Early Childhood Education & Child Care News
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Practice

KU Children’s Services wins Employer of Choice for 10th year in a row a national first in the early childhood sector

KU Children’s Services (KU), one of Australia’s leading not for profit providers of early childhood education, has once again been named an Employer of Choice in The Australian Business Awards, marking an extraordinary 10 consecutive years of recognition.

2025-11-28 10:35:05

by Fiona Alston

Workforce

Pathways to practice: Empowering Tasmania’s education and care

Early Childhood Australia is delighted to be delivering a $4.5 million Workforce Development  Scholarship Program funded by the Tasmanian Government through the Department of State  Growth. This program has the capacity to support 200 individuals across Tasmania to study and  gain qualifications in education and care, including early childhood certificate III, diploma, and  bachelor’s and master’s degrees. 

2025-11-28 07:00:28

by Fiona Alston

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Workforce

Victoria opens consultation on international education: what it could mean for early childhood and training sectors

Victoria’s Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions (DJSIR) has opened public consultation to help shape a renewed international education strategy, prompting a timely opportunity for early childhood education and vocational training providers to engage in the policy process.

2025-11-28 06:57:11

by Fiona Alston

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Jobs News

Workforce

Teaching again: What renewed interest in teaching means for early childhood education

A sharp rise in initial teacher education enrolments at the University of Sydney is capturing national attention. The University has reported a more than 30 per cent increase in applications for undergraduate and postgraduate teaching programs in 2025 compared with the previous year, an unexpected uplift that positions teaching as a career of renewed relevance and purpose.

2025-11-28 06:41:58

by Fiona Alston

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Research

New longitudinal research suggests that finger counting may be more than a helpful habit:it could be a key stepping stone in early numeracy development

Children who use their fingers to count between the ages of four and six-and-a-half may develop stronger addition skills by age seven, according to a new study from the University of Lausanne. The findings, published by the American Psychological Association, provide fresh insight into the role of embodied learning in mathematical development and challenge common perceptions around the practice of finger counting.

2025-11-28 07:06:19

by Fiona Alston

Practice

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Research

Workforce

Reclaiming play: Why educators must lead as custodians in early learning settings

In early childhood education and care (ECEC), play is often described as “the child’s work”. But beyond its frequent celebration as a tool for learning, play is increasingly being re-examined as a right to be protected and as a pedagogical responsibility that lies firmly with educators.

2025-11-27 10:34:49

by Fiona Alston

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Practice

Research

We wanted to know what evidence-based practice meant to educators: So we asked

Through a multi-stakeholder workshop, open feedback on a draft discussion paper, a team of participants working on further development for survey, interviews, and further workshops with teacher educators and representatives of teacher, school leader, and school organisations, we have written a discussion paper outlining the problems, assumptions, and silences within ‘evidence-based practice’, how these educators engage in ‘enriched evidence-based-practice’ and what these educators see is necessary to move forward.

2025-11-27 10:17:09

by Fiona Alston

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Embark Early Education revises takeover timeline for Mayfield Childcare

Embark Early Education Limited (ASX: EVO) has updated the market on the progress of its proposed conditional off-market takeover bid for Mayfield Childcare Limited (ASX: MFD), confirming a revised timeline for key regulatory milestones.

2025-11-27 09:14:56

by Fiona Alston

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Research

Screen time and speech: Study explores how digital media impacts young children’s language development

A systematic review offers new insights into screen time’s influence on early language acquisition and guidance for educators navigating digital media use in early learning settings.

2025-11-27 08:57:35

by Fiona Alston

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Workforce

Understanding the role of the nominated supervisor: Free webinar series supports ECEC leadership

2025-11-24 06:16:20

by Fiona Alston

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Jobs News

Leadership updates across early childhood and care: appointments and resignations shaping the sector

2025-11-25 06:15:54

by Fiona Alston

Practice

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Workforce

Thirty years of heart: A life dedicated to caring for the next generation

2025-11-28 06:27:05

by Fiona Alston

Upcoming Events

December 10, 2025

The State of Australia’s Children 2025

February 16, 2026

STEM Mathematics Workshop

February 17, 2026

STEM Hour: Drawing as a Tool for Children’s Early STEM Thinking

March 3, 2026

Responding to the 2024 Australian Early Development Census – building effective connections and partnerships

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Marketplace

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Doing work that matters: Two decades in early childhood education and care

2025-06-24 09:30:07

by Contributed Content

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Building harmony: How Hey Dee Ho strengthens early learning through music, connection and curriculum integration

2025-06-24 09:15:31

by Fiona Alston

Events News

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Workforce

Educator wellbeing on the agenda at Workforce and Wellbeing Forum as Anthony Semann prepares to host panel of sector experts

2025-06-17 20:00:27

by Jason Roberts

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Marketplace

How Xap became more than just a tech partner for One Tree Community Services

2025-06-10 09:30:17

by Fiona Alston

Marketplace

Practice

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Elevating practice, pathways and professionalism: South Australia Centre of Excellence in Early Childhood Education and Care

2025-11-18 10:41:45

by Fiona Alston

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Workforce

Unlocking social skills, self-confidence and voice through music with hey dee ho

2025-11-18 07:00:30

by Fiona Alston

Practice

Marketplace

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More than just a story: How picture books support language-rich environments in the early years

2025-11-11 07:00:05

by Fiona Alston

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Marketplace

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Research

Unlocking potential: How the HIPPY Australia free resources support family engagement and school readiness

2025-11-05 07:25:36

by Fiona Alston

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Workforce

Why sustainability isn’t ‘one more thing’ on your to-do list

Are you an early childhood educator or leader who wants to make a difference but feels overwhelmed by the thought of adding sustainability to your full plate? You’re not alone. The good news is that sustainability doesn’t have to mean more work.

2025-11-28 07:30:04

by Fiona Alston

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Practice

Research

Building belonging and agency by honouring children’s rights

Children’s Week 2025 has wrapped up, but the voices and conversations it inspired continue to ripple through early childhood services, schools, and our wider community. Every year, Children’s Week offers us a moment to pause, reflect, and honour what childhood truly represents.

2025-11-26 05:28:27

by Fiona Alston

Workforce

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Practice

Research

Supporting adopted children in early childhood education and care settings

Adoption is a complex and deeply personal journey that brings unique strengths, challenges and experiences to every child and family. In early childhood education and care (ECEC) environments, educators play a critical role in supporting adopted children to feel safe, seen and included, while also partnering respectfully with families to ensure children's individual needs are met.

2025-11-24 06:30:01

by Fiona Alston

Practice

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Research

Workforce

Who should work with young children?

The early childhood education and care workforce sits at the heart of Australia’s education system, yet it is often discussed in terms of poor practice, staff shortages, burnout and retention challenges. While the work demands high levels of pedagogical knowledge, emotional intelligence, stamina, and ethical judgement, it continues to be framed through the language of personal suitability, the idea that certain people are inherently right for the job.

2025-11-07 07:30:45

by Fiona Alston

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