Early Childhood Education & Child Care News
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Queensland fast-tracks reportable conduct scheme and strengthens rest period protections

The Queensland Government has announced the accelerated implementation of a Reportable Conduct Scheme and enhanced rest period conditions for early childhood services, in a move designed to deliver stronger protections for children across the state.

2025-10-17 07:52:24

by Fiona Alston

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Policy

Practice

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On-site spot checks to strengthen safety and subsidy compliance in ECEC

From October 2025, early childhood education and care (ECEC) services across four states will begin receiving unannounced on-site visits as part of a new federal pilot program aimed at improving safety and Child Care Subsidy (CCS) compliance.

2025-10-17 08:00:04

by Fiona Alston

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Research

Workforce

New Guardian Childcare’s To BE Me program connects families, educators and children through personalised learning

To BE Me, designed to make children's learning journeys more visible, meaningful and inspiring for families, educators and allied health partners across its 190 centres nationwide.

2025-10-17 08:00:31

by Fiona Alston

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Policy

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Australia’s future learners: what 2024 birth trends mean for early childhood planning

The latest birth and fertility data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) offers critical insights for early childhood education and care (ECEC) professionals planning for future service delivery, workforce capacity, and community engagement.

2025-10-17 06:45:48

by Fiona Alston

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AERO invites ECEC providers to join leading national partnership in 2026

The Australian Education Research Organisation (AERO) is currently recruiting early childhood education and care (ECEC) services to partner in its upcoming 2026 ECEC Learning Partner Project. This initiative presents an opportunity for services to collaborate in research, innovation and evidence‑informed practice development in early learning settings.

2025-10-17 08:30:45

by Fiona Alston

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Workforce

Early learning reimagined: Luxe new centre brings concierge service, coffee and unparalleled care to Brisbane families

A stunning new early learning centre has opened its doors in Brisbane’s Camp Hill, bringing warm architectural design, outstanding care and a full concierge service that eases the load on busy families. 

2025-10-17 08:00:05

by Fiona Alston

Practice

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Kitchen becomes the classroom this National Nutrition Week

This National Nutrition Week, one Greater Newcastle early learning centre is proving that some of the most important lessons happen far beyond the classroom in the kitchen.

2025-10-17 06:00:30

by Fiona Alston

Research

Risky play is not a dirty word: A tool to measure benefit–risk in outdoor playgrounds and educational settings

A new research-backed tool aims to revolutionise how playgrounds and outdoor learning environments are assessed, by recognising that some risk can be good for a child’s development.

2025-10-16 08:15:55

by Fiona Alston

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Practice

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KU Children’s Services website wins international w3 Award for digital excellence

The KU Children’s Services (KU) website has won a Silver Award at the prestigious 2025 w3 Awards for Transforming the Web Experience through Human-Centric Design (HCD) in the Non-Profit category.

2025-10-16 08:00:50

by Fiona Alston

Popular

Research

USA study highlights the power of playful learning in early childhood classrooms

2025-10-10 08:00:45

by Fiona Alston

Policy

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Proposed reforms aim to strengthen transparency and consistency in ECEC laws

2025-10-10 07:30:23

by Fiona Alston

Marketplace

Practice

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Research

Storypark research reveals three key concerns about AI use in ECEC

2025-10-14 08:00:12

by Fiona Alston

Upcoming Events

October 13, 2025 - November 7, 2025

Respectful Relationships professional learning for early childhood educators

October 21, 2025

Roles and responsibilities of the committee, Approved Provider, Nominated Supervisor, Educational Leader (Drop in session)

October 22, 2025

STEM human body workshop

October 23, 2025 - October 25, 2025

FDCA 2025 National Conference

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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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KU sets a new benchmark with Children’s Services and Administrative Employees and Cooks enterprise agreement

2025-10-14 08:00:58

by Fiona Alston

Marketplace

Practice

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Xplor Horizons 2025 showcases innovation, partnership and growth in Early Childhood Education and Care

2025-10-07 07:37:34

by Fiona Alston

Marketplace

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Woolworths at Work acknowledges First Nations enterprise as part of its extended business range

2025-10-07 07:33:17

by Fiona Alston

Policy

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Marketplace

Inclusion Support Program enters new phase with updated guidelines and new fund manager

2025-10-06 07:30:43

by Fiona Alston

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Research

Democracy begins in the infant and toddler room: Reflections from the Early Childhood Australia 2025 Conference

Presenting to a room full of early childhood professionals at the 2025 Early Childhood Australia Conference in Perth was a reminder of how powerful our professional community can be. Conferences like ECA are many things, a chance to listen, to talk, and to enjoy that yearly catch-up with people you may not see otherwise. But they are also something more. When you take the time to prioritise those conversations, a space opens between what we know and what we do not yet know. And in that space, ideas shift, practices stretch, and new ways of thinking about our work begin to take shape.

2025-10-16 08:00:48

by Karen Hope

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Research

I was 170th on their list: What are the health impacts for families who can’t access daycare?

Imagine living in a town where three or more families are competing for a single early learning place. This is the reality for many families in regional, rural and remote Australia. Experts call these areas “childcare deserts”. 

2025-10-10 08:45:20

by Fiona Alston

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Practice

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Childcare provider takes action in countdown to major subsidy reform

Strategic workforce planning, communication and a commitment to quality will be critical for early childhood education and care providers as they prepare for major Child Care Subsidy (CCS) policy reform. 

2025-10-08 06:45:55

by Fiona Alston

Workforce

Practice

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Research

The power of emotional intelligence in ECEC: Impacts, challenges and everyday practice

In ECEC, emotional intelligence (EI or EQ) is more than a “soft skill.” It shapes how educators relate to children, families and colleagues, how they manage stress and change, and how children learn to understand their own and others’ emotions. Cultivating EI can transform the tone, relationships and learning environment of a centre.

2025-10-03 08:00:32

by Fiona Alston

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