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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

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’…
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…
Graduation practice isn’t in the EYLF.

Graduation practice isn’t in the EYLF.

It was early December 2023, and I was talking with a colleague, a Tertiary Supervisor visiting student pre-service teachers on their first ECEC placement. The student she had visited that day was experiencing a challenge. As with most practicums,…
Setting the record straight on misguided claims about ECEC and the value of qualified educators

Setting the record straight on misguided claims about ECEC and the value of qualified educators

The piece ‘Maybe childcare staff need fewer degrees?’ by Aaron Patrick in the AFR 12 July 2023 is both ill-informed and misleading. If you haven’t seen it, here is the abridged version – the commercial childcare industry is charging…
Dare to dreams—An early years strategy and the unwavering rights of the child

Dare to dreams—An early years strategy and the unwavering rights of the child

The future of Australia relies on developing a strong vision for the early years. This vision should reflect the needs of children, families and the community, focusing on improving positive outcomes for all children. As a signatory to the…
Fulfillment and four-wheel driving: The life of an ECA Inclusion Professional

Fulfillment and four-wheel driving: The life of an ECA Inclusion Professional

ECA: You’re an Inclusion Professional with Early Childhood Australia Northern Territory. What does your job involve? What is an Inclusion Professional? Alex: My job involves a wide range of hats and roles. No one day is the same. You can…
Reflections on the Early Years Summit

Reflections on the Early Years Summit

I recently participated in the Early Years Summit, convened by Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth MP and Minister for Early Childhood Education and Care Anne Aly MP, to begin work on the national Early Years Strategy. This summit…
The key reasons why early learning matters

The key reasons why early learning matters

Early Learning Matters Week is a vital opportunity to celebrate the importance of early learning and the work that early childhood educators do. Universal access to high-quality early childhood education and care (ECEC) benefits all young…
Dear Prime Minister: Raising the child’s voice in early childhood education and care

Dear Prime Minister: Raising the child’s voice in early childhood education and care

When the educators at C&K Salisbury Community Kindergarten set themselves a challenge at the start of 2022 to explore Article 12 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) through play, it led to the inspiring culmination of the…