Blog Posts

Forcing children to say sorry does not necessarily equal an authentic apology.

Before you rush out to purchase the latest toy on the market, look around and see what you have that is real, something not created to do all the child's thinking, give the child something truly authentic to play with and enjoy watching magic happen.

Classroom environments that are not only enchanting places that ignite children's imagination, but inspire their desire to learn, should be the norm in all our places for young children.

Seamlessly transitioning from home to Centre is important to support a child’s wellbeing, belonging, and inevitably all areas of their learning. It ensures children carry a sense of home so they can continue to learn and thrive within a safe and supported childcare environment.

Being both a sleep consultant and qualified head infant teacher, I am here to give inside knowledge, answer these common worries, and hopefully give you a boost of confidence before making those first steps towards starting childcare.

What can you do when your child who is usually very happy at their childcare centre, becomes increasingly unsettled?

In their early years, young children are still developing the skills, resilience, and strategies for coping with life’s ups and downs. I like to remind parents that young children are in an apprenticeship - they are still learning (so many things!) and need a LOT of practice, guidance, and loving support to work stuff out.

In their early years, young children are still developing the skills, resilience, and strategies for coping with life’s ups and downs. I like to remind parents that young children are in an apprenticeship - they are still learning (so many things!) and need a LOT of practice, guidance, and loving support to work stuff out.

Biting has to be one of the most highly emotive and frequently discussed topics in early years education. This is because biting can really hurt, cause damage to others, and it can create a world of difficulty for educators having to answer to parents when their child has been bitten.

Biting has to be one of the most highly emotive and frequently discussed topics in early years education. This is because biting can really hurt, cause damage to others, and it can create a world of difficulty for educators having to answer to parents when their child has been bitten.

After working in a RIE based centre as a mentor for around 7 years, one thing I often find that gets a little lost in translation is the concept of “respectful care.” When I first learnt about respectful care I found it to be quite confronting as I considered myself a fairly respectful person but I had developed this lense of children needing to be taught wrong from right and as a young parent was very strict. I was impatient and inflexible. Before I had children of my own I was certain of my abilities and confident about the parenting style I had chosen. When my eldest, strong willed daughter was around 3 years old I was introduced to RIE and my values were challenged in a way I was not prepared for.

As early years educators we have all experienced those moments when a child absolutely loses control, and rages. This can be quite an alarming experience for us as educators, as we wrestle with how to understand and support this child, while also keeping them and others safe, and preventing them from damaging themselves, furniture or resources.