Practice LATEST STORIES
Policy
Quality
Practice
Provider
Workforce
NSW signals tougher child safety oversight: what a funding boost to the Office of the Children’s Guardian could mean for ECEC services
Early childhood education and care (ECEC) services across New South Wales should expect increased compliance activity after the NSW Government announced additional funding to strengthen the Office of the Children’s Guardian (OCG), the state’s independent child safety regulator.
2026-01-14 13:45:15
by Fiona Alston
Practice
Quality
Research
Play-based learning and early years science: New framework maps how intentional teaching builds scientific literacy
A Charles Sturt University study published in Research in Science Education has mapped a three-stage pathway showing how educator planning, play-based action and reflective practice can work together to strengthen young children’s scientific literacy. The research is based on video observations in one preschool, but it offers a practical lens for ECEC teams aiming to make science learning visible, sustained and intentional.
2026-01-14 08:30:01
by Fiona Alston
Practice
Quality
Research
Unfamiliar songs, quieter hearts: What a new study suggests about preschoolers’ physiological responses in music sessions
A preliminary study tracking preschoolers’ heart rate during weekly music classes has found a curious pattern: heart rates tended to be lower when the music was unfamiliar than during familiar songs or transition moments. The work is small and not yet in final published form, but it raises practical questions for early childhood programs about novelty, predictability and group regulation during musical experiences.
2026-01-14 07:56:33
by Fiona Alston
Practice
Quality
Research
Supporting families through separation anxiety: Guidance for educators
As the new year begins and families settle into routines, many early childhood services are welcoming new children, and with them, new emotions. Separation anxiety is a normal developmental experience, especially for infants, toddlers and preschoolers adjusting to a new environment. For some children, parting from their parent or carer can trigger tears, clinginess, or distress. For families, it can lead to guilt, worry and feelings of helplessness.
2026-01-14 07:14:49
by Fiona Alston
Workforce
Practice
Quality
Setting intentional goals for 2026: Supporting educators to grow, reflect and thrive
As the early childhood sector enters a year of significant reform and renewed professional expectations, setting clear, achievable goals has never been more important. Intentional goal setting not only supports professional growth and confidence but also enhances outcomes for children, strengthens compliance, and fosters a positive workplace culture.
2026-01-14 06:46:06
by Fiona Alston
Load More
Popular
Workforce
Quality
Practice
Provider
Sustaining the spark: How early childhood leaders and educators can avoid burnout
2026-01-12 08:00:31
by Fiona Alston
Economics
Provider
Research
Workforce
Australia’s population outlook: What it means for the early childhood sector
2026-01-13 08:00:47
by Fiona Alston
Workforce
Securing the future: What the NSW community services jobs compact means for early childhood education
2026-01-13 07:15:46
by Fiona Alston
