As a parent, you may be asking yourself, “Is my child ready to start school next year?” “Should I delay prep?” “How do I know if my child is ready for big school?”
Starting school is a big milestone — for children and families. While age often guides the conversation, true school readiness is about much more than a birthday.
In Queensland, families have flexibility when it comes to starting Prep, and understanding your child’s individual development can help you make the best decision for their learning journey.
In Queensland, children are eligible to start Prep in the year they turn five by 30 June. However, school doesn’t become compulsory until six years and six months, meaning families can choose to delay Prep if they feel their child would benefit from more time to grow and develop.
This flexibility recognises something important: every child develops at their own pace.
School readiness isn’t just about knowing letters, numbers or how to write their name. While early literacy and numeracy are valuable, research shows that a child’s ability to thrive at school depends largely on their social and emotional development.
Key school readiness skills include:
These skills help children feel secure, capable and ready to engage with learning once they begin school.
High-quality early learning plays a vital role in supporting school readiness. In a nurturing and structured environment, children develop essential skills gradually and naturally through play, relationships and meaningful experiences.
At Little Scholars School of Early Learning, our kindergarten programs are thoughtfully designed to support each child’s individual journey. We focus on:
Our qualified early childhood teachers (ECT’s) and educators work closely with families to ensure children feel supported, understood and prepared for their next step — whether that’s starting Prep soon or taking a little more time.
If you’re beginning to think about Prep or wondering whether your child is truly school-ready, you don’t have to navigate it alone. Little Scholars is here to support your family every step of the way.
Families may also be eligible for Free Kindy in Queensland, giving children the opportunity to participate in a high-quality kindergarten program while building the confidence, social skills and emotional readiness needed for a smooth transition to school.
Feel free to book a tour or chat with our team to learn more about our kindergarten programs and how we can support your child’s confidence, development and readiness for school.
As we wrap up another incredible year at Little Scholars School of Early Learning, we’re taking a moment to reflect on all the wonderful moments that made 2025 so special.
From new beginnings to community milestones, this year has been filled with learning, laughter, and a whole lot of heart. Here’s a month-by-month look back at our highlights from across our Little Scholars campuses.
We started the year with an exciting milestone — the opening of Little Scholars Deception Bay North!
Our newest campus quickly became a vibrant learning community, filled with curiosity, creativity, and new friendships.
February was a big month of achievement and giving back.
March brought together our families and the community for our beloved annual Little Scholars Camp Out!
Families enjoyed an evening under the stars, where our children and families enjoyed BBQ’s and roasting marshmallows, some were treated to reptile shows, face painting and even fire twirlers.
We also had a special meeting with our Children’s Rights Council in our Nerang campus, empowering our little scholars to have a voice in shaping their learning environments.
April was a month dedicated to professional growth and shared learning. Our annual Learning & Development Day brought together hundreds of educators and leaders from all 17 of our Little Scholars campuses for a weekend of collaboration and inspiration.
We also celebrated Easter across our campuses. Our studios were filled with joy, crafts, and Easter themed activities
May was a month full of celebrations, achievements and professional development:
July was a month of culture, learning, and community.
August was a massive month bursting with imagination and discovery:
September was a time for both recognition and fun:
October was filled with excitement and exploration:
November brought reflection and gratitude.
We closed out the year with festive Christmas celebrations across all campuses.
From campus Christmas parties to Christmas-themed craft, December was filled with joy, gratitude, and friendships — the perfect way to end a wonderful year.
December was also a powerful reminder of what makes our Little Scholars community so special. As the year came to an end, our families, educators and children joined together in a truly generous effort to support Baby Give Back, an organisation that provides essential items to children and families who are doing it tough.
Because of the incredible kindness shown across our Little Scholars campuses, we collected more than 680 kilograms of much-needed items. These donations will help support over 200 children and their families, offering comfort and relief when it is needed most. Every nappy, toy, book and piece of clothing represents a small act of care that will make a genuine difference in a child’s life.
What touched us the most was the way our community approached this initiative. Parents, educators and children spent time sorting donations and packing items, and many families used the opportunity to talk with their little ones about kindness and helping others. Moments like these show our children what community really looks like, and how even the smallest actions can have a big impact.
We are incredibly proud of what we achieved together in December. Your generosity reflects the heart of Little Scholars and our commitment to giving every child the best possible start in life.
Thank you to everyone who contributed, participated and encouraged their children to be part of something meaningful. You helped make December a month filled with compassion, connection and genuine community spirit.
2025 was a year of milestones, learning, and community. We’re deeply grateful to our dedicated educators, our supportive families, and — most of all — our incredible little scholars who inspire us every single day.
Here’s to another year of discovery, growth, and happiness in 2026!
Little Scholars’ Government Approved Kindergarten Program is the perfect way to help your child prepare for prep and everything that transition entails. As a parent, you have probably given considerable thought to where to send your child once they’re ready to take that next step. Consulting primary school rankings is one way that you can arm yourself with the information required to do the very best by your daughter or son.
Checking primary school rankings is only one part of the puzzle when it comes to choosing educational options. You may also want to consider the following:
Little Scholars would recommend getting as much information as you can as early in the process as possible. Booking a tour to see the school and the learning in action will allow you the opportunity to truly get a feel for the culture of the place.
With that in mind, comparing primary school rankings can be a good way to gauge how the school approaches literacy and numeracy, as well as the access that it has to educational resources.
Here are the primary school rankings for educational establishments that surround our seven centres. Using this information as part of your decision, in consultation with your Little Scholars teachers, could help you make the choice that will shape your child’s educational journey.
Our George Street campus is located right in the heart of the city, providing easy access to Roma Street Transit Centre and the George Street Bus Depot. It’s only 300 metres away from the Queen Street Mall and it’s very close to some of Brisbane’s best schools.
Primary School Rankings as determined by state overall scores:
The gorgeous Little Scholars School of Early Learning Campus in Ashmore is firmly ensconced in the fabulous surrounding bush environment. This brand new centre boasts state of the art facilities presented in a calming, relaxing design that showcases the great work that goes on there.
Primary School Rankings for nearby schools:
Huge learning spaces and the promise of before and after school care (including vacation care) make our Little Scholars Deception Bay campus an attractive option for many families. There are a number of great schools nearby that you may be interested in for your son or daughter’s prep years (and beyond).
Primary School Rankings for nearby schools:
The Little Scholars School of Early Learning in Nerang is the newest member of the Little Scholars educational family. Their vision for the lucky students who attend is to arm them as much as possible with the skills they need to get ahead in today’s modern world; a great place for preparation for primary school! \
Primary School Rankings for nearby schools:
The Little Scholars School of Early Learning in Redland Bay is the glittering jewel in the crown of bayside life for local families. This centre provides state of the art educational programs, specialised teaching and plentiful resources to the students.
Primary School Rankings for nearby schools:
The picturesque Stapylton campus of Little Scholars has been awarded a 6 star Eco Estate rating. The good works of the staff have ensured that attendees of Little Scholars are primed and ready to support their environment in the years to come.
Primary School Rankings for nearby schools:
The Yatala campus of Little Scholars School of Early Learning offers premium educational opportunities in an expansive, responsive setting. The indoor / outdoor program takes advantage of the space and incredible design on offer to students.
Primary School Rankings for nearby schools:
Have further questions regarding primary school rankings and preparing your child for school? Get in contact with Little Scholars to discuss how to best move your child from childcare to kindergarten to prep. It doesn’t have to be a scary time – you just need the right support.
An easy transition from kindy to prep is crucial for your child’s well-being.
We can help your child make this big step. Our kindy program goes beyond academic preparation. We take your child’s well-being seriously, talk to us now.
Let us hold your hand and help looking for a child care centre. Leave your details with us and we’ll be in contact to arrange a time for a ‘Campus Tour’ and we will answer any questions you might have!
Let us hold your hand and help looking for a child care centre. Leave your details with us and we’ll be in contact to arrange a time for a ‘Campus Tour’ and we will answer any questions you might have!
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