Is Your Child Ready for School? The 5 Key Skills That Matter Most
A simple guide to school readiness in Australia for families with children aged 3–5.
If you’ve been wondering “What should my child know before starting school?”, you’re not alone. For many families, the idea of preparing a child for primary school can feel both exciting and a little overwhelming.
The good news? In Australia, school readiness isn’t about academic achievement. Children don’t need to read, write, or do sums before they start school. What matters most is that they feel confident, curious, and capable of managing the daily routines of a classroom.
So what does that look like—and how can you support your child as they grow?
Here are five essential skills that help children thrive as they take their next big step into school.
Dance Like Nobody’s Watching: How Movement Builds Confidence in Young Children
Have you ever watched your child break into a spontaneous wiggle mid-walk, or twirl across the kitchen like nobody’s watching? That joyful, free movement isn’t just adorable — it’s powerful.
At Milestones Early Learning, we know that dancing is more than just a fun activity. It’s a natural way for children to express themselves, build self-confidence, and connect with the world around them.
In honour of International Dance Day on 29 April, we’re celebrating all the wonderful ways movement supports children’s learning, creativity, and emotional wellbeing.
Little Bodies, Big Energy: Supporting Movement and Play at Every Age
Includes a Free Movement Moments Download! If you’ve ever watched your toddler sprint in circles for no reason or seen your preschooler jump, spin, and climb like they’re training for a circus – you’re not alone.
At Milestones Early Learning, we believe movement isn’t just something kids do to burn off energy – it’s how they learn, grow, and thrive. That’s why we’ve created a free Movement Moments download for parents – a handy printable you can stick on the fridge, filled with fun, low-prep activities to support your child’s development at home.
From first steps to full-speed sprints, every twist, tumble and wiggle is helping your child build confidence, coordination, and brainpower.
Quality Child Care Builds Confident Kids: How We Support Emotional Wellbeing at Milestones
Whether it’s a tearful goodbye at drop-off, a shy wave to a new friend, or the proud moment your child says “I did it!” – early childhood is full of big emotions.
At Milestones, we know these everyday moments are more than just milestones—they’re the building blocks of lifelong emotional wellbeing. That’s why supporting children’s mental health is woven into everything we do.
Healthy Habits Start Early: How Milestones Supports Your Child’s Wellbeing
Celebrating World Health Day – 7 April
At Milestones Early Learning, every day is an opportunity to support the health and wellbeing of the children in our care. This World Health Day (7 April), we’re highlighting the important role early childhood education plays in building healthy habits that last a lifetime.
From nutritious meals to daily outdoor play and emotional support, we take a whole-child approach to wellbeing—because when children feel well, they learn and thrive.
Unleashing the Benefits of Messy Play: How it Enhances Toddler Development
Messy play isn’t just about creating a mess; it’s about fostering crucial aspects of a child’s development. From sensory exploration to cognitive growth, messy play opens doors to a world of learning and discovery for babies and toddlers. In this post, we’ll delve into the fascinating ways messy play contributes to development and why it’s an essential aspect of early childhood. We also share some ideas and tips for engaging in this type of play at home.
Story Time Adventures: Our Favourite Children’s Books to Read Together
Story time is a magical way to bond with your child while helping them develop essential language and social skills. At Milestones Early Learning, we use story time as a fun and engaging tool to support children’s growth, aligned with the Lifelong Learning Curriculum. Reading together not only sparks their imagination but also boosts early literacy and cognitive development.
In this post, we’re sharing a list of our favourite children’s books that align with the learning themes we explore at our centres. Plus, we’ve added some simple tips to make story time more interactive, bringing each book to life with sound effects, props, and fun questions to keep your little one engaged.
Feeling Torn About Returning to Work? Here’s How Child Care Can Be a Positive Step for Your Baby
As a mother, the thought of returning to work after parental leave can bring up a lot of emotions. You may feel torn between wanting to be at home with your baby and needing or wanting to return to work. It’s completely normal to feel this internal struggle. At Milestones, we understand how difficult this decision can be, which is why we are here to reassure you that child care can be a positive step for both you and your baby.
Food, Fun, & Friends: Why Group Mealtime Matters for Child Development
Group mealtime is more than just eating – it’s a valuable opportunity for children to learn essential life skills. At Milestones Early Learning, we recognise that shared meals help foster social development, build healthy eating habits, and create a sense of community.
