In August 2018, the Australian Government announced a number of changes to student loans, which may impact those choosing to study early childhood education and care. A number of the changes are due in 2020, meaning they may impact the course and institution choices made by those pursuing further early childhood education and care (ECEC) studies, or making choices about how debt is repaid.

Optometrists are using new research gathered as part of a project designed to better understand screen use amongst children to call for more “green time” (time spent outside engaging with nature) and less screen time, with study results showing that most Australian children are spending more than double the amount of time indoors on screens than the World Health Organisation recommendation.

A survey conducted by the Australian Childcare Alliance (ACA) has found that many “qualified” staff lack basic knowledge of child safety, food safety or hygiene, expressing concern to local news source The Courier Mail that many graduates “can’t change a nappy and struggle with English”.

Childhood trauma – experiencing an event or series of events which are emotionally painful or distressing – can take on many forms. It may occur when a child witnesses or experiences overwhelming negative situations, and may be interpersonal (abuse, violence, neglect) or a traumatic event, such as an accident, natural disaster, war and civil unrest, or medical procedures.

fka Children’s Services (fkaCS) has extended its deepest sympathies to all families, communities and services affected by the bushfire crisis, also offering deep appreciation to the Victorian Fire Services and those firefighters joining the fight from abroad.