Understanding resilience: adversity, supports and skills

What Surrounds Us Shapes Us: Brain Building in the Early Years

This week, as part of Brain Awareness Week, we celebrate the science of how brains grow, learn and adapt throughout life. One of the most powerful insights from neuroscience is simple but profound: children’s brains are shaped by what surrounds…
Quality and safety in ECEC—what does ROGS really say Hint it isn’t what you read in some media reports…

Quality and safety in ECEC—what does ROGS really say? Hint: it isn’t what you read in some media reports…

For data nerds in the early childhood sector, ‘ROGS Day’ is a big thing. This year, the Productivity Commission’s Report on Government Services (ROGS) chapter on early childhood education and care (ECEC) was published on 10 February.…
Young children are little engineers (and why that matters)

Young children are little engineers (and why that matters)

Did you know that when a child pulls on a blanket to bring a toy within reach, tests different ways to make their cars go faster down a ramp, or figures out how to transport water across the sandpit without spilling it, they’re actually demonstrating…
Steph Hodgins-May

Early Learning Matters Week Wrap Up Event—Address

Senator Steph Hodgins-May Australian Greens Spokesperson for Early Childhood Education Senator for Victoria Early Childhood Australia is grateful to Senator Steph Hodgins-May, Australian Greens Spokesperson for Early Childhood Education…
Policy and Advocacy Facebook

Early Learning Matters Week Wrap Up Event—Address

Senator the Hon Dr Jess Walsh  Minister for Early Childhood Education Minister for Youth Labor Senator for Victoria Senator the Hon Dr Jess Walsh, Federal Minister for Early Childhood Education, delivered an address at the Early…
Policy and Advocacy - Facebook

Early Learning Matters Week Wrap Up Event—Address

Zoe McKenzie MP  Shadow Assistant Minister for Education and Early Learning Shadow Assistant Minister for Mental Health Federal Member for Flinders Early Childhood Australia is grateful to Zoe McKenzie MP, Shadow Assistant Minister…
Policy in action: Elevating children’s voices at Gowrie Victoria

Policy in action: Elevating children’s voices at Gowrie Victoria

Recent events concerning young children’s safety and wellbeing in Australian early childhood education and care (ECEC) services have raised important questions about how we engage children and hear their voices. Actively involving children…
Opinion Editorial – Early Childhood Education and Care

Opinion Editorial – Early Childhood Education and Care

As the CEO of the leading national peak body dedicated to the best interests of young children, the focus on early childhood education and care (ECEC) in this election is very welcome.  To hear the Prime Minister say during the recent leaders’…
Gen-AI in early childhood education: Navigating a not-so-new frontier?

Gen-AI in early childhood education: Navigating a not-so-new frontier?

Have you had that experience where a colleague shares a topical link, and the group chat goes wild? Constructive and rich discussion filled with critical reflection follows and then slowly it fizzles out, lost to the group chat ether forever.…
‘Stretched time’ in early childhood education and care

‘Stretched time’ in early childhood education and care

Sometimes a question can stay with you: ‘Are we making the best use of children’s time?’ This was Chloe Kerr1’s question after an In Service day in Shetland last year about slow pedagogies. Chloe’s question is key to reconsidering…
Responsive language: Alternative language with real life situations

Responsive language: Alternative language with real life situations

The words we use daily with children matter. How we communicate and the words we use with children has a great effect on the relationships we build with them. UNICEF (n.d.) explains that ‘Every interaction you have with your child is a form…
Kate Reading to Kindy Children

Why I will always choose to teach in early childhood

Recently I was asked to speak at a career expo for pre-service early childhood teachers preparing to transition to the field. I guess the universe heard me loud and clear when I said I was ready to say ‘yes’ to new challenges and things…