Articles

A: While stencils can sometimes support fine motor skills and tracing practice, the EYLF and NQS place a strong emphasis on child‑directed, open‑ended experiences that nurture creativity, agency, and authentic expression. This means the real issue isn’t whether stencils are…

A: The short answer: Yes, in most cases. While ACECQA requires practicums as part of qualifications, the rule that some hours must be completed outside the current workplace is usually enforced by training providers (TAFEs, RTOs, universities). This ensures diverse…

Morning group time sets the tone for the day in early childhood settings. For children aged 3–5, this is a golden opportunity to build belonging, strengthen language, nurture rhythm, and ease transitions into play and learning. A well‑designed group time…

The EYLF provides a foundation for quality early childhood education in Australia. At its heart are the five learning outcomes, which guide educators in supporting children’s holistic development. These outcomes—Identity, Community, Well-being, Learning, and Communication—are essential, but remembering them in…

Reflections are powerful tools for growth, learning, and connection. Whether used in education, professional practice, or personal journaling, a strong reflection goes beyond recounting events—it captures authentic experiences, explores emotions, and identifies lessons that shape future actions. This checklist is…

“Thank You for the Memories” is a beautifully crafted end‑of‑year portfolio template designed to help educators farewell each child with warmth, gratitude, and a lasting memento of their time in care. Simple yet deeply meaningful, this template captures the emotional…

Despite the overwhelming volume of documentation educators are expected to complete, the National Law and National Regulations do not require endless observations, daily learning stories, or long‑form essays about children’s learning. ACECQA’s own guidance for approved providers emphasises that documentation…

Early childhood education thrives on curiosity, exploration, and authentic engagement. David A. Kolb’s Experiential Learning Theory offers a powerful framework for understanding how young children learn through doing, reflecting, thinking, and trying again. Rather than viewing learning as a linear…

In early childhood settings across the country, you can walk into a room and instantly tell what kind of art culture lives there. Sometimes you see walls lined with identical paper plate animals, each one carefully guided by an adult…

In early childhood education, documentation is often framed as evidence or proof of learning, compliance, or curriculum alignment. But what if we reimagined it as a mirror? A tool that reflects not just cognitive milestones but emotional journeys, identity formation,…

Snapshots Of My Year is a thoughtfully designed template that helps educators document and celebrate a child’s growth through the lens of the EYLF learning outcomes. With its photo-rich format and reflective comment sections, it offers families a warm, visual…

In early childhood settings, emotional literacy is foundational to well-being, learning, and relationships. The free printable Feeling Check-In posters featuring clear visuals, child-friendly language, and actionable strategies offer educators a powerful way to support children in identifying, expressing, and managing…