If you're starting to think about school and wondering how to give your child the best start, you're not alone. At Papilio Early Learning, we support children aged 3–5 to grow into confident, curious learners - ready to take on big school with enthusiasm and pride.
One of the ways we do this is through inquiry-based projects - a key feature of our School Readiness Program and our exclusive Lifelong Learning Curriculum.
In our boutique learning environments, guided by caring and highly qualified educators, your child is supported to lead their own learning - building the confidence, independence, and problem-solving skills that set them up for success at school and in life.
A Real Project, Sparked by Curiosity
One day, a child asked, “How do bees make honey?” Instead of providing a quick answer, the educator invited the group to share their ideas:
“What do you think bees do all day?”
“Have you ever seen a beehive?”
From there, a rich, child-led project began - driven by their own questions and interests. Over the following weeks, the children:
- Drew detailed pictures of bees and labelled their body parts
- Asked thoughtful questions like “Do all bees make honey, or just some?”
- Explored books and videos to discover the roles of worker bees, drones, and the queen
- Built 3D beehive models using recycled materials and natural loose parts
- Sorted and grouped bees using early maths and classification skills
- Painted a large mural showing how bees collect nectar and make honey
Throughout the experience, our educators gently guided the children - introducing new words, modelling how to think deeper, and encouraging them to record their discoveries through drawing, storytelling, and group discussion.
The result? A joyful, meaningful project that brought together STEM, literacy, creativity, and collaboration - all through a topic the children truly cared about.
Why Inquiry-Based Learning Supports a Strong Start to School
Starting school isn’t just about knowing the alphabet or counting to ten. Children also need to:
- Feel confident speaking up and asking questions
- Think deeply and try out their own ideas
- Work with others, take turns, and share
- Build resilience, focus, and a love of learning
Inquiry-based projects help children develop all of these capabilities - by making learning personal, purposeful, and engaging.
Children who take part in our School Readiness Program settle into school more smoothly, contribute confidently in group settings, and arrive with the mindset that learning is something to enjoy.
Every Child Can Thrive
If you’re wondering whether this style of learning is right for your child - especially if they’re quiet or still building confidence - the answer is yes.
Inquiry-based learning is designed to include every child. Some children lead discussions and ask lots of questions, while others prefer to explore through drawing, observation, or quiet conversation.
Our educators understand that children express themselves in different ways. We take the time to get to know each child and support them to engage in ways that feel natural to them.
When children feel safe, respected, and genuinely curious, their confidence begins to grow - and that’s when we see them shine.
Nurturing Curiosity at Home
You don’t need a classroom to support your child’s curiosity. Try this at home:
- Ask, “What are you wondering about today?” and follow their lead
- Help them draw their ideas or write down their questions
- Visit the library or watch a short video together to explore more
- Keep the conversation going with gentle prompts like, “Why do you think that happens?”
These small moments help build the same thinking habits we encourage every day at Papilio - and show your child that their thoughts and ideas matter.
A Beautiful Beginning Starts Here
Our preschool and kindergarten programs are thoughtfully designed to give your child the best possible start.
Through inquiry-based learning and personalised support, your child won’t just be ready for school - they’ll feel excited to take on the world.
Find your local Papilio centre and book a private tour today. We’d love to show you how our learning spaces and passionate educators can help your child thrive.