Jobs and Skills Summit Reflections

Jobs and Skills Summit Reflections

It was a privilege to attend the Jobs and Skills Summit in Canberra earlier this month, which hosted 142 delegates, including members of National Cabinet, the state and territory premiers and chief ministers, industry groups, unions, employers,…
The voice of educators: Exhausted but hopeful

The voice of educators: Exhausted but hopeful

Early Childhood Australia (ECA) was invited to participate in the federal government’s Jobs and Skills Summit in Canberra from 1–2 September 2022 to represent the early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector. Ahead of the summit, we…
All children need heroes

All children need heroes

Child abuse and neglect reporting is challenging. No doubt about it.  Challenging. The factors that make it challenging are very complex.   Factors that influence professionals’ reporting practice can be personal and professional.…
Play in the Home: Why it’s essential for early childhood development

Play in the Home: Why it’s essential for early childhood development

This article appeared in Every Child magazine Vol. 28, No.2, 2022  The home offers rich and authentic opportunities for play-based learning, Joanne Grimmond observes. Children’s formative experiences of play in the home lay the foundation…
Block play as an enduring, powerful toy

Block play as an enduring, powerful toy

Associate Professor Kym Simoncini shares research and findings ahead of her masterclass ‘STEM in the early years: We can all do STEM’ at the ECA National Conference from 5-8 October 2022.  If you’re interested in seeing Kym present…
Bush kinder program: taking the classroom and learning outside

Bush kinder program: taking the classroom and learning outside

Imagine walking through your local nature trail and seeing a group of kindergarten children playing and exploring. Some are climbing a tree and playfully hanging on a branch. Some are jumping in puddles and splashing muddy water all over themselves.…
ECA Communities of Practice: A unique learning experience

ECA Communities of Practice: A unique learning experience

A Community of Practice (CoP) is best defined as a space for individuals to interact and learn from one another in partnership with an understanding of sharing knowledge. Engaging in a CoP will allow you to not only deepen your knowledge on…
Preparing children for 21st century success (part two)

Preparing children for 21st century success (part two)

In part two of this blog series, we ask Dr Laura Jana about preparing children for success in the 21st century and what her hopes are for her keynote address at the upcoming ECA National Conference in October. If you missed part one, you can…
Preparing children for 21st century success: seven key skills

Preparing children for 21st century success: seven key skills

Internationally recognised paediatrician, author and social entrepreneur Dr Laura Jana says early childhood is everybody’s business. She is on a mission to change the paradigm and the public conversation about the skills needed for success…
Child Information Sharing: Promoting wellbeing and safety through collaboration

Child Information Sharing: Promoting wellbeing and safety through collaboration

Early Childhood Australia (ECA) is working to inform the Victorian early childhood education and care sector about the Child Information Sharing Scheme (CISS)—to promote the wellbeing and safety of children. This blog explains the CISS…
Children becoming safe and active agents

Children becoming safe and active agents

Engaging children in a conversation on active supervision Active supervision of children is an integral part of quality early childhood education and care. Educators fulfil their essential ethical and professional responsibilities to…
Language and learning in early learning settings

Language and learning in early learning settings

English is not the first language of many families in Australia, with 21% of Australians speaking a language other than English at home (ABS, 2017). Today, Australia is one of the top 10 countries in the world where the most languages are spoken…