Profiles & Interviews
Step inside the world of quality family day care
National Family Day Care Week 2019 runs from 6 to 12 May and is a great opportunity to celebrate all the excellent family day care educators and services around the country.
A new National Allergy Strategy for child care centres and schools
Maria Said CEO of Allergy and Anaphylaxis Australia explains how the new National Allergy Strategy will keep kids in care safe.
How to pack a healthy lunchbox
Nutrition Australia Program Manager Leanne Elliston explains how to pack a perfectly tantalising lunchbox for your child.
Miscarriage support and compassionate leave for pregnancy loss
CEO and Co-Founder of The Pink Elephants Support Network Samantha Payne describes paid compassionate leave and how it supports families who lose a baby through miscarriage.
The early learning centre where preschoolers are parliamentarians, and mindfulness matters
Learn what makes the Lilyfield Early Learning Centre an award winner in this interview with director Sharon Alexander.
How to forge a gender equal future
Jamila Rizvi co-editor of Work.Love.Body explains why the child care load should be more fairly distributed in families and more.
Interview with children’s author, Lisa Nicol
Children’s author Lisa Nicol shares her favourite books for kids and where she gets her inspo!
Teaching multiple languages to under fives
Bilingualism and multilingualism have great benefits for under fives, and there are lots of ways for parents and educators to support language learning in the early years.
Interview with children’s author Aura Parker
In this interview with children’s author Aura Parker learn about the inspiration for her new title The Silly Seabed Song and how it combines the magic of rhyme and music with storytelling.
Building resilience and supporting mental health in early learning
In this interview with Judy Kynaston, the general manager of Be You, the national mental health in education initiative, learn what resources are available to support parents and families during stressful times.
How to encourage very young babies to reach and learn
While babies are born with a grasp reflex, this quickly fades. In this interview with Professor Priscilla Ferronato from Brazil’s Paulista University, learn how parents can support development by encouraging babies to reach for objects.
Educator in the spotlight: Heidi Madeheim
In this interview with early educator and mum of two Heidi Madeheim, learn how she retrained to join the early learning workforce and how it feels working in the same centre that your child attends.
An interview with creative dynamo, Briony Stewart
Children’s book author Briony Stewart explains the inspiration for the Magoo series and what her favourite books for kids are.
How to celebrate Early Learning Matters Week
Early Childhood Australia Chief Executive Officer Sam Page explains why early learning is so beneficial for young Australians.
How educators weave STEM into early learning
How Little Scientists support early educators to develop strong STEM skills among children in care.
Teaching first aid skills to children
Advice from St John Ambulance Queensland on how parents can empower children to take an active role in providing first aid and how to behave in an emergency.
The Sydney mum who’s won $10k worth of child care!
Meet the winner of the CareforKids.com.au $10,000 child care giveaway and learn how it has impacted her family.
An interview with author Philip Bunting
Children’s author Philip Bunting explains what inspires and motivates him and what his favourite children’s books are.
A spotlight on Goodstart Early Learning Tuggerah
The director of Good Start Tuggerah Adam Angwin, explains what makes his centre excellent, including intergenerational care, school visits, the culture of respect and a significant number of male educators.
Introducing… Frankie the kindy dog!
Authors of Frankie goes to kindergarten, Peta Baxter and Connie Hemmens explain how the real Frankie is part of the daily routine at C & K Walkerston Kindy and how the children benefit.
Nutrition advice for parents-to-be and breastfeeding mums
Accredited Practising Dietitian at Nutrition Australia ACT Leanne Elliston, explains the importance of maintaining a healthy diet during pregnancy and beyond and what nutrients are key.
2 new picture books that challenge gender stereotypes
Children’s book author Susann Hoffmann explains the inspiration her new books for preschoolers which challenge gender stereotypes as well as her favourite books for promoting diversity and inclusion in the early years.
Art and craft hacks for uncrafty parents
Craft expert Heather Flyght from Li’l Crafters explains how to bluff it if you are an uncrafty parent and the main components of the perfect craft box.
What can a nanny offer your family?
In-home carer Betty Ertugrul explains why she loves her job and what nannies can bring to the families who employ them.
How fewer toys leads to higher quality play
Raise Early Years director, Mandy Richardson describes how decluttering your child’s toy box to include a few simple open-ended play objects leads to higher quality and more sustained play.
An award-winning approach to outdoor learning
Educator in the Spotlight: Meet Meet Kelly Hedderman from Learning Tree Family Day Care in Sutherland NSW, who recently won an award for Excellence in Outdoor Education.
An interview with author and illustrator Heath McKenzie
Children's author/illustrator Heath McKenzie talks about his brand-new picture book, Zoo School.
Kids & Co Preschool and The ELLA Program
Jennifer Koutoulas, the Director of Kids & Co Preschool in Hurstville Grove describes her service's experience with the Early Learning Languages Australia (ELLA) program.
An interview with author Matt Cosgrove
Meet children's book creator Matt Cosgrove, and give you a chance to WIN a Scholastic book pack.
Esther Hathaway - One au pair's outback adventure
Meet au pair Esther Hathaway and learn how she has benefited from her overseas experiences.
Meet Nisha the maternity nurse
Nisha is a maternity nurse and supports new mums after their birth of their baby.
What is it like to be an au pair?
The au pair experience, how everyone benefits from this cross-cultural experience.
Why getting early education right is so critical for children and our future
The importance of positive and enriching early education experiences for children in the years before school.
Autism in the early learning and care environment
How early learning and care providers support ASD children and work collaboratively with their families to support their development and wellbeing.