OPINION ARTICLES
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Workforce
Who should work with young children?
The early childhood education and care workforce sits at the heart of Australia’s education system, yet it is often discussed in terms of poor practice, staff shortages, burnout and retention challenges. While the work demands high levels of pedagogical knowledge, emotional intelligence, stamina, and ethical judgement, it continues to be framed through the language of personal suitability, the idea that certain people are inherently right for the job.
2025-11-07 07:30:45
by Fiona Alston
Practice
Provider
Quality
Research
A UK hack shows Australia needs to be very careful about its CCTV trial for daycare centres
This article contains references to child sexual abuse, which may be distressing for some readers. Please read with care and prioritise your wellbeing. Resources for support are provided at the end of the article.
2025-10-31 08:00:52
by Fiona Alston
Practice
Provider
Quality
Research
Democracy begins in the early years
After pausing to reflect on Children's Week this week, and reading the article by Karen Hope on The Sector, I am reminded of the power and influence young children have on our world.
2025-10-30 08:15:45
by Fiona Alston
Research
We built a playground for perpetrators: Here’s how to stop them
This article contains references to child sexual abuse, which may be distressing for some readers. Please read with care and prioritise your wellbeing. Resources for support are provided at the end of the article.
2025-10-29 07:27:37
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
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A new chapter for early literacy: the next phase of the Better Beginnings program
2025-11-19 06:50:09
by Fiona Alston
Research
COVID‑19 pandemic linked to increased language delays in early childhood, Turkish study finds
2025-11-17 07:45:25
by Fiona Alston
Quality
Practice
Research
Workforce
Pilot supports smooth transitions to school for children with severe disability
2025-11-20 07:30:51
by Fiona Alston
