Toddlers - Oak Tree Early Learning Centres

Both Centre West Pymble & Sylvania Toddler Program (2-3 Years): Educator-Led Support

Has your child recently turned 2? Or are you thinking of childcare in the future?

Known by many as the "terrible twos", this stage in a child's life is a key transition period. There are many firsts, as a few babbles turn into coherent words, and they start to make their identity known to the world. At Oak Tree Early Learning Centre, we know the uncertainties that come at this stage, and we provide support every step of the way.

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Why Oak Tree

How Does Our Toddler Program Shape a Sense of Self?

At Oak Tree Learning Centre, we fuel these increasingly curious minds through creative and playful programs. As both of which are designed to stimulate the left (logical) and right (creative) sides of the brain. Our environment is crafted for full creative reign, from many games and toys available to a vibrant outdoor play area.

Introducing Life-Skills

At this age, toddlers become more and more curious about how to be independent. At Oak Tree, we use an integrated approach to teach life-skills like washing hands, cleaning up after play and brushing teeth through play-based learning.

Improving Motor Skills

From fine motor skills like buttoning clothes to gross motor skills like running and jumping, climbing, throwing and catching. Our program encourages movement through fun indoor and outdoor activities.

Self-help skills every day

We encourage toddlers to take on simple tasks independently, such as putting on their shoes, packing away toys, feeding, dressing, toilet training and decision-making. These activities build confidence and independence into every moment of the day.

Creative arts & expression

Painting, drawing, clay, colours, watercolour and printing. Toddlers have a hundred ways to express themselves. Art in our Toddler room is all about exploration, creativity and gloriously messy.

Language explosion supported

Language is rapidly developing at this age. Through conversations, songs, rhymes and storytime, we help toddlers expand their vocabulary and communication skills to express themselves clearly.

Beginning of Real Friendships

Taking turns, playing, sharing, resolving small conflicts and learning each other's names. The toddler years are when real social skills start to blossom. And at Oak Tree, we nurture them with patience and intention.

Early numeracy & problem solving

Counting steps, sorting by colour and size, building towers, pouring water into containers, toddlers are natural mathematicians. Our program embeds early numeracy into daily play and routines in ways that feel completely natural.

Nature & science exploration

Digging in the garden, observing insects, planting seeds, exploring water and sand and learning about weather and seasons. Toddlers are natural scientists, and our outdoor environment is a rich laboratory for their discovery.

Enhance Emotional Development

Emotional regulation is key for toddlers. We help them manage frustration and build social connections through activities like interactive reading and self-regulation techniques.

💡 A note for families

Your toddler's interests drive our program

If your toddler is obsessed with dinosaurs, trucks or butterflies, we bring that fascination into literacy, numeracy, science and art activities. Curious minds help us develop our curriculum.

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Encouraging Independence in Our Toddler Program

When it comes to toddlers at this age, their newfound curiosity becomes their whole world. Based on the principles of the EYLF, our Toddler program intentionally incorporates self-help skills into daily routines. These small acts of independence help build confidence over time.

Self-feeding & mealtimes

Using spoons, forks and cups independently, pouring their own water, choosing from options, clearing their plate, mealtimes are rich self-help learning opportunities, not just nutrition.

Toilet training support

We work in partnership with families to support toilet training at the child's own pace with patience, encouragement and zero pressure.

Dressing & undressing

Shoes, socks, jumpers and jackets. We give toddlers the time and encouragement to attempt dressing themselves, celebrating effort as enthusiastically as success.

Decision-making

Choosing which activity to do, which book to read, which colour to use. These small, genuine choices build decision-making confidence and a growing sense of agency.

A Typical Day

Your toddler's daily rhythm at Oak Tree

7:00 am – Arrival
Morning welcome & free play

Morning welcome and free play. Educators greet each child personally.

Before 8:00 am
Breakfast

Children arriving before 8am enjoy a warm, freshly prepared breakfast. Toddlers are encouraged to serve themselves, promoting self-help skills.

8:30 – 11:00am

Group experiences, art projects, book reading, science exploration, outdoor play, and targeted learning activities, all based on the children's curiosity and interests.

~10:30am
Morning tea

A nutritious morning tea and snacks are served at the table. Toddlers practice pouring, self-serving, and using utensils independently with educator support.

~11:00am
Specialist activity

Music, Dance, Paddock to Plate garden and Sports with a specialist teacher depending on the day. These weekly visits are highlights of the week that toddlers talk about at home for days.

12:00pm
Freshly cooked lunch

A warm, nutritious lunch prepared on-site by our qualified cook. Toddlers sit together for a social, unhurried, delicious meal.

12:30 – 2:30pm
😴 Rest time

Stretcher beds set up in a calm, dim room with gentle music. Children who don't sleep rest quietly. All rest follows our safe sleep practices, and rest times are recorded in the Daily Register.

2:30 – 5:00pm
Afternoon program & outdoor play

Energetic outdoor time, Songs, Rhymes, creative activities and group experiences. Afternoon tea is served mid-session. Toddlers are at their most physical in the afternoon.

Pick-up

Daily handover & email update
Your educator shares today's highlights personally. You also receive your daily email update with photos and a record of what your toddler did, ate and discovered.

Meal, Diet and Nutrition for Toddlers at Oak Tree Learning Centre

Munch and Move Approved Meals: Nutritious, tasty meals based on the Australian dietary guidelines, supporting growth, energy, and brain development.

Morning Meals:

Breakfast: Nutrient-dense meals like Greek yoghurt, fruits and eggs to maintain energy.
Morning Tea (10:30am): Healthy snacks to fuel toddlers for the day.
Lunch (12pm): Well-balanced meals with proteins, fibre and healthy fats.

Afternoon Meals:

Afternoon Tea (2:30pm): Nutritious meals to keep energy levels up.
Late Afternoon Tea (4:30pm): Light, balanced snacks for sustained engagement.

Toddlers are served milk or water at every meal for hydration and essential nutrients. No sugary drinks are provided.

*Please note that the above is a general overview of our meals served daily. For children with allergies, or other food intolerances, they are accommodated and served food in a red bowl. We also accommodate those with lifestyle choices, e.g vegetarian.

What we provide — and what to bring

We provide — all included

Everything below is covered in your fees:

All meals — 5 freshly cooked per day
Formula & milk
Nappies — all sizes
SPF sunblock — applied daily
Cots — Australian standard compliant
Full EYLF educational program
Daily Register of feeds, sleeps & activities
Daily email update with photos

You bring — labelled please

All items must have your toddler's name clearly labelled

Sun hat
2–3 spare changes of clothes
Underwear or pull-ups
Rash Cream
Sleep sack or swaddle (if used at home)
Water bottle
Dummy & comfort toy if used

Explore All Programs

Other programs at Oak Tree

Here are all the ways to take the next step — whether you're ready to enrol, want to ask questions, need to understand CC, or simply want to come and have a look around.

🧸
Nursery Program
(0–2 years)

A warm, nurturing environment where babies develop at their own pace through music, art, sensory play and loving, consistent care.

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🎒
Pre-School Program
(3–5 years)

School-readiness focusing on literacy, social skills, and confidence. Available at Sylvania and West Pymble.

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🥦
Extra-Curricular Activity

EYLF, STEM, Soccer Joeys, Cooking, Paddock to Plate, Art & Craft. Available at both centres.

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Toddler Program 2 – 3 Years
(For Both Sylvania & West Pymble Centre)

Both Centre West Pymble & Sylvania Toddler Program (2-3 Years): Educator-Led Support