A: No, you don’t have to include theorists in every piece of documentation, but referencing them can deepen your practice, especially when aligned with EYLF V2.0 and the National Quality Standard.
A: In early childhood education, programming isn’t just about planning activities—it’s about tuning into children’s rhythms, honouring their voices, and creating emotionally safe, meaningful learning journeys. One of the most common questions is:
“Should I plan daily or weekly?"
The truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, and that’s a good thing. Your approach will depend on your service’s philosophy, your room’s energy, and the unique needs of your children and team.
This guide breaks down the difference between weekly and daily programming styles, with practical examples, reflective prompts, and flexible options to help you find your rhythm—or co-create one that evolves with your context.
A: Intentional teaching means teaching with a clear purpose. It’s about making thoughtful decisions to help children learn in meaningful ways. At its core, intentional teaching means teaching with a clear purpose. It’s the art of knowing when to step in, when to step back, and how to co-construct learning that is meaningful, inclusive, and connected to each child’s world.
The EYLF practices are more than guiding principles; they’re invitations to co-create vibrant, inclusive, and emotionally safe learning environments. Whether you're nurturing infants, engaging toddlers, or scaffolding preschoolers’ agency, these strategies help bring the EYLF to life in ways that feel authentic, responsive, and restorative.
Each practice below includes:
Summative assessments are more than end-point reflections—they’re storytelling tools that honour each child’s journey. They help educators celebrate growth, identify emerging skills, and co-plan intentional next steps. This guide is designed for quick glances during documentation, team huddles, or family meetings, keeping your language strengths-based, specific, and emotionally resonant.
Use it to:
In the fast-paced world of education, professional growth can feel like a moving target. Between compliance demands, curriculum shifts, and the emotional labour of teaching, it’s easy to lose sight of your own development. That’s where SMART goals come in—offering a structured, achievable way to grow with purpose.
Critical reflection is more than a checkbox on a compliance form—it’s a powerful tool for growth, insight, and transformation in educational practice. Yet for many educators, it can feel abstract, time-consuming, or overly complex. This article breaks down critical reflection into accessible steps, offering tools and prompts that make it both meaningful and manageable.
A documentation wall is a powerful visual tool used in early childhood settings to showcase children's learning, educator reflections, and connections to curriculum frameworks like the EYLF. It transforms everyday observations into a living, evolving story of growth, identity, and inquiry.
A: While photos can enrich documentation by capturing moments visually, many observations are just as powerful when conveyed through thoughtful narrative, voice transcripts, symbolic sketches, or emotionally intelligent reflection.
Halloween is more than costumes and candy; it's a cultural moment that invites play, storytelling, and community connection. But beneath the surface, it also offers a rich opportunity for reflection. What are we celebrating, and how does it shape our values, identities, and relationships? Here’s a thoughtful set of critical reflection questions for families considering whether to celebrate Halloween, designed to support values-based decision-making, emotional safety, and inclusive dialogue.
