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 27 Feb 2026 Blog
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... 3 Feb 2026 Blog
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 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 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 Blog
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 12 Nov 2025
Children’s Rights in Action Sometimes, it’s the smallest moments that spark the biggest shifts. One morning (many years ago), it began with something simple, calling the children in for group time, expecting the usual ‘buzz’ of ... Children's autonomy Play-based learning Strength-based practice The Phoenix Cups® Framework UNCRC children's rights children's voice early years supporting children 14 Oct 2025 Blog
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 8 Oct 2025 Blog
Walking feet, Safety Lines and two-by-twos Let’s pause and reflect on the common phrase “walking feet inside”. It’s a well-worn expression in many early childhood settings, but when we take a closer look, we might notice something worth rethin... Connection Cup® Cup-Filling Freedom Cup® Fun Cup® Mastery Cup® Safety Cup® life skills self-regulation stay in the line 30 Sep 2025