Articles

The following Biting Policy Example tailored for early childhood education and care (ECEC) services in Australia, drawing on best practice from ACECQA, Child Australia, and service-level procedures.

The transition from preschool to kindergarten isn’t just academic—it’s deeply social. As children move from parallel play to collaborative learning, they begin to form friendships, navigate conflict, and express their unique identities. These social and personal skills are the bedrock…

Rainy days can stir up big energy in little bodies. When outdoor play isn’t an option, indoor environments need to flex—offering sensory-rich, emotionally intelligent experiences that soothe, engage, and inspire. Here are 20 educator-approved activities to transform stormy skies into…

Toxic environments in early learning services can manifest as gossip, micromanagement, inconsistent policies, emotional invalidation, or even bullying. These psychosocial hazards are not just unpleasant—they’re legally and ethically significant under Work Health and Safety laws.

In a busy early learning room, nestled between a soft rug and a basket of sensory tools, something quietly revolutionary was unfolding. It wasn’t a new curriculum or a flashy resource—it was a space. A space designed not for punishment,…

Here’s a cheat sheet for Quality Area 6: Collaborative Partnerships with Families and Communities from the NQS. This cheat sheet includes each standard, its elements, and practical examples tailored for early childhood settings.

Here’s a curated list of simple, quick, and tasty vegetarian recipes designed with young children in mind—perfect for early learning settings or family meals. These recipes balance nutrition, sensory appeal, and ease of preparation, with options that support cultural inclusion…

Over the past decade, many educators have observed a troubling trend: biting, pushing, and other aggressive behaviours among toddlers are increasingly normalized as developmental inevitabilities. While it’s true that young children often lack the verbal tools to express frustration or…

Here's a practical Quality Area 5 Cheat Sheet that includes key standards, element breakdowns, and real-world examples that reflect emotionally intelligent, trauma-informed, and child-centered practice. This area focuses on building secure, respectful, and reciprocal relationships that support children’s wellbeing, belonging,…

Here's a breakdown of Exceeding Theme 3: Meaningful Engagement with Families and/or the Community across Quality Areas 1 to 7, tailored to your advocacy lens. This theme is all about co-constructing practice with families and communities—ensuring their voices shape decisions,…

Pedagogy in early childhood isn’t just about teaching—it’s about how we nurture, guide, and co-construct learning with our youngest citizens. It’s the heartbeat of early education, where relationships, play, and emotional safety shape every moment.

In early childhood settings, educators often face a subtle but powerful choice: should learning focus on the process or the product? While both approaches have their place, understanding the distinction can transform how we nurture creativity, independence, and critical thinking…