After some distressing and regrettable incidents in early childhood services in Queensland, many parents think that the sign-in and sign-out process in childcare services should be reassessed, more tough and strong so further incidents can be avoided.

From the 27th of May, 2022 to the 3rd of June, we celebrate Reconciliation Week, Connecting The Dots Through Culture has developed the Sea Of Hearts Challenge.

With the Labor Party winning the 2022 Federal Election, the early childhood and care (ECEC) sector in Australia looks poised for a shot in the arm, as much in terms of aid and restructuring as affordability for families. ECEC was a central element of Mr Albanese’s policy agenda in the run-up to the election and will remain central to overall policy within the portfolio of Amanda Rishworth MP, the longtime Shadow Minister for Early Childhood Education and Development. The following article details the newly-elected government’s proposed policies for the ECEC sector and what impact they may have in the short, medium and long term. 

Researchers in Melbourne have identified a novel medication that can put some children's peanut allergies to rest.

The Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne stated that flu cases for children increased by 500 per cent in the last two weeks, from 16 in the entire month of March to 120 in the last two weeks alone.

In NSW, nominated supervisors and persons in day-to-day charge must complete a child protection course required by a Government protocol applying to the approved provider in accordance with section 162A of the Children (Education and Care Services) National Law. In-house training is not sufficient.

Citipointe Childcare has been recently fined $18,000 for an incident that happened on 22nd April 2021 when a 21-month-old child went missing after a bushland excursion.

It has been reported that earlier this week, a two-year-old girl has been found to roam around alone outside her childcare centre in Melbourne’s west. The toddler managed to escape her centre allegedly through an unlocked door. 

The scholarships provide financial assistance to scholars who intend to be or who are employed in NSW early childhood education services. Scholarships of up to $20,000 each will be offered to those commencing or completing a bachelor-level early childhood teaching degree. This degree can be studied at universities or other vocational education and training providers (e.g. TAFE).

Australia’s largest early childhood education and care provider, Goodstart Early Learning, has decided to provide different support services including speech therapy, occupational therapy, and child and family practitioner support, to more of its centres using NDIS funding.