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Safety Meets Connection: Rethinking Roll Call in Large OSHC Centres

Safety Meets Connection: Rethinking Roll Call in Large OSHC Centres

In Out of School Hours care, educators manage large groups of children in dynamic environments where safety, belonging, and engagement must coexist. One of the most essential, yet often contested, practices is the roll call and headcount. This article explores…
Teaching OSHC Children About Reconciliation Week

Teaching OSHC Children About Reconciliation Week

For OOSH (Out of School Hours) children, Reconciliation Week topics should focus on identity, respect, caring for Country, storytelling, friendship, and truth-telling. These themes help children understand Australia’s shared history and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures in age‑appropriate…
Embedding Reconciliation in Early Childhood Practice

Embedding Reconciliation in Early Childhood Practice

Reconciliation in early childhood is not a one‑week event; it’s a daily practice. Embedding reconciliation means weaving respect, truth‑telling, and cultural awareness into routines, environments, and relationships. For educators, this is about creating spaces where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander…
Caring for Country in the Playground

Caring for Country in the Playground

In early childhood, the playground is more than a place to play; it's a living classroom. Caring for Country invites children to see the land as a friend, not just a space. Through simple, sensory experiences, educators can nurture respect…
Pre‑Shift Pay Rules for Early Childhood Educators

Pre‑Shift Pay Rules for Early Childhood Educators

Early childhood services often require staff to arrive before their rostered start time, to set up rooms, prepare learning materials, or ensure safety checks are complete. But when does this preparation count as paid work?
Forcing Children To Say Sorry

Forcing Children To Say Sorry

When children are pressured to immediately say “sorry” after causing harm, they often learn that apologies are just words, a quick escape from discomfort. This teaches compliance, not compassion. It can unintentionally encourage dishonesty, as children may say the words…
Learning With Nature Photo Ideas

Learning With Nature Photo Ideas

Learning with nature in early childhood services enriches every interest area from literacy corners to outdoor play by fostering curiosity, wellbeing, and environmental awareness. Integrating natural elements into classrooms and play spaces supports children’s physical, cognitive, and emotional development while…
Partial Assessment & Rating: What Educators Need to Know

Partial Assessment & Rating: What Educators Need to Know

The Department of Education has introduced partial assessment and rating as a streamlined way to keep service ratings current under the NQS. This approach reduces preparation burden, allows quicker recognition of improvements, and ensures families have confidence in the quality…
OPINION: Should We Be Renaming Mother’s Day and Father’s Day To Be More Inclusive?

OPINION: Should We Be Renaming Mother’s Day and Father’s Day To Be More Inclusive?

Family celebrations in early childhood services, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and Grandparents’ Day are more than just dates on the calendar. They are cultural anchors that help children express gratitude and build identity. Yet, as inclusivity policies evolve, services face…
For‑Profit vs Non‑Profit Childcare: What Educators Should Know

For‑Profit vs Non‑Profit Childcare: What Educators Should Know

The childcare sector in Australia includes both for‑profit providers (like G8 Education) and nonprofit services (often community or council‑run). While families often focus on fees and convenience, educators experience the differences most directly in their daily work, professional development, and…
Understanding the Difference: Raising Your Voice vs Yelling

Understanding the Difference: Raising Your Voice vs Yelling

Children experience adult communication not just through words, but through tone, emotional energy, facial expression, and body language. Two interactions may be equally loud, yet feel completely different to a child. Understanding this distinction is essential for safeguarding, trauma‑informed practice,…
Educator Rights in Early Childhood Education When Children Are Violent

Educator Rights in Early Childhood Education When Children Are Violent

Early childhood educators are entrusted with the profound responsibility of nurturing and protecting young children. Yet, many educators face daily challenges when children exhibit violent behaviours like biting, hitting, scratching, or verbal aggression. While child protection is paramount, the rights…
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