Shaping the next generation through exceptional
early learning on the NSW Mid North Coast

FORSTER OLD BAR WAUCHOPE LAKE CATHIE PORT MACQUARIE

Welcome to
our Family!

Where Big Adventures Happen in a Place That Feels Like Home

Let's Talk

Shaping the next generation through exceptional early learning on the NSW Mid North Coast

FORSTER OLD BAR WAUCHOPE
LAKE CATHIE PORT MACQUARIE

Hi there! I’m incredibly happy you found your way to our little corner of the world. 

If you’re anything like me, finding the perfect place for your little one - a space where they are completely safe, supported, and truly at home is everything. 

We’ve poured our hearts into shaping the next generation through exceptional early learning, right here on the NSW Mid North Coast.

Meet Bec & The Family

I’m Bec, and early childhood education has been my heartbeat and my life's work for over 20 years. I started as a very passionate and enthusiastic educator working directly with children and their families, something I naturally always just gravitate towards. I took on many roles to work collaboratively with my team and drive success eager to grow and make a difference in the industry. Over the years I moved into more senior corporate roles managing countless centres. But along the way, I noticed something missing in those big corporate spaces. It felt too transactional, and I craved real, deep, meaningful connections.

So, I took a leap of faith to build a dream… Little Learners is our proud family-owned and run business. I’m a mum to two beautiful girls, who inspire me every single day and give me a deep appreciation for the importance of early learning environments.

My husband, Paul, is incredibly passionate about health, positive wellbeing and building strong communities - values that align perfectly with the vision we bring to our services. Together, this is more than a business, it’s a heartfelt mission to raise the standard of early learning and leave an imprint that matters.

“Nurturing the whole child: From onsite orchards and wellness specialists to world-class specialist studios.”

The Little Learners Difference 

We believe that early learning should be unhurried and full of heart, centered around the relationships that make a child feel secure. We are a pioneering Early Learning Academy, trading bright plastics for calm, coastal, natural tones and peaceful play.

Here is how we bring our holistic vision to life every day:

  • Guided by the National Quality Framework (NQF), our centres are secure, heart-led spaces. We prioritise quality over quantity at every level, maintaining low child-to-educator ratios. This means more individual attention, deeper protective bonds, and a calmer environment where your child has the trust they need to blossom.

  • We are dedicated to shaping the next generation through a world-class, independent curriculum. Your child will explore, create, and discover through beautifully designed, dedicated elite spaces for music, art, science, and / or the performing arts.

  • True development is holistic. Our specialised wellness program focuses heavily on health and thriving, bringing in specialist teachers to guide our children through dedicated yoga, fitness and music sessions.

  • Having tried and tested many different educational approaches over her 20-year career, Bec always came back to the Reggio Emilia philosophy. It beautifully aligns with our belief in the magic of child-led learning. We view your child as rich in potential and natural curiosity, and we design our calm, welcoming environments to act as a 'third teacher' that invites exploration and creative expression.

  • We aren’t just talking about tomorrow; we are actively building it. From our state-of-the-art solar energy systems that drastically cut our carbon footprint to the planting of over 100 native trees and plants that breathe fresh oxygen into the sky, we run our Academy with deep respect for the Earth. We practice strict onsite recycling to keep waste out of our beautiful local waterways, but our proudest initiative is how we involve your children. Through hands-on experiences with our gardens, our little locals don’t just hear about sustainability - they live it. Whether they are sorting recycling, learning about water retention or watching our solar panels catch the sun, we are giving them the tools and the heart to be the passionate caretakers our planet needs. 

  • From our onsite fruit orchards to our beautiful community veggie gardens, we teach children where real food comes from and how to care for our planet. Our little helpers love picking fresh produce, which our very own on-site chef transforms into nourishing, seasonal meals carefully designed by a qualified nutritionist.

  • We know firsthand that supported, passionate educators are the backbone of a safe and nurturing academy. We heavily invest in our staff's well-being, providing a dedicated space for them to rest and re-set, ensuring excellent staff retention and a stable, familiar environment for your child.

  • We understand the juggle of life and shift work. To ensure we are here when you need us most - open 51 weeks a year from 7am to 6pm (even earlier at selected centres!).

We are so proud to walk alongside you, nurturing hearts and inspiring minds. Pop in, say hello, and join our growing community!

“I genuinely do care, not just for families and children, they're equally so important, but also for educators and creating a space where I want educators and our team to want to work with me and grow.”

Bec Walton