LillyPillies Montessori FDC

What a wonderful way to finish our last playgroup gathering for the term!

Over the term we have formed beautiful connections, and created a supportive little community for both children and families. Today was a lovely celebration of those friendships and shared experiences.

During group time, Michelle shared some of her much-loved natural resources and told us how she collects many of them from the creek area behind the building. Inspired by her work she shared with the children ochre stones to create natural paints by rubbing the stones on rocks and adding water.

The children enjoyed walking together as a large group, taking in the beautiful winter sunshine and stunning views. Along the way we met a local group of kindergarten children and stopped for a chat. It was lovely to see our older children observing, comparing experiences and showing an interest in what others were doing.

Our group time was held in the bush, where we used our clap sticks and shared an Acknowledgement of Country, recognising the Kabi Kabi people as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we learn and play.

After group time, we continued our learning about community helpers, focusing on the role of the postie. Following the children's ongoing interest in The Jolly Postman, we took our learning beyond the story. Each child created a special card or letter for a friend, and together we visited the post office to learn about the process of posting mail, choosing stamps and sending letters on their journey.

Now comes the exciting part- waiting for their mail to arrive in their letterboxes! We can't wait to hear all about it when those special deliveries arrive.

Pyjama and Popcorn Day is always a favourite here! 🍿🛏️

The children have been enjoying the Popcorn Kernel Song at the library lately, so they suggested we sing it today. Using large pom-poms as our "popcorn kernels", the children worked together as a team to keep them balanced on a blanket, developing cooperation, communication and lots of giggles along the way.

We also rolled and counted along to 10 in the Bed. With a smaller group today, the children came up with the wonderful idea of tucking soft toys into the bed so we could still make up ten. Their creativity and problem-solving never cease to amaze me!

Making fresh popcorn was a highlight. The children explored the kernels with their hands, noticing their shape and texture before watching them transform into fluffy popcorn. Through videoing the popping process in the pan, they were able to observe safely while demonstrating their understanding of kitchen safety by standing back from the hot pan.

Inspired by Where the Wild Things Are, one child suggested building a den and cave before dressing up as a tiger to playfully scare one another. Their imaginative play quickly took on a life of its own, filled with storytelling, laughter and adventure.

This time of year is also perfect for exploring the beautiful morning light and shadows. We took advantage of the sunshine with magnets, magnetic tiles and magnetic counters, creating, discovering and investigating the patterns and shadows they made.

A day filled with imagination, teamwork, exploration and fun.

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.