In early childhood education, we work at the intersection of family values, children’s rights, and professional obligations. Most days, these elements align beautifully. But sometimes, they collide, and one of the most challenging situations arises when a family requests that their child not participate in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural activities or learning.

This article unpacks how educators can navigate this respectfully, confidently, and in line with the EYLF and NQS with practical examples you can use immediately.

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: Children have a strong sense of identity- specifically Outcome 1. 2: Children develop their emerging autonomy, interdependence, resilience, and sense of agency.

When educators intentionally design environments, routines, and interactions that honour children’s choices and efforts, agency becomes visible, meaningful, and empowering.

Discover how to nurture children’s agency across babies, toddlers, and preschoolers with practical strategies, autonomy‑supportive language, and EYLF‑aligned documentation tips for early childhood educators.

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 published a routine #funfactfriday post. The post itself was simple and familiar. ACECQA shared a link to one of their infographics, saying, "Did You Know... ACECQA Does Not Conduct Assessment and Rating Visits? 

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 recent years, this once‑simple gesture has become more complicated. Rising living costs, shifting expectations, and concerns about equity have prompted many educators and leaders to ask an important question:

Are end‑of‑year gifts still a kind tradition, or have they become an unnecessary pressure for families and staff?

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 destabilising experiences is working under a leader who lies. When a deputy manager or senior educator fabricates information about children, families, or staff, it creates a workplace where trust collapses and psychological safety disappears.

This article explores why this behaviour is so harmful, how it impacts educators, and what practical steps you can take to protect yourself, uphold your professionalism, and make informed decisions about your future.

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 early childhood education, staff wellbeing is critical, but frequent sick leave can create real challenges. Absences affect ratios, compliance, and team morale, often leaving colleagues stretched thin. Leaders must balance compassion for the individual with fairness to the team.

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.

In late 2024, the Australian Government announced a 15% wage increase for early childhood educators. The so‑called “15% grant” is actually a government‑funded wage subsidy that delivers a 15% pay rise for early childhood educators. Services must apply for the funding, agree to fee‑cap conditions, and pass the increase directly to staff. Once the grant period ends, services lose the subsidy and must sustain wages through normal operations.

Resigning from a role in early childhood education is a natural part of career progression. Whether you’re moving on to new opportunities, prioritising wellbeing, or navigating personal changes, it’s important to resign with clarity, professionalism, and dignity. This guide outlines notice periods, signs it may be time to leave, what to say, how to write a resignation letter, and strategies for managing difficult situations.