Blog | Phoenix Support For Educators

Does it really matter how children sit?

There are moments in the day when we invite children togather together, to connect, to share a story, to reflect on the morning’s play, or to dissolve into laughter over a familiar song. These moments...

NQS Quality Area 5 Phoenix Cups Framework bodily autonomy in early childhood children's agency in the classroom children's comfort and learning children's posture children's posture early childhood children's rights group time early childhood guidance approach vs behaviour management needs-based approach reflective practice self-regulation

10 Apr 2026 Blog

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

26 Mar 2026 Blog

How 12 months of coaching transformed a Cairns childcare service

Please Note: This was originally written byJacqui Bursztynowicz in 2022. From "Not Meeting" to Confident Practice: One Cairns Childcare Service's Coaching Journey Thank you to the incredible team at W...

Behaviour management Connection Seeking Innovative Solutions The Phoenix Cups® Framework cup filling plan loose parts outdoor play

4 Mar 2026

What Children Notice While They Wait

Thoughtfully written by: Annette Johnson Creatively and collaboratively edited by: Tara Hill The Weight of Waiting It’sjust after 3:00pm. The hallway outside the School Age Care (OSHC/OOSH) room is al...

Australian Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) Educational Leader Needs literacy OSHC, OOSH & SAC family daycare

28 Jan 2026 Blog

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 Blog

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 Blog

Re-thinking “School Readiness” and how to actually support children to be ready for school

What makes a child ready for school? There is no singular answer to that question. Some individuals believe it may be self-help skills such as toileting, opening their own food or tying their shoes. F...

Developmentally appropriate pedagogy Emotional regulation in children Group time Mathematics and numeracy Pedagogy Reading in early years School readiness Transition to school

31 Oct 2024 Blog

How to Explore Maths in the Early Years

Mathematics… A subject that every student either loves, or loves to hate. So how do you foster a love of, or appreciation of maths in young children? First, I want to tell you a little story. A story ...

Flow in early years Mathematics and numeracy Play-based learning School readiness

14 Mar 2024 Blog

Children aren't born in litters, so why teach as if they are?

Before I answer the question posed in the title of this blog,let’s remind ourselves of the purposes of group story and song sessions in early childhood settings. Purposes of group story and song sessi...

Child attention span Flow in early years Group time Language and literacy Language development Literacy development Mathematics and numeracy Music in early years Pedagogy Play-based learning Professional development Reading in early years School readiness Singing in early years Transition to school

16 Jul 2023

Surviving the staffing crisis

Written by Mim Brown, Phoenix Support for Educators Agency, love, self-care and a challenge to qualification mandates. We talk to six sector leaders about staff recruitment and retention and their res...

COVID-19 Childcare sector challenges Educational Leader Educator advocacy Educator wellbeing National Quality Standard (NQS) Pedagogy School readiness

8 May 2023

The Advocate for Childhood

Let’s discuss ‘that child’ found in many education and care settings. However, let’s not label him ‘that child’, and respectfully use his real name, Jacob. Jacob is spirited, energetic and a non-confo...

Child-led learning Childhood advocacy Flow in early years Freedom Cup® Group time Intrinsic motivation Nature play Play advocacy Professional development Risky play School readiness Sensory development The Phoenix Cups® Framework The delight of childhood

30 Jun 2021 Blog

Taking the ego out of teaching

DOWNLOAD PDF PRINTABLE HERE >>> As we continue to evolve in our understandings of early childhood research and theory, in particular in the area of neuroscience, we are moving in directions that are i...

Child-led learning Children's autonomy Critical reflection Educational Leader Flow in early years Group time Mathematics and numeracy Neuroscience Play-based learning School readiness

24 Jun 2021

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