The kindergarten year is a beautiful, pivotal milestone in a child’s educational journey. It is a time when young minds transform from timid learners into independent, resilient individuals ready to tackle the big adventures of primary school. Tucked away in the beautiful surroundings of Caloundra City Private School, CCPS Little Learners is redefining what early education looks like by blending a nurturing, play-based curriculum with the immense benefits of a private school campus.
Led by Centre Director Fabiola Maciel, the centre is seamlessly bridging the gap between early childcare and primary education.
A shared campus, a continuous journey
What sets CCPS Little Learners apart from standard early learning environments is its unique physical and cultural integration with Caloundra City Private School (CCPS). Because the centre sits directly on the school grounds, the children have daily access to premium school facilities. Far from being an isolated daycare, the kindy students are an active part of the broader school community.
“Our main difference from other early learning centres is that we are on school grounds where we have access to all the school facilities,” Fabiola explains. “The children from kindergarten are part of the big school assembly every three weeks, where they get recognition for their achievements.”
This connection extends to the school’s ‘Love of Learning’ program, where children regularly visit the CCPS library to borrow books and cultivate an early passion for literacy.
While this setup provides incredible resources, Fabiola notes there is a common misconception in the local community. “Many families think that this is private childcare only for the school, but it’s not,” she clarifies. The centre is warmly open to the public and welcomes all families from the wider region.
View this post on Instagram
The perfect bridge to Prep
The CCPS Prep Readiness Program has been carefully designed to ensure every child feels confident, capable and connected before they ever step into a Prep classroom. Rather than viewing readiness as a checklist of academic skills, the program takes a holistic approach that recognises each child as a unique learner with their own strengths, interests and developmental journey.
Deputy Principal Kris Naiker explains that because the Early Learning Centre and Prep teams work closely together, valuable information and relationships transition alongside each child.
“Through enrolment interviews, Little Learners observations, transition experiences and ongoing conversations with families, staff gain a deep understanding of each child’s development. The focus is not on testing children or comparing them to others. Instead, the goal is to identify strengths, understand areas where support may be beneficial, and create personalised pathways that help children experience success from the very beginning.”
Because everything on campus is already familiar, the physical and emotional transition to Prep is completely natural. The learning environment is intentionally designed to foster this continuity. In fact, the Prep playground sits right across from the early learning centre’s own play area. “We often have the children from Prep come over to the fence and say hello to the educators,” says Fabiola. “It’s not a big change for them; it’s just a part of their continuous journey.”
By the time graduation arrives, the children don’t just feel ready for school, they already feel deeply connected to it.
“Teachers already have an understanding of the child’s strengths, interests and learning needs before the school year begins,” he says. “For many students, Prep does not feel like entering a completely new environment. Instead, it feels like the next natural step in a journey that has already begun.”
This continuity forms part of what CCPS calls its “Golden Thread”, a consistent approach that supports children from CCPS Little Learners through to Prep, Junior School and beyond. Shared values, common language and strong relationships ensure children experience familiarity and belonging as they move through each stage of their education.
“The ultimate goal of the CCPS Prep Readiness Program is not simply to prepare children for academic success. It is to ensure every child feels safe, known and valued as they begin their schooling journey,” Kris adds.
Stepping into nature: The on-site Bush Kindy
Exciting changes are arriving at the centre, with the highly anticipated launch of an on-site Bush Kindy program. Months of careful preparation have gone on behind the scenes, including extensive risk assessments, management plans, and custom path construction completed by the school’s groundsmen.
Unlike other programs that require logistically heavy excursions, CCPS Little Learners offers nature play right at their doorstep. “Children don’t need to cross roads or take a bus to go to the Bush Kindy,” Fabiola notes proudly. “We have this on-site, which is a big advantage for us.”
The program is designed to get children learning directly from the natural environment. From exploring local flora to building gardening skills, the benefits to child development are profound. According to Fabiola, being out in the bush has been proven to support:
- Mental health and wellbeing: Providing a calming, open environment.
- Problem-solving skills: Navigating real-world, dynamic spaces.
- Independence and risk assessment: Learning how to identify boundaries and handle challenges safely on their own.
“Nowadays, we are so used to playgrounds with set, rigid structures,” says Fabiola. “The bush is open for spontaneity and creativity.” To ensure the fun doesn’t stop when it rains, the centre is even organising custom overall raincoats so the children can explore comfortably in all weather conditions.
A holistic, play-based philosophy
CCPS Little Learners operates on a five-day-per-week, play-based curriculum, inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach. Educators take a genuinely holistic approach, nurturing fine and gross motor skills alongside social and emotional resilience.
The centre’s vision directly incorporates core CCPS values: learning, excellence, respect, inclusiveness, and integrity. By embedding these principles into daily interactions, stories, and intentional learning rotations, educators ensure that children grow into confident, capable, and empathetic individuals.
When early education balances emotional warmth with the freedom to explore the great outdoors, children don’t just prepare for primary school … they truly flourish.
“At Caloundra City Private School, Prep readiness is not about preparing children for a single day; it is about laying the foundation for a successful and thriving future,” says Kris.
Related Reads
A new way of learning at Caloundra City Private School calls for a new way of telling the story
The advantage of senior learning at Caloundra City Private School
