Young child wearing a green YMCA shirt plays with sand and plastic toys in a sunny outdoor sandbox.

Toddlers

Our early learning centres support toddlers to grow, learn and explore

Toddlers

The toddler years are a time of extraordinary growth, where curiosity flourishes, confidence grows and every day brings new opportunities to learn, explore and connect.

At Y Early Learning, our toddler program embraces each child's unique interests, strengths and emerging independence through a play-based, child-led approach to learning. Guided by experienced educators, children are encouraged to investigate, create, communicate and build meaningful relationships within engaging environments that inspire discovery, resilience and a genuine love of learning.

A woman sits outside with two toddlers in green shirts on a lawn, in front of a building, engaged in an outdoor activity.

Welcome to our toddler program

The two to three-year-old years are filled with curiosity, growing independence and exciting new discoveries. Our program provides children with opportunities to build confidence, develop communication skills and explore the world around them through meaningful play and everyday experiences. Guided by the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) and Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF), our experienced educators create engaging learning opportunities that encourage children to investigate, problem-solve and develop positive relationships. Working in partnership with families, we support each child's individual strengths, interests and emerging abilities while fostering a strong sense of belonging and wellbeing.

Preschool classroom table setup with a wooden balance scale, rainbow marble tree toy, counting stones, and a math-themed lion book, designed for early childhood learning activities.

Our learning environments

Our learning environments have been purposefully designed to inspire curiosity, encourage exploration and support growing independence. Children have access to engaging indoor and outdoor spaces where they can investigate, create, collaborate and make choices throughout the day. Open-ended resources, natural play environments and thoughtfully planned experiences encourage imagination, language development, early problem-solving and confidence as children continue to explore and make sense of their world. Our educators intentionally adapt the environment to reflect children's interests, creating meaningful opportunities for learning, discovery and social connection every day.

A smiling young child sits at a table in a classroom, hands on head, with another child in the foreground.

What happens each day

Each day is thoughtfully planned to balance children's interests with meaningful opportunities for learning, exploration and social connection. Children participate in a variety of play-based experiences including creative arts, music and movement, sensory exploration, early literacy and numeracy, imaginative play, outdoor adventures and group learning experiences. Everyday routines, including meals, rest and self-help experiences, are recognised as valuable opportunities to develop communication, resilience, independence and confidence. By combining intentional teaching with responsive interactions, our educators create engaging learning experiences that encourage curiosity, creativity and problem-solving while supporting every child to develop the skills and confidence needed for their next stage of learning.

Young child wearing a blue sunhat stands at a sensory play table filled with toy animals, water tubs, leaves, and natural materials.

A smooth transition

Transitioning into our 2–3-year-old program is an exciting step in your child's learning journey. We work closely with families to ensure each transition is positive, familiar and responsive to every child's individual needs. Our transition process provides opportunities for children to spend time in their new learning environment, connect with their educators and gradually become familiar with new routines, experiences and friendships. We encourage families to share information about their child's interests, routines and growing independence so we can create a familiar and reassuring experience from day one. Working in partnership with families, we maintain open communication throughout your child's journey, sharing regular updates about their learning, development and achievements while building a strong foundation for a confident and successful transition.

Discover our toddler rooms with a centre tour

Meet our friendly educators, observe our daily routines, and get all your questions answered. Find a centre near you to book your tour today!

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