Designing with the elements Anationalreflection for Australian educators,with gratitude to our Territory colleagues for showing uswhat’spossible. Written by Annette Johnson “Rather than seeing summer as something to endure or av... Pedagogy educators outside play playing on country seasonal knowledge sun safety 26 Feb 2026
We ARE human services In Early ChildhoodEducationand School-Age Care,we’velong understood our roles as educators, carers, and leaders. But what if we widened the frame?What if we stopped seeing our work as“justteaching”or“... 17 Feb 2026 Blog
Why Praise Fails I am 20. It is 2008,myipodmini is paused on ‘low’ by Flo Rider,my hairinfluence wasSnookiand I am sitting in a lecture theatre learning aboutbehaviourmanagement, surrounded by mostly women, all who sh... Connection Seeking Educator appreciation childrens wellbeing teacher 13 Feb 2026 Blog
Reclaiming the moment: When the early childhood sector found itself under intense public scrutinywith media reports sparking widespread concern and families feeling understandably anxious,one early learning service in Melbo... 2 Feb 2026
Heavy work, full cups At Phoenix Support, we often say thatbehaviouris the bestattempta person can makeinthe moment to get their needs met, given the skills, experiences, andcapacitiesthey have at the time. When we sit wit... Children's wellbeing Connection Plan Emotional regulation in children OSHC, OOSH & SAC The Phoenix Cups® Framework proprioception self-regulation 27 Jan 2026
The Weight of Waiting It’sjust after 3:00pm. The hallway outside the School Age Care (OSHC/OOSH) room is alive with the thud of school shoes and the rustleofbags.Their muffled chatter can be heard rippling through the wall... Australian Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) Educational Leader Needs literacy OSHC, OOSH & SAC family daycare 28 Jan 2026 Blog
Changes To The Child Safety Reforms Explained The information provided in this blog post regarding National and Victorian child safety reforms is accurate as of the publication date January 2026. However, these reforms are subject to change at an... 14 Jan 2026 Blog
Risky Play: Part Two Note: This is part 2 of a2-part series. Want to know more about the basics of adult supported adventurous play(AKA risky play), read part 1. In this blog, we get intothe nuts and boltsof HOW to implem... Basic human needs Play-based learning Risk assessment Risky play The Phoenix Cups® Framework adventure emotional development movement 12 Jan 2026 Blog
The naughty trip to Queensland It was December in the Victorian highlands – cold, wet, windy-foggy…the long Victorian winter was determined to hang around. As I sat behind the wheel of the service bus bound for bush kinder, I comme... Connection Cup® Cup-Filling Flow in early years Mastery Cup® imagination 8 Dec 2025
Risky Play: Part One It goes without saying keeping children safe is a core priority of our work. Many of us care so deeply about children’s safety that, without meaning to, we sometimes soften the world a little more tha... Basic human needs Emotional resilience in children Fun Cup® Play advocacy Play-based learning Risky play adventure 3 Dec 2025 Blog
Pebbles, puddles, and the possibilities of nature play A commotion erupted along the bush kinder path. “Move back! It’s a leech!” Evie announced, arms stretched wide like a pint-sized superhero, holding her friends at bay as they leaned in for a closer lo... Bush kinder Cup-Filling Nature play Pedagogy STEAM connecting first nations nature pebbles puddles 27 Nov 2025
Leading With Connection Download Tool here Get the Connection Plan for leadership In School Age Care, we often speak about the importance of building secure, respectful and reciprocal relationships with children and young pe... Child safety Connection Cup® OSHC, OOSH & SAC The Phoenix Cups® Framework connection leadership physhological safety trust 27 Nov 2025 Blog