Early Childhood Education & Child Care News
Thursday, December 25
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Workforce

Practice

Celebrating 10 years of workplace excellence as the sector’s leading Employer of Choice 

In 2025, KU Children’s Services proudly celebrates a milestone achievement, KU has been recognised as an Employer of Choice for the tenth consecutive year. Since first receiving this prestigious acknowledgement in 2016, KU has consistently demonstrated its commitment to fostering a positive, people-first workplace culture across every level of its organisation.

2025-12-19 07:00:09

by Fiona Alston

Marketplace

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AI and early childhood development: What Nanit’s $50M raise signals for the future of parenting tech

In a move signalling growing global interest in early childhood development technology, parenting tech company Nanit has secured US$50 million in new funding to expand its AI-powered systems. The funding round, led by Springcoast Partners and supported by Upfront Ventures and Jerusalem Venture Partners (JVP), marks a significant step forward in the integration of artificial intelligence into the earliest years of human development.

2025-12-19 07:45:31

by Fiona Alston

Practice

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Research

Introducing the Orbit Mobile STEM Shuttle: Taking imagination and innovation on the road

Rise & Shine Kindergarten & Orbit, Centre of Imagination is proud to announce the launch of the Orbit Mobile STEM Shuttle, a groundbreaking extension of Orbit, Centre of Imagination, the industry-first STEM hub redefining early childhood education.

2025-12-19 08:00:28

by Contributed Content

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Curiouser and Curiouser: What Alice helps us see about who should teach

This article follows on from my earlier piece, Who should work with young children?, where I explored how the dispositions we value in those who work in early childhood education, shape not only who enters the profession, but how the work itself is imagined. This is where that thinking has brought me.

2025-12-19 07:15:35

by Contributed Content

Latest Stories

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Kool Kids Helensvale prepares children for summer storm season

With exposure to severe weather events such as summer storms known to have a significant  impact on children’s physical, mental and learning development, families, carers and educators  are encouraged to prepare early for the upcoming storm season.  

2025-12-19 07:30:23

by Contributed Content

Events News

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Workforce

Celebrating excellence across Australia: Insights from the 2025 Affinity award winners

Each year, the Affinity Education Awards provide a powerful platform to recognise the educators driving quality and care across. The 2025 ceremony, held in December, celebrated outstanding educators, centre leaders, support staff and teams making a difference in the lives of children and families, across metropolitan, regional and remote communities.

2025-12-18 07:15:57

by Fiona Alston

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Research

A call to action for Early Childhood: Accountability and transparency in the National Strategy to prevent child abuse annual report 2025

The release of the National Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Child Sexual Abuse 2021–2030: Third Annual Reportreinforces the Australian Government’s commitment to building a safer future for children. For the early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector, it also delivers a clear message: child safeguarding is not optional, it is a national priority requiring full and urgent implementation.

2025-12-18 07:00:37

by Fiona Alston

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Research

Your child’s school readiness depends on where you live, new AEDC data shows 

Data from Torrens University Australia’s Public Health Information Development Unit (PHIDU) shows that almost one in four Australian children start school developmentally vulnerable, with little progress since the first national census in 2009. The 2024 Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) confirms that vulnerability remains widespread and is strongly linked to remoteness and socio-economic disadvantage. 

2025-12-17 07:45:40

by Contributed Content

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Policy

Approved provider fined after child escapes service twice in one day

In one of the most serious child safety enforcement actions this year, the approved provider for Day One Early Learning, Morayfield, has been fined $13,500 following a distressing incident where a three-year-old child escaped the service twice in a single day.

2025-12-17 07:15:53

by Fiona Alston

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Workforce

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When did it start to go wrong?

2025-12-18 08:00:46

by Fiona Alston

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Policy

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Emergency Action Notices issued to three South Australian ECEC services over mobile device management concerns

2025-12-18 06:31:16

by Fiona Alston

Policy

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Jobs News

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Workforce

Children’s Services Award changes finalised to address gender-based undervaluation

2025-12-12 06:58:10

by Fiona Alston

Upcoming Events

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

March 3, 2026

Online Workshop: Inquiry-Based STEM Projects Through Educator Experiences

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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

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

2025-06-10 09:30:17

by Fiona Alston

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Stop scrolling – New videos upskilling parents 

2025-12-17 07:30:27

by Contributed Content

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From conflict to connection: New program helps Aussie families master screens safely 

2025-12-12 07:30:49

by Fiona Alston

Marketplace

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Preparing children for school: How Weplay supports readiness through hands-on skill development

2025-12-09 11:05:21

by Fiona Alston

Marketplace

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Reflecting on 2025: Growth, innovation and community for Xplor Education childcare software

2025-12-09 07:30:45

by Fiona Alston

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Opinions

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Let’s not lose the word ‘Children’

Across the early childhood profession, our language is constantly evolving. We reflect deeply on the words we use; how they shape identity, how they frame relationships, and how they influence the way children experience their world. Yet one quiet shift has been occurring in our sector, almost unnoticed: the gradual move away from the word children.

2025-12-18 07:45:13

by Fiona Alston

Practice

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Workforce

Strengthening Early Childhood Education: Insights and reflections

With over 40 years of experience in early childhood education, I have witnessed firsthand the joys and challenges faced by families and educators across Australia. My journey has taken me through diverse settings, from bustling metropolitan centres to quiet regional communities, and from for-profit organisations to passionate not-for-profits. For eight years, I had the privilege of teaching at TAFE, preparing future educators to make a difference.

2025-12-18 07:30:05

by Fiona Alston

Practice

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Workforce

It’s the people – full stop. Why early learning reforms must start with educators

Real reform in early learning has always hinged on one truth: if you get the people right, everything else follows. 

2025-12-05 05:28:48

by Fiona Alston

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Workforce

Navigating organisational change: Redundancies and responsibility

As pressures mount across the early childhood education and care (ECEC) landscape, reports of redundancies are beginning to circulate within the sector. Growing tension is being felt by providers as they grapple with rising costs, changing policy expectations and evolving family needs.

2025-12-04 07:45:40

by Fiona Alston

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