Join the Office of the Children’s Guardian for a free public webinar exploring how organisations can empower children and young people to have a voice.
In early childhood education, empowered teams are the heartbeat of quality practice. When educators feel valued, heard, and supported, they don’t just comply—they co-create. Team empowerment isn’t a management strategy; it’s a relational commitment to emotional safety, shared purpose, and professional growth.
In early childhood education, the most powerful tools aren’t found in policy binders or compliance checklists—they’re embedded in the emotional fabric of our relationships. Emotional intelligence isn’t a soft skill; it’s a pedagogical framework. It shapes how we teach, how we document, and how we restore dignity to the everyday moments that define a child’s learning journey.
In a world increasingly driven by metrics, compliance, and performance benchmarks, early childhood education stands at a crossroads. The question is no longer just “Are we meeting standards?” but “Are we nurturing joy?” A growing movement of educators, researchers, and sector advocates is reclaiming the emotional heart of early learning—where delight, wonder, and connection are not side effects but central outcomes.
The following setups and experiences are designed to foster fine motor skills, pattern recognition, and joyful engagement with the traditions of the Festival of Lights. Each activity offers opportunities for children to express themselves, explore symbolism, and co-create meaning in inclusive and developmentally appropriate ways.
The concept of supervision zones is a practical strategy to enhance child safety and educator accountability where educators are assigned to actively supervise and engage with children.
The federal childcare regulator has issued clear guidance to operators in response to a surge in serious incidents—particularly involving children being lost, left behind, or locked in rooms in response to a spike in safety breaches across the sector.
Australia’s early childhood education sector is facing a reckoning, as a Senate inquiry uncovers widespread concerns about declining quality and child well-being—particularly in for-profit early learning services.
Two senior executives at Affinity Education Group—one of Australia’s largest childcare providers—have resigned following a series of disturbing incidents and mounting public scrutiny.
Diwali is a time when families light lamps, share sweets, wear bright clothes, and say kind words to each other. It’s all about light, love, and joy. Here are 5 joyful, easy-to-sing Diwali songs for preschoolers—each with a familiar tune and simple, rhythmic lyrics that invite movement, clapping, and smiles.
Documentation is more than a compliance task; it’s a powerful tool for reflection, connection, and responsive programming. Yet with the increasing demands on educators’ time, it’s vital to reaffirm a core principle: educators are trusted professionals, capable of discerning which experiences are worth documenting and reflecting on.
From 19 January 2026, new mandatory safety standards for infant sleep products will be taking effect across Australia. These changes affect all consumers who use infant sleep products, including ECEC services. The updated mandatory standards set out requirements for the design, construction, and warning labels on infant sleep products and inclined non-sleep products.
Leadership is essential in early childhood settings. It shapes the quality of care, learning environments, and the well-being of children, educators, and families. Designed by Karthiga Viknarasah, an experienced early education leadership expert, participants will explore what effective leadership looks like in Early Childhood Education and Care, how to support and grow a team, and how to embed leadership values into daily practice and the service’s culture.
