Australia gets ready to celebrate our early childhood educators 

Across the country, early learning services are gearing up to celebrate Early Childhood  Educators’ Day, which takes place next Wednesday, 2 September 2026. 

Inspired by World Teachers’ Day, an annual event celebrated in more than 100 countries, Early Childhood Educators’ Day recognises and celebrates the important contribution  Australia’s early childhood educators make to the wellbeing, learning and development of  young children. 

Since its debut in 2011, the day has grown significantly, with more than 8,300 early learning  services registering their participation on the event website to date, alongside growing  support from families, sector organisations and the wider community. 

Now firmly established as an important date on the early learning sector calendar, the day  brings together people from across the sector and beyond with one simple purpose - to  recognise and thank Australia’s early childhood educators. 

The Australian Childcare Alliance (ACA) is immensely proud of the event’s continued growth  and the increasing recognition it brings to the vital role educators play in the lives of young  children, families and communities across Australia. 

ACA President Paul Mondo says the day provides an important opportunity to pause and  acknowledge the contribution educators make every day. 

“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 and day out,” Mr Mondo said. 

“The simple act of taking a moment to acknowledge and show appreciation for our  educators’ hard work and dedication can be incredibly meaningful. It reinforces just how  much their contribution is valued. 

“We also know that educators genuinely look forward to the opportunity to come together,  share some special moments and celebrate their achievements as a team. It helps foster a  sense of community and reminds everyone of the important role they play in shaping young  lives.” 

Mr Mondo said this year’s celebrations come after another significant period of change  across the early learning sector.

“From the introduction of the National Early Childhood Worker Register and significant new  child safety measures, through to the Worker Retention Payment and associated wage  changes, there has certainly been a lot for educators and service providers to take on board. 

“While these changes are important, we also shouldn’t lose sight of the people at the heart of  early learning. Every day, educators create safe, nurturing and engaging environments  where children can learn, develop and thrive. 

“Early Childhood Educators’ Day gives us an opportunity to put the policy changes,  paperwork and day-to-day pressures to one side for a moment and simply say thank you.  We see what you do, we value it, and we appreciate the difference you make in the lives of  children and families.” 

“It’s also wonderful to see the various government departments getting behind Early  Childhood Educators’ Day and finding their own ways to celebrate the incredible people who  make up our early learning workforce,” Mr Mondo said. 

For example this year, the Queensland Department of Education has added some extra fun  to the celebrations with its Celebrate with dance initiative, inviting educators and early  learning staff to learn one of two specially created dances, put their own spin on them and  share their efforts on social media on Early Childhood Educators’ Day and throughout the  week. 

“Whether it’s dancing with your colleagues, sharing a morning tea or simply taking the time  to tell an educator how much their work is appreciated, it all contributes to the spirit of the  day.” 

ACA will also continue its annual tradition of bringing together voices from across Australia  for its Australia Says Thank You video, featuring messages of appreciation from  government, sector and community representatives to educators across the country. 

The 2026 video will be released on the morning of Early Childhood Educators’ Day across  the Early Childhood Educators’ Day social media channels and website, and shared with  ACA members and Early Childhood Educators’ Day eNewsletter subscribers. 

Early learning services are encouraged to celebrate in whatever way works best for their  teams. Popular activities over the years have included special morning teas, dress-ups,  ‘thank you’ walls and trees, personalised cards and gifts, and messages of appreciation from  children and families. 

“However service providers, educators and their families choose to celebrate is entirely up to  them,” Mr Mondo concluded. 

“It doesn’t need to be elaborate. Whether it’s a homemade card, a morning tea, a dance with  colleagues or a more formal celebration, at its heart the day is about the simple but powerful  gesture of saying thank you. 

“We’d love to see as many services and communities as possible getting involved and  helping us celebrate the fantastic work Australia’s early childhood educators do every day.” 

For more information about Early Childhood Educators’ Day, visit the event website at  www.earlychildhoodeducatorsday.org.au.