Early childhood educators and advocates have welcomed a sweeping $189 million reform package unveiled by federal, state, and territory education ministers, which includes a long-awaited review of staffing ratios and regulatory loopholes. Among the most significant developments is the decision to examine the controversial “under the roof” ratio—a practice that has long drawn criticism for compromising child safety and supervision.
In a landmark move to strengthen child safety in early learning environments, the Australian government has announced a national trial of CCTV cameras across up to 300 childcare centres. The initiative, endorsed by federal, state, and territory education ministers, is set to begin in October or November 2025.
A recent parliamentary hearing has revealed troubling details about a Newcastle childcare centre, raising serious concerns about regulatory transparency and child safety in New South Wales. The case has sparked renewed calls for reform in how compliance breaches are reported and addressed across the early childhood education sector.
In early childhood settings, food safety isn’t just a regulatory checkbox—it’s a daily responsibility tied to children’s wellbeing. Whether you're preparing snacks, managing mealtimes, or supporting nutrition education, having a valid food handling certificate is essential. This guide consolidates the most widely recommended options from sector peers across Australia, saving you time and stress.
In early childhood education across Australia, the question of whether educators can refuse to work alone is no longer hypothetical—it’s urgent. With rising behavioural complexities, mounting workloads, and increasing safety concerns, educators are asking, "Do I have the right to say no?" The answer is layered, but powerful: Yes, you do have a leg to stand on. And it’s time we stood together.
More than two decades after the abduction and murder of 13-year-old Daniel Morcombe, Queensland has introduced landmark legislation aimed at strengthening child protection. Known as Daniel’s Law, the new bill establishes a public child sex offender registry, allowing families and communities to access critical safety information.
Father’s Day offers a chance to celebrate love, care, and connection—but for children without fathers, it can also be a sensitive time. In early childhood settings, educators have a responsibility to ensure that celebrations are inclusive, emotionally safe, and reflective of diverse family structures.
Across the early childhood education and care sector, educators are sounding the alarm: current staffing ratios are insufficient to deliver safe, meaningful, and developmentally appropriate care. While recent reforms have focused on mobile phone bans and child safety protocols, many in the sector argue that these measures overlook a deeper structural issue—chronic understaffing driven by profit-based ratio models.
As national reforms tighten mobile phone use in early childhood education and care (ECEC) settings across Australia, educators are asking, "Why not apply similar protections in primary and secondary schools?"
Victoria is introducing urgent legislative reforms to strengthen child safety protections by enabling the immediate suspension of Working With Children Checks (WWCCs) for individuals under reassessment for cancellation.
Victoria is set to overhaul its child safety framework, with new legislation fast-tracked through Parliament to address systemic gaps in the Working With Children Check (WWCC) process.
Celebrating Early Childhood Educators Day is a beautiful opportunity to honour the heart and soul of early learning—those who nurture, guide, and inspire our youngest citizens. Here are some meaningful, creative, and sector-savvy ways to mark the occasion.
Using blurbs with wall displays in early childhood settings offers a powerful blend of pedagogical value, family engagement, and professional reflection. The following provides blurbs for a variety of activities. Each one is designed to celebrate children's learning, link to EYLF outcomes, and bring warmth and meaning to your wall displays.
