Safe language in documentation is more than just avoiding sensitive disclosures—it’s about writing in a way that protects children’s dignity, fosters trust with families, and upholds the professional integrity of educators. Here’s a guide to help you embed safe, respectful, and pedagogically sound language into your group and individual observations.
Writing a group observation in early childhood education is both an art and a strategic tool—it captures collective learning while honoring individual voices. Here's a guide to help you craft meaningful, pedagogically sound group observations that align with the planning cycle and resonate with families and educators alike.
In the NSW and VIC early childhood sector, safeguarding children and ensuring accountability in service operations are paramount. But what happens when a complaint—particularly one involving alleged harm to a child—is investigated by the Department of Education and deemed “inconclusive,” with no breach of law or regulation found? Can that decision be contested, and if so, how?
This article outlines the formal pathways available to services and individuals in NSW and VIC who seek to challenge departmental decisions, especially in cases where child safety concerns remain unresolved.
A deeply distressing incident at First Steps Learning Academy in Bangor, Sydney has triggered a formal investigation and widespread concern across the early childhood sector. On Monday afternoon, a toddler was mistakenly handed over to the wrong grandparent and taken home for several hours before being safely returned.
“I was watching the rain because it made me feel calm. I didn’t want to talk; I just wanted to listen to the drops.” This simple statement carries more than imagination—it holds intention, emotion, and agency.
This article is a call to shift the lens. To move from about to by. From adult narration to child-led storytelling. Because when children speak, they don’t just describe—they reveal.
Developed by the NSW Department of Education Early Childhood, a free webinar for Family Day Care services has been developed to explore the Transition to School Digital Statement platform.
On Christmas Eve, a childcare centre in Latrobe will close its doors—leaving 55 children, 20 staff, and over 150 waitlisted families scrambling for alternatives in a region already stretched to its limits. The announcement, delivered via email, has sparked distress, disbelief, and urgent calls for accountability.
In early childhood services across Australia, educators are often expected to stay beyond their rostered hours to complete tasks—cleaning, documentation, ratio coverage, or closing duties. But when this extra time goes unpaid, it’s not just unfair—it may be unlawful.
Recent data reported by 7NEWS Australia has revealed a concerning trend in the early childhood education sector: 1 in 10 parents have withdrawn their children from childcare services. This shift reflects growing pressures on families and raises urgent questions about affordability, trust, and systemic support.
In early childhood education, two terms often surface in compliance conversations: active supervision and in ratio. While both are essential to child safety and regulatory integrity, they serve distinct purposes—and conflating them can lead to serious oversights in practice. Let’s unpack each concept, then explore how they play out in real-world settings.
A group of companies operating childcare centres under the HEI Schools brand across Victoria and New South Wales has plunged into liquidation, leaving behind $21 million in debts and triggering widespread disruption for families, educators, and communities.
