Cole is a rarity in his chosen field

Cole is a rarity in his chosen field

Cole Oakes is a recent graduate who shares his story as a male, in the early childhood education and care sector (ECEC) and encourages other males who are passionate about early childhood education to be a part of a fulfilling role. Cole also…
Educators and researchers making a difference together

Sparking knowledge: Educators and researchers making a difference together

Ever been asked to participate in a survey or study about early childhood and found yourself making excuses not to do it? You’re busy, right? It’s just another thing. But before placing that invitation in the bin, pause. It could be a chance…
A Provocation: Room for a view? Knowing your values, parking your biases

A Provocation: Room for a view? Knowing your values, parking your biases

In this blog, ANNE STONEHOUSE reflects on the balance between the personal and the shared; between an early childhood leader’s openness to new ideas and certainty about their own values. At the 2019 ECA National Conference in Hobart,…
Leading the future of early childhood education

Leading the future of early childhood education

LEANNE GIBBS is widely known and respected for her clarity and insights on leadership in early childhood. Her masterclass—Growing great leadership—was held on day zero of the 2019 ECA National Conference. It explored some of the pressing…
EDUCATOR DAY

This job is real, raw and meaningful

In light of Early Childhood Educators’ Day on Wednesday 4 September, we asked ANNE STONEHOUSE to write about the role of educators in the lives and formation of children. Anne talked to a circle of educators who shared rewarding parts…
Antarctic Expedition Leader

Respect trumps harmony—5 leadership lessons from the world’s toughest workplace

Leadership is an intrinsic part of everyone’s workplace, no matter the role you’re in. RACHAEL ROBERTSON led an expedition in Antarctica for a year and since her return has become an author, keynote speaker and leadership expert. Rachael’s…
Pro-love-2

Is love the same as care?

A growing trend has seen the term ‘love’ used to describe everything from government welfare drug testing to what educators should aim for in their practice and environments for young children. Two blog posts on The Spoke examine the issue…
male perspective

Why choose early childhood: A male perspective on working as an educator

TRISTAN PAGE is a dedicated early childhood educator with a true passion for his job. He shares his experiences as a man in the early childhood education sector, over the last 18 years. Tristan explains how he incorporates a personal perspective…
Professional love

Love and care—where has it gone in early years practice?

We constantly use the term education and care in early childhood, but what does care mean? DR LIZ ROUSE and DR FAY HADLEY explore the ideas and the research in this ‘hotly debated’ topic. Are educators expected to have ‘professional…
Webby-awards-log

Taking out the sting with children’s digital experience

Australian talent and early childhood expertise come together in nominations for a prestigious international award— The 2019 Webby Awards—recognising the best on the internet. This is a chance to find the positives behind the risks and ‘things…
ECT-Pro-learning-blog

What does quality professional learning look like for early childhood teachers?

This compelling research gives us the outcome of high-quality professional learning for early childhood teachers and the opportunities it creates in our sector. Educating our educators not only benefits them but it benefits our children, their…
AJEC-JB-Blog

Australia’s educational leaders in ECE: What do we know so far?

PROFESSOR JOCE NUTTALL shares key findings from her research ahead of her presentation at the 2019 AJEC Research Symposium in Melbourne. What is the role of the educational leader in an early childhood service? What kinds of professional…