As we head towards another 26 January, the request to ‘change the date’ is still being hotly debated. Many early education services now choose not to celebrate a day that is a source of pain to many in our Indigenous population. However, others wonder if there’s still a way to acknowledge or approach the day […]
Be You Consultants Nikki Edwards and Tanya Burr share why educator self-care is so important and how you can start the conversation at your service. Why self-care is so important for educators working with young children and families The work that educators do draws on so much of who they are as a person. There […]
Dinosaurs are a popular topic for children of all ages. These incredible creatures spark children’s imagination and curiosity, and they offer endless learning opportunities. We speak to Fiona Brell of the Australian Museum about what makes them a great teaching tool and provide 6 ideas for dinosaur play to inspire you. When children follow their […]
Where do early childhood education services put their focus when it comes to improving quality? What are the differentiating factors between a service that is Meeting vs Exceeding standards? These are the types of questions that sparked ACECQA to commission a research study that looks at the characteristics and drivers of quality improvement in long […]
How many breaks should you have during your day at work? What pay rate should you be on? Do you need to stay back for meetings that are outside of rostered time and should you be paid for them? It’s important for your mental and physical wellbeing that you know your entitlements at work and […]
While our minds have been focused on COVID for the majority of this year, images of last summer’s bushfires ravaging landscapes through NSW, ACT, Queensland, South Australia and Victoria have not been forgotten. Many parts of Australia have received significantly higher rainfall this year and the ground is not as dry as it was last […]
Early education workforce shortages are increasing across Australia, exacerbated by the effects of COVID-19. Many overseas-born early childhood educators returned to their home countries this year and may not be back, while many early childhood education students have had their graduations delayed as they have been unable to undertake placements this year. New approaches will […]
After an unpredictable and stressful year, we all deserve a party. Unfortunately, planning festive celebrations and graduations this year may come with a few added complications due to the ever-shifting sands of COVID-related social restrictions. Celebrations will be more important than ever this year — for children and educators. We share some ideas to kick […]
Working in early education and care is an incredibly rewarding job, but the role can come with numerous challenges. This is especially true for educators in charge of children presenting with trauma, self-regulation and behavioural issues, or from challenging home environments. At times it can feel like you’ve tried everything you know of to try to […]
In the lead-up to welcoming children back or embracing new infants and children into services in 2021, it is a timely reminder of the importance of ensuring that your service is ready to implement safe sleep and settling practices. Cindy Davenport, Director of Safe Sleep Space/Sleep Smart shares vital tips for understanding sleep in infants […]
