Blog | Phoenix Support For Educators

17 Articles

2024 ×

Sleep and rest

The things people tell us about babies, toddlers, and children's sleep are as many, varied, and diverse as we all are. If they sleep through the day they won't sleep at night. More sleep begets more s...

Safe sleep practices early years rest time outdoors sleep rest time sleep needs

11 June 2026

Why Some Children Can't Sit Still and Listen at the Same Time

Let’sintroduceJosie. Josie is a bright, bubbly childoften described as a “chatterbox” with a bodythat’salways in motion.She is fast, intuitive… and her nervous system works overtime. One day, I was to...

Phoenix Cups Framework attention and learning early childhood education movement and learning neuroscience early childhood self-regulation early childhood unmet needs children

22 Apr 2026

When words sting

"Everybehaviourtells a story. Swearing is achapter;it’s not time to close the book." - Annette As a facilitator, mentor, and long-time Educational Leader in School Age Care,I’vewitnessedthe ripple eff...

Children's autonomy Children's wellbeing National Quality Framework (NQF) OSHC, OOSH & SAC Skill to Fill™ The Phoenix Cups® Framework Will to Fill™ child behaviour children's rights children's voice family partnerships life skills respecting practice school age care swearing in children unmet needs

25 Mar 2026

When Kindy meets Schoolies

As educators, we know that transitions shape children’s experiences. But what happens when the transition is from school to an early childhood education and care (ECEC) service, and the child walking ...

Children's autonomy OSHC, OOSH & SAC Self-worth and belonging The Phoenix Cups® Framework australian early childhood bruce hurst child development children's agency childrens 's rights childrens wellbeing inclusive environments school age care school age pedagogy schoolies

25 Mar 2026

Working With the Heat, Not Against It

Designing with the Elements / Working in Harmony with the Heat Anationalreflection for Australian educators,with gratitude to our Territory colleagues for showing uswhat’spossible. Written by Annette ...

Pedagogy educators outside play playing on country seasonal knowledge sun safety

26 Feb 2026

Risky Play Part One: Why Challenge Matters More Than Safety

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 wor...

Basic human needs Emotional resilience in children Fun Cup® Play advocacy Play-based learning Risky play adventure

2 Dec 2025

Pebbles, Puddles and Possibilities: A Practical Guide to Nature Play in ECEC

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, holdi...

Bush kinder Cup-Filling Nature play Pedagogy STEAM connecting first nations nature pebbles puddles

27 Nov 2025

The great ‘6,7’ panic:

If you’ve heard a classroom or playground suddenly erupt with an exaggerated, drawn-out “Siiixxx, Seevvvennn!”, you’ve probably wondered what on earth is going on. You might have even asked a child wh...

Fun Cup® early years education six seven

11 Nov 2025

Reframing Intentionality in Early Childhood Education:

Let’s talk about play. Not just any play, but purposeful, powerful play that’s full of curiosity, intention, and child-led exploration. The updated EYLF v2.0 (Australian Government Department of Educa...

Australian Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) Culturally safe programs Intentional teaching Neuroscience Play-based learning executive functions

7 Oct 2025

From the ground up

In early childhood, barefoot play is often celebrated. In School Age Care (SAC). however, shoes are frequently the default. Kept on from the classroom to the OSHC/OOSH space without question. But what...

Barefoot Children's autonomy Children's development Children's wellbeing Nature play OSHC, OOSH & SAC Sensory experiences

9 Sept 2025

A Journey of Growth and Transformation at Nido Early School Trafalgar

As education coaches and mentors, we get to witness some incredible transformations in early years services across Australia. But every now and then, a service embeds itself in our hearts. We don’t ju...

Childhood advocacy Coaching & mentoring Educational Leader Mastery Cup® Risky play Say what you see School readiness The Phoenix Cups® Framework

28 May 2025

The Power of Physical Activity in Supporting Healing through Trauma

Trauma can deeply impact children, affecting how they think, feel, and interact with others. Research suggests that about 5% of children will experience trauma before they turn 18. Symptoms can range ...

Children's health Children's wellbeing Emotional regulation in children Mind-body connection Neuroscience Physicality Sensory development Social and emotional learning Trauma informed practice Wellbeing and exercise

22 Sept 2024

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