Open-ended play activities are all about freedom, exploration, and creativity—especially powerful in early childhood settings where babies and toddlers are discovering the world through their senses and movement. Here’s a rich collection of examples tailored for babies (0–18 months), with variations to suit different developmental stages and settings.
Thanks to the new National Model Code and upcoming regulatory changes under the National Quality Framework (NQF), early childhood services across Australia must now implement robust policies for the taking, use, storage, and destruction of images and videos of children. Here's a sample policy template aligned with the latest updates, effective from 1 September 2025.
An NSW parliamentary inquiry has revealed that Little Zak's Academy, a prominent childcare provider, received over $2.9 million in state funding despite multiple breaches of child safety regulations across its centres.
A concerning case has emerged in Victoria where a worker, despite being blacklisted, continues to hold a valid Working with Children Check (WWCC). The situation has prompted swift action from the Victorian government, which is now seeking to revoke the clearance.
In early childhood education, the decision to defer a child’s school entry by a year is often framed as “staying back.” But educators across Australia are challenging this language, advocating instead for a strengths-based perspective: sending children when they are developmentally ready.
A: Employers must give at least 7 days’ notice for changes to rosters, including meeting times. If the meeting is compulsory, it must be paid.
This reflection guide is designed to support educators in rethinking school readiness through a holistic, child-centered lens. It encourages dialogue, challenges assumptions, and strengthens programming that honours each child’s unique journey.
The Connection Schema is a cognitive play pattern where children explore how things join, fasten, and separate.
Dear Supporters,
Thank you for continuing to stand with us in the call to close the “Under the Roof” loophole in early childhood staffing ratios. Your voices have helped bring national attention to a regulatory gap that affects child safety, educator wellbeing, and sector integrity.
A landmark investigation aired by 7NEWS has triggered sweeping reforms across the childcare sector, with the NSW Premier announcing tougher penalties and new transparency requirements in response to widespread breaches of safety and compliance standards.
Here’s a comprehensive guide on How to Approach School Readiness Planning for Preschoolers, grounded in evidence from ACECQA, the National Quality Standard (NQS), and the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF V2.0).
Father’s Day is on the 7th of September 2025; it's time to start thinking of gifts from babies that can be meaningful, practical, and developmentally appropriate—without relying on the usual hand or foot prints. Here are 50 inspired DIY Father's Day gift ideas for babies.
