In a landmark initiative to elevate public understanding of early childhood development, The Princess of Wales and the Centre for Early Childhood have unveiled a compelling new film series that delves into the science of social and emotional growth in the earliest years of life.
Here’s a curated set of 20 child-centered art activity instructions designed to foster creativity, autonomy, and exploration. Each activity includes setup tips, educator role guidance, and EYLF/NQS links.
In many early childhood settings, art activities have unintentionally become routine tasks—structured, time-bound, and educator-led. Children are often called one by one to complete pre-set crafts, given step-by-step instructions, and quickly ushered away. This approach can lead to disengagement, low interest, and a missed opportunity to nurture creativity and emotional development.
Here’s a comprehensive Mobile Phone and Smart Watch Policy tailored for early childhood education and care (ECEC) services in Australia, aligned with the latest 2025 legislative reforms and National Quality Framework (NQF) updates.
Australia is facing a significant shortage in Outside School Hours Care (OSHC), leaving many families—particularly working mothers—struggling to balance employment and childcare responsibilities.
In a powerful reminder of the life-saving potential of educator vigilance, a Queensland early childhood teacher recently spotted a subtle anomaly in a child’s eye—leading to the diagnosis of a rare and aggressive cancer, retinoblastoma. Her instinct and attention to detail didn’t just raise a red flag. It saved a life.
Australia’s most iconic children’s program, Play School, has teamed up with Little Scientists to bring early childhood educators a vibrant suite of STEM experiments designed for children aged 2–8 years. This exciting collaboration aligns with Series 3 and 4 of Play School’s Science Time, offering hands-on learning experiences that explore everything from sound waves and slime to moon craters and solar energy.
As services prepare for upcoming assessment and rating, educators and leaders often seek clarity on what assessors typically observe, review, and discuss during visits. This article outlines common areas of focus, documentation requirements, and practical considerations to support services in demonstrating quality practice and compliance.
ACECQA has developed a set of free eLearning modules for educators in the early education and care sector. The National Quality Standard eLearning module provides information about the purpose and structure of the NQS, which includes seven quality areas that are key to achieving positive outcomes for children.
South Australia has become the first Australian state to implement a formal ban on mobile phones within early childhood services. The new regulation is designed to address concerns related to child safety, privacy, and professional conduct in early learning environments.
Early childhood education thrives on diversity. Multicultural teams bring rich perspectives, lived experiences, and linguistic variety that enhance learning environments for children and educators alike.
In this article, we explore how services can support respectful language use, address feelings of exclusion, and uphold the principles of the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) and National Quality Standard (NQS)—without compromising identity or connection.
