Building Futures

Did you know that the Building Futures story began all the way back in 1994? 🕒

It all started with a simple mission when John and Gloria McKinnon, alongside their daughter Vicki, opened their very first family-owned early learning space "Totlands" to serve the Inala community. Over the years, that journey evolved into a deep passion for the Montessori method, an approach focused on authentic and child-centered education, and the opening of our Building Futures Montessori services.

Today, that legacy continues with the next generation of McKinnon's. As a proud family-owned company, owners Vicki, Derek and Ross McKinnon are deeply embedded in the daily running of our Building Futures community. They are dedicated to continuing the work of the McKinnon legacy: to provide exceptional, quality Montessori early education to families across the Brisbane and Ipswich region.

From our early beginnings to our three modern early learning centres, dedicated family day care network, training college, and beyond, our heart remains the same: building a bright future for your children through genuine care.

Want to read more about our history? Head over to our website: https://buildingfutures.com.au/about-us/

Building Futures Montessori Wavell Heights Building Futures Montessori - Blackstone Building Futures Montessori - Forest Lake Montessori & Early Childhood Training Australia - MECTA #32075 Building Futures Care Your Child's Day

⛪ Ever wondered what we look like from a bird’s-eye view? Next stop: Wavell Heights! 🦅

Today, we are taking a look down at our beautiful Building Futures Montessori Wavell Heights, a site that is rich with local history.

Once home to the Wavell Heights Baptist Church, built back in 1955, the character of the original building has been lovingly preserved. You can truly feel that history when you walk through the doors, with the stunning original wooden flooring and classic timber finishes creating a warm, calm environment for learning.

From above, you can see how the campus is uniquely laid out with two dedicated buildings, with our vibrant, green playgrounds nestled perfectly in between them. This design creates a wonderful, secure flow for the children of Wavell Heights to move between their indoor classrooms and outdoor exploration throughout the day.

Take a look at these unique overhead shots of our beautiful community!

In our fast-paced worlds, mealtimes with kids can easily feel like just another task to check off the daily to-do list. But what happens if we take a breath and slow things down?

Our latest blog explores "The Art of the Unrushed Meal." We dive into how inviting children into the ritual of the table allows us to trade the daily rush for true presence, connection and a sense of belonging.

Pull up a chair and read the full post here:
https://buildingfutures.com.au/the-art-of-the-unrushed-meal/

🏡 Ever wondered what we look like from a bird’s-eye view? Next up: Blackstone! 🦅

Following on from our look at Forest Lake, today we are flying over our beautiful Building Futures Montessori - Blackstone campus to show you what makes this space so incredibly special.

Tucked right in the heart of Blackstone, our centre has a traditional Queenslander vibe, purposefully designed to feel less like you are turning up to grandma’s house; warm, welcoming and familiar.

From above, you can see our beautiful, wide verandahs wrapped around the building, stretching out to overlook the playground below. It’s the perfect, shady spot for children to transition between indoor and outdoor play, enjoy a quiet moment or look out over the green spaces where they explore with their friends every day.

It truly is a home-away-from-home! ❤️

Take a look at these shots—doesn't it just feel inviting?

🌍 Ever wondered what we look like from a bird’s-eye view? 🦅

Today, we’re taking a look at our Building Futures Montessori - Forest Lake campus from a whole new angle!

These beautiful overhead shots perfectly showcase our vast, green playgrounds. We have two dedicated outdoor play spaces, designed to meet the unique developmental needs of different age groups.

True to our Montessori roots, we place a huge emphasis on spaces that invite natural, hands-on exploration. From our resident animals to our busy veggie gardens, to quiet, peaceful areas for reflection, these yards are a place where children can actively explore their interests, connect with the earth and learn alongside their friends every day. 🌱🐓

Take a look at these views! What is your child's absolute favourite spot to explore in our playgrounds? 👇

During last night's staff meeting, the team at the Building Futures Montessori - Forest Lake campus came together for an evening of deep reflection and professional collaboration. The team focused on aligning their planning cycle with the updated Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF), emphasising how the daily program serves as a vital tool for gathering meaningful observations and child-led practices.

The team also explored ways to elevate their sustainability program, brainstormed ideas to encourage children to actively participate in hands-on, eco-friendly learning experiences and shared a laugh over the creative ideas brought to the table.

Further, the team came together and reflected on adequate supervision practices, as they reviewed their strategies to ensure they continue to provide a safe, secure and supportive environment where every child can thrive.

What a busy, productive night! A huge shoutout to this dedicated team for their ongoing commitment to excellence in early childhood education. 🌟