Aussie Childcare Network

17/09/2026

Learning The Alphabet: Photo Ideas

Alphabet learning becomes playful with hands‑on photo ideas! From sorting trays and tracing stations to LEGO letters and clay modeling, these activities build phonics, recognition, and creativity. Perfect for early childhood educators looking to make literacy engaging and fun.

Read more here:
https://aussiechildcarenetwork.com.au/articles/teaching-children/learning-the-alphabet-photo-ideas

17/09/2026

No New Increase — 15% Grant Now Permanent

No new increase — the 15% grant uplift educators have been receiving since 2024–2025 is now permanent! Backed by legislation and tied to NQS compliance, this change secures higher wages for educators and teachers in eligible services.

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No new increase—15% grant uplift for early educators is now permanent, secured by legislation and tied to NQS compliance. Educators have already been...

17/09/2026

Starting Out as an Educational Leader: Expectations, Guidance, and Practical Tips

Ready to step into leadership? The Educational Leader role blends vision with responsibility — guiding colleagues, ensuring compliance, and inspiring reflective practice. This article shares clear expectations, guidance for new leaders, and practical tips to succeed.

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Educational leadership made simple: expectations, guidance, and practical strategies to inspire teams, ensure compliance, and nurture children. Steppi...

17/09/2026

Free Cupcake Pom Pom Colour Mats

Strengthen fine motor and pre‑writing skills with playful colour recognition! The Cupcake Pom Pom Colour Mats invite children to pinch, place, and sort pom poms while building coordination and early writing readiness.

Download FREE:
https://aussiechildcarenetwork.com.au/printables/colours-worksheets/cupcake-pom-pom-colour-mats

16/09/2026

Opinion: 1 Year of Child Safety Reforms — Are They Working?

One year on, Australia’s childcare safety reforms have reshaped reporting, training, and compliance, but are they truly protecting children? This opinion piece explores what’s working, where challenges remain, and how educators can embed safeguarding into daily practice.

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16/09/2026

Rest Time in Early Childhood: Balancing Regulation and Agency

Rest time in early childhood services should balance compliance with children’s agency. This article explores how educators can meet regulatory requirements while respecting children’s choices, wellbeing, and individuality. Practical strategies show how flexible, child‑centred routines can support both rest and engagement.

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Rest time in early childhood services should balance compliance with children’s agency. Flexible, safe, child‑centred routines support wellbeing. Rest...

16/09/2026

Outdoor Play Learning Story Template

Outdoor play is where children explore, discover, and grow! The Outdoor Play Learning Story Template helps educators capture these moments in a storytelling format, linking play to EYLF outcomes. Perfect for documenting individual or group experiences with photos and reflections.

Download here:
https://aussiechildcarenetwork.com.au/eylf-templates/learning-stories/outdoor-play-learning-story

16/09/2026

Supporting Toddlers With Challenging Behaviour

Toddlers often express big feelings in small bodies, and challenging behaviour can be part of their development. This article shares practical strategies for educators to guide toddlers with positive reinforcement, consistent routines, and emotional regulation tools.

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Supporting a toddler with challenging behavior requires a combination of strategies and resources tailored to their developmental stage. The following...

16/09/2026

Free Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See Story Posters

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? comes alive in your early childhood setting with these Story Posters! Perfect for storytime, group reading, and visual engagement, they help children follow along, recognise animals, and build early literacy skills. A fun and interactive way to support language development and storytelling.

Download FREE:
https://aussiechildcarenetwork.com.au/printables/posters/brown-bear-story-posters

15/09/2026

Learning Colours: Photo Ideas

Colour learning goes beyond flashcards! This article shares creative photo ideas to help children explore colours through sorting, matching, sensory play, and everyday experiences. Perfect for educators looking to make colour recognition fun, engaging, and meaningful in early childhood classrooms.

Read more here:
https://aussiechildcarenetwork.com.au/articles/teaching-children/learning-colours-photo-ideas