Articles

January offers a vibrant mix of cultural, playful, and reflective events that can inspire meaningful programming in early childhood settings. By weaving these celebrations into daily practice, educators can foster children’s curiosity, creativity, and sense of belonging. These activities provide…

The Children’s Services Award introduces a streamlined classification system and updated pay rates designed to better recognise the skills, qualifications, and responsibilities of early childhood educators. This is part of the Fair Work Commission’s gender-based undervaluation review, designed to properly…

As the festive season approaches and the calendar ticks down to Christmas, the air is filled with anticipation. For children, it’s the thrill of waiting for Santa, the sparkle of decorations, and the joy of shared traditions. For educators, it’s…

The end of the year is a busy and emotional time in early childhood services. Many services close for a short period over Christmas, and while this break can be a welcome pause, the rules around shutdowns can feel confusing…

Learning stories are more than documentation; they are narrative windows into a child’s thinking, identity, relationships, and growth. When written with warmth, clarity, and sector‑savvy language, learning stories become powerful tools for advocacy, family connection, and pedagogical reflection. They honour…

For years, burnout has been treated as an unavoidable part of early childhood education, a by product of caring deeply, working long hours, and navigating a system that often demands more than it gives. But this year, something changed. Educators…

Educator well-being has been one of the most urgent conversations in early childhood this year. For too long, wellbeing was treated as a “personal responsibility,” something educators were expected to manage on their own, often in the margins of already…

As 2026 winds down, educators across Australia are asking the same question they’ve been asking all year: Why haven’t ratios been addressed? Despite months of advocacy, countless submissions, and direct feedback from the floor, the issue remains untouched. Ratios, the…

For decades, “group time” has been treated as a non‑negotiable part of the early childhood day, a ritualised circle where children gather for songs, stories, and shared learning. But as educators become more attuned to children’s emotional needs, sensory profiles,…

If observations aren’t meant to be long, complicated, and constant, the next logical question is, why does the rest of the planning cycle feel so heavy? Just like observations, the planning cycle itself is not the workload. The National Quality…

As the year draws to a close, early childhood educators across the country find themselves in a familiar tension: the rush to finish documentation, complete assessments, and tie up loose ends—while simultaneously holding the emotional weight of transition, endings, and…

Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with everyone affected by the tragic events at Bondi. We hold close in our hearts those who have suffered loss, those who were injured, and all families and community members navigating shock, grief, or…