Little Scholars School of Early Learning offers full-day care for working parents in Brisbane City through its George Street campus. This guide covers the age groups served, the curriculum approach, and practical details for families seeking reliable, long-day care in the heart of the city.
Age Groups Served
Little Scholars provides tailored early learning and childcare across four key stages, ensuring that every child receives developmentally appropriate support. The program is designed to cater to the unique needs and developmental milestones of each age group, from infancy through to school readiness.
Nursery and Infant Care
The nursery program cares for children from six weeks to 15 months. This stage focuses on creating a warm and secure environment where the youngest learners can begin to explore the world around them. Educators provide individual routines and supervised rest, ensuring that babies feel safe and supported in a space that feels like a second home.
Toddler Programs
For children aged 12 to 24 months, the toddler program encourages active engagement and discovery. This stage embraces the physical energy of toddlers, allowing them to run, jump, and dance while fostering their growing curiosity. The environment is designed to support active little ones as they navigate their early social and physical development.
Pre-Kindy and Kindergarten
Children aged 3 to 4 years enter the pre-kindy group, where more structured learning is introduced to inspire creativity and independent thought. The kindergarten program, designed for children aged 4 to 5 years, offers a comprehensive curriculum that prepares them for the transition to school. Delivered by qualified Early Childhood Teachers, this stage builds school readiness through early language, literacy, and numeracy while nurturing confidence and social skills.
Curriculum and Learning Approach
Little Scholars utilizes an emergent educational curriculum known as The Collective, which is aligned with the organization's vision and play-based approach. This streamlined approach supports educators in adopting child development theory and putting it into practice. The curriculum is based on the premise that children are most successful at learning when experiences account for their interests, strengths, and individual needs.
Play-Based and Enquiry-Led Learning
The Collective encompasses a collaborative approach with children, families, educators, and the community. Weekly programs are responsive to the evolving interests and needs of the children, allowing for flexibility and extended periods of play. This enquiry-led teaching strengthens children to become competent and capable across their developmental domains, allowing educators to follow the children's lead and actively explore new concepts.
Abecedarian Reading Approach
Little Scholars incorporates the 3a Abecedarian Approach Australia into its reading programs. This approach engages children in active, conversational reading, fostering early literacy and encouraging language development. The method emphasizes back-and-forth conversation between the adult and the child at three progressive levels: seeing, showing, and saying. This interactive method enhances vocabulary and develops critical thinking and comprehension skills.
Extracurricular Enrichment
Enrichment is woven right through the child's day, with many activities included in fees. Programs span sport and swimming, dance and music, STEM with Lab Kids, creative arts, and outdoor explorers. These expert-led activities provide a well-rounded education that extends beyond the traditional classroom, sparking a love of learning through diverse experiences.
Facilities and Onsite Services
Little Scholars believes that the environment is the third teacher, a concept rooted in Reggio Emilia theory. The physical environment and learning spaces contribute to children's wellbeing, creativity, and developing independence. Campuses are designed to be visually alluring and inviting, with a focus on creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
Indoor and Outdoor Learning Spaces
Indoor environments include a variety of areas for quiet and calm, building and construction, dining, creative expression, and dramatic play. Outdoor environments allow for sport, climbing, running, and sensory activities, as well as quiet, cosy reading spaces in the fresh air. These thoughtfully crafted spaces encourage exploration and creativity, supporting children's holistic development.
Nutrition and Chef-Prepared Meals
Every campus has an experienced in-house chef preparing wholesome meals and snacks from scratch each day. Breakfast, lunch, and afternoon tea are nutritionally balanced, age-appropriate, and portioned for growing bodies. Menus meet and exceed the Australian Dietary Guidelines, providing at least half of a child's daily nutritional needs while they are in care. This service removes the need for families to pack lunchboxes, ensuring children enjoy fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
Family Time Program
The Family Time Program brings everyday services and specialist appointments onto campus to give families back quality time. Services include on-site haircuts, take-home meals, and visits from specialists such as optometrists, dentists, and speech pathologists. This initiative helps working parents manage their schedules more effectively, allowing them to focus on spending quality time with their family at home.
Child Care Subsidy and Costs
Understanding the costs of childcare is a significant concern for working parents. Little Scholars is a Child Care Subsidy (CCS) approved provider, meaning the government helps cover the cost for eligible families. The CCS is administered by Services Australia, and eligibility and amounts are assessed based on individual family circumstances.
How the CCS Works
The Child Care Subsidy is a payment from the Australian Government that helps reduce the cost of approved childcare. Eligible families can receive up to 90% subsidy, depending on their income and other factors. Little Scholars provides a free CCS calculator to help families estimate their out-of-pocket costs. This tool allows parents to see exactly what they would pay based on their specific circumstances, providing clarity and peace of mind.
Fee Structure
Daily fees vary depending on the campus and age group. To help families estimate childcare costs, Little Scholars can calculate the CCS-adjusted daily rate. Families are encouraged to contact the local campus for the current long day care rate at their preferred centre. This transparent approach ensures that parents can make informed decisions about their childcare options without hidden surprises.
Key Takeaways
- Little Scholars offers full-day care in Brisbane City at its George Street campus, serving children from six weeks to school age.
- The curriculum is play-based and emergent, known as The Collective, which responds to children's evolving interests and needs.
- The Abecedarian reading approach is integrated into daily learning to foster early literacy and language development through conversation.
- Every campus features an in-house chef preparing fresh, chef-cooked meals that meet Australian Dietary Guidelines.
- The Family Time Program brings specialist services like dental checks and haircuts onto campus, saving parents time.
- Little Scholars is CCS approved, and families can use the free calculator to estimate their subsidy and out-of-pocket costs.
- Extracurricular activities, including STEM, music, and outdoor explorers, are woven into the daily routine to enrich learning.
- Child safety is a priority, with rigorous vetting of staff and programs like Bravehearts to empower children to protect themselves.
Frequently Asked Questions
What age groups does Little Scholars serve in Brisbane City?
Little Scholars serves children from six weeks to school age. The programs are divided into nursery (6 weeks to 15 months), toddlers (12 to 24 months), pre-kindy (3 to 4 years), and kindergarten (4 to 5 years).
Is the George Street campus in Brisbane City suitable for working parents?
Yes, the George Street campus offers full-day care designed around the needs of working parents. The location in the heart of the city provides convenient access for families living or working in Brisbane City.
Are meals included in the daily fee?
Yes, breakfast, lunch, and afternoon tea are included in the daily fees. All meals are prepared fresh by an in-house chef using locally sourced ingredients.
How can I estimate my Child Care Subsidy?
You can use the free Child Care Subsidy calculator on the Little Scholars website. This tool helps you see exactly what you would pay based on your individual circumstances and Services Australia rates.
What is the Abecedarian reading approach?
The Abecedarian approach is a conversational reading method that engages children in back-and-forth dialogue. It focuses on three levels: seeing, showing, and saying, to enhance vocabulary and comprehension.
Does Little Scholars offer before and after school care?
Yes, Little Scholars offers Before and After School Care (OSHC) and Vacation Care programs. These are run by experienced educators and are CCS approved, providing reliable care for school-age children.
How does the Family Time Program work?
The Family Time Program brings services like haircuts, take-home meals, and specialist appointments onto campus. This allows parents to manage errands and appointments while their children are in care, saving time and reducing stress.
Is the curriculum play-based?
Yes, the curriculum is play-based and emergent. It is designed to follow the children's lead, allowing them to explore new concepts and ideas through play and enquiry.
Conclusion
Choosing the right childcare provider is a significant decision for working parents in Brisbane City. Little Scholars School of Early Learning offers a comprehensive solution with its George Street campus, providing full-day care, a rich play-based curriculum, and convenient onsite services. By combining high-quality education with practical support for families, Little Scholars aims to be an extension of every family it works with. To plan your visit and see the Little Scholars difference for yourself, book a tour of the George Street campus today.