Articles

Pattern blocks are a classic early childhood resource, and the Christmas Pattern Block Mats add a joyful seasonal twist that children absolutely love. These printables invite children to create festive images using standard pattern blocks, supporting spatial reasoning, problem‑solving, and…

Building secure, trusting relationships is the heart of early childhood education, and EYLF Outcome 1.1 places this at the centre of children’s learning and well-being. Before children can explore, communicate, or engage confidently with others, they must first feel safe,…

Linking to the EYLF is one of the most misunderstood parts of early childhood documentation. Many educators feel pressured to attach outcome numbers to every observation, photo, or program entry even though this is not required by the National Regulations,…

Children are not passive recipients of care. From birth, they express preferences, make decisions, and influence their world. In early childhood education, agency is both a right and a developmental necessity. EYLF positions the agency as central to Outcome 1:…

Embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives is a core part of high‑quality early childhood education. But occasionally, families may express uncertainty or request that their child not participate in these experiences. This is a practical guide for early childhood…

Work Health and Safety (WHS) is a core pillar of quality practice in early childhood education and care. With children, families, educators, and visitors moving through the environment every day, services must maintain safe, well‑managed spaces and strong risk‑prevention systems.…

In early childhood education, timing shapes interpretation. A message that would normally pass quietly through the sector can suddenly feel loaded when educators are already carrying frustration, fatigue, and a sense of being unheard. That’s exactly what happened when ACECQA…

As the year draws to a close, many early childhood services find themselves navigating the familiar tradition of end‑of‑year gifting. Families want to show appreciation, educators want to be gracious, and services try to balance gratitude with fairness. But in…

Starting in a new early childhood setting should feel hopeful, energising, and full of possibility. Instead, some educators walk into environments where the culture is already fractured, where misinformation, inconsistency, and unprofessional behaviour have been normalised. One of the most…

The following is a directory for NSW early learning services that can access a variety of free incursions that enrich children’s learning.

If an employee is frequently calling in sick, balance empathy with accountability. Support them by exploring underlying causes, offering flexible arrangements, and connecting them to resources, while also protecting team morale by redistributing workload fairly and setting clear expectations. In…

Unfair dismissal can feel overwhelming, but knowing the process helps you take action with confidence. The Fair Work Commission (FWC) is the national workplace relations tribunal that deals with these claims. Here’s a clear roadmap.