The Sector - Early education news, events and more

Sep 17, 2026

The Australian Parliament has passed legislation extending funding for the 15 per cent wage increase for eligible early childhood education and care workers while introducing stronger safety conditions for participating services.

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Montessori Academy partners with child safety pioneer Holly-ann Martin OAM to empower children to speak up, stay safe and be heard

In The Field

Provider

Montessori Academy partners with child safety pioneer Holly-ann Martin OAM to empower children to speak up, stay safe and be heard

Why the family tour has become one of ECEC’s biggest blind spots

Digital Duty of Care Bill 2026: What early childhood services need to know

Sep 17, 2026

Marketplace

Why the family tour has become one of ECEC’s biggest blind spots

Early childhood providers can track enquiries, tour bookings and enrolment outcomes. What happens during the tour itself, however, has traditionally been much harder to see.

ECEC Compliance and Risk Forum puts child safety, regulation and prevention firmly in focus

Honouring First Nations languages in early learning centres: How Early Learning Victoria is prioritising the use of First Nations names.

Contributor

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Editor’s Pick

Queensland’s new information-sharing guideline puts child safety ahead of organisational silence

Queensland organisations working with children have received new guidance on how sensitive information can be lawfully shared to identify risks, coordinate safeguarding responses and prevent harm from escalating.

What’s happening in your car park? Why ECEC services must look beyond the front gate

Car parks can be one of the most easily overlooked risk areas surrounding an early childhood education and care (ECEC) service.

Article

Sep 16, 2026

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Provider

Compliance

WA OSHC supervision decision highlights importance of clear boundaries and individual support

A recent Western Australian State Administrative Tribunal decision has highlighted the importance of clearly defined service boundaries, individualised support and active supervision within outside school hours care settings.

Natasha Stott Despoja to chair Australian Centre for Child Protection advisory board

Natasha Stott Despoja AO will chair the Advisory Board of the Australian Centre for Child Protection at Adelaide University, taking on the role as child safety and the prevention of abuse remain prominent issues across early childhood education and care.

Queensland’s new information-sharing guideline puts child safety ahead of organisational silence

Queensland organisations working with children have received new guidance on how sensitive information can be lawfully shared to identify risks, coordinate safeguarding responses and prevent harm from escalating.

What’s happening in your car park? Why ECEC services must look beyond the front gate

WA OSHC supervision decision highlights importance of clear boundaries and individual support

Natasha Stott Despoja to chair Australian Centre for Child Protection advisory board

Sep 16, 2026

View All

For you

In The Field

Quality

Using body language to build trust and connection in early childhood settings

Positive communication in early childhood education is never just about the words educators use. It is also reflected in how they show children that they are safe, valued, heard and understood.

New funding strengthens Australia’s In Home Care system and supports families with complex needs

The Australian Government has highlighted a package of financial and workforce support for Australia’s In Home Care program, recognising its critical role for families unable to access other forms of early childhood education and care.

Inclusion Ready Toolkit launches to strengthen inclusive practice across ECEC

A new national toolkit is helping approved providers, service leaders and educators build their capability and confidence to create early childhood education and care environments where every child can participate, belong and thrive.

We can’t solve educator burnout by teaching exhausted educators to tolerate exhaustion

For years, conversations about educator wellbeing have often centred on what the individual educator can do differently. Practise mindfulness. Build resilience. Take breaks. Exercise. Eat well. Set boundaries. Find something that fills your cup. None of those things are inherently bad advice. In fact, many of them can be incredibly valuable.

Using body language to build trust and connection in early childhood settings

Positive communication in early childhood education is never just about the words educators use. It is also reflected in how they show children that they are safe, valued, heard and understood.

New funding strengthens Australia’s In Home Care system and supports families with complex needs