OUR STORY
Why Learning Buds?
At Learning Buds, we understand that the transition from kindergarten to school is one of the most important – and often challenging – steps in a child’s early learning journey. It’s a time marked by great change, not just for children, but for parents too. In the kindergarten years, children thrive in play based environments that focus on developing social, emotional and motor skills. These foundations are vital, yet the leap to school brings a new and very different learning landscape.
At school, children are expected to adapt to structured lessons, explicit instruction, benchmarks and assessments. By the end of their first school year, they’re expected to read, write and grasp early numeracy concepts– a significant shift for young learners.
Learning Buds was created in response to this gap – to provide a gentle bridge between the nurturing world of kindergarten and the more structured demands of school. Our program blends the best of both worlds: it offers engaging, theme-based learning that introduces children to key academic skills while still nurturing creativity, confidence and curiosity.
Just as importantly, Learning Buds supports families. We aim to take the uncertainty out of school readiness by equipping parents with the knowledge and tools to support their child’s learning journey at home and beyond.
At Learning Buds, we believe that when children feel prepared, they feel confident. And confident learners are happy learners.
Meet the Team
At Learning Buds, our team is dedicated to creating a warm, engaging and supportive environment where children feel confident, curious and excited to learn.
Our educators bring a wealth of experience, creativity and care to their work, designing playful and purposeful activities that support academic growth, independence and creativity.
We value strong partnerships with families and provide practical tools to help extend learning at home.
Together, we’re here to make learning joyful and meaningful every step of the way.
Director & Educator
Kate Cugnetto
Kate is a registered primary school teacher and the founder of Learning Buds, which she established in 2015. With over 20 years of teaching experience, she is passionate about helping young children build strong foundations for school—and making sure they have fun along the way!
Kate has a special interest in early maths and literacy, with a strong focus on developing number sense and using a phonics-based approach to reading and writing. She is a firm believer in creating a warm, engaging environment where children feel confident and excited to learn.
Learning Buds was born from Kate’s desire to bridge the gap between kindergarten and school. Her program doesn’t just support children—it is designed to guide and empower parents too. Kate is committed to making early learning less overwhelming and more joyful, giving families the tools and confidence to support their child’s journey into school.
Educator
Maree Grose
Maree joined the Learning Buds team in 2025, bringing over 15 years of experience supporting children and families as a Clinical Nurse Specialist. Her career spans both healthcare and education settings, including the Royal Children’s Hospital and Ivanhoe Grammar School, where she developed a strong focus on child-centred care and development.
Currently working at a specialist school, Maree supports children with additional needs using communication tools such as AAC and Key Word Sign. She holds a Certificate IV in Allied Health (Speech Pathology), specialising in early language development and is further expanding her expertise by studying Auslan through Auslan Australia.
A mum of three and a passionate advocate for play based learning, Maree is dedicated to helping children grow in confidence, curiosity, and independence. She uses engaging, evidence-based approaches, such as storytelling, singing and creative play, to build strong foundations in literacy, numeracy and social-emotional skills.