Managing behaviour in Out of School Hours (OOSH) care can feel overwhelming when children test boundaries, show disrespect, or escalate into physical conflict. Educators often find themselves stuck between documenting incidents and wondering what real impact those reports have. The truth is, effective behaviour management isn’t about endless paperwork—it’s about creating a consistent, responsive environment where children understand expectations, experience logical consequences, and feel supported to repair harm. This article offers practical strategies and policy anchors that move beyond “reporting only” and into approaches that actually work in the OOSH setting.

Stimming refers to repetitive movements, sounds, or actions that people use to regulate emotions, manage sensory input, or express themselves. While it’s often associated with autism and ADHD, everyone engages in some form of stimming (like tapping a foot or twirling hair). In early childhood settings, educators frequently observe stimming behaviors and wonder how best to respond. The key is to recognize stimming as a natural form of self-regulation and support it in safe, respectful ways.

In OSHC, language plays a powerful role in shaping the culture of the environment. Inappropriate language and swearing can undermine respect, safety, and inclusivity. Educators often face the challenge of balancing children’s freedom of expression with the need to maintain a positive, professional atmosphere.

Supporting children in OSHC with regulation techniques means creating safe, predictable environments and teaching strategies that help them manage emotions, behaviour, and social interactions. The most effective approaches combine self-regulation, co-regulation, and environmental adjustments tailored to children’s needs.

In early childhood education, behaviour is often misinterpreted as something to be “managed” or “corrected.” But behaviour is not simply behavior; it is communication. Every cry, tantrum, refusal, or withdrawal is a message about what a child needs.

When educators shift their perspective from compliance to attunement, they begin to see behaviour as a window into the child’s inner world. This approach allows educators to respond with empathy, meet developmental needs, and create environments where children feel safe, respected, and empowered.

Neurodivergence refers to natural variations in how brains process information, emotions, and social interactions. In early childhood, this may include children with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, or other neurological differences.

In early childhood education, behaviour is never just “bad” it’s a message. Whether it’s a child struggling with transitions, sensory overload, or unmet emotional needs, the role of educators is to respond with curiosity, compassion, and consistency. But educators can’t do it alone. Behavioural support must be systemic, accessible, and grounded in both child development and educator well-being. Across Australia, a range of behavioural support pathways exist to help services respond to challenging behaviours while upholding inclusion, safety, and dignity for all.

Early childhood educators are entrusted with the profound responsibility of nurturing and protecting young children. Yet, many educators face daily challenges when children exhibit violent behaviours like biting, hitting, scratching, or verbal aggression. While child protection is paramount, the rights and well-being of educators must also be safeguarded.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects a child’s ability to regulate attention, impulses, and activity levels. In early childhood settings, ADHD may present as difficulty sitting still, following instructions, transitioning between tasks, or managing emotions. With the following key strategies, educators can create environments that support learning, emotional regulation, and social development.

This foundation course is a 2-part series, provided by Early Childhood Australia, that develops an understanding of the meaning of children’s behavior, which will in turn support educators in developing strategies and teaching techniques unique for each individual child, with the overall aim of empowering children to take control.