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Using Floorbooks With Children In Early Childhood

Using Floorbooks With Children In Early Childhood

Floorbook is a documentation approach that uses a large book with blank pages for children to record different aspects of their learning in small groups or as a whole group. The following article provides information on the Features Of A…
Upcycled Gardens for Children Photo Ideas

Upcycled Gardens for Children Photo Ideas

Children’s gardens are more than just spaces for growing plants—they are living classrooms where curiosity, responsibility, and creativity flourish. By weaving upcycling into these gardens, educators can transform everyday discarded items into vibrant, functional learning tools. This approach not only…
Messy Play: Why Dirt Is Proof of Learning

Messy Play: Why Dirt Is Proof of Learning

Many parents feel uneasy when their child comes home from nursery with paint on their sleeves, mud on their shoes, or sand in their hair. Yet, as Annette Rawstrone explains, these signs of “mess” are actually proof that children have…
Crafting Meaningful Family Newsletters in Early Childhood Services

Crafting Meaningful Family Newsletters in Early Childhood Services

Family newsletters are more than just updates; they are a bridge between the centre and the home, fostering trust, transparency, and community connection. When thoughtfully designed, they can strengthen relationships with families while reinforcing the service’s philosophy and values.
Following Children’s Interests Into Early Writing

Following Children’s Interests Into Early Writing

 In early childhood, literacy learning is most powerful when it grows from children’s natural curiosity. While handwriting and tracing are often seen as “formal” skills, they can be introduced in ways that honour children’s interests, build fine motor strength, and…
Supporting Children’s Self-Serving During Meal and Snack Times Photo Ideas

Supporting Children’s Self-Serving During Meal and Snack Times Photo Ideas

Encouraging children to self-serve food and drinks during mealtimes is more than just a practical routine, it’s a powerful pedagogical strategy that builds independence, confidence, and healthy habits.
Understanding the Wage Increase and Retention Payment

Understanding the Wage Increase and Retention Payment

From 1 March 2026, the Fair Work Commission has officially increased wages under the Children’s Services Award. This decision came after a review into gender‑based undervaluation, meaning educators’ work is now recognised as more valuable and fairly paid. At the…
Comforting Children in OSHC: Navigating Physical Contact Under New Safeguarding Laws

Comforting Children in OSHC: Navigating Physical Contact Under New Safeguarding Laws

OSHC educators play a vital role in supporting children’s well-being during transitions, play, and rest. With new child safety reforms under the National Quality Framework (NQF) coming into effect from September 2025 and January 2026, services are required to adopt…
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Displays Photo Ideas

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Displays Photo Ideas

Creating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander displays in early childhood education (ECE) settings is about more than decoration—it’s about embedding cultural respect, identity, and belonging into the learning environment. Here are some practical and meaningful approaches.
Opinion: The End of “Under-the-Roofline” Ratios — Or Just the End of Their Misuse?

Opinion: The End of “Under-the-Roofline” Ratios — Or Just the End of Their Misuse?

Education Minister Jess Walsh has announced today that the government is banning the unsafe business practice of misuse of “under-the-roofline” ratios. For many educators, this statement feels like a long-awaited victory. Yet the choice of wording — misuse — leaves…
Understanding Your New Classification Level in the Children’s Services Award From 2026

Understanding Your New Classification Level in the Children’s Services Award From 2026

From 2026, every educator covered by the Children’s Services Award will move into a new, simplified classification structure. Instead of navigating 30 different levels, educators will transition into one of eight new Children's Services Employee (CSE) levels based on their…
Indoor Sand Play Photo Ideas

Indoor Sand Play Photo Ideas

Indoor sand play is a sensory-rich, imaginative activity where children explore sand in contained environments such as trays, tubs, or sand tables. It offers opportunities for creativity, problem-solving, and emotional regulation while minimizing the mess of outdoor sandpits.
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