As we wrap up another incredible year at Little Scholars School of Early Learning, we’re taking a moment to reflect on all the wonderful moments that made 2025 so special.

From new beginnings to community milestones, this year has been filled with learning, laughter, and a whole lot of heart. Here’s a month-by-month look back at our highlights from across our Little Scholars campuses.

January – A New Beginning

We started the year with an exciting milestone — the opening of Little Scholars Deception Bay North!
Our newest campus quickly became a vibrant learning community, filled with curiosity, creativity, and new friendships.

Little Scholars Deception Bay North Campus Front Entrance
Little Scholars Deception Bay North Campus Indoor
Little Scholars Deception Bay North Campus Outdoor

February – Community & Excellence

February was a big month of achievement and giving back.

Little Scholars Nerang Campus Exceeding Rating
Little Scholars Nerang received an Exceeding rating in their Assessment & Rating visit — a true testament to our educators’ commitment to quality and care.
Little Scholars Ormeau Village Proudly Supported The Ormeau Shearers Rugby League
Little Scholars Ormeau Village proudly supported the Ormeau Shearers Rugby League sign-on day, connecting with local families and community spirit.
Little Scholars Supported Nightlight
Our North Gold Coast campuses, we came together to support Nightlight Outreach, collecting essential food items to help those facing homelessness and hardship

March – Connection & Collaboration

March brought together our families and the community for our beloved annual Little Scholars Camp Out!

Families enjoyed an evening under the stars, where our children and families enjoyed BBQ’s and roasting marshmallows, some were treated to reptile shows, face painting and even fire twirlers.

We also had a special meeting with our Children’s Rights Council in our Nerang campus, empowering our little scholars to have a voice in shaping their learning environments.

April – Learning & Growth (plus some holiday treats!)

April was a month dedicated to professional growth and shared learning. Our annual Learning & Development Day brought together hundreds of educators and leaders from all 17 of our Little Scholars campuses for a weekend of collaboration and inspiration.

We also celebrated Easter across our campuses. Our studios were filled with joy, crafts, and Easter themed activities

May – Milestones & Moments of Gratitude

May was a month full of celebrations, achievements and professional development:

  • Our Ashmore team participated in Conversational Reading Professional Development, enhancing their expertise in language-rich learning.
  • Many of our Little Scholars support office team members attended the Baby Give Back High Tea, raising funds and awareness for local families in need.
  • Three of our long-standing team members — Chloe, Sara, and Skye— were honoured with 10-year plaques. Each member joined us as part of the founding team at Little Scholars Yatala.
  • Our Stapylton campus celebrated a massive milestone, its 10th birthday!
  • We ended the month with heart-warming Mother’s Day celebrations across all campuses.

June – Expanding Our Reach

  • In June, we proudly opened Little Scholars Karalee, our very first centre in the Ipswich community! This opening marked a new chapter in our mission to provide exceptional early learning experiences across South East Queensland.
  • Our team also raised vital funds for Baby Give Back Giving Day, continuing our strong commitment to community support. We exceeded last years fundraising efforts, and raised over a massive $75,000! Our campuses really put the FUN in fundraising. Each centre came together with some creative fundraising events, from paint & sip and “pie in the face” events to the traditional bake sales and raffles.

July – Celebrating Culture & Connection

July was a month of culture, learning, and community.

Nerang Visit Support Office
We celebrated NAIDOC Week with special activities, including a visit from the Nerang children to our Support Office, where they gifted Jae beautiful handmade clapsticks — a symbol of unity and respect.
Community Picnic In The Park
Families and educators came together for our Community Picnic in the Park, a day of connection, laughter, and togetherness.

August – Curiosity & Celebration

August was a massive month bursting with imagination and discovery:

  • Our campuses brought stories to life during Book Week, with costumes and creativity everywhere you looked.
  • We hosted the first-ever Little Scholars Science Fair, where children proudly showcased their experiments and discoveries.
  • At the science fair, we also unveiled our brand-new, Australian-First Virtual Reality learning program – Wondernest VR!
  • Our intergenerational program celebrated a very special milestone — Mr Don’s 90th birthday!
  • Leaders from across Little Scholars gathered for our Leadership Retreat, a two-day event focused on growth, reflection, and connection.
Little Scholars Leadership Retreat

September – Achievements & Adventure

September was a time for both recognition and fun:

  • Little Scholars Ashmore achieved an Exceeding rating in their Assessment & Rating — a well-deserved celebration for an outstanding team.
  • We also enjoyed Talk Like a Pirate Day, where classrooms came alive with imaginative play and hearty “Arrr!”s.

October – Out of This World Learning

October was filled with excitement and exploration:

  • Little Scholars Parkwood earned an Exceeding rating during their Assessment & Rating visit — another fantastic accomplishment!
Little Scholars Parkwood Receives Exceeding Rating
  • Children across campuses explored the universe during Space Week, sparking curiosity and creativity.
Space Week (1)
  • We wrapped up the month with our always-fun Halloween celebrations, full of costumes, laughter, and community spirit.

November – Celebrations and Growing Together

November brought reflection and gratitude.

  • Our campuses celebrated Grandparents Day, welcoming families into our centres for a day of stories, songs, and shared laughter.
  • The children from Little Scholars George Street visited Parliament House, where they joined Netball Queensland’s “go for growth” event learning, exploring, and playing alongside leaders and athletes. 
Little Scholars George Street Kids Visited The Queensland Parliament
  • Little Scholars staff Christmas party! Over 400 staff from across our 17 centres came together for a night of fun and celebration at The Star Gold Coast.

December – A Joyful Finish

We closed out the year with festive Christmas celebrations across all campuses.
From campus Christmas parties to Christmas-themed craft, December was filled with joy, gratitude, and friendships — the perfect way to end a wonderful year.

December was also a powerful reminder of what makes our Little Scholars community so special. As the year came to an end, our families, educators and children joined together in a truly generous effort to support Baby Give Back, an organisation that provides essential items to children and families who are doing it tough.

Because of the incredible kindness shown across our Little Scholars campuses, we collected more than 680 kilograms of much-needed items. These donations will help support over 200 children and their families, offering comfort and relief when it is needed most. Every nappy, toy, book and piece of clothing represents a small act of care that will make a genuine difference in a child’s life.

What touched us the most was the way our community approached this initiative. Parents, educators and children spent time sorting donations and packing items, and many families used the opportunity to talk with their little ones about kindness and helping others. Moments like these show our children what community really looks like, and how even the smallest actions can have a big impact.

We are incredibly proud of what we achieved together in December. Your generosity reflects the heart of Little Scholars and our commitment to giving every child the best possible start in life.

Thank you to everyone who contributed, participated and encouraged their children to be part of something meaningful. You helped make December a month filled with compassion, connection and genuine community spirit. 

Looking Ahead to 2026

2025 was a year of milestones, learning, and community. We’re deeply grateful to our dedicated educators, our supportive families, and — most of all — our incredible little scholars who inspire us every single day.

Here’s to another year of discovery, growth, and happiness in 2026!

For many parents, walking into a childcare centre for the first time comes with a mix of nerves, hope and a hundred questions. During a tour at Little Scholars, something important usually happens – families start to picture their child here, happy, settled and thriving. That is often the moment they understand why 9 out of 10 parents who visit our campuses decide to enrol.

Here’s what parents tell us makes all the difference.

They Feel Their Child Is Genuinely Known

One of the first things families notice is how personal the experience is.

During every tour, our educators ask about each child’s interests, comfort items, allergies, routines and quirks — not out of obligation, but because we want to understand who your little one is before they even start.

Little Scholars is intentionally built around a warm, community feel. Parents tell us it feels like an extension of their family: educators who remember children’s favourite stories, who celebrate milestones, and who build relationships with parents from day one.

It’s that sense of belonging that makes the very first drop-off a little easier.

A close-up, brightly lit photo showing a smiling female educator wearing a black Little Scholars uniform and a white wristwatch, making a peace sign (two fingers up) while looking at a young girl. The girl, who has her hair tied up in playful knots, is sitting opposite her at a table, also holding up a peace sign. Both are engaged in an activity, and the girl holds a red pencil. A woven basket of colored pencils sits on the table between them, and a green potted plant is visible in the background.

Holistic, Play-Based Programs That Go Far Beyond “Standard Childcare”

Our philosophy is simple: children learn best through play, exploration, imagination and real-world experiences.

Across our Gold Coast, Brisbane, Ipswich and Redland Bay campuses, children enjoy:

Parents consistently tell us these are the things that set Little Scholars apart and make early learning feel meaningful.

Safe, Beautiful Environments Designed for Wonder

A tour gives families a true feel for our campuses: the learning environments, the natural materials, the artwork created by children, the soft lighting and the open-ended, nature-inspired play spaces.

Outdoors, you’ll find large shaded areas, sand pits, climbing structures, gardens and spaces thoughtfully designed for curiosity and safe risk-taking.

Behind the scenes, we take safety seriously:

  • Secure entry systems
  • Strong supervision practices
  • Sun-safety commitments
  • Purpose-built rooms for different age groups
  • Regular safety training for all team members

Parents consistently tell us our environments “just feel right” — clean, calm and full of possibility.

Nutrition and Wellbeing Included (and Loved by Parents)

One of the biggest surprises for new families is how much is included in our daily nutrition program.

With seasonal meals prepared fresh by our in-house chefs, a typical day might include:

  • Breakfast (on request)
  • Morning tea
  • A nutritious, balanced lunch
  • Afternoon tea
  • Plenty of water and hydration
  • Late afternoon snack (if required)
  • Allergy-friendly options

Parents love that Little Scholars removes the pressure of meal prep — and that their children are trying (and loving!) new foods every day.

Support for the Whole Family, Not Just the Child

We know parents are juggling a lot, so our support extends well beyond the classroom.

Across our campuses, families have access to a “village” of services and supports, including:

  • Exclusive Family Time program, offering onsite specialist appointments, kindy hair cuts, dental and optical check-ups, take-home meals, and more!
  • Extra-curricular programs 
  • Flexible long daycare hours
  • Our family communication app
  • Campus events and celebrations
  • Parent education sessions

Families tell us this makes childcare feel easier, more connected, and more supportive of their lifestyle and work commitments.

Proven Outcomes and Confident School Readiness

One of the most common things we hear from our Kindergarten parents is “I can’t believe how ready they were.”

Our school readiness program builds independence, emotional resilience, social confidence and foundational literacy and numeracy skills — all embedded in hands-on, play-based experiences.

We’ve seen children who once struggled with separations now walking confidently into Prep with their friends. We’ve watched quieter children find their voice, and energetic children channel their curiosity into problem-solving and teamwork.

These are the moments families remember most.

Referral Program Little Scholars School Of Early Learning

Common Questions From Families (and Our Honest Answers)

What if my child struggles with separation?

Our educators support gentle, consistent routines and communicate closely with you. Most children adjust far more quickly than parents expect. We’ve written a blog on our tips and tricks for dealing with separation anxiety so be sure to check it out! 

We encourage you to visit, ask questions, meet the educators and see the environment firsthand. Transparency and open communication are core to how we operate.

We offer a variety of options that can be tailored to meet the individual needs of every child, however you’ll find that within our relaxed, shared mealtimes, even the fussiest of eaters are often trying new foods!

Ready to See for Yourself Why 9 in 10 Families Enrol?

We’d love to welcome you to your nearest Little Scholars campus.

  • Book a tour at any of our 17 campuses across Gold Coast, Brisbane, Ipswich or Redland Bay. 
  • Call our enrolments team on 1300 896 139 for any questions or personal guidance.
  • Check out ourFirst Day at Little Scholars” guide to help you prepare.

Your child’s early years matter, and Little Scholars is here to make them extraordinary.

Play-Based Learning: Where Play Sparks Discovery at Little Scholars School of Early Learning

As a parent, you want your child to love learning, feel confident, and explore the world safely. At Little Scholars School of Early Learning, we believe the best way to achieve this is through play-based learning, the heart of our philosophy that guides everything we do for children aged 0–5 years.

What Is Play-Based Learning and Why Does It Matter?

Play-based learning is more than just fun. It’s a research-backed approach where children learn by exploring, experimenting, and engaging with their environment. Through play, children develop essential skills that lay the foundation for lifelong learning, including:

Cognitive skills:

Problem-solving, creativity, and curiosity

Social skills:

Communication, collaboration, and empathy

Emotional skills:

Self-regulation, confidence, and resilience

Physical skills

Fine and gross motor development

Play allows children to take charge of their learning, following their interests and building confidence as capable learners.

How Does Play-Based Learning Work at Little Scholars?

At Little Scholars, our educators create rich, stimulating environments that encourage exploration and discovery. Every activity is designed to connect with child development while keeping learning fun and hands-on.

Children can:

Our approach blends guided play with child-led discovery, allowing children to learn at their own pace while reaching developmental milestones.

Why Our Approach Is Different

Unlike traditional early learning settings, we view children as active contributors to their own learning. Instead of passive instruction, we encourage children to ask questions, experiment, and solve problems, fostering independence and curiosity from a young age.

Our educators act as partners in exploration, observing interests, asking open-ended questions, and providing materials that extend learning naturally. This ensures that every moment of play is also a meaningful learning experience.

The Lifelong Benefits of Play-Based Learning

Children who engage in play-based learning develop:

  • Confidence and independence
  • Strong social and emotional skills
  • Critical thinking and problem-solving abilities
  • A love for learning that lasts a lifetime

At Little Scholars, we’re proud to offer an environment where play and learning go hand in hand, shaping curious, capable, and joyful children.

Discover the Magic of Play-Based Learning at Little Scholars

Give your child the gift of exploration, curiosity, and confidence. Book a tour and visit your local Little Scholars School of Early Learning campus to see how our play-based philosophy helps children aged 0–5 grow, learn, and thrive.

Did you know that Little Scholars School of Early Learning has over 900 square metres of real manicured grass for Children to enjoy?

Gross Motor development and engage with nature and the environment. Here are some pics without any equipment set up so you can see just how much space we have…

Not many centres on the Gold Coast offer this much natural play space. To book a Centre Tour call Tayla on 3287 4466.

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Come and see the Little Scholars difference

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!

Come and see the Little Scholars difference

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!