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Finland’s “Strength from Parenthood” project: What an international initiative can teach ECEC leaders in 2026
The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) and the Finnish National Agency for Education are launching national work to strengthen support for parenthood through the Strength from Parenthood project. The project aims to develop shared national principles for supporting parenthood and to build tools and practices that strengthen collaboration between health/social services and education professionals, drawing on local pilots in family centres, early childhood education and care, and comprehensive schools. While this is from Finland, the approach closely aligns with Australian ECEC expectations around partnerships with families and governance systems under the NQF, particularly Quality Area 6 and Quality Area 7.
2026-01-21 08:30:07
by Fiona Alston
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Quality
As one in five First Nations children face undiagnosed hearing loss in the years before starting school, Hearing Australia urges early hearing checks
As thousands of Australian families prepare for their child’s first year of school, Hearing Australia data shows that one in five First Nations children aged 0-6 experience undiagnosed hearing loss1, a hidden barrier which can impact listening, language, learning, and social skills. Hearing Australia is urging parents, carers, educators and local health services to prioritise hearing checks early in the school year to give every child the best possible start.
2026-01-21 08:00:16
by Contributed Content
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A ‘Taste of Italy’ arrives in Queensland kindy classrooms
Children at Queensland Childcare Services’ (QCCS) Hyperdome Early Education Centres have excitedly received a delivery of organic wholemeal pasta straight from Italian shores, as part of the childcare provider’s industry leading nutrition education program.
2026-01-21 08:00:06
by Contributed Content
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Raising the standard Tasmania: What the new program could mean for ECEC quality and oversight
The Tasmanian Government has launched Raising the Standard Tasmania, a new program intended to lift standards and strengthen oversight across early childhood education and care (ECEC). Announced on 13 January 2026, the program will provide targeted support to Tasmanian services through mentoring, workshops, eLearning and professional development, with delivery planned across the next two years and an outcomes report due in early 2028.
2026-01-21 07:00:52
by Fiona Alston
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Student placements are not a staffing strategy: The missing piece from our workforce conversation
In our previous role as Directors of early childhood services we regularly welcomed university pre-service teachers. We did so deliberately. Placement students brought contemporary pedagogical thinking, current research, and fresh questions that challenged and enriched our educator teams. Their presence prompted us to articulate why we teach the way we do, not just how.
2026-01-20 08:00:17
by Contributed Content
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Student placements are not a staffing strategy: The missing piece from our workforce conversation
2026-01-20 08:00:17
by Contributed Content
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Reforms risk failing as new data reveals $2.4b child-safety gap
2026-01-19 07:15:41
by Contributed Content
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The hidden workload: Why educators shouldn’t be responsible for cleaning
2026-01-19 07:45:10
by Contributed Content
