Preschool learning within a day of care
Little Learners Academy’s preschool and school readiness programme forms part of our early learning curriculum for children aged three to six at our Austral, Rossmore and Thirlmere centres. It brings purposeful learning into play, conversations, friendships and everyday routines.
Educators and early childhood teachers respond to children’s interests, development and strengths. A child’s question about a garden, a shared story or a problem with a block tower can become an opportunity to investigate, communicate and keep trying. Each child has time to develop at their own pace.
Our centres provide early childhood education and care; enrolling in preschool learning here is separate from enrolling your child in a primary school.
What does school readiness include?
We support the whole child. Growing familiarity with language and numbers matters alongside feeling secure, connecting with others and having the confidence to take part.
Communication
Sharing ideas, listening to a friend, asking questions and finding ways to ask for help.
Friendships and cooperation
Joining a game, taking turns and working through disagreements with an educator’s support.
Independence
Making choices, looking after belongings and practising everyday routines.
Emotional confidence
Recognising feelings, finding reassurance and building the confidence to try again.
Early literacy and numeracy
Exploring stories, sounds, marks, counting, patterns, shapes and comparisons in meaningful ways.
Curiosity and problem-solving
Planning, testing ideas, noticing what happens and considering another approach.
How learning can look through play
Children have reasons to use new skills when an experience matters to them. The learning might be visible in a small conversation or a long-running idea.
- A pretend café: children negotiate roles, make marks for orders and count plates for their customers.
- A shared picture book: children predict what might happen, talk about a character’s feelings and retell part of the story.
- A building challenge: children compare sizes, explain a plan and change it when a tower falls.
- A group project: children listen to different ideas, take responsibility for a task and notice what they have achieved together.
These are examples of how play can support learning. Experiences at each centre develop from the children and the questions they bring that day. Explore our guide to the Early Years Learning Framework for more about the approach behind our curriculum.
Preparing for school together
Talk with your educators about what your child enjoys, the skills you see growing and anything that feels unfamiliar. Sharing your child’s strengths, routines, culture and ways of communicating helps adults plan useful support.
As the move to school approaches, contact your chosen primary school about enrolment, orientation and any information it needs. Ask your Little Learners educators how they can contribute to the transition conversation. If your child has additional support needs, begin those discussions early so the people involved have time to plan together.
NSW Education describes transition as a partnership between families, early childhood services and schools. Its transition resources for families explain ways to support that process.
Small ways to support confidence at home
Everyday life gives children room to practise. Invite your child to choose a book, help sort washing, talk about a shared experience or pack an item in their bag. Leave space for them to have a go and ask for help.
You do not need to turn home into a classroom. Reading together, conversation, play and manageable responsibilities can be part of familiar family time. Discuss school-entry timing and your child’s individual circumstances with their educators and the school.
If your child is also new to childcare, our first-day and settling guide can help you prepare for that step. For the cost of care, see childcare fees and subsidy.
Common questions
Is school readiness only about reading and writing?
No. Our approach includes communication, friendships, emotional confidence, independence and problem-solving alongside early literacy and numeracy.
Is the programme available at all three centres?
Preschool and school readiness form part of our early learning approach at Austral, Rossmore and Thirlmere. Ask your preferred centre about its rooms, current programme and availability for your child.
Does my child need to meet a skills checklist before school?
Children develop in different ways. Talk with your educators and chosen school about your child’s strengths and support needs. School-entry rules and the timing of enrolment should be confirmed with the school.
