Infant & Toddler Curriculum
Who is the Infant?
In their first year, babies undergo more rapid development than at any other point in their lives. From reflexive movement at birth to purposeful reaching, crawling, and early communication by twelve months — infants are active learners from day one. At Nurturely, we understand that for infants, security IS the curriculum. When a baby feels safe, held, and responded to, their brain is free to grow.
Learning Through Our Six Threads - Infants
Identity & Belonging
- Developing trust through consistent, warm
responses - Recognising familiar faces, voices, and smells
- Feeling safe through primary caregiving
relationships - Beginning to form a sense of self
Creativity & the Arts
- Exploring sensory materials — texture, sound, light, colour
- Responding to music, gentle rhythm, and
singing - Reaching for, mouthing, and investigating
objects - Experiencing the world through all their senses
Wellbeing & Healthy Bodies
- Developing trust through consistent, warm
responses - Recognising familiar faces, voices, and smells
- Feeling safe through primary caregiving
relationships - Beginning to form a sense of self
Communication & Languages
- Developing trust through consistent, warm
responses - Recognising familiar faces, voices, and smells
- Feeling safe through primary caregiving
relationships - Beginning to form a sense of self
Natural World & STEM
- Noticing light, shadow, and movement
- Exploring cause and effect (shake a rattle =sound)
- Experiencing natural materials — leaves, water, textures
- Time outdoors in fresh air and gentle sunlight
Community & the World
- Experiencing gentle group environments with peers
- Seeing and hearing our multicultural community
- Families welcomed and deeply involved in care
- Beginning to notice and respond to other children
Daily Rhythm - Infants
Infants do not follow a clock-based schedule. Our educators follow each baby’s individual rhythm — feeding, sleeping, and engaging on their own cues.
Arrival
Welcome & Transition
Warm greeting and handover from family. Settling with the primary educator.
StoryPark update shared with families.
Morning
Sensory Play & Exploration
Tummy time, soft play, treasure baskets, light tables, mirrors. Educators sing,
narrate, and respond to every cue.
Mid-Morning
Feeding & Caregiving
Feeding on demand. Nappy changes with respectful narration. Rest as needed,
in line with individual sleep rhythms.
Late Morning
Outdoor Time
Fresh air and natural light. Pram walks, shaded outdoor play, sensory gardens, and nature experiences.
Midday
Lunch & Rest
Warm, nutritious lunch. Individual rest routines supported with familiar music and consistent sleep environments.
Afternoon
Relationship & Play
Music, reading, singing, and cause-and-effect play. One-on-one and small group exploration. Documentation recorded.
Late Afternoon
Wind Down
Gentle floor play or quiet exploration. Familiar, calming routines in preparation for end of day.
Departure
Family Connection
Warm handover with verbal update and StoryPark note sharing a meaningful
moment from the day.
Developmental Milestones - Infants
| Development Domain | What You Might See | How We Support It |
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| Social & Emotional |
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| Communication |
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| Cognitive |
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| Physical |
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| Sensory |
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Who is the Young Toddler?
Between twelve and twenty-four months, children undergo a dramatic transformation. Walking emerges. Language explodes. Social awareness grows. At Nurturely, we celebrate the young toddler’s emerging self — designing environments rich enough to meet their curiosity, while maintaining the warm, consistent relationships they need to take bold steps into the unknown.
Learning Through Our Six Threads - Young Toddler
Identity & Belonging
- Developing a strong sense of ‘me’ and ‘mine’
- Expressing preferences, choices, and opinions
- Building confidence through secure attachment
- Noticing and responding to emotions of others
Creativity & the Arts
- First mark-making with crayons, paint, and
fingers - Exploring materials with hands, tools, and
- whole body
- Engaging with music through movement and
rhythm - Symbolic play beginning to emerge
Wellbeing & Healthy Bodies
- Walking, climbing, developing balance and
coordination - Beginning self-care: hand washing, using a spoon
- Exploring a widening range of foods
- Co-regulation with trusted educators for big emotions
Communication & Languages
- First words emerging and growing rapidly
- Pointing, gesturing, two-word phrases
- Listening to stories with growing attention
- Beginning to understand simple instructions
Natural World & STEM
- Filling, emptying, pouring, and stacking with
purpose - Beginning to sort and categorise objects
- Active outdoor exploration — running, climbing, digging
- Noticing animals, plants, weather, and change
Community & the World
- Parallel play alongside peers
- Noticing and imitating others
- Simple turn-taking and sharing with support
- Connecting with the Nurturely community
Daily Rhythm - Young Toddler
Young toddlers benefit from a predictable, flexible rhythm — enough routine to feel secure, enough openness to follow their interests and energy.
7:00–8:30
Arrival & Free Play
Warm welcome. Open invitations to explore — sensory trays, books, simple
construction. Educators greet families and note any updates.
8:30–9:00
Breakfast & Morning Routine
Nutritious breakfast shared together. Hand washing, gentle conversation and
connection over the meal.
9:00–10:00
Planned Learning Experience
Educator-facilitated provocation based on observed interests — sensory play, mark-making, music and movement, or nature exploration.
10:00–11:00
Outdoor Play
Active exploration in Nurturely’s outdoor space. Gross motor play, digging, water play, sand, and nature investigation. Munch & Move activities.
11:00–11:30
Group Time & Story
Songs, finger rhymes, story, or simple group discussion. Educators model
language, listening, and turn-taking.
11:30–12:00
Lunch
Warm, nutritious lunch. Children supported to self-feed and develop independence. Cultural foods celebrated.
12:00–14:00
Rest & Quiet Time
Individual rest needs respected. Quiet exploration for those who don’t sleep.
Calm, familiar music.
14:00–15:00
Afternoon Experience
Creative play, cooking experience, or outdoor free play. Loose parts, dramatic play, or Munch & Move cooking.
15:00–16:00
Afternoon Tea & Wind Down
Healthy afternoon tea. Quieter indoor or outdoor play. Documentation and
observations completed.
16:00–18:00
End of Day & Departures
Gradual departure with warm family handover. Daily reflection shared verbally
and via StoryPark.
Developmental Milestones - Young Toddler
| Development Domain | What You Might See | How We Support It |
|---|---|---|
| Social & Emotional |
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| Communication |
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| Cognitive |
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| Physical |
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| Self-Care |
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Who is the Toddler?
Children aged two to three are in a period of extraordinary growth across every domain. Language is exploding. Imagination is taking flight. The desire for independence is fierce. Big feelings are a sign of a healthy, growing brain — not a problem to be fixed. At Nurturely, we embrace the two-to-three-year-
old with joy and deep respect, creating environments rich enough to absorb their energy and curiosity.
Learning Through Our Six Threads - Toddler
Identity & Belonging
- Developing a confident, stable sense of self
- Understanding and managing emotions with support
- Building close friendships and peer relationships
- Celebrating cultural identity and family background
Creativity & the Arts
- Drawing with intention — figures, shapes,
stories - Rich dramatic and pretend play
- Experimenting with clay, collage, paint, and construction
- Creating and performing songs, dances, and stories
Wellbeing & Healthy Bodies
- • Developing emotional literacy with educator support
- Gross motor confidence — running, jumping, balancing
- Fine motor development through drawing and building
- Increasing independence in toileting, dressing, self-care
Communication & Languages
- Rapid vocabulary growth — hundreds of words
- Three and four-word sentences; simple questions
- Engaging in conversations and group time
- Beginning to retell stories and recount experiences
Natural World & STEM
- Investigating, predicting, and testing ideas
- Mathematical thinking: counting, sorting, patterning
- Building and constructing with loose parts
- Caring for plants, animals, and the environment
Community & the World
- Cooperative play and negotiating with peers
- Beginning to understand fairness and empathy
- Participating in group projects and investigations
- Engaging with the Greystanes community
Daily Rhythm - Toddler
Young toddlers benefit from a predictable, flexible rhythm — enough routine to feel secure, enough openness to follow their interests and energy.
7:00–8:30
Arrival & Morning Exploration
Warm welcome. Open invitations to explore — art provocation, books, block
area, dramatic play. Children set the pace.
8:30–9:00
Breakfast
Nutritious breakfast together. Morning conversation, connection, and sharing of news from home.
9:00–10:00
Group Time & Investigation Launch
Morning meeting: songs, sharing, inquiry discussion. Educators introduce or extend a project based on children’s interests.
10:00–11:30
Deep Play & Learning Experiences
Extended child-led and educator-facilitated learning — creative arts, construction, sensory play, dramatic play, literacy and numeracy, science.
11:30-12:00
Outdoor Play
Active play in Nurturely’s outdoor space. Nature investigation, sand and water, gardening, and group games. Munch & Move.
12:00–12:30
Lunch
Warm, freshly prepared lunch. Children serve themselves where possible. Cultural foods included and celebrated.
12:30–14:00
Rest & Quiet Activities
Rest for those who need it. Quiet reading, drawing, puzzles, or relaxation for those who don’t.
14:00–15:00
Munch & Move / Cooking
Movement program or cooking experience exploring healthy food preparation,
coordination, independence, and food culture.
15:00–15:30
Afternoon Tea & Reflection
Afternoon tea with reflection on the day. Children share discoveries. Educators document and photograph.
15:30–18:00
Free Play & Departures
Child-led play indoors or outdoors. Gradual departures with warm family
handover and StoryPark updates.
Developmental Milestones - Toddler
| Development Domain | What You Might See | How We Support It |
|---|---|---|
| Social & Emotional |
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| Communication |
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| Cognitive |
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| Physical |
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| Self-Care & Independence |
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