Big Steps for Busy Toddlers
Early Experiences (1–3 Years)
Toddlers are bursting with energy, curiosity, and yes, a few big emotions too.
At this age, your child is discovering their voice, growing more independent, and eager to explore the world around them. It’s a thrilling (and sometimes challenging!) phase of development, and we’re here to support both of you through it.
At Papilio, our Early Experiences program offers a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment for toddlers aged 1–3 years. Through intentional teaching, language-rich interactions, and play-based exploration, your toddler will build the confidence, skills, and relationships that form the foundation for lifelong learning.
This is the second stage in our exclusive Lifelong Learning Curriculum - Australia’s most advanced early education framework - designed to support your child’s development from babyhood through to school readiness.
“Language-rich, emotionally supportive environments in the toddler years help shape a child’s ability to think, express themselves, and form relationships for life.”
Australian Institute of Family Studies
Learning Through Language, Every Day
At the heart of toddler development is communication, and we make every moment a learning opportunity.
Our Early Experiences program is grounded in the Abecedarian Approach - a world-renowned method proven to build strong communication, cognitive, and social-emotional skills through everyday interactions.
Our educators use the 3a language program to foster learning through:
- Conversational reading
- Learning games
- Enriched caregiving moments
These research-informed strategies help your toddler become a confident communicator and curious learner, preparing them for preschool and beyond.
What Toddlers Learn at Papilio
Every day is filled with opportunities to:
- Build vocabulary and express emotions
- Practice sharing, turn-taking, and making friends
- Develop independence through flexible routines
- Express creativity through music, art, and pretend play
- Strengthen thinking through sorting, building, and problem-solving
Designed for Discovery
Our toddler learning spaces are thoughtfully curated to inspire wonder, movement, and joyful learning through play.
Your child will explore a variety of engaging learning zones, including:
- Discovery Zone – hands-on sensory exploration
- Toddler Talk – guided conversations that grow vocabulary
- Book Nook – fostering early literacy and a love for stories
- Little Artists – creative expression through art
- Imagination Station – pretend play and social learning
- Completely Connected – building emotional awareness and empathy
- Move and Groove Zone – movement, music, and gross motor fun
- Construction Zone – developing problem-solving through stacking, sorting, and building
Each zone has been intentionally designed to support your toddler’s development through play-based learning experiences.
The Second Step in the Lifelong Learning Curriculum
Early Experiences is the second stage of our Lifelong Learning Curriculum, designed to support children from birth to school age. Each stage builds on the last, fostering confidence, creativity, and curiosity every step of the way.
A Supported Start - for Toddlers and Parents
We know that starting child care is a big transition - for you and your toddler. That’s why we offer a warm, flexible settling-in process tailored to your family’s needs.
Here’s how we support you:
- Orientation visits to help your child feel safe and familiar
- Familiar routines and favourite comfort items to ease the transition
- Daily updates and photos shared securely via our Storypark app
- Ongoing communication with your child’s educators, so you’re always in the loop
Let’s Take the Next Step Together
Whether you're preparing to return to work or simply want to give your toddler the best start, we’re here to support you.
✔ Now enrolling for toddlers aged 1–3 years
✔ Educators trained in the Abecedarian Approach
✔ Real-time connection with your child’s educators
✔ Premium learning environments designed for toddler development
