OPINION ARTICLES
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
Economics
Research
I was 170th on their list: What are the health impacts for families who can’t access daycare?
Imagine living in a town where three or more families are competing for a single early learning place. This is the reality for many families in regional, rural and remote Australia. Experts call these areas “childcare deserts”.
2025-10-10 08:45:20
by Fiona Alston
Economics
Provider
Practice
Quality
Childcare provider takes action in countdown to major subsidy reform
Strategic workforce planning, communication and a commitment to quality will be critical for early childhood education and care providers as they prepare for major Child Care Subsidy (CCS) policy reform.
2025-10-08 06:45:55
by Fiona Alston
Workforce
Practice
Quality
Research
The power of emotional intelligence in ECEC: Impacts, challenges and everyday practice
In ECEC, emotional intelligence (EI or EQ) is more than a “soft skill.” It shapes how educators relate to children, families and colleagues, how they manage stress and change, and how children learn to understand their own and others’ emotions. Cultivating EI can transform the tone, relationships and learning environment of a centre.
2025-10-03 08:00:32
by Fiona Alston
Practice
Quality
Research
Unicorns in the Nursery: Creating cultures of excellence for our youngest citizens
Infants and toddlers need rare and imaginative educators who value the extraordinary in everyday practice.
2025-10-01 07:00:13
by Fiona Alston
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Quality
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Democracy begins in the infant and toddler room: Reflections from the Early Childhood Australia 2025 Conference
2025-10-16 08:00:48
by Karen Hope
Quality
Provider
Research
Workforce
New Guardian Childcare’s To BE Me program connects families, educators and children through personalised learning
2025-10-17 08:00:31
by Fiona Alston
Research
Practice
Provider
Quality
AERO invites ECEC providers to join leading national partnership in 2026
2025-10-17 08:30:45
by Fiona Alston
