Early Childhood Australia Queensland committee celebrates Under 8s Week at Government House

Schools, community groups and early childhood services across Queensland recently hosted events to celebrate Under Eights Week. 

Under Eights Week is a uniquely Queensland-based celebration of play and early learning. This annual event has been running in Queensland for more than 50 years and is key in the advocacy work of the Early Childhood Australia (ECA) Queensland Committee in promoting the importance of play and learning in early childhood.  

Veteran early childhood educators from Queensland may fondly remember ‘barefoot in the park’ events which, for a time, were key events in the calendars of many schools and other early childhood services.  

In 2023, the theme for Under Eights Week 2023 was ‘Play – You, me and our communities’. With this theme in mind, the ECA Queensland committee focused on bringing early childhood communities together, acknowledging the importance of ‘the village’ in supporting play and learning at home, in early childhood services and the early years of school. 

As part of Under Eights Week, the Early Childhood Australia Queensland committee and around 100 of their guests, representing educational organisations from around the state, were invited to an afternoon tea reception at Government House in Brisbane. 

Governor of Queensland, Her Excellency the Hon. Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM is the patron of Early Childhood Australia, Queensland, a relationship which is highly valued by the committee, who welcome Her Excellency’s support and ongoing commitment to supporting not only Queensland’s children but also quality early learning provided across the state. 

The event was attended by stakeholders from: state government (including Queensland Minister for Education, Grace Grace MP), ACECQA, the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority, the Queensland College of Teachers, Early Childhood Australia (including CEO, Sam Page and National President, Trevor Brown), peak early childhood education service providers, large employers, early childhood associations, unions, tertiary education providers, school system representatives and early childhood teachers, educators and leaders. 

Guests gathered in the beautiful Government House gardens on a lovely warm Brisbane afternoon, before moving inside for an opening address by Her Excellency the Hon. Dr Young. Chair of the ECA Queensland committee, Kirsten Holland, was presented with a Certificate of Patronage. Afternoon tea was then served while Her Excellency the Hon. Dr Young was introduced to each of the guests. 

The work of the ECA Queensland Committee is fondly inspired by the adage of ‘the village’. Collective and cooperative work in ECEC is especially timely given the National Children’s Education and Care Workforce Strategy relies on collaboration across the education sector (and beyond) to realise the overarching vision for young children.  

The success of this event is a testament to the collaborative spirits of a diverse and exceptional group of attendees. This event presented a unique opportunity to bring children’s right to play and to access high quality education and care, to the forefront of an ongoing national conversation. 

Learn more about the work of the Early Childhood Australia, (ECA) Queensland Committee using the links provided. 

Information about Under Eights Week is available here.