New positive behaviour guidance coaching program to support educators and strengthen child wellbeing

A Queensland Government initiative is providing early childhood educators and teachers with access to specialist coaching and resources to better support children’s behaviour, rights and wellbeing.

The Positive Behaviour Guidance Coaching Program (PBGCP) is now available to regulated early childhood services across Queensland, offering free, practical support to help educators positively guide children’s behaviour through developmentally appropriate, trauma-informed and inclusive approaches.

Funded by the Queensland Government, the program is being delivered by six sector organisations with expertise in early childhood education and care (ECEC). Program providers will deliver targeted coaching and mentoring, with a focus on enhancing educators’ capacity to recognise, understand and effectively respond to a wide range of behaviours – including those related to development, trauma or diagnosable conditions.

The program aligns with several key areas of the National Quality Standard (NQS), including Quality Area 1 Educational program and practice, Quality Area 5 Relationships with children and Quality Area 7 Governance and leadership. It also supports approved providers to review and strengthen their service’s interactions with children policy, embedding best practice into everyday pedagogy and planning.

Through the PBGCP, educators and teachers will gain access to:

• Specialist positive behaviour coaches
• Tailored coaching and face-to-face mentoring
• Resources to support respectful, responsive and nurturing interactions
• Practical tools to promote positive behaviour and peer conflict resolution

The program is grounded in principles that uphold the rights and dignity of all children. It encourages children to express themselves, develop self-reliance and self-esteem, and participate in experiences that foster agency, positive relationships and respectful communication.

The program is open to all regulated early childhood services, including long day care, sessional kindergarten, outside school hours care and family day care. There are no costs associated with participation. Approved providers are expected to support staff to attend coaching and mentoring sessions as part of their professional development commitments.

Each of the six government-funded organisations will release their own communications regarding program delivery, including eligibility criteria and program schedules. Services are encouraged to contact the relevant provider directly to register or express interest.

Program providers include:

• Affinity Education Group Ltd
• Family Day Care Association Queensland
• Lady Gowrie (Qld) Inc – for early childhood services and affiliates
• The Creche and Kindergarten Association Ltd – for early childhood services and affiliates
• Autism Queensland – for small to medium non-aligned services
• Queensland Children’s Activity Network (QCAN) – for all outside school hours care services

For full program details, including eligibility and provider contacts, visit the Positive Behaviour Guidance Coaching Program overview.