Early Childhood Education & Child Care News
Thursday, December 18
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Emergency Action Notices issued to three South Australian ECEC services over mobile device management concerns

Three early childhood education and care (ECEC) services in South Australia have been issued Emergency Action Notices by the Education Standards Board (ESB) following findings of non-compliance related to mobile device use, child protection, and adherence to policies and procedures.

2025-12-18 06:31:16

by Fiona Alston

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Research

A call to action for Early Childhood: Accountability and transparency in the National Strategy to prevent child abuse annual report 2025

The release of the National Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Child Sexual Abuse 2021–2030: Third Annual Reportreinforces the Australian Government’s commitment to building a safer future for children. For the early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector, it also delivers a clear message: child safeguarding is not optional, it is a national priority requiring full and urgent implementation.

2025-12-18 07:00:37

by Fiona Alston

Events News

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Workforce

Celebrating excellence across Australia: Insights from the 2025 Affinity award winners

Each year, the Affinity Education Awards provide a powerful platform to recognise the educators driving quality and care across. The 2025 ceremony, held in December, celebrated outstanding educators, centre leaders, support staff and teams making a difference in the lives of children and families, across metropolitan, regional and remote communities.

2025-12-18 07:15:57

by Fiona Alston

Practice

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Workforce

Strengthening Early Childhood Education: Insights and reflections

With over 40 years of experience in early childhood education, I have witnessed firsthand the joys and challenges faced by families and educators across Australia. My journey has taken me through diverse settings, from bustling metropolitan centres to quiet regional communities, and from for-profit organisations to passionate not-for-profits. For eight years, I had the privilege of teaching at TAFE, preparing future educators to make a difference.

2025-12-18 07:30:05

by Fiona Alston

Latest Stories

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Research

Your child’s school readiness depends on where you live, new AEDC data shows 

Data from Torrens University Australia’s Public Health Information Development Unit (PHIDU) shows that almost one in four Australian children start school developmentally vulnerable, with little progress since the first national census in 2009. The 2024 Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) confirms that vulnerability remains widespread and is strongly linked to remoteness and socio-economic disadvantage. 

2025-12-17 07:45:40

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Policy

Approved provider fined after child escapes service twice in one day

In one of the most serious child safety enforcement actions this year, the approved provider for Day One Early Learning, Morayfield, has been fined $13,500 following a distressing incident where a three-year-old child escaped the service twice in a single day.

2025-12-17 07:15:53

by Fiona Alston

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Embark Early Education launches takeover bid for Mayfield and $12M capital raise

Embark Early Education (ASX: EVO) has unveiled bold expansion plans, announcing a $12 million capital raise alongside a proposed off-market takeover bid for Mayfield Childcare Limited (ASX: MFD). The dual move, marks a significant step in Embark’s strategy to grow its early learning footprint across Australia.

2025-12-17 07:00:28

by Fiona Alston

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Is your service ready? Key updates to Queensland kindergarten funding in 2026

Queensland’s Kindergarten Funding program continues to evolve as a key mechanism to expand access to quality early childhood education and care (ECEC). From 1 January 2026, updated funding category guidelines and funding essentials will take effect, building on the reforms introduced in 2025 and reinforcing the state’s commitment to free kindergarten for all Queensland families.

2025-12-17 07:00:15

by Fiona Alston

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What early childhood providers need to know about mandatory merger clearance in 2026

As Australia enters 2026, one of the most significant competition law changes in decades will come into effect, and early childhood education and care (ECEC) providers should be aware of what it means for the sector. From 1 January 2026, a mandatory, suspensory merger clearance regime will require certain large business acquisitions to be reviewed and approved by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) before they can proceed.

2025-12-17 06:30:05

by Fiona Alston

Popular

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Early childhood education assets continue to attract strong investor interest in record-breaking $151m Burgess Rawson from CBRE auction

2025-12-16 08:00:10

by Fiona Alston

Policy

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Jobs News

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Workforce

Children’s Services Award changes finalised to address gender-based undervaluation

2025-12-12 06:58:10

by Fiona Alston

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The year in review: 2025's most impactful ECEC news stories and shifts

2025-12-16 07:32:18

by Fiona Alston

Upcoming Events

February 16, 2026

STEM Mathematics Workshop

February 17, 2026

STEM Hour: Drawing as a Tool for Children’s Early STEM Thinking

March 3, 2026

Responding to the 2024 Australian Early Development Census – building effective connections and partnerships

March 3, 2026

Online Workshop: Inquiry-Based STEM Projects Through Educator Experiences

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Doing work that matters: Two decades in early childhood education and care

2025-06-24 09:30:07

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Building harmony: How Hey Dee Ho strengthens early learning through music, connection and curriculum integration

2025-06-24 09:15:31

by Fiona Alston

Events News

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Educator wellbeing on the agenda at Workforce and Wellbeing Forum as Anthony Semann prepares to host panel of sector experts

2025-06-17 20:00:27

by Jason Roberts

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How Xap became more than just a tech partner for One Tree Community Services

2025-06-10 09:30:17

by Fiona Alston

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Stop scrolling – New videos upskilling parents 

2025-12-17 07:30:27

by Contributed Content

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From conflict to connection: New program helps Aussie families master screens safely 

2025-12-12 07:30:49

by Fiona Alston

Marketplace

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Preparing children for school: How Weplay supports readiness through hands-on skill development

2025-12-09 11:05:21

by Fiona Alston

Marketplace

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Reflecting on 2025: Growth, innovation and community for Xplor Education childcare software

2025-12-09 07:30:45

by Fiona Alston

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Opinions

Workforce

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When did it start to go wrong?

Looking back at the changes in how we deliver early learning since the 1990's,  I'm back tracking what sent us down the proverbial toilet. Trying to think objectively about it , it's evident to me that when the focus shifted to parents instead of children everything we did and how we did it changed. The more early learning became competition for warm bodies, the bigger the shift in who really mattered at kindy.

2025-12-18 08:00:46

by Fiona Alston

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Let’s not lose the word ‘Children’

Across the early childhood profession, our language is constantly evolving. We reflect deeply on the words we use; how they shape identity, how they frame relationships, and how they influence the way children experience their world. Yet one quiet shift has been occurring in our sector, almost unnoticed: the gradual move away from the word children.

2025-12-18 07:45:13

by Fiona Alston

Practice

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Workforce

It’s the people – full stop. Why early learning reforms must start with educators

Real reform in early learning has always hinged on one truth: if you get the people right, everything else follows. 

2025-12-05 05:28:48

by Fiona Alston

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Workforce

Navigating organisational change: Redundancies and responsibility

As pressures mount across the early childhood education and care (ECEC) landscape, reports of redundancies are beginning to circulate within the sector. Growing tension is being felt by providers as they grapple with rising costs, changing policy expectations and evolving family needs.

2025-12-04 07:45:40

by Fiona Alston

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