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Risky play is not a dirty word: A tool to measure benefit–risk in outdoor playgrounds and educational settings
A new research-backed tool aims to revolutionise how playgrounds and outdoor learning environments are assessed, by recognising that some risk can be good for a child’s development.
2025-10-16 08:15:55
by Fiona Alston
Quality
Research
Democracy begins in the infant and toddler room: Reflections from the Early Childhood Australia 2025 Conference
Presenting to a room full of early childhood professionals at the 2025 Early Childhood Australia Conference in Perth was a reminder of how powerful our professional community can be. Conferences like ECA are many things, a chance to listen, to talk, and to enjoy that yearly catch-up with people you may not see otherwise. But they are also something more. When you take the time to prioritise those conversations, a space opens between what we know and what we do not yet know. And in that space, ideas shift, practices stretch, and new ways of thinking about our work begin to take shape.
2025-10-16 08:00:48
by Karen Hope
Quality
Practice
Research
Revised ECA Statement on young children and digital technologies
Early Childhood Australia (ECA) has launched a revised version of its influential Statement on young children and digital technologies, offering updated guidance to support educators navigating the evolving digital landscape in early childhood settings.
2025-10-16 06:15:57
by Fiona Alston
Practice
Quality
Research
Love what you eat: Nutrition campaign offers practical tools for ECEC settings
The National Nutrition Foundation’s “Love What You Eat” campaign promotes positive relationships with food at every stage from planning and preparation to eating and reducing waste. For early childhood education and care (ECEC) services, the campaign’s resources offer a practical way to support food literacy, healthy habits and mealtime enjoyment in the early years.
2025-10-15 07:30:22
by Fiona Alston
Policy
Practice
Provider
Quality
Research
Workforce
A new era for ECEC: From passive stakeholders to active architects of change
In recent times, the early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector has quietly begun to reshape its relationship with policy and regulation. The shift is subtle but significant: rather than being the passive recipients of top‑down mandates or reactive critics, services, educators and leaders are increasingly dialoguing constructively with governments, contributing sector insight to critical reforms. This is not a turning point defined by protest or conflict, but one characterised by participation, consultation and co‑shaping.
2025-10-15 07:15:50
by Fiona Alston
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Embedding empowerment and participation in early childhood education
2025-10-14 07:00:19
by Fiona Alston
Quality
Practice
Research
Workforce
Deakin University embeds trauma-informed practice in teacher education
2025-10-09 09:00:40
by Fiona Alston
Quality
Workforce
Strengthening Australia’s early childhood workforce: The qualification review
2025-10-14 07:15:57
by Fiona Alston
