Our curriculum
Big questions. Little discoveries. The confidence to try again. At Little Learners Academy, learning begins with who your child is and what sparks their curiosity.
Our play-based curriculum supports children from six weeks to six years at our centres in Austral, Rossmore and Thirlmere. Guided by Australia’s Early Years Learning Framework, we make space for children to explore, connect and grow.
Our curriculum also includes French with a specialist teacher, offered at every centre in age-group sessions throughout the week.
The Little Learners approach
We bring together purposeful experiences and the freedom to follow an idea. These three priorities shape the learning that happens throughout a child’s day.
Learning through play
A tower of blocks, a story shared or a new colour mixed: play gives children a reason to ask questions, test ideas and keep trying. Our educators build on those interests with experiences that invite discovery.
Confidence to have a go
Choosing an activity, solving a problem or trying something new helps children develop independence. We offer encouragement and time to practise, recognising that every child grows at their own pace.
Connection and belonging
Children feel ready to explore when they feel safe and understood. Warm relationships, familiar routines and close partnerships with families help us respond to each child’s strengths, culture and ways of communicating.
Belonging, Being & Becoming
Our educators use observation, family insights and reflection to plan experiences around children’s development, interests and strengths. Learning includes identity, wellbeing, connection, communication and confidence as a learner.
Learning that grows with your child
Each stage brings something new. We respond to your child’s individual development, helping them feel supported as their world gets bigger.
Care, connection and comfort
A gentle start, with responsive care and room for those first discoveries. We work with your family to understand your baby’s routines and offer familiar faces, sensory experiences and opportunities to move and explore.
Play, explore and discover
Growing curiosity deserves space to flourish. Through creative play, movement and time with others, toddlers can try out ideas, find their words and begin doing more for themselves—with an educator nearby to support them.
Confidence for the next chapter
Preparing for school means supporting the whole child. Our preschool approach builds confidence, friendships and a love of learning, alongside opportunities to explore early literacy and numeracy through meaningful play.
WHAT LEARNING CAN LOOK LIKE
Everyday play can create opportunities to practise new skills. These examples show the possibilities—not a fixed timetable. Experiences respond to children’s interests, confidence and development.
INFANTS · 6 WEEKS–2 YEARS
Looking at pictures, pointing and responding to an educator’s voice make room for the back-and-forth of early communication.
Skills to practise Listening, exploring sounds and connecting with others.
TODDLERS · 2–3 YEARS
Choosing blocks, balancing them and trying again when a tower tumbles turn a simple idea into a little problem to solve.
Skills to practise Hand control, problem-solving, persistence and turn-taking.
PRESCHOOL · 3–6 YEARS
Making a shopping list, counting pretend items and deciding who will be the shopkeeper bring learning into imaginative play.
Skills to practise Early literacy and maths, sharing ideas and negotiating roles.
Daily updates through OWNA help you stay connected with your child’s day. Use them as a starting point for conversations with educators about what your child enjoys, is practising and is becoming more confident with.
You are part of the picture. Share the interests, new skills and familiar routines you notice at home. Your insights help educators understand your child.
See learning in action on a tourMORE WAYS TO LEARN
Sport, cooking, art, music, yoga and French bring different opportunities to our curriculum. Each is chosen to help children explore, express themselves and practise skills through enjoyable experiences.
Every child grows in their own way. These experiences give children different ways to participate, build confidence and discover what interests them.
Movement & teamwork
Running, balancing and ball games give children opportunities to practise coordination and large-body movements. Taking turns and joining in group games also offer practice in cooperation, following simple directions and having another go.
Practical skills & curiosity
Measuring, pouring, stirring and following simple steps bring early maths and problem-solving into everyday learning. Preparing food with adult guidance also offers opportunities to practise hand control, learn new words and explore ingredients, textures and flavours.
Creativity & self-expression
Painting, drawing and making give children ways to express ideas and feelings before they can always put them into words. Choosing materials and experimenting with tools create opportunities to practise hand control, make decisions and explore their own ideas.
Listening & connection
Singing, clapping and moving to a beat invite children to listen closely, notice patterns and explore sounds and rhythm. Shared music-making offers opportunities to practise language, take turns and connect with others through movement and expression.
Body awareness & quiet focus
Gentle stretches, balancing and simple breathing activities invite children to notice how their bodies move and feel. These quieter moments provide opportunities to practise balance, focus attention and explore the difference between active movement and rest.
Communication & cultural curiosity
Hearing and trying French introduces children to new sounds, words and ways of communicating. Age-group sessions with our specialist French teacher offer regular opportunities to practise listening and develop an interest in other languages and cultures.
Explore our French programExperiences are adapted to children’s ages, interests and development. Speak with your centre about the current program for your child’s group.
A SECOND LANGUAGE. A WORLD TO DISCOVER.
Our French program is available at all three Little Learners Academy centres: Austral, Rossmore and Thirlmere.
A specialist French teacher with experience teaching children leads multiple sessions throughout the week. Sessions are split into age groups, so children learn alongside peers at a similar stage.
It is a chance to become familiar with another language, build the confidence to try something new and discover that there is more than one way to communicate.
Early exposure is about opening a door to language learning. Children can listen, notice, experiment and gradually become more comfortable with unfamiliar words.
Hearing French gives children opportunities to notice different sounds and rhythms, listen for meaning and practise expressing an idea in a new way.
Discovering another language helps introduce children to different ways of speaking and living, encouraging interest in people and cultures beyond their own experience.
Enjoyable early experiences can build familiarity and interest in learning languages as children grow. Every child’s confidence and progress will develop at their own pace.
French adds to our learning experiences while we continue to value the languages, cultures and traditions children bring from home. Families are welcome to share familiar words and experiences with our educators.
Our specialist French teacher runs multiple sessions throughout the week, split into age groups. Ask your centre about the current timetable for your child’s group.
Our focus is early exposure and a positive introduction to another language. Children’s interests, participation and progress vary; the program does not promise fluency. Regular opportunities to hear and try French can help it feel more familiar over time.
We value every family’s home language. Talk with your centre about your child’s language experiences and age group so we can discuss their participation in French sessions.
Further reading: early language learning in Australia and cultural responsiveness in early learning.
Ask about French on your centre tourEveryday learning at Little Learners
Making, moving, imagining and connecting. These moments from our Thirlmere centre show the many ways children can learn through play.
Meet our educators, explore the spaces and talk with us about your child. We’d love to show you around.
FAMILY STORIES
A selection of five-star Google reviews from families at our Austral, Rossmore and Thirlmere centres.
I honestly couldn't be happier with Little Learners! The educators are incredibly kind, patient and genuinely care about the children. From day one, they made both us and our child feel so welcome, which made the transition into childcare much easier. It's clear that so much thought goes into the daily activities, and it's been amazing to see how much our child has grown in confidence and independence. The communication is fantastic, and I always feel informed and confident that my child is being well looked after. Thank you to the entire team for creating such a supportive and nurturing environment. I highly recommend this centre to any family looking for exceptional care.Dairin NasiryAUSTRAL · GOOGLE REVIEWView on Google
We couldn’t be happier with Little Learners Academy in Rossmore. It is a beautiful centre that provides such a welcoming, safe, and nurturing environment for children. The educators are amazing - caring, supportive, and incredibly professional. Our children genuinely look forward to going each day and always come home smiling! Staff are great - friendly, dedicated, and genuinely invested in each child’s development.Lauren KendallROSSMORE · GOOGLE REVIEWView on Google
We’ve had such a positive experience with Little Learners. The team is friendly, supportive, and always goes above and beyond to make the children feel comfortable and cared for. It’s so nice knowing our child is happy, having fun, and learning new things every day. We’re so grateful for everything they do and would definitely recommend the centre to other families.Josephine bTHIRLMERE · GOOGLE REVIEWView on Google
Excellent day care, I am very thankful to the team. They have been so helpful in supporting my daughter to adapt to childcare with their gentle and thoughtful approach. The centre feels very special. Thank you so much to all the staff!Anish FathimaAUSTRAL · GOOGLE REVIEWView on Google
We are so happy with Little Learners Academy in Rossmore. It is such a wonderful place for children, set in a peaceful and calm environment. The staff are very professional, kind, and caring. My kids absolutely love being there every day. They always come home happy and excited to tell us about what they learned. I really love how the centre focuses on learning through play and developing problem solving skills. It makes such a difference, and you can see how much the kids enjoy it. They are always sharing their activities with so much excitement. It truly feels like a second home for our family, and I am so glad to be part of this beautiful community.rashmini kumarROSSMORE · GOOGLE REVIEWView on Google
Beautiful service with caring staff. Our Daughter started this year from moving to the area and we were very pleased with little learners approach to care. Always paying attention to each child's individual needs. Maria, Skye, Olivia and Brooke were the educators in her room and she bonded with them all. We can not thank them enough for their nurturing. Thank youAshleigh WilsonTHIRLMERE · GOOGLE REVIEWView on Google
Little Learners Academy has been amazing. The educators are caring, supportive, and create such a welcoming environment for children. I love seeing the confidence, skills, and happiness they help build every day.chanele bteddiniAUSTRAL · GOOGLE REVIEWView on Google
Highly recommend little learners academy. Staff are very caring and invested in every child’s development and learning. My girl was so excited to go again and would not stop talking about her her new teachers and day care to other family members!Colette BroughanROSSMORE · GOOGLE REVIEWView on Google
I would highly recommend this daycare. I have two girls who started back in September and they have loved going to daycare ever since. The educators love the girls and you can see how much they care about every child there.Kelly WalkerTHIRLMERE · GOOGLE REVIEWView on Google
I cannot speak highly enough of Little Learners Academy Austral . The team is incredibly supportive, friendly, and well-trained, ensuring each child receives individual attention. The environment is clean, welcoming, and thoughtfully designed for learning and development. The boss is outstanding, leading with dedication and ensuring a high standard of care at all times. It’s one of the best childcare services I’ve come across.Nahrian AdamAUSTRAL · GOOGLE REVIEWView on Google
3 of my children have attended this childcare over the years and I can not fault them at all. If you want your child to be treated as one of their own and feel like they are at home, safe and cared for then this is the place to be! Very clean, family oriented, inclusive, diverse, fed well and most importantly loved!Wafa FawalAUSTRAL · GOOGLE REVIEWView on Google
Little Learners is absolutely fantastic! From the very beginning, we felt confident we had made the right choice for our children. The staff there are friendly and welcoming, and they show a real commitment to nurturing our kids' development.Dee LeeTHIRLMERE · GOOGLE REVIEWView on Google
Highly recommend little learners academy..educators are very caring and invested in every child’s development. My little one is excited to go to childcare and would not stop talking about his teachers even at home :)sadichya bhandariAUSTRAL · GOOGLE REVIEWView on Google
Dedicated staff that are there for the children’s needs , they build excellent rapport with not only the children , their families but also the external people coming in to assist children’s needs Highly recommend little learners RossmoreKerrie DempseyROSSMORE · GOOGLE REVIEWView on Google
Little Learners Academy is the real MVP! As a working parent, finding reliable childcare was a priority, and they deliver big time. The peace of mind knowing our child is safe and having a blast is priceless. Shoutout to the amazing staff for being rockstars!Alexander KassisTHIRLMERE · GOOGLE REVIEWView on Google
Michelle is really welcoming. My little one was welcomed and looked after well from first day of his school. He enjoys coming here. Staffs are friendly here.Sabita K CAUSTRAL · GOOGLE REVIEWView on Google
My kids were in the Austral Centre, now they open this one. It’s much closer to my home. It’s so much more convenient. Really happy with little learners Academy. Thank you for the teachers for making the kids have so much fun and feel really loved.Andrew SharkawiROSSMORE · GOOGLE REVIEWView on Google
Hats off to Little Learners Academy for being absolute legends! From the moment we toured the facility, we knew it was the perfect fit. The staff's passion for early childhood education is infectious, and it's reflected in our child's enthusiasm for learning.Mariam BoulosTHIRLMERE · GOOGLE REVIEWView on Google
We couldn’t be happier with Little Learners Academy Rossmore. Both of our children absolutely love attending, and as parents we feel so reassured knowing they are in such caring hands. The educators are incredibly attentive, kind, and genuinely go above and beyond for our family. Communication is excellent, and it’s clear how much pride they take in what they do. We are so grateful to have found such a wonderful childcare centre and highly recommend it to any family.MROSSMORE · GOOGLE REVIEWView on Google
Shoutout to Little Learners Academy for being absolute rockstars! Our child looks forward to going to 'school' every day, and that speaks volumes. The staff's dedication to creating a fun and educational environment is truly commendable.Jacob HennienTHIRLMERE · GOOGLE REVIEWView on Google
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