Amplify! Blog

The topic of observations is a familiar one in the early childhood sector, especially as educators juggle increasing work pressures and ongoing conversations about documentation and paperwork.

This article steps into that discussion to clarify what the framework actually requires and to refocus attention on the purpose and value of documentation, rather than the pressure of meeting a number.

For more than five years, children at Koala Child Care Centre have welcomed visitors from a local retirement village, forging meaningful intergenerational relationships. Through shared experiences, the children learn empathy, respect, and social connection, while the seniors enjoy purpose, engagement, and community. 

When two Engadine Preschool educators couldn’t find an age-appropriate sustainability book, they created one, inviting children to lead the way with curiosity and colourful illustrations. Now published in collaboration with Keep Australia Beautiful NSW, their story is inspiring children, educators and families to protect their local waterways.

With the ocean within walking distance, children at Redhead Community Preschool were the first in their region to take part in a new beach kindy program that turns each fortnight into a coastal exploration. Discover a story of place-based pedagogy shaped by marine life, local heritage, and a community deeply connected to its environment. 

For many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander educators working in western-led organisations, their work extends far beyond formal job descriptions to include unspoken and often unrecognised cultural expectations.

CELA cultural consultant Lisa Walker explains why this emotional and cultural burden is not about culture itself, but about the ongoing impacts of colonial systems and assumptions. She explores what needs to shift, the responsibility non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations must carry, and why genuine cultural responsiveness is essential.

CELA CEO Michele Carnegie recently delivered the closing address at ACECQA’s National Workforce Forum, reflecting on two days of discussion about what it will take to build a sustainable, high quality early education and care system.

Find out what she said about why a stable, skilled, and valued workforce is the foundation for quality, and what needs to happen next to keep educators in the sector.

What is the secret to unlocking performance, boosting morale, and attracting the best talent to early childhood education? For Elena Zdravkoski, Director of Operations at Shire Child Care Centres, it’s all about building an uncompromising professional identity. She reveals how a deliberate focus on mentorship, high standards, and powerful language have ignited fierce pride in staff and created a positive ripple effect in the community. 

Critical reflection is more than looking back. It is a collaborative, equity-focused process that helps educators challenge assumptions, listen deeply to children and families, and make informed changes that strengthen practice.

Meg Anastasi unpacks what critical reflection means in the context of everyday practice and shares practical questions and models to guide your thinking, exploring real examples, from navigating complex play to reimagining end of year celebrations through children’s agency and wellbeing.

Educators know that play is the ‘work of childhood’ and the foundation of learning. But how do you protect this vital experience when faced with documentation demands and safety anxieties?

Educational Leader Kate Montiglio explores the notion of custodianship and why it is so important that unstructured, imaginative, and exploratory play is protected and celebrated.

Qualified and capable educators are essential for providing quality early childhood education and care. But verifying the qualifications of potential and current team members can be tricky. 

We provide an essential guide for directors and staff who need to navigate international credentials and Registered Training Organisation (RTO) qualifications.