LillyPillies Montessori FDC

Yesterday, we wondered, “Where is my cat?” based on Eric Carle’s story.

Today, our adventures took us even further as we travelled around the world through stories, imagination and real-life experiences.

We enjoyed reading Oi! Get Off Our Train by John Burningham, where a little boy sets off on a night train with his toy dog. As the train travels through different countries, endangered animals climb aboard asking to join the journey, helping children learn about animals from around the world and the importance of caring for them.

Our own journey took us to The Ginger Factory, where we rode the train and listened to its whistle, just like the train in our story. Along the way, we also spotted an Egyptian cat, which sparked conversations about different countries, cultures and animals from around the world.

Through books, excursions and play, the children are developing their understanding of the wider world, making connections between stories and real-life experiences, and letting their imaginations take them on wonderful adventures.

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Our recent fascination with Eric Carle stories inspired a wonderful collage-making experience today.

After reading a story about a little boy whose cat goes missing and his incredible journey around the world to find it, we explored the many members of the cat family he encounters along the way. This sparked a thoughtful discussion when some of the children suggested that lions and tigers weren't really cats! Together, we investigated and discovered that lions, tigers, panthers and our much-loved pet cats all belong to the same cat family.

Inspired by Eric Carle's unique artistic style, the children created their own beautiful collages using painted papers, carefully selecting colours, shapes and textures to bring their ideas to life.

It was wonderful to see the children's curiosity, creativity and critical thinking as they connected literature, art and their growing understanding of the natural world.

Yesterday’s walk continued to shape today’s learning as the children returned to ideas and discoveries from nature. We revisited some of the artwork we explored yesterday, asking questions, sharing observations and continuing conversations about connection to Country and the land around us.

One thing we’ve noticed recently is how much deeper the children are beginning to explore materials they already know. Clay has become one of those experiences. Today the children returned to it again, using seed pods and natural materials to create prints, patterns and textures, slowing down and becoming more intentional in their play.

We were also pretty excited when today’s breathing activity perfectly matched our current lion and tiger role play phase. Finger on nose, deep breath in… then a very enthusiastic ROAR out 🦁

One of the things we love most about our regular playgroup visits is watching friendships continue to grow. Familiar routines, familiar faces and shared experiences help build confidence and belonging.

There was plenty of movement too, walking backwards while balancing beanbags, using pool noodles for coordination games, climbing on the large outdoor apparatus. We enjoyed morning tea with new friends, homemade blueberry muffins, fresh fruit and lots of conversation.

Often, the richest learning happens when children return to familiar experiences and discover something new each time.

Today we took our learning outdoors and turned our morning walk into a little adventure in noticing the world around us.

We followed our curiosity from a recent interest in bugs and insects and went searching for cobwebs, tiny creatures, textures and patterns hiding in nature. The children were brilliant at slowing down, looking closely and sharing what they could see along the way.

We also brought back a collection of natural treasures and used them to explore printing and pattern making. Ferns, leaves and seed pods turned into beautiful marks and designs as the children experimented and explored what each one could do.

Shapes popped up everywhere too, in shadows on the path, in nature, and in the way we moved through our walk together.

A simple morning, but full of wonder, discovery and connection.

There’s something about baking with a group of small children that teaches you patience as much as it teaches them 😄

We made dairy free cupcakes today, and yes there was measuring and scooping and waiting for turns and trying very hard not to eat the hundreds and thousands before they made it onto the icing.

But the moment that stayed with me was reading ‘To Stir with Love’ together afterwards. The children started spotting things - that’s what we used, we did that - and you could feel the story clicking into something real for them.

The book is about a grandma and granddaughter baking slowly, side by side, just the two of them. And I found myself thinking about how different baking looks in a group setting. It means waiting. Sharing the wooden spoon. Eager and excited when someone gets their turn.

Watching them encourage each other, then all sit down together to eat what they’d made, that quiet collective pride, felt like the whole point today.

Today ended with children running through pouring rain pretending to be gingerbread men, laughing and shouting “you can’t catch me!” all the way to the car.

Earlier in the morning we shared stories, songs and shaker eggs at the library. The repetitive rhythm of Wonky Donkey had everyone joining in, building confidence with language and participation.

Sometimes the richest learning looks a lot like joy, movement, imagination and morning tea in a cubby van.

One of my favourite things about running a family daycare? The relationships don’t end when the children leave.

Catching up with this beautiful family today was such a joy, it’s been 18 months since this little one was in my care, and seeing how much he’s grown (and getting to introduce him to some of my current little ones!) reminded me exactly why I love what I do.

These connections are everything. Watching children who once played in my home grow into confident, curious children out in the world… and then getting to share a copy of Aspen’s Antics along the way - it doesn’t get much better than that.

To all the families who have been part of our little community over the past twelve years thank you. You are the heart of LillyPillies. 🐾🌿

This morning the children worked together using our pulley basket system and fishing rods, carefully winding, lifting and lowering different materials as a team.

As they explored concepts such as heavy, light, full and half full, the children were also developing coordination, grip strength, body awareness, turn-taking and early problem-solving skills. Some discovered just how challenging it can be to coordinate both hands together while winding the rods or managing the movement of the rope and basket.

What stood out most was the persistence and teamwork. The children adjusted, retried, encouraged one another and celebrated the feeling of success when they managed to lift or reel something in together.

These hands-on experiences may look simple, but they are building strength, concentration, resilience and confidence through meaningful play.

Last September, while standing on the deck during family interviews for our 2026 intake, I found myself excitedly pointing over to this space and sharing my vision for a new sand and water play area for the children.

Fast forward to mid May and, honestly, I think it has had one tray of water under there on a sunny morning!

Like many things in life, it hasn’t unfolded quite how I imagined.

Between clearing the space, preparing foundations, working around weather, spreading out the cost, coordinating tradesmen and finally getting the roof on just a few weeks ago, the journey itself became part of the story.

In fact, the pergola was almost “christened” by our recent women’s watercolour class. I had always imagined hosting the class under there and, in true timing fashion, the roof went on the evening before. The weather still didn’t cooperate, so instead it became a beautiful gathering space where we sat together with tea, coffee and homemade chocolate bark, sharing conversation and creativity.

One of the ladies reflected on how lovely it was that the space was already being used with purpose and meaning, even if not in the original way intended.

That stayed with me.

Last week, during our jungle animal hunt, I asked the children where they would like to sit for stories. Without hesitation, they chose the outdoor lounge under the pergola. Suddenly this “unfinished” area had become a cosy reading nook, a quiet gathering place and part of their imaginative play.

The sand and water trays will come in time, but for now we’re simply enjoying the space as it is becoming.

I think there’s a gentle message in that somewhere.

Sometimes we hold such clear pictures in our minds of how things will look, whether it’s parenting, learning, childhood or life itself, and yet often the most meaningful moments happen in ways we never planned.

And sometimes the in-between spaces turn out to be beautiful too.

On Wednesday at playgroup, I really enjoyed being on the outside looking in and observing children through another educator’s eyes. It reminded me that as educators, we are always learning too.

What stood out most was how the simplest experiences often become the most meaningful.

One of the children’s favourite activities was “Body Boss” with bubbles. Michelle blew bubbles into the air and the children were encouraged to pop them using just their pointy finger.

Such a simple idea, yet there was so much learning happening.

At first, many of the children tried to grab or clasp the bubbles with their whole hand, especially in the excitement and competitiveness of chasing them. But with gentle reminders to “be the boss of your body” and use one finger, you could actually see their coordination, focus and body control improving as they practised over and over again.

It was a beautiful reminder that more activities, more toys or more complicated setups do not always mean better learning.

Children thrive through repetition, connection, mastery and joy in the little moments.

Sometimes the most powerful learning comes from bubbles floating through the air and a child proudly realising, “I did it!”

Safe to say, I think I’ll be stocking up on some bubbles for next week!