Is My Toddler Late Talking? What Parents Need to Know About Speech Development
If you’ve found yourself quietly counting your toddler’s words, or wondering how they compare to other children at the park, you’re not alone. Concerns about language development are among the most common things families share with us, and they make complete sense. Communication is so central to who we are.
Fussy Eaters and Childcare: What’s Normal, What Helps, and How We Support Variety at the Table
If your little one pushes peas to the side of the plate, refuses what they happily ate last Tuesday, or survives entire weeks on what feels like three foods, you are in very good company. Fussy eating is one of the most common, and most exhausting, challenges of early childhood. At Milestones, it’s something our educators see and support every single day. Here’s what the experts say is actually normal, what we do at the table to gently encourage variety, and what you can try at home too.
Why Risky Play Matters – The Case for Letting Children Climb, Tumble and Explore
If you’ve ever winced watching your child scramble to the top of a climbing frame, or held your breath while they negotiated a muddy bank on a bush walk, you’re not alone. The instinct to protect is one of the most natural things in the world. But there’s a growing body of research, and a strong consensus among early childhood educators, that when it comes to play, some of the most valuable experiences are the ones that involve a little bit of risk. Here’s what that actually means, why it matters for your child’s development, and how we think about it at Milestones.
What learning really looks like for babies, toddlers and preschoolers
There’s a moment most parents experience in the car on the way home from childcare. You ask your child what they did today. They say “nothing” or “played.” And you’re left wondering, but what were they actually doing in there?
Child Development Milestones: What to Expect from Birth to School Age
Every child grows in their own way and at their own pace. But as a parent, it’s completely natural to wonder: is my child where they should be? Whether you’re watching your baby discover their hands for the first time or marvelling at your preschooler’s non-stop questions, understanding the broad stages of child development can help you feel more confident, and more connected to what’s happening in your child’s world.
Nourishing Little Bodies This Autumn: What’s New on the Menu at Milestones
As the weather starts to cool and routines settle into a new rhythm, autumn is the perfect time to slow down, get cosy, and enjoy nourishing, comforting meals.
At Milestones Early Learning, our seasonal menu has been thoughtfully refreshed to reflect exactly that – warming, wholesome food that supports your child’s health, energy, and wellbeing during the cooler months.
How Friendships in Early Childhood Build Resilience
There’s a moment most parents recognise. Your child wants to join a game. They hover. They wait. They finally say, “Can I play?” Sometimes it works beautifully. Sometimes it doesn’t. And sometimes they walk back to you in tears. It’s hard to watch. But here’s something reassuring: Those moments are where resilience begins.
Big Feelings Explained: What’s Normal for Toddlers and Preschoolers?
If you’re parenting a toddler or preschooler, chances are you’ve seen big feelings arrive fast and loud, sometimes over something that feels very small. Tears over the wrong cup. Anger when it’s time to leave the park. A meltdown just as you’re heading out the door.
Tips From an Educator to Help Your Child Sleep Better
If sleep has felt unpredictable, exhausting, or even overwhelming lately, you’re not alone.
Many parents of babies, toddlers and preschoolers go through phases where sleep seems to unravel just as it starts to feel settled. Night wakings return. Bedtimes stretch out. Naps change or disappear. It can leave you wondering whether you’re doing something wrong, or whether you should be “fixing” something.
Fresh, Colourful & Kid Approved: Our New Summer Menu Is Here!
If you’re anything like me, you care a lot about what your child eats during the day. You want to know they’re getting the good stuff – the veggies, the iron-rich meals, the whole grains – not just something thrown together in a rush. And when you’re packing lunches at home, cooking dinner, juggling work, and keeping tiny humans alive… knowing that childcare has the food side sorted is a massive relief.