Halloween is more than costumes and candy; it's a cultural moment that invites play, storytelling, and community connection. But beneath the surface, it also offers a rich opportunity for reflection. What are we celebrating, and how does it shape our values, identities, and relationships? Here’s a thoughtful set of critical reflection questions for families considering whether to celebrate Halloween, designed to support values-based decision-making, emotional safety, and inclusive dialogue.
A Brisbane childcare provider has been fined $12,500 after a five-year-old child was discovered crossing busy roads alone. The incident occurred on February 17, 2023, when the child exited through an emergency door that led to street level from the centre, which is located above a shopping complex.
In early childhood services, leadership is relational. Whether you're guiding a new educator or supporting a seasoned team member through change, knowing when to coach and when to mentor is essential. These approaches aren’t interchangeable; they serve different purposes, require different skills, and yield different outcomes. This cheat sheet helps leaders distinguish between coaching and mentoring, apply each effectively, and embed both into everyday practice.
In the fast-paced world, leadership isn’t just about compliance or curriculum; it’s about connection. One of the most powerful, yet often overlooked, tools in a leader’s toolkit is the humble check-in ritual. These moments of intentional pause can transform team dynamics, foster psychological safety, and embed a culture of care into the everyday rhythm of a service.
The following article provides 5 examples of risk assessments tailored for early childhood services, including Local Park Excursion, Art & Sensory Play, Loose Parts Construction Zone Risk Assessment, Fire Drill & Emergency Evacuation, and Dramatic Play with Costumes & Props, and more.
A: Under Regulations 101–102D, approved providers and educators must conduct risk assessments for activities that may pose risks to children’s health, safety, or well-being.
In the rhythm of early childhood, emotional storms are natural. Toddlers and preschoolers are still learning to navigate big feelings, and their expressions, whether tears, tantrums, or withdrawal, are often calls for connection, not correction. As educators, our role is to be the calm in their chaos, offering warmth, understanding, and safe spaces to feel. The following article explores emotionally intelligent strategies that educators can implement to support children during moments of overwhelm, with examples.
Grandparents Day, 26th October 2025, offers an opportunity to celebrate the wisdom, love, and cultural richness that grandparents bring into children's lives. In early childhood settings, this day can be transformed into a tapestry of shared experiences, gentle rituals, and joyful play—where children and elders connect through creativity, storytelling, and symbolic gestures.
A major childcare provider operating 18 centres across New South Wales has introduced a $20 fine for families who fail to follow prescribed drop-off and pick-up procedures. The move—framed as a compliance measure—has sparked widespread concern among families, educators, and advocates, especially given the provider’s recent scrutiny during a parliamentary inquiry into safety breaches.
National Children’s Week (18th - 26th October) is more than a calendar event—it’s a call to action. A reminder to pause, reflect, and truly listen to the voices of children. In early childhood settings, where play, learning, and relationships intertwine, this week offers a powerful opportunity to centre children’s rights, celebrate their contributions, and elevate their lived experiences.
Play isn’t just fun—it’s foundational. For children aged 3 to 5, games offer rich opportunities to build social skills, emotional regulation, motor coordination, and early literacy and numeracy. Whether you're refreshing your weekly program or designing a themed experience, here are some educator-approved game ideas that blend creativity, inclusion, and developmental intent.
“Every time a child runs into my arms like I’m their whole world—that’s when I know I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.”
In the rhythm of early childhood education, weekly programs often become the heartbeat of practice—a steady pulse of planned experiences, observations, and reflections. But what transforms a weekly plan from “meeting expectations” to “exceeding standards”? The answer lies not in the template, but in the texture of the program itself.
