There is something magical about creek days with little ones: bare feet in cool water, sandy toes, the sound of gentle trickling streams, and endless opportunities for simple, unplugged fun. The Gold Coast is best known for its beautiful beaches, but you can discover some incredible rockpools and creeks perfect for toddlers and young children. Here are five family-friendly spots where little feet can paddle safely, explore nature, and make a splash.
Best for: A classic hinterland swimming adventure with shallow spots for toddlers and deeper pools for older children.
Just a 15β20 minute drive inland from Currumbin Beach, this natural swimming spot is surrounded by lush greenery. Itβs a local favourite for good reason.
There are BBQs, picnic tables, grassy areas and toilets, making it easy to settle in for a relaxed family day. Keep in mind that it is extremely popular on warm weekends and you will need to arrive early to get a car park!
Best for: A peaceful, easy-access creek spot perfect for younger children.
Just down the road from the Currumbin Rock Pools, Long Tan Park is a lovely, often quieter alternative for families.
Itβs a brilliant spot for families with toddlers or preschoolers who want a gentle, nature-filled adventure without the hustle and bustle.
Best for: Calm, sheltered creek paddling just a short walk from the cafΓ© strip.
Instead of the busy Pirate Park, Palm Beach access point to Currumbin Creek, head a little further down the road to Apex Park. Here you get easy access to Currumbin Creek for a peaceful, shady paddling experience.
Best for: A peaceful rainforest adventure with shallow natural pools.
At the very end of Currumbin Creek Road, youβll find the Cougal Cascades walking track. This is a short, pram-friendly path through beautiful rainforest that leads to:
There are no cafes or playgrounds here, so pack snacks, towels and enjoy the serenity. Itβs a lovely spot for a half-day nature escape.
Best for: Creekside paddling with a city-meets-nature vibe.
Looking for something closer to home? Tucked away just a few blocks from the bustle of Surfers Paradise, Budds Beach feels like a hidden gem.
This is a brilliant choice for families who want easy access, a quick paddle, and facilities close by without trekking too far inland.
Rockpools and creeks offer something beaches sometimes canβt: calm, clear water, natural shade, and a slower pace that suits young families perfectly. However, it is very important to ensure your day at the creek is safe and enjoyable. Supervise children closely β even shallow water can have slippery rocks or changing currents. The creeks are also home to a variety of wildlife, so always check before entering the water and donβt swim if you canβt see the bottom. Bring water shoes to help children with firm footing while exploring. Also, after heavy rain the creeks can flow faster than usual and have poor water quality. Check Council water quality reporting for updates on creek closures.
Whether itβs a rainforest dip at Cougal Cascades, a lazy paddle at Currumbin Creek, or a quiet splash at Long Tan Park, the Gold Coast has a creek adventure for every kind of family day out. So pack the towels and go exploring! These are the kinds of days little feet (and big hearts) remember.
Find Lara’s recommendations at her websiteΒ Mrs. Lardeedah.com, and follow her socials FacebookΒ andΒ Instagram
At Little Scholars, everything we do is guided by the four pillars that shape our philosophy: Learn, Grow, Inspire, and Contribute. These values are more than just words β they form the foundation of how we nurture children, support families, empower educators, and engage with our community. Each year, we honour four outstanding team members who bring these pillars to life through our annual βPillar Awardsβ. This celebration recognises those who consistently go above and beyond β not only in their daily roles but in the way they lead, uplift others, and create a lasting impact.
While all our educators embody the spirit of Little Scholars, this yearβs award recipients have stood out for their remarkable contributions in one pillar each β earning them the well-deserved title of our 2025 champions of Learn, Grow, Inspire, and Contribute.
Yvette Andrews from Little Scholars Burleigh is the recipient of the ‘Inspire’ Pillar Award for 2025.
Yvette was nominated for her ability to lead with intention, encourage reflective practice, and consistently support those around her to think deeply about the impact they have on young childrenβs lives.
How long have you been an educator, Yvette?
I started in 2010 so have been working in early childhood for 15 years now!
What made you pursue a career in early childhood education?
To play! I was a really energetic 20 year old so I really just wanted to play with the children.
What does winning the award mean to you?
It reminds me that what Iβm doing is meaningful and the effort I’m putting in isnβt going unnoticed.
What do you like about working for Little Scholars?
I get to work in an environment with people I can make a difference with β building an environment where everyone wants to contribute and celebrate being amazing educators, and helping support amazing little humans.
Hannah Megginson from Little Scholars Parkwood is the recipient of the ‘Contribute’ Pillar Award for 2025.Β
As a Lead Educator, Sustainability Officer, and now 3rd In Charge at Little Scholars Parkwood, Hannah consistently goes above and beyond, contributing not only to the care and education of children, but to the support of her team and the overall growth of her centre.
How long have you been an educator and how long with Little Scholars?
I have been an early childhood educator for 14 years.
What made you pursue a career in early childhood education?
I have always loved watching children learn and grow, they have such unconditional love for others and can be pretty funny too.
What does winning the award mean to you?
It means so much to be recognised for my hard work and commitment to the children that I care for.
What do you like about working for Little Scholars?
I get to work in an environment with people I can make a difference with β building an environment where everyone wants to contribute and celebrate being amazing educators, and helping support amazing little humans.
Brooklyn Rice from Little Scholars Pacific Pines is the recipient of the ‘Grow’ Pillar Award for 2025.
Brooklyn has shown incredible growth in her role as Lead Educator in the Senior Kindy room at Little Scholars Pacific Pines. Over the past six months, sheβs transformed the space into a nurturing and engaging environment, supported her peers with openness and care, and built strong connections with families and children alike.
How long have you been an educator and with Little Scholars?
I started my educator journey 2.5 years ago with Little Scholars.
What made you want to become an educator?
I have a deep passion for helping children grow and develop. The ability to make a positive impact on their lives, guiding them through their early years and watching them blossom.
What does winning the award mean to you?
Winning this award means that my efforts and dedication have been recognised and appreciated. It serves as validation for the hard work, passion and care I put into my role as an educator. It’s not just about the recognition but the reminder that what I do truly makes a difference in the lives of the children I work with. It inspires me to continue growing, learning, and striving to be the best I can be.
What do you like about working with Little Scholars?
I enjoy working with Little Scholars because is aligns with my values and allows me to grow both personally and professionally. They are so supportive and there’s a shared commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of the children in our care. Working here also provides me with the opportunity to make a meaningful difference, knowing that I’m apart of something larger that values both education and the wellbeing of the children.
Kadison Robertson from Little Scholars Ashmore is the recipient of the ‘Learn’ Pillar Award for 2025.Β
Kadi is a seasoned educator whose extensive knowledge and experience make her a trusted source of wisdom and support. Always eager to engage in professional development, she consistently offers guidance and encouragement to those around her. Through her passion, others witness the true magic of teaching and learning through play.
So you’ve decided to send your child to early learning – how exciting!
For first-time parents, preparing for this new chapter involves more than just packing a backpack, it means understanding key essentials like the Child Care Subsidy (CCS). Navigating the CCS can seem daunting, but fear not! We’ve written a comprehensive guide to help demystify the process to help you understand how to maximise this support for your family’s benefit.
Here in this CCS explainer, we will lay out everything you need to know about and to apply for CCS, making it easier for you to support your child’s educational adventure.
Did you know you can apply for the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) before you enrol your child in early learning?Β
Wait, whatβs CCS? The Child Care subsidy is assistance to help families with the cost of childcare. Your childβs day in early learning is payable by a daily fee charged by the centre. The government may cover some of this fee, depending on your individual circumstances. This is what is referred to as the βsubsidyβ.Β
You may be eligible for the Child Care Subsidy if you meet a number of factors. The Child Care Subsidy (CCS) changed in July 2024 for families earning under $533,280. The percentage of CCS will vary depending on your familyβs income, and the income limit to receive the maximum allowed CCS will increase as well. For families whose income is up to $83,280, you could receive up to 90% from the CCS toward your childβs daily fee.
If you have two or more children in care, subsequent children are eligible for a higher subsidy than the first child. For families who earn a total income of up to $141,321, those children will receive 95% from CCS off your daily fee.
There are several requirements to qualify for the Child Care Subsidy. You may qualify if:
β’ You or your partner care for the child a minimum of two nights / fortnight
β’ You or your partner are responsible for childcare fees
β’ The child meets immunisation requirements
β’ You use an approved child care service like Little Scholars!
Once youβre ready for your child to go into early learning, you can apply for CCS!
The CCS works on three factors:Β
β’ Your total combined family income
Β β’ The service type. This can be long day care, or outside-hours care such as vacation care
Β β’ How much βwork-relatedβ activity you and your partner undertake each fortnight This includes paid work, volunteering, study and other activities as determined by education.gov.au. Job hunting, studying, starting a new business, volunteering and travel time β among others β are all eligible activities that will allow you to claim subsidised hours of care.
Our website has aΒ handy calculatorΒ you can use to get an idea of how much CCS youβll receive.
Apply for CCS via yourΒ MyGov Account, which is linked to Centrelink.
We recommend you do this as soon as you know when you might be sending your little one into early education and care, so itβs all set up and ready to go for your childβs first day. Donβt necessarily wait until youβve enrolled with an early learning campus, because the entire process may take between four and six weeks, and if itβs not set up when you begin care, you may be paying full fees until itβs all complete.
Once your spot is booked in, confirm yourΒ Complying Written Agreement (CWA). When a CWA enrolment notice is created by the campus manager, there are two steps that need to be completed by the family:
1. You will be notified by email that the CWA is ready for you to agree to. A reminder will be sent via email should you not sign within 48 hours
2. Confirm your childβs government enrolment via MyGov. If you do not agree to the government enrolment, CCS cannot be paid.
Finally, we know change can be scary, overwhelming or confusing, as much for our parents as our little ones. We’re here for you from the day you book your tour to the day your child finishes their last day of kindergarten. We can absolutely help you navigate the CCS and other documents you need to help your child become a little scholars. Reach out to your campus manager, admin or any of the leadership team for guidance or further questions.
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 registerΒ or sites likeΒ Β Careforkids.com.au – which share services by location,Β 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 childβs 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.Β
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.Β Early learning can help babies develop social skills, motor skills, and cognitive abilities. Because of course, learning doesnβt 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 toΒ improved academic achievement in children.
Little Scholars and most early learning services will suggest to parents that they enrol their children at leastΒ two days every weekΒ 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.Β
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.Β
In ourΒ 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 dedicatedΒ 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 arenβt 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!
Are you looking for low-cost options to help the family stay cool this summer? The Gold Coast is home to a host of free or low-cost, family-friendly swimming spots that are sure to cool everyone off and provide hours of fun entertainment. Here are 8 spots to try this summer, from the northern most parts of the Gold Coast, right down to the southern Gold Coast.
Lions Park is located at the Jacobs Well Boat Ramp, and is a council-managed, netted swimming enclosure nearby the mouth of the Pimpama River. Here you will find a small sandy beach area with shade sails right up to the waterβs edge, as well as barbeque and picnic facilities. This spot is great for younger children, as they can get a taste of the beach without large waves or long walks from the car to the water. Best visited at high tide, it can be a bit muddy at low tide.
Cabbage Tree Point is a small town just near Jacobs Well, with a boat ramp, small beach and Charlie Hammel Park. This is a great spot for the family to spend a morning β set up a picnic blanket under the trees by the ship-themed playground and enjoy a swim at the small, sandy beach. Again, being on the river this is best visited at high tide, but enjoyable all day long.
The Pimpama Sports Hub is the northern Gold Coastβs largest aquatic centre, with a 50-metre outdoor swimming pool, a 25-metre indoor swimming pool, learn to swim pool and a hydrotherapy pool. The childrenβs splash pad is exceptional, with water fountains, bubbling brooks and water at ankle depth β it’s ideal for toddler and primary school aged children.
A splash pad might be the last thing you would expect to find at a shopping centre, but Westfield Coomera has one of the best free waterplay areas on the Gold Coast. Designed to resemble a billabong, waterways weave around interactive play stations where children can play with squirting frogs and jump across stepping stones. There are excellent change room facilities available and a cafΓ© next door.
Ian Dipple Lagoon is a great place to go for a swim. Protected by a large sandbank, this lagoon is wave free and perfect for little ones. There are shower and toilet facilities along the shore as well, making the pack up easy. In the evenings, the lagoon is floodlit, so itβs also a great spot for dinner time fish and chips.
The Broadwater Rockpools might be the most popular water play space on the Gold Coast, with plenty of water fountains and vibrant marine-themed equipment to play with. The water play is built to resemble a creek bed, and it works like tidal rockpools with the water receding every 5-10 minutes and then returning again. The Rockpools are watched over by lifeguards during opening hours and it’s completely free to play.
Located within the Home of the Arts precinct, Evandale Lake is a popular swimming spot for Gold Coasters. With a sandy beach around the outside, the lake has shallow edges but can be deceptively deep as you get further in. Families love to spend the day here, making the most of weekend food markets or a picnic lunch. There is a fun shaded playground by the lagoon too.
The newest water play destination on the Gold Coast, the Palm Beach Aquatic Centre opened at the end of October and now has a 50m outdoor pool, 25m outdoor pool, indoor warm water program pool, 25m indoor learn to swim pool, and an outdoor splash pad. The splash pad at Palm Beach is fairly simple in design, with plenty of sprayers along the ground as well as a few water play towers and spinners, but it is made entirely of a rubber base which is absolutely ideal for those crawling or learning to walk! Β
Find Lara’s recommendations at her websiteΒ Mrs. Lardeedah.com, and follow her socials FacebookΒ andΒ Instagram
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.Β 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 youβre 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:
Elizabeth Stone, an award-winning essayist and journalist, once captured the essence of parenthood with a poignant quote, βMaking the decision to have a child β it is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.β This statement resonates deeply with many parents, astutely capturing the feelings of boundless love and the inevitable vulnerability that comes with bringing a child into the world.
This overwhelming surge of emotion is particularly intense during those initial moments and first days of separation from your child, often experienced when that child is entrusted to the care of someone else for the first time. Itβs a milestone filled with mixed emotions for parents β pride in their growing independence, yet a deep longing to keep them close forever.
While the focus in the first few weeks at early learning facilities is generally on the children and how theyβre settling in, an often-forgotten topic is the separation anxiety parents also can feel when they drop their little ones in care for the first time.
In childcare, we offer familiesΒ tips on how to help children settle in, from suggestions such as: βdonβt sneak awayβ, βkeep goodbyes shortβ, and βmaintain calm and confidenceβ, but what if the child is just fine, but the parents are struggling from the separation?
Itβs understandable. If youβre coming off maternity or paternity leave, or perhaps youβve been the primary parent at home for the last few years, change can be profoundly hard.
What weβre talking about isΒ parental separation anxiety, and itβs more common than you think.
βI experienced separation anxiety with both my children when I dropped them into care for the first time, but I was much more surprised with my feelings the second time around,β says Christina, a communications professional who has two children. βI had to go back to work much earlier the second time around, and I felt a lot of grief for not getting to continue to bond with my son the way I had been, knowing he was my last baby. I also experienced some fears around him attaching to his educators more than me.β
AΒ 2016 studyΒ by Pacey UK (the professional association for childcare and early years) reported that out of 1,000 mothers, 70% of mums said they worried about the extent they would miss their children, 90% reported feeling anxious about returning to work after having a child, while nearly half of mums admitted being very anxious.
How can parental separation anxiety manifest itself? Some of the more obvious signs are tears. Anxious feelings. Moodiness. While others you may not notice until they start affecting your life and mental health.
Here are some common indicators of more serious separation anxiety to be aware of:
Ask yourself, what is your biggest fear or worry in separating from your child? The initial step in overcoming these feelings is to acknowledge and understand them. If youβre experiencing heightened anxiety about being apart from your child, itβs important to explore the origins of these feelings. Perhaps they stem from experiences in your life inΒ childhood, or birth trauma, the loss of pregnancy or another child, perinatal or postnatal anxiety/depression and existing anxiety issues, or it may simply be triggered by the act of becoming a parent.
βHow does a parent reconcile these feelings of separating from their child? I think whatβs important about that one is that often itβs around guilt,β saysΒ Sarah Bergman, a clinical psychotherapist at Counselling on the Coast who has more than three decades of experience in emotionally-focused therapy.
βGuilt is really an emotion that comes up when we have like an idealised sense of a situation or who we are. So we feel guilty when we donβt feel weβve reached what we want to be reaching or we havenβt done what we want to do. I would say to explore those feelings of guilt, what they are, what you feel like youβre not doing for your child or getting right for your child.β
Sarah says those guilty feelings in parents often link back to situations in their own childhood where they felt like their own parents let them down. But the concern is also passing down those guilty or anxious feelings to your child.
βTheir own wounds start to muddy the waters of the childβs experience. So the childβs just going to school, but then they feel their parents anxiety and then they also think that somethingβs wrong then too, which can make them anxious. So if the parents have a good look at themselves around, βwhat was it that my parents got wrong for me? or what was it that wounded me? and how does that now play across on my child?β So the parents will often work hard to do the things that they donβt want that their children to experience themselves.β
While Sarah says often the guilty feelings stem from what they missed in their own childhood, the opposite could be true.
βMaybe [parents feel theyβre] not meeting the ideals of what your parent did for you or what things that you really loved about your parent and now you feel like youβre not getting that right.β
Wherever the feelings stem from, Sarah says, parents may be trying to heal themselves through their relationship with their child. But, she says, a child doesnβt have those wounds. They donβt experience their parents in that same way that perhaps you did. So she surmises parents could be overcompensating for their own childhood pain.
βThose kind of parents are very anxious at feeling like they have to attend to everything with their children because they donβt ever want their children to feel the way that they did,β Sarah summarises.
Consider jotting down your feelings or discussing them with a sympathetic friend or even a colleague who could relate with what youβre currently experiencing. Regardless of how trivial or illogical they might seem, allowing yourself to express and discuss these fears can aid in releasing them.
Making the decision to have a child β it is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.
Elizabeth Stone
Sarah also suggests parents educate themselves onΒ secure attachment, a theory first proposed by the British psychologist, psychiatrist, and psychoanalyst John Bowlby.Β For children, secure attachment to someone like a mum or dad allows them the secure base necessary to explore, learn and relate, and the well-being, motivation, and opportunity to do so. Itβs important for safety, stress regulation, adaptability, and resilience and ultimately can help produce a happy, healthy well-adjusted child.
βIf you are securely attached, you will feel less anxious because you will feel comfortable that you can trust, you have a positive view of other people and a positive view of self,β Sarah says. βSo you think to yourself, βitβs okay. My child is in safe hands. They will let me know. I trust the daycare centre. And I trust myself that Iβm doing the right thing by my child and itβs going to be okay and I need to go to work and this is just the way it is.β Whereas someone who is more anxiously attached sometimes have a bit of a negative view of themself and possibly a bit of negative view of others so they donβt totally trust others, so itβs about trying to move into being more securely attached.β
She also says to have an honest conversation with educators or your campus manager.
βYou know, that is actually good secure relating as well, that a parent can actually say, βIβm feeling a bit nervousβ, or βIβm a bit worried about that,β because theyβre asking then, theyβre not coping alone.β
Sarah recommends in that conversation, have a chat with educators or your campus manager about what might help to alleviate those anxious feelings, whether itβs a phone call or a text, a few extra pictures β whatever it is, having clear communication can help everyone.
βWhat helped me was an honest discussion with my sonβs lead educator during a playdate. She asked me thoughtful questions about why I was having a hard time, asked how she could help alleviate those feelings for me, and was very mindful to update with lots of pictures, and even checked in on me at pick-up over the next few weeks. It was really helpful, and gave me feelings of trust in leaving my baby with her and her team,β Christina adds.
Those secure attachments we want children to have means we also want them to have bonds with others, such as loving educators.
A child who has had a secure attachment with her parent or another safe adult is more likely to be able to develop lasting successful relationships as an adult. In fact, aΒ New York University studyΒ recently found positive, warm relationships between caregivers and children were associated with higher odds of attaining ideal heart health at multiple points across a 20-year span of adulthood, so developing these bonds is good for their health!
Part of early childhood training for educators is understand various child development theories such as attachment theory, so trust that your educators understand what secure attachments β both to parents and others children can trust β mean for childrenβs development and they work hard to ensure these bonds with your child.
Research has found our adult relationships are shaped by our early patterns of attachment and the ways we learn to deal with closeness and separation.
βChildren are very attached to their parents and they love their parents very much. And that is who they want to be with. And if they create an attachment with someone else, thatβs lovely. However, ultimately itβs important to keep in mind they will want to be with their parents,β Sarah says.
Sarah also says some of these feelings may be pressure we put on ourselves as parents.
βWe donβt actually have to be perfect parents and I think a lot of people are really trying to be perfect parents and wrapping their children in bubble wrap. You just have to be good enough. I think from memory itβs only like around 60 or 70 per cent strike rate of meeting the childβs needs.β
Sarah is referring to theΒ Winnicott theory.
βThe good-enough mother is one who makes active adaptation to the infantβs needs, an active adaptation that gradually lessens, according to the infantβs growing ability to account for failure of adaptation and to tolerate the results of frustration.β β D. W. Winnicott, paediatrician and parent-infant therapist.
βWe all have to learn that sometimes our needs arenβt going to be met. And thatβs actually where we build resilience and we build understanding around that other people have things they need to do as well,β Sarah says. βYou donβt have to drop everything to be there for your kids. Itβs okay to have ruptures with your children. Itβs actually okay because that is a realistic expectation on relationships. We all have ruptures and then we get to learn how to repair those ruptures. But of course, if the childβs fallen over or theyβve hurt themselves or theyβre scared at night, you want your strike rate on those things needs to be closer to 100 per cent.
βBut otherwise, we donβt have to be so hard on ourselves, we can get it wrong sometimes. We just go back and say, βHey, Iβm sorry I got that wrong.β And then the child also learns that theyβre going to get things wrong sometimes, too. They can come to their parent and say, βHey, Mum, sorry about that.’β
If we can offer some advice, itβs what we also suggest to parents when children are having a hard time with separating. Find an activity you can do together outside of care hours that you can look forward to, so you can cherish your time together. Maybe after pick-up, you take your child for a walk or to the park, maybe itβs grabbing a sneaky ice cream after dinner, maybe itβs a game night or story time when you get home. Find ways to really connect with your child in the time youβre together may make the time youβre apart easier to deal with.
Sarah saysΒ mindful activitiesΒ can help in easing anxious feelings. But, she says, if these feelings are taking over, it might be worth talking to a professional as soon as possible. You can talk to your GP about a referral to see a psychologist, or you can book in to a specialist practice such as Sarahβs Counselling on the Coast to have a chat with aΒ psychotherapist.
Please remember, if Little Scholars can help in any way, we will, from offering a listening ear, to phone calls to whatever would help your family, we will. Weβre not just here for children, weβre here for the whole family.
Grandparents have always shared a special bond with their grandchildren, but nowadays they are also playing an increasingly important role as a caregiver, as children spend much more time with their grandparents than ever before. Sometimes however, the generation gap can make it hard to think of new and fun things to do together that appeal to everyone.
Whether the grandchildren are spending an afternoon, a weekend, or the school holidays with you, this list is sure to keep children and grandparents of all interests and physical abilities, entertained and making memories year-round.
Each year, World Science Festival Brisbane paints the town red and takes science out of the laboratory and into the streets, parks, museums, galleries and performing arts venues of Brisbane and regional Queensland! World Science Festival Brisbane offers interactive and informative experiences for inquisitive young minds, with a huge range of family-friendly events and workshops.
Gather your family and friends and join in a fun weekend in the Scenic Rim region, filled with live entertainment, workshops for children, cooking classes, mini photo sessions, arts, crafts and much more. Donβt forget the star of the show β strolling through beautiful sunflower fields and picking your own to take home.
Surfers Paradise beach becomes a playground of light, music and entertainment at SeaFire, Australiaβs only international fireworks competition. Nations compete to take home the SeaFire Championship title, so this is a chance to see choreographed fireworks displays fired off ocean barges. Bring your picnic blanket and set up in the sand for beautiful firework vistas. There is also plenty of pre-entertainment including food trucks, music and roving performances.
Β 5-8 pm, free!
Kalfresh Vegetables throw open the doors to their farm and factory and welcome carrot-loving visitors each June!
See how they grow, pick, wash and pack carrots, as well as celebrate all things carrot with carrot juice, carrot sausages, carrot cake and carrot bread!Β Everyone can get their hands dirty with carrot picking on the farm, taking home as many as you can carry.
This year’s date has yet to be released, so keep an eye on Kalfresh’s social media channels for its official date. This is held on the Scenic Rim, at Kalbar on the Cunningham Highway in the Fassifern Valley.
The Winter Harvest Festival is the Scenic Rimβs signature event where you can experience Eat Local Month in one glorious, flavour-filled day! Chefs, growers. producers, and artisans come together to showcase the regionβs culinary treasures. There will be more than 60 market stalls offering fresh seasonal produce, local wines, beers and spirits, cheeses, meats, and more. Alongside these culinary delights, youβll find a variety of handcrafted goods and local creations, all crafted by the regionβs skilled artisans.
There are food displays, workshops, produce stalls and a huge festival environment where the children can take part in a variety of games, activities and food related fun.nteractive activities like tractor pulling, carrot tossing, and farm animal cuddles. Theyβll enjoy face painting, garden games, and fun, educational experiences that teach them about agriculture and food in a hands-on way.
Donβt miss the annual Tractor Pull competition!
Where country meets the Gold Coast! Get up close and personal with cute animals, meet the farmers and exhibitors and taste delicious foods made from locally sourced ingredients. Watch the woodchop, and enjoy the equestrian program. Wander through the pavilions, check out the crafts and cooking, from honey to homebrew, lace to LEGO, fine arts to photography, and flowers to fruit sculptures and explore the best agriculture has to offer. Finish the day off with an incredible fireworks display!
The Royal Queensland Show (Ekka) is Queensland’s largest and most loved annual event, now in its 149th year, bringing the country and the city together for a big celebration of agriculture. Enjoy competition entries from woodchop to giant vegetables, there’s 10,000 animals from beef cattle to cats and dogs, world-class live entertainment, award-winning food and wine, carnival rides and showbags, family shopping, educational activities and much more.
The Pacific Airshow Gold Coast is a three-day weekend event that features aerobatic demonstrations by the worldβs best aviators. Attendees can join in meet and greets with the pilots, check out the family zone packed with aviation themed games and activities, and relax beachfront while watching paratroopers, stunt planes, helicopters, military planes and more from around the world perform.Β
Immerse yourself in the family fun and excitement of the Gold Coast Show! Set on the beautiful Broadwater Parklands on the Gold Coast, this FREE show attracts tens of thousands of families annually. Enjoy woodchop, equestrian, food and beverage stalls, exhibits, games and rides. Each night also concludes with an incredible fireworks show.
Riverfire is Brisbaneβs most spectacular night of the year. The launch event for the three-week Brisbane Festival, Riverfire brings families from across south-east Queensland to South Bank for a night that lights up the skies. Entertainment begins from 4pm, including an RAAF aerial display, with the main event β the stateβs most spectacular annual fireworks display β lighting up the sky at 7pm.
RedFest is Redland Cityβs main event, showcasing musicians and artists from across the region. For two days, the Redlands Showground becomes a celebration of the amazing community, with performers sharing their skills across the showground. Families are also taken care of, with a childrenβs program, featuring a range of free activities including farm animals, puppet shows, rock climbing and free face painting, Sideshow alley and spectacular fireworks.
The date is still in the works, check RedFest’s social media channels for date confirmation.
SWELL is Queenslandβs premier outdoor sculpture exhibition, set along Gold Coastβs Currumbin Beach. For 10 days, more than 60 small, medium and large-scale sculptures will be set up along the beachfront and boardwalk for families to view.
The Family Zone activation is always popular, with workshops, activities, a BookFest setup where children can take home a free pre-loved book, live music and chill out zones set up under the leafy trees. Go at sunrise or sunset to beat the heat and experience the sculptures in a different light.
When considering how to look after your family during the work week, look no further than Little Scholars!Β Β
We offer your child the very best facilities, resources and early educational, play-based programs available, which are underpinned by the early years learning framework. We also believe in fun, wide-ranging experiences so that children can begin to develop interests and passions of their own, fromΒ Bush KinderΒ adventures to our broadΒ extracurricular programΒ which includes swimming for our kindergarten children, we believe in keeping wonder and magic in childhood.
If you’re the parent or guardian of a child under five, you’ve probably observed some lies at some point during their young life.
That’s normal and dare we say, developmentally appropriate. We didn’t say it’s OK, but it’s common! Your child isn’t headed for a life of crime and incarceration, so you can now let out a sigh of relief. And there are certainly things you can do to help lead your child to a more honest way of communicating!
But from a developmental perspective, aΒ blog shared by Early Childhood AustraliaΒ confirms that lying in young children is rarely cause for concern.
From the ECA blog: “lying is often one of the first signs a young child has developed a βtheory of mindβ, which is the awareness others may have different desires, feelings, and beliefs to oneself. When a child misleadingly claims βDaddy said I could have an ice creamβ, theyβre using this awareness of othersβ minds to plant false knowledge.”
Children can start lying by the time they start stringing sentences together, between the ages of two and four. The tales they tell may get more elaborate from the age of roughly four and up, as they start to understand what may be more likely to be believed, as their understanding of how others might think and interpret what they say gets more sophisticated.
But the reason behind the lies could also be far less sinister than you think it might be.
Perhaps, your child is just looking to be seen. It might be that they’re feeling invisible to you, and to really get your attention, to get you to make a big deal out of something in their lives, they need to make their story bigger. It can be easier for adults to think their problems, concerns and issues are so much bigger and more important than a child’s, but important to whom?Β
Interestingly, research has found that while almost all children lie at some point, they also have a pretty clear understanding young that lying is wrong. Kay Bussey from Macquarie University, found that children as young as four years of age rated ‘lies about misdeeds as being very bad and that the liar would feel guilty for telling such a lie. Furthermore, they rated this type of lie more negatively than other types of lies and even misdeeds themselves.’
So, children not yet school-aged do understand right from wrong, yet they do it anyway.
How might a parent react to this that would be an effective way to tamp down the untrue stories children sometimes tell?
One way to approach children lying, according to Jess Vanderwier, an American psychotherapist, is to come at it with curiosity and compassion.
Vanderwier’s strategiesΒ include:
Finally she says when your child tells the truth, especially in difficult situations, praise them for their courage and honesty. Noticing their honesty can encourage more truth-telling in the future.
Sometimes children lie or keep secrets to hide serious issues, such as experiencing harm or witnessing harm to others. For instance, children who have been abused by adults or bullied by peers might lie because they fear consequences or feel unsafe speaking up.
If you suspect your child is lying to protect someone or themselves:
Creating a safe environment is key to encouraging honesty and addressing any underlying issues. This is something that should be done all the time, not just when honesty is questioned.
Please know children’s safety is paramount to us. If we at Little Scholars suspect a child is being harmed, we have a duty of care to and will report it.Β
The festive season is here and the opportunities to get in the spirit are endless! Why not check your shopping list off at a Christmas market, jingle along at a carols concert or putt your way through a Christmas wonderland. To make sure you do not miss out on the festive cheer, here is your go-to guide with only the best of the best Christmas happenings picked out for you. Be sure to add these dates to your calendar!
Β Get ready for an exciting and interactive Santa show! Join Santa, Mrs Claus and Rudolf for a Christmas extravaganza that includes a mix of traditional carols and current pop songs.
Pacific Pines Central Park, 4-8:30pm
Image via City of Gold Coast
This free family festivity will feature live music, market stalls, inflatable fun, local restaurant specials, games and activities, plus a visit from Santa Claus.
Ron Short Park, 4-8pm
Bring your family for the largest carols event on the northern Gold Coast, an unforgettable night with fireworks, food vans, and festive sing-alongs.
Brien Harris Oval, from 4pm
Image via Northern Gold Coast Carols Facebook page
One of the all-time favourite Christmas carols will be performed in a 2-hour celebration of song and dance on the beach, with a visit from Santa, and a fireworks finale!
Surfers Paradise Beach, 5-8pm
Image via City of Gold Coast
Wind your way through the Market lanes to the sweet serenades of stunning live music, spot roving performers, snap a selfie with an elf… or meet Santa himself!
Home of the Arts, 4-9pm
The elves have been busy transforming the 9-hole mini golf course into a spectacular Christmas wonderland!Β
76-122 Napper Road, Parkwood
Free live music on stage, roving performers, childrenβs entertainment, fantastic food trucks, and Christmas market stalls. Plus see Santa making a special appearance alongside a fireworks display.
Ed Hardy Park, 4-8pm
Dine under the stars at one of the fantastic local eateries, check out the local business offerings, and visit the Christmas market stalls. Plenty of free childrenβs entertainment on offer throughout the program with Santa making a special appearance!
Toolona Street, Tugan, 4-8:30pm
Sing along to your all-time favourite carols,Β enjoy a delicious assortment of food trucks, watch Santa fly in and watch a sparkling fireworks finale!Β
Queen Elizabeth Park, 5:30-7:30pm
Image via Shutterstock
A truly unique festive celebration, this event will feature live stage entertainment, Christmas carols, Santa, Fireworks over the beautiful Lake Orr and much more!
Waterfront Stage, Varsity Lakes, 4-8pm
Image via Carols on the Lake Facebook page
Β
A fabulous, family Christmas event with market stalls, food trucks, Santa, Christmas carols, live music, facepainting and free childrenβs craft area.
Mudgeeraba Showgrounds, 3-8pm
The City of Logan Christmas Carols is the cityβs biggest annual Christmas event. This free, family-friendly event features hours of on-stage entertainment, festive activities, food trucks, and markets, all jam-packed into one magical day.
Kingston Butter Factory Cultural Precinct, 3-8:30pm
Image via Must Do Brisbane
Experience a pop-up Christmas market brimming with a variety of local vendors, a special visit from Santaβs elves, and Mr & Mrs ClausΒ will drop by for photos under a larger-than-life wreath, suspended above the Market Hall.
Distillery Road Market, 11am-9pm
Image via Facebook event
A free 7-minute light and sound show running at 6:30pm, 6:45pm, 7pm & 7:15pm. Get ready to catch all the “bubble snow” at the end!
Image via Redland Performing Arts Centre
Find Lara’s recommendations at her websiteΒ Mrs. Lardeedah.com, and follow her socials FacebookΒ andΒ Instagram
Let us hold your hand and help looking for a child care centre. Leave your details with us and weβll be in contact to arrange a time for a βCampus Tourβ 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 weβll be in contact to arrange a time for a βCampus Tourβ and we will answer any questions you might have!
