If you’re starting to think about school for your little one, you’re not alone. Around age three, many parents begin asking:
“Is my child ready?”
“What do they really need to know before they start?”
“How can I help them feel confident and excited about learning?”
At Kids Academy, our answer is simple: children learn best when they feel curious, capable, and supported. That’s why our School Readiness Program, part of our Lifelong Learning Curriculum, includes something really special - inquiry-based projects.
These projects help children build real skills for school, while feeling proud of who they are and what they can do.
What Is Inquiry-Based Learning?
Think of it as child-led discovery.
Instead of a teacher giving all the answers, inquiry-based learning starts with a question from the children - like “How do bees make honey?” - and turns it into a hands-on, multi-week project.
Children are invited to:
- Ask questions
- Explore ideas
- Build, create, test, and try
- Share what they discover
Our experienced educators are there to gently guide and extend their learning, while still keeping the project in the child’s hands.
It’s learning that’s exciting, meaningful, and completely tailored to where your child is at.
The Bee Project: Real Learning, Led by Kids
One of our favourite examples? A group of preschoolers became fascinated by bees after spotting one in the garden.
Their curiosity sparked a class-wide project:
- Children drew bees and labelled their parts
- They asked questions like “Do all bees make honey?”
- Educators helped them sort bees into groups - workers, drones, the queen - using early maths skills
- They built a model beehive together using recycled materials
- They created a mural to show how bees collect nectar and store honey
Each activity was driven by their own questions and ideas. Along the way, they used skills in science, numeracy, literacy, teamwork, and communication - without even realising it.
And just as importantly? They felt confident, capable, and proud of what they’d learned.
Why This Prepares Children for School
Of course, learning the basics - like recognising letters and numbers - is important. But research (and experience!) tells us that school success is about so much more.
Children need to:
- Share their ideas with confidence
- Solve problems and try new things
- Work with others and manage big feelings
- Feel confident in who they are
That’s exactly what inquiry-based projects develop. Children get used to working in groups, following through on their ideas, and speaking up when they’re ready. They build focus, independence, and resilience - all skills that help them settle into a primary school classroom feeling ready to participate and belong.
“My Child Is Quiet. Will They Still Join In?”
Absolutely.
Inquiry-based learning supports every child - whether they’re loud and lively or more reserved. Some children share their ideas through drawings. Others prefer to observe first, then join in later. Our educators know how to gently encourage each child, making sure everyone has a voice and a role to play.
We’ve seen many quiet children light up during a project, proudly showing their work and sharing what they’ve learned. That sense of ownership and pride? It sticks with them - and gives them a huge confidence boost before school begins.
Try It at Home
You don’t need a background in education to support inquiry-based learning at home. Just follow your child’s lead.
Here are two easy ways to start:
- Ask open-ended questions
Next time your child asks “Why?”, ask back: “What do you think?” Then explore the answer together - through a book, a walk outside, or a quick video. - Make space for mini investigations
Is your child into trucks? Insects? Dinosaurs? Help them gather information, build something related, or sort objects into groups. It doesn’t need to be structured - just fun and led by them.
When children see that their ideas matter, they become more curious, confident learners - at home and at child care.
Come See It in Action
At Kids Academy, we’re proud of how our preschool and kindergarten programs help children grow into confident, capable learners.
Through inquiry-based projects, children don’t just prepare for school - they begin to love learning.
We’d love to show you how it works. Find your nearest centre and book a tour to meet our team, explore our learning environments, and see how we can support your child’s next big step.