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The hidden workload: Why educators shouldn’t be responsible for cleaning
With illness rates rising and workforce pressures intensifying, the case for a national Childcare Cleaning Standard has never been clearer.
2026-01-19 07:45:10
by Contributed Content
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Reforms risk failing as new data reveals $2.4b child-safety gap
Child Safeguarding reforms have a real risk of failing as data exposes a $2.4 billion national cost exposure associated with safeguarding failures, according to new research released by Australia's only continuous credential verification platform, Oho.
2026-01-19 07:15:41
by Contributed Content
Research
A smartphone program helped reduce short-term eczema relapses in young children, what ECEC services can take from it
A large randomised controlled trial has found that a structured, smartphone-based eczema education program for caregivers reduced relapse risk over the first 12 weeks for children aged 0–6 years with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis. While the benefit did not remain statistically significant beyond 12 weeks, the study adds to growing evidence that scalable digital education can strengthen early flare recognition and timely management, an insight with practical implications for early childhood education and care (ECEC) services working alongside families.
2026-01-16 07:00:04
by Fiona Alston
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When heat shapes learning before school: What a major cross-national study means for ECEC practice
Heat management in early childhood services is usually framed as a health and safety issue, sun protection, hydration, rest, and reducing the risk of heat illness. New research suggests it may also be a learning and development issue, with unusually high temperatures linked to lower rates of being “developmentally on track” for some foundational skills in the preschool years.
2026-01-15 08:30:08
by Fiona Alston
Practice
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Carbon footprints in the preschool years: What a new Scientific Reports study suggests about teaching sustainability through early science
A newly published paper in Scientific Reports argues that the “carbon footprint” can become a practical, age-appropriate entry point for sustainability learning in the early years, when educators translate abstract ideas into everyday routines such as switching off lights, saving water and sorting waste. Based on interviews with award-winning early childhood science teachers across three Middle East countries, the study proposes a framework for embedding carbon footprint concepts through experiential learning, cultural relevance and consistent practice.
2026-01-15 07:45:05
by Fiona Alston
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Australia’s population outlook: What it means for the early childhood sector
2026-01-13 08:00:47
by Fiona Alston
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A smartphone program helped reduce short-term eczema relapses in young children, what ECEC services can take from it
2026-01-16 07:00:04
by Fiona Alston
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What Australia can learn from the UK’s new inspection framework
2026-01-13 07:30:03
by Fiona Alston
