The Naughty Trip to Queensland: What One Imaginary Road Trip Taught Us 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... Connection Cup® Cup-Filling Flow in early years Mastery Cup® imagination 9 Dec 2025 Blog
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 3 Dec 2025 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
How to Lead With Connection in School Age Care Download Tool here Get the Connection Plan for leadership Leading with Connection In School Age Care, we often speak about the importance of building secure, respectful and reciprocal relationships wi... Child safety Connection Cup® OSHC, OOSH & SAC The Phoenix Cups® Framework connection leadership physhological safety trust 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 Blog
Music and Wellbeing for Early Childhood Educators: A Phoenix Cups Approach Finding your Groove Phoenix Support For Educatorsare delighted to announce a partnership with Boogie Mites! We know that music is a powerful tool for young children’s learning and development, not onl... Emotional regulation in children The Phoenix Cups® Framework cup filling early childhood early years music and wellbeing needs based wellbeing self-regulation universal language 7 Nov 2025 Blog
Beyond Two Hats: How SAC Leaders Can Integrate Wellbeing Into Every Decision One role, many layers A blog for School Aged Care leaders In the fast-paced world of School Aged Care, leaders are often said to "wear two hats": one for operational management, and one for educationa... Behaviour guidance Children's autonomy Children's wellbeing Critical reflection Educational Leader OSHC, OOSH & SAC cup filling cup filling plan leadership leading pedagogical school age care 6 Nov 2025 Blog
Taking Play Seriously: How Joy and Fun Support Children's Learning and Wellbeing Taking the fun cup seriously A Day of Fun Cup filling (and why we need to plan for it!) Here’s the thing about children and young people: they are born scientists, comedians, and explorers wrapped int... Basic human needs Children's wellbeing Cup-Filling Emotional regulation in children Fun Cup® The Phoenix Cups® Framework early years fun joy laughter 4 Nov 2025 Blog
Children’s Rights in Action: From Reflection to Everyday Practice Childrens 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, exp... 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 7 Oct 2025 Blog
Supporting families through stillbirth and newborn baby loss My dearest fellow Educators, You are reading this because you’re needing to support families in your service who have experienced the unimaginable; the death of a baby. Perhaps through miscarriage, st... Red Nose Australia baby loss miscarriage stillbirth support families 7 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 29 Sep 2025 Blog