2025 Early Childhood Educators Day celebration preparations get underway

Early learning services across Australia are preparing to celebrate Early Childhood Educators’ Day on Wednesday 3 September, an annual event recognising the vital role educators play in the learning, development and wellbeing of young children.

Inspired by World Teachers’ Day,  which celebrates school teachers annually in more than 100 countries, Early Childhood Educators’ Day aims to recognise and celebrate the work of educators in early learning settings for their important contribution to the wellbeing and healthy development of Australia’s youngest generation.

Since its debut in 2011, Early Childhood Educators’ Day has seen growing participation across Australia each year, engaging both the early learning sector and the wider community.

Now a well-known event embraced by sector stakeholders including Federal and State Government Departments, Early Childhood Educators’ Day has become a key annual event in the early learning sector’s calendar.

The Australian Childcare Alliance (ACA) is immensely proud of the ongoing success of Early Childhood Educators’ Day. According to ACA President Paul Mondo, the day is now affectionately known by some as “like Christmas Day for the early learning sector”.

“Early Childhood Educators’ Day is such a great opportunity to say thank you to all of our educators who are making a difference day in, day out,” ACA President Paul Mondo explained.

“The simple act of taking a moment to acknowledge and show appreciation for our educators’ hard work and dedication is incredibly meaningful. It reinforces how much their efforts are valued and makes a real difference in their day-to-day experiences.”

“We also know that educators genuinely look forward to the opportunity to come together, share special moments, and celebrate their achievements as a team. This annual celebration helps foster a sense of community, boost morale, and remind everyone of the vital role they play in shaping young lives.”

“This year has been a particularly challenging year for Australia’s educators, amid extensive media coverage highlighting serious issues related to child safety.

Throughout it all, we have continued working together and supporting one another as we navigate the various challenges, as significant as they are.”

This year’s theme “Together We All Shine” embodies this collective effort, celebrating the power of teamwork among educators, along with the meaningful, important relationships they build with the children they educate and care for.

“We hope this theme resonates with everyone and reinforces the positive impact that working together can have on the lives of children, families, and the broader community,” Mr Mondo said.

“We want our educators to know that, despite the difficulties and challenges, now more than ever, their hard work and dedication is deeply recognised and sincerely appreciated.”

Whilst each early learning service can organise their activities and festivities for Early Childhood Educators’ Day in their own special way, common themes included dressing up, creating a ‘thank you wall’ or ‘thank you tree’, morning teas with families and personalised cards and gifts for the educators.

“However early learning service providers, their team of educators and their families choose to celebrate the day is up to them. Whether through a homemade card or a more formal celebration, it’s all about the simple gesture of saying thank you.” Mr Mondo concluded.

“We want to see as many services as possible getting involved and helping to raise awareness of the fantastic work our educators do.”

For more information, resources and how to get involved visit the Early Childhood Educators’ Day event website here.