About Little Poppins Learning Academy
Preparing children for life with curiosity, critical thinking and kindness.
Where we came from
The idea for Little Poppins Learning Academy began during a family vacation in America. Our Founder and Head of School, Lydia Wright, visited a daycare center to collect a relative’s child, sparking her interest in how early education and care differed between the UK and the US.
As a parent herself, Lydia wanted to see a higher level of education, care and meaningful adult interaction than she had been able to find during her visits. Through her experience in early years education, she understood the positive difference that attentive adults, nurturing relationships and thoughtful teaching could make to children’s confidence, development and enjoyment of learning.
Conversations with local parents revealed an appetite for another approach – one that combined nurturing care with a thoughtful, individual approach to learning. The idea for Little Poppins was born.
Our UK side of the company has been established since 2016, delivering early education and care through England’s Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). In the UK, early years settings are commonly called nurseries. Our successful nursery, Little Pearls, provides the experience and educational foundations behind our new Florida school.
Why Melbourne?
Our market research identified a need for more early years provision in Melbourne, alongside forward-thinking families who would appreciate what the British approach has to offer.
Parents we spoke with were ready to welcome a new approach to learning. They recognized the value of purposeful play in thoughtfully designed environments, where children can explore, experiment and develop a lifelong love of learning.
We saw an opportunity to bring an EYFS-guided education to this community – encouraging children to ask questions, challenge ideas and discover solutions. This emphasis on critical thinking helps children become active, independent learners who are confident to think for themselves.
Little Poppins Learning Academy was founded in the US in 2025, with renovations beginning in May 2026. Our new private prep-school for children ages 3–5 brings British educational foundations together with American family values on Aurora Road in Melbourne.
Growing thoughtfully, with more individual attention
We plan to welcome our first families for an initial opening in December 2026, subject to completion of renovations and required approvals. Families can register their interest now to receive opening and enrollment updates.
With a planned starting capacity of just 37 children per day, we are keeping our school small and growing carefully to protect the quality of education and care.
Our planned staffing ratios range from one adult for every eight to ten children, based on the needs of each group. This provides more adults per child than Florida’s standard childcare requirements of one staff member for every 15 three-year-olds and every 20 four-year-olds.
For families, this means more time for individual attention, meaningful conversations and supportive guidance. For our teachers, it means greater opportunities to understand each child, respond to their interests and extend their learning.
37 children per day, planned starting capacity
Dec 2026 planned opening
Children per adult
Little Poppinsplanned, all groups
Florida standardthree-year-olds
Florida standardfour-year-olds
1 adult1 childup to 10, depending on the group
The British approach and how we use it
Our curriculum is guided by England’s Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), shaped by research and professional practice in early childhood education. It places equal importance on what children learn and how they learn, creating meaningful experiences that reflect each child’s interests, needs and stage of development.
- EYFS statutory framework for group and school-based providers
- Development Matters Non-statutory curriculum guidance for the early years foundation stage
Play, exploration and skilled teacher guidance bring the EYFS’s prime and specific areas of development to life in our brand-new, Scandinavian-inspired learning environments. Children explore at their own pace, supported by teachers who weave purposeful learning into play, building understanding and a lasting enthusiasm for discovery.
Our distinctive approach brings together British educational foundations, carefully designed spaces and generous staffing to support the whole child. We nurture confident, capable children who enjoy learning, think independently and contribute kindly to the world around them.
Working closely with families, we offer information, guidance and reassurance along the way.
Preparing children for life with curiosity, critical thinking and kindness.
What does our school look like?
From the moment you walk through our doors, you’ll find a warm, welcoming environment designed with children and families in mind. Filled with soft light, calming neutral tones and carefully selected natural resources, our school has a Scandinavian feel where children feel safe, relaxed and inspired to learn.
Our school offers different themed rooms to allow children to develop in every area of learning. Our rooms include an enrichment space, a sensory area, a focused learning room, continuous provision space, art and media space, physical space and outdoor learning environment.
Throughout the day, the school follows a carefully planned routine tailored to the children’s age and stage of development. By combining child-led exploration with purposeful adult-guided experiences, we create a balanced curriculum that supports every area of learning while ensuring children enjoy every moment of their day.
As well as this, we have a dedicated training and meeting area where our team engages in continual professional development opportunities and where we can host family information evenings. The teachers also have a planning and preparation space to allow them to prep everything they need to make the day run smoothly.
Images have been AI generated using the spaces at our US center and images from our UK school.
Respectful interactions
At Little Poppins Learning Academy, we believe children learn from the positive examples set by the adults around them. Our educators model kindness, respect and empathy, helping children express themselves, build positive relationships and care for others.
Every child deserves to be heard. By listening carefully to their ideas, valuing their opinions and encouraging age-appropriate choices, we help children develop confidence, independence and critical thinking skills.
From solving problems to caring for their belongings and taking responsibility for everyday tasks, children have meaningful opportunities to build resilience and practical life skills.
Through these everyday interactions, children learn that their voice matters, their ideas are valued and they can contribute to a kind, supportive community.
Parent reviews
Although we are a brand new school in Melbourne, we have been specializing in early years education for 10 years at our other site – Little Pearls Nursery Limited in Devon, UK.
Read parent reviews and Ofsted feedback for Little Pearls
Placeholder – Ofsted explanation. A short note for US families on what Ofsted is (England’s inspectorate for schools and early years settings) and what Little Pearls’ rating means.
Register your interest
Receive opening and enrollment updates for December 2026.