on good old-fashioned play, Little Scholars Nerang is for you. The layout has been intentionally designed to nurture the physical, emotional, cognitive and social aspects of children from 15 months to 5 years. With three flowing classrooms and a specially designed water park, loose part environment for construction and an art space, children can engage with whatever sparks their interest. Other key features of Little Scholars Nerang include:
Reviews by parents
But don’t just take our word for it! Find out what parents are saying about Little Scholars childcare centres.
“Beautiful centre and friendly staff!” – Jay Luckie [Nerang]
“Little Scholars Ashmore is an amazing centre with wonderful staff thank you all. My son Leo has learnt so much since starting and he has grown so much more confidence in himself. He loves coming to daycare all thanks to the Amazing Staff great job.” – Robbie-lee Ryder
“This is by far the best centre we have been to. My 8mo loves her carers and always comes home happy… the carers do so many activities with the kids and send photos home of their day! The facilities are clean and well maintained inside and out. So happy we chose little scholars Ashmore!” – Karmelle Boehme
“Wow this Centre has transformed into something so special. The children have such a wonderful set up both for their outdoor environment, with a private yard for the babies. I went to have a look at their brand new nursery that has just opened. What a beautiful environment for a baby to learn through their play. Just beautiful. This centre is fantastic and provides all meals and nappies.” – Kristy B.
Book A Tour Today
Discover for yourself why more families are choosing Little Scholars as their Gold Coast childcare centre. Make an appointment for a personal guided tour – the coffee’s on us!
Brisbane skate parks (and their Gold Coast counterparts) are often dominated by big kids that can dwarf our little ones. However, there are a few family-friendly spots where you can go to take advantage of facilities that are better designed to meet the needs of little feet.
Not only will children be getting out and about in the fresh air, but they’ll also:
Here are the following criteria we used for the below list. Most of these skate parks are:
As recommended by local parents, your best picks are:
Parent tip: Time your visit. Earlier in the morning on weekends and during the school day are better than in the afternoon on a Saturday.
As recommended by local parents, your best picks are:
Parent tip: Slip, slop, slap. Even being out in the early morning is no protection against the harsh rays of the sun – particularly in South-East Queensland.
Looking for extra-curricular activities that will bring out the best in your Little Scholars? Get in contact with us for a tour today!
Dropping off your little angel at an early childhood centre for the first time can be understandably daunting. You leave your child with strangers and wonder if they will get the same amount of care and attention that you give them at home.
As a concerned and nervous parent, you can make it easier on yourself by asking an early learning centre a number of questions before you enrol your child. These questions will ensure you choose childcare that you can trust and that will go over and above to support your child’s development.
It’s important to know whether or not a centre has adequate security protocols such as methods to sign in and out, authorising who can sign children in and out as well as security systems to enter the centre via pin code.
At Little Scholars, safety is paramount. All centres are secure and can only be accessed using a pin. Only parents and guardians authorised on our Little Scholars App can drop and collect children. All educators pay close attention to children at all times, and all centres are fitted with security entry and exit points.
The childcare fees are just one of the factors that determine how much childcare subsidy you receive so it’s a good idea to ensure you’re getting value for money. Ask whether the childcare centre provides all meals, nappies and other extracurricular activities for the children.
At Little Scholars, childcare fees include three-course meals, snacks and beverages, nappies where required, linen and extra-curricular activities.
Link to childcare subsidy article
At Little Scholars, childcare fees include three-course meals, snacks and beverages, nappies where required, linen and extra-curricular activities.
For little growing bodies, a healthy and varied diet is crucial. Ask to see the weekly menus and question how the menu is developed, i.e. does it follow any guidelines? If your child has an allergy or intolerance, it’s important to ask if these are catered for and if the centre has policies to ensure no cross-contamination of food.
At Little Scholars, we have a six-week rotating menu to offer the children balance and variety. The menu has been created to meet 50 per cent of the children’s dietary requirements, this is recommended by ‘Australian Dietary Guidelines, an Australian Guide to Healthy Eating, Get Up & Grow: Healthy Eating and Physical Activity for Early Childhood’ and the National Quality Framework (NQF). Our menu is also endorsed by Nutrition Australia.
It wouldn’t make sense to place a child in a centre that didn’t replicate the same values as you share with your family. Ask the centre about the values they aim to embrace and request their values statement.
At Little Scholars, we are dedicated to our philosophy which is to provide a high standard of care and education within an environment that is both trusting and homelike. You can read our philosophy here.
Of course, you want to make sure your child isn’t sitting around doing nothing each day and that they enjoy stimulating activities that have been planned to offer variety and the opportunity to learn and explore.
At Little Scholars, our qualified educators plan experiences that involve both indoor and outdoor play, with the outdoor area designed to be an essential part of each centre. Providing stimulating and challenging experiences is an integral part of our curriculum to help children become effective learners. Play is a massive part of our learning environment which enables children to express their creativity and emotions.
Early childhood centres are required to base their programs on an approved learning framework which addresses a child’s developmental needs, interests and experiences while considering individual differences.
At Little Scholars, we aim to exceed the National Quality Framework across all of our centres. Each centre has a quality improvement plan in place to continually achieve this high level. The plan covers areas such as programs and practice, health and safety, physical environment, educator arrangements and relationships with children, families and communities.
It’s vital that educator to child ratios are met so that there is flexibility to respond to the needs of the children. The National Quality Framework (NQF) outlines required educator to child ratios here.
At Little Scholars, we take the NQF very seriously and adhere to the educator to child ratio at all times. Each centre is headed by a Centre Manager with years of experience in early childhood and who will always ensure adequate numbers or skilled educators are caring for your children.
The transition from kindergarten to Prep is a huge one emotionally and academically which is why it’s essential that centres have a program in place to support children.
At Little Scholars, we have a curriculum program that is aimed at building confidence and independence. We enjoy specialised activities that help prepare a kindy child for Prep and we work with parents to develop a custom learning program. We also partner with local schools and hold regular excursions so children can become familiar with the ‘big school’ environment.
Early learning centres can be a hive of activity, colour, noise and movement. This can be overwhelming for some children which is why it’s important that a centre has space for quiet play if a child needs it.
At Little Scholars, our centres have been designed with different indoor and outdoor spaces and themes, keeping in mind the diverse interests and needs of each child. These spaces include areas for quiet play that your child can access when they need it.
There are so many benefits of outdoor nature play which is why it’s important to ask about it. For children from 1-5 years old, it’s recommended to have three hours of outdoor play spread over a day. In addition to asking about outdoor play being part of the curriculum, ask about the outdoor environment and what opportunities for play are at the centre. Lastly, outdoor play means being sun smart so don’t forget to ask about the centre’s sun protection policies too.
At Little Scholars, the outdoor environment is an essential part of the children’s learning journey; babies, toddlers and kindergarten children all enjoy the outdoor areas at our early childhood centres. Playgrounds at our centres have been specifically designed for the development of coordination, balance and strength. Mud pits, waterways, riverbeds, vegetable gardens, grassy areas and bike tracks are just a few of the inviting opportunities for children at our centre to play outdoors and reap the benefits . We also have a Bush and Beach Kinder program where we take children to the bush or beach to interact with the beautiful surrounds.
Some centres have limited funds for the upkeep of equipment or to purchase new equipment which is why it’s always a good idea to ask and take a look. It’s also a good idea to ask if regular checks are made to ensure the equipment is safe.
At Little Scholars, our centres have the latest and brand new resources, equipment and furniture. It’s our goal to ensure that children are learning and playing with the best. But even though the equipment is new, we run thorough checks daily during set up and pack up.
Structure and routine are absolutely essential for young children; they thrive on it. Having structure and routine is also known to reduce the occurrence and severity of toddler tantrums. Ask to see a usual daily routine and whether or not this is maintained each day to avoid too much change.
At Little Scholars, we carefully structure each day to allow time for individual play, play in small groups and large group play. Language and literacy skills are developed during these play times as well as when the children enjoy story time, drama, poems, songs and games. We maintain the same structure and routine as much as possible because we know how much this can impact on eating and sleeping habits.
Falls, scrapes, scratches, knocks to the head…they all happen when young children are finding their feet, taking risks and getting to know each other, but there still needs to be a process in place to deal with and report these incidents. In particular, if your child has an allergy, ask the centre to show you how the allergy is communicated throughout the centre and the process taken in the case of an allergic reaction, e.g. administering an EpiPen. Also, request to see evacuation procedures in the case of fire and emergency and how regularly these procedures are practised.
At Little Scholars, we have in-depth health and safety procedures for emergency and accident situations. These procedures are reviewed regularly, all educators are trained in these procedures, and emergency evacuation or lockdown drills carried out with educators and children. We are always more than happy to discuss these procedures with parents and guardians.
Beyond play, extra-curricular activities are essential for confidence-building and to grow a child’s interests. Ask which activities are offered at the centre and whether or not they are included in the fee.
At Little Scholars, music, yoga, sport, cooking and language lessons are all included in the fee and enable children to engage in activities they may not otherwise have access to. We find these extra activities help children discover a whole lot more about themselves.
Not every early childhood centre is created equal which is why it’s a smart move to arm yourself with these questions when looking to enrol your child. You’ll feel much better about your child starting at a new centre when you’ve asked the really important questions.
Have more questions about the Little Scholars early childhood centres? Give us a call!
Little Scholars provides the best early learning and care services that Redlands has to offer. We have two campuses in Redland Bay with world-class facilities, innovative curricular and extra-curricular offerings and the little extras mean that these campuses are far and away the best choice for families in the area.
Open from 6.30am to 6.30pm weekdays, this superior choice is located in a peaceful, green setting that speaks to a love of nature and effortless, functional design. The garden offers the chance for children to get their hands dirty and learn about gardening, life cycles, where their food comes from, vegetables, compost and even a working worm farm.
Little Scholars Redland Bay South is down the road and also has everything you’ve come to expect from the Little Scholars team and more. Our architecturally-designed campus has eight beautiful studios which each offer a world of learning and meaningful play for our Little Scholars. Surrounding our campus is a spacious veranda which has open-ended space allowing a flexible indoor/outdoor program that is led by the children, as well as a professionally-designed playground which is tailored to specific age groups, including the area’s largest fort. The moment you enter our doors you will feel at ease as it is our Little Scholars mission to create a calm and safe environment for every child and family, and to give your child a home away from home. We have created nooks throughout our campus so children can have quiet time, large open spaces to allow free play, the Redlands’ largest bike track, loads of natural gardens, exploration spaces, as well as real grass.
Your child can experience:
Looking for the best childcare centre? Redlands Bay Little Scholars welcomes you to join our family! Contact Little Scholars today.
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!
