Articles

In early childhood education, care is our currency. We pour it into children, families, documentation, and compliance—but how often do we pause to ask, “R U OK?” to the person beside us? R U OK? Day isn’t just a date…

In early childhood education and care, child safety is not just a number—it’s a practice. While educator-to-child ratios are essential, they are only one part of a broader obligation: ensuring adequate supervision at all times. Together, these two pillars—Regulation 122 …

Here are 5 gentle, emotionally intelligent, story-based resources designed to help young children understand body boundaries, safe adults, and protective behaviors.

Talking to young children about child protection is one of the most powerful ways to build their sense of safety, agency, and trust. It’s not about instilling fear—it’s about giving them language, confidence, and clarity to navigate their world. Here’s…

Safe language in documentation is more than just avoiding sensitive disclosures—it’s about writing in a way that protects children’s dignity, fosters trust with families, and upholds the professional integrity of educators. Here’s a guide to help you embed safe, respectful,…

Writing a group observation in early childhood education is both an art and a strategic tool—it captures collective learning while honoring individual voices. Here's a guide to help you craft meaningful, pedagogically sound group observations that align with the planning…

In the NSW and VIC early childhood sector, safeguarding children and ensuring accountability in service operations are paramount. But what happens when a complaint—particularly one involving alleged harm to a child—is investigated by the Department of Education and deemed “inconclusive,”…

“I was watching the rain because it made me feel calm. I didn’t want to talk; I just wanted to listen to the drops.” This simple statement carries more than imagination—it holds intention, emotion, and agency. This article is a…

In early childhood services across Australia, educators are often expected to stay beyond their rostered hours to complete tasks—cleaning, documentation, ratio coverage, or closing duties. But when this extra time goes unpaid, it’s not just unfair—it may be unlawful.

In early childhood education, two terms often surface in compliance conversations: active supervision and in ratio. While both are essential to child safety and regulatory integrity, they serve distinct purposes—and conflating them can lead to serious oversights in practice. Let’s…

When a child becomes violent in an early childhood setting, de-escalation isn’t just about calming the moment—it’s about protecting safety, preserving dignity, and responding to distress with relational intelligence. Here’s a trauma-informed, regulation-aligned guide to de-escalation strategies for violent behaviour…

A: Legally, yes—an educator is considered “in ratio” as long as they are physically present and supervising the required number of children according to the age-based ratios set by the National Quality Framework (NQF). But practically? That’s where the system…