EarlyEdition
Educator Wellbeing: The Results are
Preventative dental and oral hygiene education, along with regular optical examinations, are crucial for children under five years old as they lay the foundation for lifelong health.
Early dental education helps instil good habits, reducing the risk of cavities and gum disease, which are prevalent even in young children.
By teaching proper brushing techniques and the importance of a balanced diet, parents can empower their children to take charge of their oral health from an early age.
Similarly, regular optical examinations are vital for detecting vision issues that could impact a child's development and learning.
Addressing these problems early can enhance their ability to thrive in educational settings and social interactions.
Together, these preventative measures contribute to a healthier, happier childhood and set the stage for a lifetime of good health practices.
ACA Qld
Location:
2/10 Welch Street, Underwood Qld 4119
Mailing: PO Box 137, Springwood QLD 4127
Telephone: 07 3808 2366
Toll Free: 1300 365 325 (outside Brisbane)
Web: www.qld.childcarealliance.org.au
Email: qld@childcarealliance.org.au
Disclaimer:
Executive
President - Majella Fitzsimmons
Vice President - Jae Fraser
Treasurer - Louise Thomas
Executive Secretary - Debra North
Committee Members
Dene Crocker
Kerrie Lada
Pam Maclean
Kylie Petersen
Peta Pitcher
Brent Stokes
Darlene Wadham
ACA Queensland President’s Report
We are racing into the end of 2024 with a bang and there is still so much that is happening as we round out the year.
We recently held a round of quick sector webinar briefings for our members. These meetings were well received and with a time slot of 30 minutes we found this was a great way to engage with our members. In August we hosted our first ever leadership retreat for directors and nominated supervisors. The feedback from the day was so amazing that we decided to host an additional three retreats; in Cairns and the Sunshine Coast in November and then the Gold Coast next February. The attendee numbers have been amazing which shows ACA Qld is listening to our members and ensuring we are hitting the mark with meaningful professional development.
Do you have any professional development ideas?
Please feel free to share them via our 2024 Member Survey.
Did you see our election manifesto and videos to talk about our issues with our members? These were very welcomed, and it was great to see all potential candidates looking at them. We welcome the Liberal government to lead the State moving forward and thank the Labour government for the work they have done in the early learning sector. We look forward to meeting with John-Paul Langbroek and his team to talk about all things early learning and how the Liberals plans for early intervention look for children in our services.
The Qualifications Pathways Program has been a great success. The Queensland Department of Education trusted ACA Qld to offer 57 Bachelor or Graduate Diploma, 100 Certificate III and 100 Diploma scholarships to nonaligned services (a large majority of these are ACA Qld members) and within the first 2 weeks of announcing these scholarships all 57 Grad Diploma and Bachelor scholarships were scooped up. With limited scholarships left for the Certificate III and Diploma, this program has been a huge accomplishment from the Queensland Government to get more educators into services and upskill them. We continue to advocate strongly for the scholarship model to continue in 2025 and hope the Department of Education continues to grant ACA Qld the ability to offer more scholarships in 2025.
Another successful program has been Free Kindy in 2024. The funding has enabled each Queensland child who is eligible to enter prep in 2025 to be able to access 15hrs of free kindergarten for 40 weeks. Members have seen participation rates increase for 4-year-olds in their services. The early discussions with teachers regarding children who are in the process of attending transition days to school, was that they are excited for this year’s kindergarten children who will be prep students next year. Our Kindy team has been hitting the road this last quarter answering all your questions. We have seen a lot of services being audited who were unsure of what is required to be reported; if in doubt, please contact the office on 07 3808 2366 or email kindyqld@ childcarealliance.org.au.
The big thing on everyone’s mind is the workforce retention grant that will see an increase of 10% of the award wage. The government’s intent is that all educators will receive a 10% increase from 2 December 2024. We thank our National President, Paul Mondo, our National Vice President, Nesha Hutchinson and our National Treasurer and Queensland’s Vice President, Jae Fraser for all the work they have done, alongside our trusted ABLA lawyer, Nigel Ward. This has been a monumental journey and one that has taken up a lot of time from their own businesses to ensure we get this right for our members.
I would like to thank the ACA Qld office team, CAECE admin team and trainers for their efforts over this year. We have asked a lot of them, and they have been able to deliver at every event. I would also like to thank the ACA Qld committee. It has been a busy year, one that has seen engagement, not only with our members, but also with the Department of Education, other peaks from the early learning sector and other community groups and organisations, as we start to embark on some changes in early childhood education and care. Lastly, I would like to thank you, our members, who have trusted and sought out the advice from ACA Qld pushing us to do better and be better. Thank you all.
Majella Fitzsimmons | ACA Qld President
ACA President’s Report
As we look back over the whole of 2024, it’s with mixed emotions. On the one hand it has been heartening to see the early learning sector prioritised by the Federal Government. The work of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and the Productivity Commission has put our sector under the spotlight, effectively dispelling the notion that the private sector engages in “price gouging”, or unfairly profits from an essential community service.
On the other hand, with the conclusion of these inquiries, the Federal Government is now in reform mode. Whilst reform of any sector can be a good thing, there is always the risk of unanticipated consequences, such as the lowering of quality among services, or unequal advantages or disadvantages for certain service providers.
This is why the Australian Childcare Alliance (ACA) is committed to fostering strong relationships with key politicians and staff in the Department of Education, advocating for our members to ensure that policy and funding changes yield positive outcomes.
The most significant reforms to our sector this year have been the introduction of the multi-employer supported bargaining mechanism, and the Worker Retention Payment.
Multi-employer supported bargaining mechanism
Made possible under new provisions in the Fair Work Act, the ACA supported the first ever application for a supported bargaining authorisation, which enabled a group of ACA employers (along with other employers), the United Workers Union and Federal Government to work together in negotiations for wage increases for the early learning sector, with the Federal Government as the major funder.
Initially, the resulting Enterprise Agreement (EA) was expected to be the primary workplace instrument for service providers to receive government-funded pay increases. However, the Federal Government unexpectedly expanded the scope, allowing other workplace instruments to be accepted for the Worker Retention Payment.
As this publication goes to press, negotiations are ongoing, and we expect to finalise the EA shortly.
Worker Retention Payment
On 8 August 2024, the Federal Government announced it would fully fund a pay rise for the early learning sector via the Worker Retention Payment (WRP), effective December 2024. The funding model spans two years, requiring service providers to moderate their fees, with some exceptions. However, the government has yet to disclose the formula for individual services to determine their funding - a critical piece of the puzzle for all services providers.
Impact on the sector
Due to uncertainties over the funding amount, fee constraints, and continuity beyond two years, there is still an enormous level of instability and trepidation across the sector.
While the anticipated EA will enable access to the WRP grant funding, the inclusion of Individual Flexibility Arrangements (IFAs), as long as they meet grant guidelines, may diminish the supported bargaining process’s significance.
ACA is therefore taking a cautious approach to this funding model, while engaging with the government to clarify essential details.
Helping our members navigate the key decisions in the coming months
We are committed to assisting our members in making informed decisions by offering information and resources to navigate the WRP funding process. We now offer a compliant template IFA and guide at no cost, as well as a streamlined process for adopting the new EA, with the aim of allowing our members quick access to the worker retention payment.
Enjoy a peaceful end of year break
ACA is proud of our advocacy and support throughout this transformative year. We hope you feel supported as you manage daily operations amid these reforms, and we thank you for your continued support as ACA members.
ACA remains committed to advocating for the best outcomes for service providers and families. In the meantime, we hope you can unwind and enjoy a restful year-end break with your family, friends and loved ones.
Paul Mondo | ACA President
Your Self Care Mattersperhaps now more than ever!
Beth Borowsky > The Karma Class
You’re tired.
In fact, you’re exhausted. And burnout is within sight.
Some of you may be wondering where the joy is. For others, it simply feels like ground hog day. Work-life balance, what’s that? There’s little, if no appreciation or recognition and you may be thinking, ‘it’s time’, time to move on to something different.
These are some of the sentiments I hear in our Karma Care Workshops when I ask educators “What are your greatest concerns about your own health + wellbeing?” And it breaks my heart, because I know that when you decided to become an early childhood educator, you were excited and enthusiastic to inspire and make a difference to young children. I know those were my primary motivations.
Right now, the sector is losing its most experienced educators in droves and yes, times are seemingly tough. We know that. But the great thing is, we have agency. We enjoy freedom. We have options and can make choices that bolster and support our physical, mental, emotional and energetic wellbeing every day. We just have to choose them.
As we hurtle towards the end of the year, a deeper listening is perhaps required to ensure that you keep yourself feeling nourished and cared for. Listening to your body – perhaps the most important – because your body keeps the score, it holds the stories, the memories, the stresses. When we don’t listen to our body, we can become sick; when we do listen, we have opportunities to build experiences into our life that enable us to thrive.
So what does thriving look like and where do you start?
There are 6 elements to cultivating self-care, and a little sprinkle of self-love gets added too:
Just a few minutes every day - maybe 15, perhaps more if you can – creating rituals to nurture some or all these areas is an investment in your wellbeing. Your peace of mind. Your sense of satisfaction in life. It all begins by making a choice. By saying Yes! By prioritising YOURSELF. Here are some ideas and practices to support you:
Gratitude
Cultivating a daily gratitude practice goes a long way in helping us simply feel happier and more positive, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships. As you wake, before reaching for your phone, ease out of slumber with 5 deep belly breaths and whisper 3 things you’re grateful for. Do the same before you go to sleep.
Exercise
There’s no debate about the physical, mental and emotional benefits to daily exercise. Walking in nature, going to the gym, yoga, pilates, swimming… find something you enjoy – that’s the key – and gift your body and mind at least 4 times/week.
Nutrition
Food is medicine. Be honest with yourself, are you poisoning your body or nourishing it? Processed foods, high fat, high sugar, too much alcohol? These dull and strain our systems; they play tricks on our energy levels and make us sick. What small changes can you make to your daily diet to fuel your body and alter your energy?
Sleep
A good night’s sleep goes a long way in setting us up for a great day. If you’re struggling with sleep, find out why and seek support so that your body can power down and you can enjoy the deep rest you deserve.
Mindful Moments/Meditation
Do you punctuate your day with pauses, slowing down, stillness, quiet time? This doesn’t need to be 30 minutes meditating. Reading, listening to a guided meditation, a short stroll, gardening, time in nature … just a few joyful, quiet, peaceful minutes to nourish your spirit and calm your nervous system. Click here to enjoy a simple guided breath meditation to cultivate calm (3 min 36 secs).
Boundaries
This is a big one for many of us. Establishing a more distinct work-life balance, strengthening your voice and advocating for yourself can be very challenging. Boundaries keep us feeling safe and secure so notice if this space needs tending and start with baby steps.
Toxic Vampires
Who surrounds you? People who bolster and love you or who drain and sap your energy? I call these toxic vampires! Perhaps it’s time to bow away from relationships that no longer nourish you (or perhaps never did!).
Pampering
Gift yourself with a monthly massage, soak in a candlelit bubble bath, keep a ‘self-care pack’ in your bag with hand cream, a favourite essential oil to apply to your temples, neck or shoulders, a photograph that makes your heart sing, a healthy snack. Make time to spoil yourself as you do so many others.
It’s so easy to get caught in a rut, to blame external sources, to brandish in martyrdom while we wither away. But here’s a truth I hope you’ll take a moment to really hear: self-care is not selfish, it’s essential. If you don’t tend to yourself – emotionally, physically, spiritually and energetically – you will get sick, it’s just a matter of time. And the sector will lose another gem.
So do yourself a favour! Start small, baby steps, but make it a priority to nourish yourself every day – body, mind and soul – because simply put, you’re worth it.
Beth Borowsky is the Founder and Head of Wellbeing Education at The Karma Class, a company dedicated to elevating wellbeing culture within centres with transformational (and accredited) PD and kids yoga classes. Beth is a mum, former Montessori pre-school teacher and lecturer, and one of Sydney’s most inspiring kids and adult yoga teachers, teacher trainers and retreat leaders. Her passion is to inspire others to live a life of health, vitality and joy through daily practices that keep us all thriving.
Educator Wellbeing: The Results Are In
Angela Lee Jenkins
At the ACA Qld conference in June, I was invited by Angie Cooper from Rostaboss – People in Play to spend the weekend discussing wellbeing with educators. To gain insight into Educator Wellbeing, we set up a Wellbeing Check-In on a Wellbeing Wall, and over 100 educators participated.
The check-in used questions from the Mental Health Continuum Short Form, an evidence-based questionnaire that assesses emotional, social, and psychological wellbeing. We also included measures of physical wellbeing.
One key finding stood out: educators are generally a happy group, despite not getting enough sleep. Emotional wellbeing scored the highest, followed by social and psychological wellbeing, while physical wellbeing came in last.
You are considered to have high wellbeing if most of your responses are “yes, most days of the week.” While this was only a snapshot (not a formal assessment), and there are various ways to interpret the results, there is a clear opportunity to support and nurture our educators to improve their overall wellbeing.
This is crucial, as the wellbeing of educators has a farreaching impact. Research shows:
Teachers’ and early childhood educators’ wellbeing is vital for their ability to support children’s learning and care. Higher educator wellbeing is positively associated with lower student psychological difficulties and higher academic achievement among students.
Boosting Educator Wellbeing
Let’s delve further into the results and explore some strategies to boost educator wellbeing.
The Importance of Sleep
Sleep is foundational to both physical and mental wellbeing and is directly linked to workplace health, safety, and performance. Sleep-deprived employees are more prone to accidents, reduced productivity, and impaired decision-making. Some important statistics about sleep include:
• Women are 40% more likely to suffer from insomnia than men.
• 39-47% of perimenopausal women report sleep disorders.
• 54% of adults say stress and anxiety are the top reasons they have trouble falling asleep.
There is a bidirectional relationship between sleep and mental health—poor sleep affects mental health, and poor mental health impacts sleep.
Many individuals across different sectors are stuck in this downward spiral, and I’ve developed workshops specifically designed to break this cycle.
Key Strategies for Supporting Sleep
Your bedtime routine matters. We’re great at creating environments to help children sleep, but what about ourselves? Consider:
• Limiting bright lights in the evening.
• Taking a warm bath.
• Setting up a cool, quiet room with no screens before or while in bed!
• Listening to relaxing music, practicing breathing exercises, and using relaxation techniques like CBT or a weighted blanket.
Research also supports that regular exercise promotes better sleep, while alcohol and excessive caffeine can make sleep (and hot flashes!) worse.
Managing Stress and Responsibilities
More than half of the educators surveyed didn’t feel they were good at managing responsibilities most days of the week. This ties into psychological wellbeing and stress management.
The Australian Government’s National Mental Health Commission offers guidance on managing competing priorities. Key strategies include:
• Identifying daily tasks.
• Prioritising effectively.
• Creating a detailed schedule.
• Focusing on one task at a time.
• Setting time limits for tasks.
Managing stress throughout the day is crucial to preventing cortisol (the stress hormone) from inhibiting melatonin (the sleep hormone) at night. On a larger scale, stress and burnout are among the leading reasons educators leave the profession.
Equipping educators with emotional and problemfocused coping strategies, alongside creating supportive environments, can help combat this. It was great to see that 54% of educators felt that they belonged to a community more often than not. This social wellbeing component is important and I’d encourage to continue community and connection within the organisation.
“Wellbeing in the Small Things”
Addressing educator wellbeing can feel overwhelming, which is why my approach is “Wellbeing in the Small Things.” Starting with small, achievable steps can help regain a sense of control and build positive habits over time.
Ask yourself, “What is one small thing I can do today to improve my wellbeing?” We often underestimate the power of small changes and the ripple effect they create. The same applies at an organisational level. What small changes can you implement to alleviate stress and support educator wellbeing?
If you’re looking for Leadership Wellbeing Programs or centre wide workshops and programs to improve the mental, physical, emotional, and social wellbeing of educators, with an innovative, evidence-based approach, please get in touch. I’d love to be involved. Every wellbeing journey begins with a single small step…..
Angela Lee Jenkins Organisational Wellbeing Consultant
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Educator Wellbeing and Building a Strong Team Culture
Educator wellbeing is a foundation of quality early childhood education. As leaders and supporters in the sector, we often focus on meeting children’s developmental needs, yet the wellbeing of our educators is equally crucial. If our teams are to provide the high standard of care we strive for, we must ensure they feel supported, resilient, and valued in their roles. This means creating an environment that fosters a sense of belonging, prioritises mental health, and champions positive team dynamics.
Resilience in the Early Childhood Education Sector
The daily responsibilities of educators can be incredibly demanding, both physically and emotionally. The work requires balancing administrative tasks, addressing developmental needs, and navigating interpersonal relationships with families. It’s no wonder that burnout rates are high across the sector. This is where the concept of resilience comes into play.
In agreement with Dr. Michael Ungar, a prominent resilience researcher, resilience is not simply an individual’s ability to “bounce back.” It is also about creating environments that enable individuals to access the resources they need to cope effectively. In the scope of early childhood education, this involves shaping a workplace culture that offers emotional support, ongoing professional development opportunities, and a sense of autonomy.
The Role of Team Building in Wellbeing
Beyond individual support, team cohesion is a vital factor in preventing burnout and promoting a positive work culture. Team-building activities that focus on trust, communication, and shared goals can enhance the overall sense of connection. Importantly, team-building should not feel like an extra obligation but rather an integrated part of workplace culture.
One effective approach to team-building is adopting reflective practice sessions. Inspired by the work of Donald Schön, who introduced the concept of “reflective practice” in the professional realm, these sessions encourage educators to reflect on their actions, share insights, and collaboratively problem-solve. By creating a structured space for reflection, educators are given the opportunity to acknowledge their strengths and identify areas for growth without judgment.
Charmaine Weston > Una Early Learning
Creating a Culture of Checking In
To truly support the mental health of educators, regular check-ins are more than just a box-ticking exercise. They are opportunities for honest, meaningful conversations. This practice can be informed by Narrative Therapy, a therapeutic approach developed by Michael White and David Epston. Narrative Therapy is based on the principle that people create meaning through stories and that these stories shape their identities and experiences.
In a team context, Narrative Therapy can be adapted to provide a framework for discussing personal challenges and professional experiences. By encouraging educators to share their stories—both successes and struggles— we create a space where team members feel heard and supported. This practice also helps in reframing challenges, shifting the focus from “what went wrong” to “what can we learn from this?” It fosters a growth mindset and builds a sense of shared purpose and resilience.
Staff Ratios and the Case for Overstaffing
The staffing ratios in early childhood settings are a topic of ongoing debate, with many advocating for higher ratios to support better care outcomes. However, while increased staffing may enhance quality interactions, it also brings its own set of challenges, particularly in maintaining educator wellbeing. Overstaffing, when done strategically, can allow for more flexibility in scheduling, support professional development, and reduce stress by providing adequate break times.
Yet, if not managed carefully, overstaffing can contribute to inefficiencies, unclear role boundaries, and even interpersonal conflicts. The goal is not merely to have more educators on the floor, but to ensure that each team member understands their role, feels valued, and has the opportunity to engage meaningfully with children and colleagues alike.
It’s also essential to consider the impact of staffing ratios on burnout. A 2021 study published in the Early Childhood Research Quarterly found that high staff-to-child ratios are linked to lower job satisfaction and higher stress levels among educators. To counteract this, leaders must focus on creating supportive workplace cultures where staff feel their contributions are recognised and where they have adequate time for planning, professional growth, and self care. Work life balance however elusive is essential to creating strong relationships between leadership and educators.
The Need for Systemic Change
While individual strategies are valuable, systemic changes are necessary to address the broader issues impacting educator wellbeing. This includes advocating for better funding, improved pay, and recognition of the complex and highly skilled nature of early childhood education. Without addressing these systemic issues, even the most supportive workplace environments will struggle to retain staff and prevent burnout.
In the words of Professor Sue Roffey, an expert in educational psychology and social-emotional learning, “Wellbeing is not an add-on, it is core business.” For the early childhood education sector, this means prioritising educator wellbeing as a central component of quality care. When educators feel supported, appreciated, and connected, they are better equipped to provide the nurturing, high-quality interactions that children need to thrive.
Conclusion
Supporting educator wellbeing is not just about preventing burnout—it’s about creating a thriving, engaged team that can provide the best possible care for children. By fostering resilience, promoting a culture of checking in, and focusing on team cohesion, we build a foundation for sustainable, high-quality early childhood education. As leaders in the sector, we have a responsibility to advocate for systemic changes and to implement practices that ensure our educators are well-equipped to meet the challenges of their role
By creating environments where educators feel valued and supported, we not only enhance their wellbeing but also contribute to the long-term sustainability and quality of early childhood education as a whole. In the end, a thriving team is at the heart of every successful early childhood program.
References
Ungar, M. (2012). The social ecology of resilience: A handbook of theory and practice. Springer Science+Business Media.
White, M., & Epston, D. (1990). Narrative means to therapeutic ends. W.W. Norton & Company
Guerrero-Rosada, P., Brophy-Herb, H. E., Harden, B. J., & Lin, Y. (2021). Staff-child ratios and their relation to job satisfaction and stress in early childhood education settings. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 56, 115126. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecresq.2021.03.002
Roffey, S. (2011). Changing Behaviour in Schools: Promoting Positive Relationships and Wellbeing. SAGE Publications.
Schön, D. A. (1983). The reflective practitioner: How professionals think in action. Basic Books.
Harnessing Character Strengths: Building a Strength-Based Framework for Educators
Adrian Pattra > Farran Street Education
In our fast-paced teams, it’s easy to focus on what’s going wrong—whether it’s a chaotic morning drop-off, team miscommunication, or struggling to get all the jobs done. But what if we could shift that focus to what’s going right? This is where the Character Strengths framework comes into play, offering Educators a strength-based approach to support each other and create a more positive, supportive environment.
What Are Character Strengths?
Character Strengths are a set of 24 strengths, such as kindness, leadership, creativity, and perseverance, identified as core positive traits that we all possess to varying degrees. Strengths provide a structured, positive framework that Educators can use to highlight the best in themselves and each other. By focusing on character strengths, teams can foster a supportive culture built on mutual respect and an appreciation of diversity.
A Strength-Based Framework for Educators
In our sector where teamwork is key, recognising and using each other’s strengths can transform how we work together. The framework helps Educators focus on what they bring to the table, reframing everyday challenges by emphasising strengths instead of weaknesses.
1. Build a Positive Team Culture
Rather than only focusing on areas of improvement, using a strength-based approach allows educators to uplift one another. Imagine walking into a team meeting where, instead of highlighting missteps, the focus is on creativity, perseverance, or humour that team members have shown in tackling a tough week. By acknowledging each other’s strengths, educators can foster a culture of appreciation, respect, and encouragement, which leads to stronger relationships and greater job satisfaction.
2. Leverage Strengths to Overcome
Challenges
When challenges arise, understanding each team member’s strengths can make a significant difference. For example, if someone’s top strength is love, they might struggle with giving constructive feedback, as they may prioritise maintaining harmony. On the other hand, an educator with a strength in perspective can help the team zoom out and see the bigger picture, facilitating common ground during disagreements. However, overusing the strength of bravery could make an educator seem overly assertive or even aggressive. By utilising the Character Strengths framework, educators not only gain insight into their own strengths but also learn to appreciate how their colleagues’ strengths contribute to the team’s overall success.
3. Strengths in Action: Supporting Each Other
Imagine an educator who’s feeling overwhelmed with challenging behaviours. Instead of focusing solely on the problem, a strength-based team might remind this person of their creativity or kindness, empowering them to reframe the challenge and approach it from a place of strength. In return, this educator might recognise a colleague’s strength in teamwork or leadership, asking for help and feeling supported in a positive, strengths-driven environment.
One of the most powerful aspects of focusing on character strengths is its role in protecting educators from burnout. Burnout is a common issue. Emotional demands are high, and the work can often feel overwhelming. When Educators are encouraged to see and use their strengths, and recognise the strengths in their colleagues, it creates a buffer against the pressures of the job. Acknowledging and celebrating strengths provides emotional reinforcement, which helps build resilience. Instead of feeling isolated in their struggles, educators feel part of a supportive community that values what they contribute.
Educators who can regularly use their strengths in the workplace tend to experience a greater sense of purpose and fulfillment, which significantly reduces the likelihood of feeling overwhelmed or disconnected from their role.
How to Implement VIA Strengths at Work
Here are a few simple ways educators can begin using a Character Strengths framework in their workplace:
1. Start with Self-Reflection: Encourage each team member to discover their Character Strengths. This opens the door for individual reflection and growth.
2. Strengths-Based Meetings: Integrate the language of character strengths into your team meetings. Start discussions with what strengths team members have been using and how those strengths have helped tackle recent challenges.
3. Celebrate Strengths: Whether through formal recognition or casual shout-outs, make a habit of acknowledging each other’s strengths. This not only boosts morale but also strengthens the bond among colleagues.
4. Use Strengths to Navigate Conflict: When conflicts arise, refer back to character strengths to find solutions. Understanding that one colleague values honesty while another prioritises kindness can lead to more empathetic, productive discussions.
The Character Strengths framework offers a practical, positive way for Educators to support each other, build resilience, and create a thriving workplace. By focusing on strengths instead of weaknesses, educators can transform the way they collaborate, lead, and grow, both personally and as a team.
This article is an excerpt from Farran Street Education’s new in-house team workshop, The Trusted Team.
https://farranstreeteducation.com.au/the-trusted-team/
Early Childhood Educators’ Day 2024
Kitiwah Place ELC
Nestled in the Idyllic country setting on Gympie’s Southside, ‘Kitiwah’ is a purpose-built service catering for Gympie families since 2006.
Kitiwah Place from Nursery to Pre-Prep, with 47 dedicated Educators and Early Childhood Teachers over our eight rooms ranging in age from 16-67 Years. Part of the Gympie Community for over 18 years, we can proudly boast Educators have been with us on this journey since opening day in 2006.
Kitiwah Director Lee-Ann walked in the centre doors when it first opened as a parent and shortly after as an employee who has never left, telling former Owner/Director Erin “I only want to work for the best”. Erin now runs Curriculum for our Pre-Prep Rooms. Kelley our Nursery Educator has been with us since opening day and ECT Gayle not long after. A number of our Educators have been with us for many years including our Ed Leader Kylie who has been dedicated to Kitiwah since 2010.
Our Educators have nurtured the growth and development of Gympie children for over 18 years. In fact, four of our former Kitiwah babies are now valued staff members working alongside the very Educators who helped nurture them as babies.
Talia, a 2010 Kitiwah graduate would spend her school holidays gaining work experience alongside the very best mentor - Mum Janis who is a much-loved Educator. Janis joined our team in 2013. Talia has completed her Certificate III and is now studying for her Bachelor of Early Childhood.
On Educators Day, our Educators were celebrated with platters and a special tote bag filled with meaningful gifts to help them relax and unwind. Our families were encouraged to leave notes on our foyer display for their favorite Educator
Enchanted Forest Early Learning
Enchanted Forest Early Learning was established in 2017. Beginning with the Chermside service and then expanding to Murrumba Downs in 2020 (2 months before COVID shut down the world).
Three Sisters, Miss Tracy, Miss Shelly and Miss Kirsty (Miss Tracy & Miss Kirsty are twins!) who previously had franchises took the opportunity to go out on their own and follow their dreams of creating cosy, home away from home environments, rich in natural resources throughout the service.
With the vision of having this ‘family’ service, there were multiple Educators who had been working under the leadership of Shelly, Tracy and Kirsty for 15-20 years. These Educators have been supported and promoted throughout Enchanted Forest and carry on the philosophy that is Enchanted Forest.
Being family owned and operated services, the 3 Sisters were delighted when multiple sisters applied to work at the service.
From the previous franchise, Miss Alex had been working with Tracy, Kirsty and Shelly since she was just 18 years old. It wasn’t long before her younger sister Miss Sam decided to join the family and began her early childhood career as a student at just 17 years old. Both Miss Alex and Miss Sam have now been with the 3 Sisters for 12 years.
Miss Amy and Miss Taylor are 2 Sisters who had decided they would like to begin their childcare journey together. Enchanted Forest has supported these 2 sisters gaining their Certificate IIIs, Diplomas and now their Bachelors and they couldn’t be more proud. Miss Taylor and Miss Amy’s cousin has since joined the team, it is a real family affair.
But it doesn’t stop there! As the Murrumba Downs service was growing in numbers Miss Kirsty’s daughter was willing to help out casually while on Uni holidays. It didn’t take long before Miss Emily, just like her Mum and Aunties, found a real passion for early childhood education and after finishing her Certificate III is now studying her Diploma. Miss Emily has now been a part of the Enchanted Forest family for 4 years.
Over the years Miss Tracy, Miss Kirsty and Miss Shelly have not only seen Educators grow professionally but have also been there to watch them grow personally. The 3 Sisters have celebrated and attended monumental moments in Educators lives. Such as, engagements, weddings, baby showers, buying first homes and milestone birthdays just to name a few.
What makes Miss Tracy, Miss Shelly and Miss Kirsty so unique and special is they are not only there for the good times, but they are also there for the hard times. They have been supportive through break ups, break downs, heart aches and family dramas. I personally couldn’t imagine working for anyone else, and I am proud when I say I work for Enchanted Forest Early Learning.
Every year ‘Educators Day’ is celebrated with a gift and themed lunch. This year each Educator received a personalised Yeti drink bottle.
Kids ELC
A Heartfelt Thank You from Kids ELC
At Kids ELC, there’s a beloved tradition that brings our entire community closer together: our Support Office team visiting each and every Kids ELC centre in a single day. With our growth and expansion, this year we decided to extend the visits over three days, allowing us to connect more personally with each educator and team member.
On Early Childhood Educators’ Day, we successfully completed visits to all our centres in three days, including those in Brisbane and North Queensland. It was a meaningful opportunity to thank each member of our team in person and share how deeply we value the unique strengths they bring to Kids ELC. From the passionate educators shaping children’s learning journeys to the leadership teams ensuring that every day runs smoothly, each person plays an essential role in what makes Kids ELC special.
These visits were filled with laughter, gratitude, and stories that reminded us of the profound impact our teams have on the lives of so many families. We’re immensely proud of the work each of our centres does, and we’re grateful to have such a committed, caring, and talented community.
Thank you to everyone who makes Kids ELC a place where children feel inspired, nurtured, and excited to learn. Here’s to another amazing year of growth, connection, and learning together!
Prevent water damage from flooding your business.
Backed by over 60 years of claims experience, Guild Insurance noticed an uptick in water damage claims at early learning centres in the last 10 years. Guild works proactively to reduce customer risks, and this increase prompted us to investigate how we could better help our customers lessen their risk of water damage, while keeping their business insurance premium increases to a minimum.
Fortunately, there are devices available that can be installed by licensed plumbers that monitor for unexpected water flow and stop it
before it causes damage. To test the effectiveness of these devices, we launched a leak-stopping device pilot with 10 of our customers and 2 suppliers, Water Secure Co. and Aqua Trip. The pilot was successful with multiple pilot participants discovering first-hand a reduction in water damage and related costs.
Paul Mondo, President of the Australian Childcare Alliance, and owner of Bimbi ELC in Airport West, Victoria, participated in the pilot and thanks to the Water Secure app notifying Paul of unusual water flow, he was able to
limit the potential water damage to just one broken pipe and keep the doors open, saving the service from certain flooding that would have required the centre close for repairs.
Become part of something bigger today, scan the QR code to learn more and access our preferred provider discounts on leak-stop devices.
The Power of Team Culture
I always knew that team culture was important, but only recently have I become aware of its super powers.
The team at Sentia Early Learning has been on a journey for the past five years to build a positive team culture. These are the key ingredients that create our highly functioning team:
1. Mutual Accountability – Once goals, frameworks and policies are clearly defined, all that is left is putting them into practice. Leaders are not omnipresent. Therefore, it comes down to every single team member to ensure these are embedded in daily practice. Educators are encouraged to ZAP each other (zero avoidance policy) and hold each other accountable. That is hard for us. Early Childhood Educators are generally a collection of gorgeous humans who love to love – empaths who avoid confrontation at all costs. Only in stepping outside of our comfort zones for the sake of children and best practice to challenge each other in the moment (if you see it, call it) can excellence flourish.
2. Open Door Policy – Staff need to know that they are heard and supported. As a leader, an open-door policy can be challenging to enforce amidst a mountain of paperwork. However, wise leaders make the time to sit and coach and have learned how to avoid taking the proverbial ‘hot potato’ – the issue at hand. Our role is to help staff recognise the next steps they need to take and to workshop words to get them started. You help no one by solving problems for your staff.
3. Transparency – No one is above reproach. Even leaders regularly seek feedback about how they can better support staff. Everyone within the team—no matter their role –takes responsibility for mistakes. This helps create a flat structure where everyone and everything is out in the open.
Some unexpected benefits of a transparent and accountable team culture have emerged for us:
Child Safety: It was such a light bulb moment when our team embraced the Victorian Child Safe Standards and realised that the points above are our greatest safeguard against organisational harm to children. Open, confronting and transparent communication quickly exposes and weeds out any bad apples.
Staff Retention: This kind of challenging, yet positive work environment leads to growth and development. When staff are challenged and growing, they tend to stick around. Who doesn’t want to work in a team environment defined
by clear expectations, good communication and the sound of laughter? A positive team culture is just one of the reasons that our organisation is proud to boast average tenure of five years plus.
Leadership: The truth is that once the hard work is done to embed positive team culture, only minor course corrections are needed from the Leadership Team. The hard work up front pays off in spades over the years. Once a strong team culture is established, you recruit strategically and any new team member quickly and easily moulds to the shape of the prevailing team. It really does make our job as leaders a whole lot easier.
For further reading, I highly recommend this VPSC handbook on Organisational Culture.
In summary, the importance of team culture just cannot be overrated. Do the hard work early and everyone will reap the rewards…. Especially our beautiful children.
The Power of Team Culture > Sentia Early Learning
Fraser Foundation Annual Charity Luncheon
Fraser Foundation
The Fraser Foundation recently raised more than $160,000, every dollar of which will go to aspiring early childhood teachers from coast to coast looking to further their skills with a Bachelor or Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education.
The annual Fraser Foundation charity luncheon was held at the Garden Kitchen & Bar at The Star Gold Coast, allowing nearly 250 guests, many of whom were approved providers, to come together, enjoy a delicious meal, an exciting auction and hear from esteemed guests, all while raising money for an important cause. This incredible event was generously sponsored by Prekaro Projects, Childcare Concepts, Wilson Lawyers, Elston and Accounts Advantage.
Among the attendees were Majella Fitzsimmons, president of ACA Queensland, The Hon. John-Paul Langbroek, Queensland Minister for Education and the Arts, and Emily Jade O’Keefe, podcast host and radio personality for 102.9 fm Hot Tomato.
The need for ECTs
Recently, Jobs and Skills Australia released a report that stated over the next 10 years, there will be a deficit of about 8,000 needed early childhood teachers (ECTs) across the country. That’s the whole mission of The Fraser Foundation, started by Jae Fraser, an early childhood teacher and managing director of The Scholars Group.
“The road to getting my own degree was not easy, I had to take a long way around to afford it and finish my degree while working full time. I knew if I was ever in a position to help, I wanted to make it easier for aspiring teachers, and in turn, ensure our children have the best early education possible. That’s why I created The Fraser Foundation,” he says.
“By offering scholarships to contribute to their education, we’re making life a little easier for these passionate people who just want to make a difference in the lives of little ones.”
Uplifting and upskilling
Since 2021, The Fraser Foundation has given more than $300,000 to 33 educators across Australia, who are now working as ECTs or working toward their degrees.
But that’s not all. The Fraser Foundation has a special relationship with Gundoo Early Learning Centre in Cherbourg, an Aboriginal Community in Queensland. At the charity luncheon, one of the esteemed guests was Aunty Jacqui, the director of the Gundoo Early Learning Centre. She told the attendees that the funding and support has given her team more confidence in educating the children of Cherbourg.
“I can already see the benefits, not only for the children, but to the whole community. We’re training better parents, aunties, sisters and future elders who will pass on valuable knowledge about child development,” Aunty Jacqui told the crowd.
In fact, one of Gundoo’s educators, Shanyce Blackman, created a stunning one-of-a-kind art piece for the auction, which raised $7,000.
“I’d like to sincerely thank the Fraser Foundation for the difference it has made in upskilling our workplace, we are grateful for the support, and we look forward to continuing our relationship and friendship for years to come.”
The Fraser Foundation has been working with Aunty Jacqui to learn how to better support these incredible educators. The Fraser Foundation funds training, coaching and support for the educators at Gundoo monthly with their RTO. Educators from Little Scholars School of Early Learning visit each month to support Gundoo Early Learning Centre so the educators can complete their studies.
Empowered educators
Also at this year’s charity luncheon were two beneficiaries of The Fraser Foundation scholarships – Andrea Campbell and Leonie Michie.
Andrea was one of the first Fraser Foundation scholarship recipients and is now an ECT and centre director at her early learning service in Toowoomba.
“I’ve been in this sector more than 10 years now. I had always been interested in upskilling my knowledge to a tertiary level, though was not in a position to fund this. A close friend of mine told me about The Fraser Foundation and the wonderful work it does, prompting me to seek its wonderful support to allow me to further my passion,”
Andrea says.
“It is only with the support of this amazing foundation that I could even consider the possibility of completing this course and becoming an early childhood teacher.”
Leonie is in the middle of her Graduate Diploma while working as an educator in a kindergarten classroom and raising her son.
“I don’t think words can explain the gratitude I feel. I am a single mum who is currently working two jobs, six days per week to cover the cost of living,” says Leonie. “My goal is to provide my son with a home, giving him consistency and stability. Having this opportunity from The Fraser Foundation is amazing.”
With the added funds raised, The Fraser Foundation can continue to make a significant impact on the lives of educators across Australia by bringing more early childhood teachers to the sector, and in turn ensuring the highest quality early education for littlest members of our society.
To learn more about The Fraser Foundation and to apply for a scholarship, visit TheFraserFoundation.com.au
Bright Smiles and Clear Vision: Why Dental and Optical Care Matters for Kids Under 5!
Early dental and optical care for kids under five is crucial for their overall development, preventing future issues while promoting well-being, academic success, and self-esteem.
Dental Care
1. Foundation for Lifelong Oral Health
Establishing good oral hygiene habits early is essential. The Australian Dental Association (ADA) recommends that children have their first dental visit by their first birthday. This early exposure normalises dental visits and teaches the importance of oral hygiene. Parents should begin brushing their child’s teeth when the first tooth appears, typically around six months. This sets the stage for lifelong dental health.
2. Preventing Dental Issues
Early detection of dental problems is vital. Tooth decay is a significant concern, with about 40% of children aged five experiencing dental caries. Regular check-ups help identify issues like cavities before they become serious. Preventive measures, such as fluoride/calcium treatments and sealants, can significantly reduce the risk of decay.
3. Nutritional Guidance
Nutrition is closely linked to oral health. With rising childhood obesity rates, paediatric dentists can provide advice on healthy eating habits. Encouraging a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains while limiting sugary snacks helps prevent conditions like early childhood caries.
4. Impact on Learning and Development
Oral health influences a child’s ability to learn and communicate. Dental issues can lead to pain, hindering focus and participation in activities. Healthy teeth are vital for effective communication, especially as many children begin formal education by age five.
5. Boosting Confidence and Self-Esteem
A healthy smile enhances a child’s self-esteem. Children with dental issues may feel self-conscious, affecting their social interactions. Prioritising dental care helps children feel proud of their smiles, boosting their overall self-worth.
Optical Care
1. Vision Development and Health
Vision is critical for a child’s development, influencing learning and play. The Australian College of Optometry recommends that children have their first eye examination by age three and again before starting school. Early screenings are essential for identifying common vision problems, such as refractive errors or lazy eye (amblyopia), which can impact learning if untreated.
2. Early Detection of Vision Issues
Many vision problems go unnoticed, making regular eye exams vital. It’s estimated that 1 in 10 Australian children have a vision issue that could hinder learning. Early detection allows for timely interventions, improving outcomes for conditions like amblyopia. Eye care professionals can provide corrective measures, such as glasses or vision therapy.
3. Link Between Vision and Learning
Poor vision can impede a child’s ability to learn. In Australian classrooms, children engage in reading and interactive learning. Undiagnosed vision issues can lead to academic struggles and frustration. Ensuring good vision supports academic success and fosters a positive attitude toward learning.
4. Managing Screen Time
Increasing screen exposure can lead to eye strain. Educating parents about limiting screen time and promoting outdoor play is crucial for maintaining healthy vision. Eye care professionals can offer strategies to mitigate the effects of prolonged screen use.
5. Establishing Healthy Eye Care Habits
Instilling good eye care practices is essential. Teaching children to protect their eyes from UV rays and encouraging regular breaks from screens can maintain their eye health. Parents play a critical role in modelling these habits.
At Dental2you & Optical2you, we give kids the ultimate head start with essential eye exams and preventative dental care right in the childcare centre—building healthy habits for a bright future! 0478 883 830 | www.dental2you.net
Larissa Karabatsos > Dental 2 You
Kindergarteners at Prince Charles Hospital Early Education Centre Embrace the Lunchbox Challenge
Michelle Stanley > Prince Charles Hospital EEC
Our kindergarten children at the Prince Charles Hospital Early Education Centre have been excitedly participating in our Lunchbox Challenge. Presented with the opportunity to assemble their very own sandwiches, our children were equipped with their very own vibrant orange lunch boxes, which brought smiles of delight as they anticipated putting their culinary skills to the test.
After receiving some guided instructions and suggestions, our children carefully spread their bread with an assortment of delicious spreads and then proceeded to independently select and layer their preferred fillings, such as chicken, beef, cheese, lettuce, or tomatoes. It was a delight to observe our children thoughtfully helping each other while choosing from the array of ingredients and creating their own unique sandwich masterpieces.
But the challenge didn’t end there as our little sandwich artists also learned the art of wrapping up their sandwiches in baking paper, presenting an opportunity for problem-
solving and life-skills. With a sense of accomplishment, they then placed their wrapped sandwiches into brown paper bags and arranged them, along with a fresh apple and yogurt, inside their lunchboxes.
When lunchtime arrived, our children beamed with joy as they enthusiastically reached for their lunchboxes, eager to savour the fruits of their labour. This Lunchbox Challenge, which will continue weekly, proved to be a wonderfully enriching experience, one that not only supported our children’s practical skills, but also fostered a sense of independence, pride, and achievement.
Keeping Kids Summer SAFE: Reinforcing Water Safety with Kids Alive
Emma Lawrence > Kids Alive
As summer approaches, early childhood educators play a crucial role in ensuring that water safety is a top priority for children under five. While summer is the time for fun in the sun; it’s also the peak season for drowning incidents. The latest Royal Life Saving 2024 Drowning Report reveals that a staggering 40% of drowning incidents for children under five occur in backyard pools, while 27% happen in bathtubs. With statistics showing that 15 children lost their lives to drowning last year, it’s clear that vigilance and education are still as important as ever.
Despite these tragic numbers, there is a positive trajectory: child drownings have decreased by 25% compared to the 10-year average. This decline is largely thanks to ongoing efforts by educators, parents, and water safety advocates who are making a difference through awareness and education. But there is still much to be done to protect young lives, especially during summer when water activities are at their peak.
Education is Key
Water safety education works, and early childhood educators have an amazing opportunity as you are at the frontline of delivering lifesaving messages. It is not just about keeping children safe during summer; it’s about creating year-round habits that help prevent accidents. Kids Alive Do the Five, a program that has been trusted by educators for over two decades, offers a range of engaging resources designed to make learning about water safety easy and fun. The focus is on building awareness in children through a myriad of channelssongs, stories, movement, and activities.
Simple Ways to Incorporate Water Safety into Your Lessons
1. Read a Book, Sing a Song
Kids Alive has a series of Wise Owl storybooks designed for young children, along with new songs that are perfect for classroom learning. Consider dedicating a weekly session to reading a water safety book and singing along to one of the catchy tunes. There are songs about the beach, home, supervision, emergency procedures to name a few.
2. Music and Movement
Incorporate water safety messages into your music and movement classes. Kids Alive’s songs are designed to be engaging, making it easy to teach children about being safe around water while having fun. There are also specialised dance and yoga exercises available on YouTube that bring to life the water safety messages through fun easy movement.
3. Play-Based Learning
Whether it’s through role-play, craft activities, or interactive games, there are endless ways to embed water safety messages into everyday activities. Sensory play can be an excellent tool—using water-themed sensory tubs while discussing safety rules, or creating a “beach safety” zone in the classroom.
4. Seasonal Focus
While water safety is a year-round topic, it becomes especially relevant during summer. Use this time to reintroduce water safety resources, focusing on the increased risks during the warmer months. Decorate your learning environment with water safety posters, hold mini-performances of the Kids Alive songs, and encourage children to share the messages they’ve learned with their families.
A Big Thank You to Educators
It’s important to acknowledge the incredible work that early educators do in reducing child drownings. The 25% reduction in drowning incidents over the past decade is a testament to your dedication. Your efforts in incorporating water safety into everyday lessons and building a culture of safety among children make a profound difference. The impact of your work goes beyond the classroom and extends to families and communities.
Keep Up the Good Work
We encourage you to explore the Kids Alive Teachers Hub and our YouTube channel, where you can find free resources, including posters, songs, and activity sheets designed specifically for early childhood settings. You’ll also find information about our professional development opportunities, which provide educators with training modules, lesson plans, and strategies to make water safety education an integral part of your curriculum. Thank you once again for your ongoing commitment to water safety. Together, we can continue to make a difference and protect young lives this summer and beyond. Visit www.kidsalive.com.au for more resources, and share your success stories on social media by tagging @KidsAliveDoTheFive!
Free Book!
Your people are your greatest competitive assets, but they're not "hard" assets, they're "soft" assets. Unlike your other assets, they think for themselves and have potential that you could be tapping into with the right strategies and tactics.
Tapping into a higher performance level is one thing, but what do you do with people who are underperforming? How do you take control of your people and performance to ensure the greatest growth for your business?
In this book, Is Your Team Failing or Kicking Goals? Nick addresses 10 critical issues every business trader must address to effectively manage their team.
In this transformative book for business leaders, you'll discover:
How to put the right systems in place to ensure that your underperformers don't "fall through the cracks" of your organisation.
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Why avoiding or minimising the emotionally-charged issues like bullying and harassment can have significant legal impacts and hurt your brand.
The benefits of cultivating meaningful professional relationships to developing a highperforming culture.
Understanding how your team's behaviour and performance affects the bottom line. For over 15 years, Nick has been helping business leaders refine their approach to developing top performers and addressing underperforming team members within their organisations.
Swimming Pools, Spas, Water Parks, & Recreational Water Facilities Critical
In The Spread Of Cryptosporidiosis
Henrickson > Food Safety eLearning Academy
When it’s hot, Queenslanders head for the water to cool off. But you should be aware that swimming pools, spas, water parks and recreational water facilities are hot spots for the spread of CRYPTOSPORIDIOSIS.
Cryptosporidiosis is a gastrointestinal disease caused by the microscopic parasite called Cryptosporidium. It’s found in the faeces of a variety of animals including cattle, sheep, dogs, and cats as well as humans.
In January 2024, Queensland reported a sudden and unexpected rapid rise in human infections of Cryptosporidium, along with New South Wales and Victoria. However, in Queensland it was more like a surge. By the 7th of February, the state had already recorded more cased than the total of last year.
Children aged nine years and under accounted for 39 per cent of cases and a further 24 per cent were in the 30-39 years age group.
Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr John Gerrard said Cryptosporidium was usually acquired through the ingestion of contaminated water or food, or through contact with infected individuals or animals.
Queensland’s warmer climate and the ability to continue swimming during the winter months is a possible contributing factor. But an early start to Summer and recent unseasonal hot weather has raised concern as more and more people head for the pool to cool off.
Cryptosporidiosis parasite cysts (eggs) are not killed by chlorine.
“Drinking or accidentally swallowing water contaminated with Cryptosporidium parasites is a common mode of transmission. This can occur in various settings including swimming pools, water parks, and other recreational water facilities where water may be contaminated with faecal matter,” Dr Gerrard said.
Symptoms of Cryptosporidium Infection
• The most common symptoms are watery diarrhoea and stomach cramps.
• Other symptoms may include fever, nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite. But some may experience no symptoms (asymptomatic).
• The first symptoms typically appear after 7 days but can take anywhere between 1-12 days after infection.
Ways to Mitigate Cryptosporidiosis Infection
“It’s important to wash hands thoroughly after going to the toilet, changing nappies, and after cleaning up animal faeces to minimise transmission of disease,” Dr Gerrard said.
More specifically,
• Stay home if you or your child has diarrhoea - don’t go to work or send your children to school or early learning services until 24 to 48 hours after symptoms have ceased as diarrhoea is highly contagious.
• Don’t enter a swimming pool or spa water parks or other recreational water facilities if you have diarrhoea until 14 days after symptoms have ended. You may still be shedding cysts, which are resistant to chlorine.
• Don’t swim in rivers, creeks, and dams during and for at least three days after heavy rain, or swim in the ocean during and at least one day after heavy rain.
• Do not prepare food for others and don’t share towels or linen for at least 48 hours after your diarrhoea has stopped.
Graham
• Wash fruit and vegetables before eating them.
• Boil untreated water and then allow it to cool before drinking it.
• Wash the hands of toddlers and babies after a nappy change.
• Wash your hands thoroughly before handling food, after going to the toilet or changing nappies, after gardening and after touching pets and farm animals or handling their faeces/manure.
Treatment
Most people with a healthy immune system don’t need to be treated as it will resolve on its own, but they need to be well hydrated.
For those who are immunocompromised, the focus should be to get their immunity back and a medicine called nitazoxanide is often used to treat this parasite.
Ensure you and your team are up-to-date with seasonal health and nutrition topics by utilising Food Safety eLearning Academy resources at www.fsea.au.
Con’grad’ulates
CAECE is delighted to present recent graduates who have completed their Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care and Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care.
Over the last quarter we have had the opportunity to congratulate CAECE graduates from our Diploma and Certificate III qualifications. With the ongoing support from our lovely CAECE trainers, students have been guided to achieve their goals in becoming fully qualified educators.
If you, or someone you know, are interested in studying and working towards your qualifications in early childhood education and care, our friendly team and trainers are willing to guide and support your early learning journey! For more information please contact our team on 07 3299 5784 or email admin@caece.com.au
CAECE would like to congratulate the following graduates and wish them all the best for their future as an early learning educator!
CAECE graduates for the last quarter:
Ella : Little Legends Early Learning Centre - Certificate III (Trainer Maria)
Sheridan: Oxenford Junior Campus - Certificate III (Trainer Holly)
Lynette: Bonny Babes Child Care Centre CoomeraCertificate III (Trainer Holly)
Leah: Green Leaves Early Learning - North ShoreCertificate III (Trainer Lainie)
Jesse-Dean: Expeditions Early Learning JourneyUnderwood - Certificate III (Trainer Elissa)
Jill: Play and Learn - Upper Coomera - Certificate III (Trainer Holly)
Emma: Coomera Clubhouse Early Childhood Learning -Centre 2 - Certificate III (Trainer Holly)
Kelly: Little Scholars School
of Early Learning Ormeau Village - Diploma (Trainer Melissa)
Danielle: Kinder Cottage
Early Education Centre -Certificate III (Trainer Holly)
Kaitlyn: Kidz Cubby Educational Centre - Diploma (Trainer Maria)
Ashley: Little Scholars School of Early Learning Ormeau 2Certificate III (Trainer Melissa)
Tiarn: Educating Kids
Townsville - Diploma (Trainer Lainie)
Tahlia: Little Scholars School of Early Learning BurleighCertificate III (Trainer Ammie)
Alexandra: Eden Academy
Palm Beach - Certificate III (Trainer Ammie)
Fleur: Kinder Cottage
Highland Park - Diploma (Trainer Holly)
Lily: Play & Learn Upper Coomera - Certificate III (Trainer Holly)
Albina: Kids Club HelidonCertificate III (Trainer Sona)
Lily: Edge North PimpamaCertificate III (Trainer Melissa)
Dilmi: Carrara Tiny TotsCertificate III (Trainer Holly)
Natasha: Brady Bunch
Burpengary - Certificate III (Trainer Maria)
Keely: Bundall Early Education Centre BundallCertificate III (Trainer Ammie)
Mia: Livingstone Christian College Early Learning Centre -Certificate III (Trainer Ammie)
Kylie: Vickers Road
Community Childcare Centre
Condon - Diploma (Trainer Lainie)
Isabella: Bahrs Scrub Early
Learning Centre - Certificate III (Trainer Melissa)
Aimee: Plais Early Learning -Camp Hill - Certificate III (Trainer Brooke)
Hallajah: Honour Early Learning Logan ReserveCertificate III (Trainer Elissa)
Emelia: Little Scholars School of Early Learning Ormeau 2Certificate III (Trainer Melissa)
Tiana: Hatchlings WaterfordCertificate III (Trainer Sue)
Stefenie: Little Scholars School of Early Learning
Yatala - Diploma (Trainer Melissa)
Mely: My Cubby House
Southport - Diploma (Trainer Holly)
Kya: The Strawberry Bush
Early Learning AcademyCertificate III (Trainer Holly)
RTO: 40933
Charmaine: Little Scholars School of Early Learning Deception Bay - Certificate III (Trainer Maria)
Mikjelah: Beenleigh Early Learning Centre - Diploma (Trainer Melissa)
Taylor: Bahrs Scrub Early Learning Centre - Certificate III (Trainer Melissa)
Kobi: Essence Early Learning - Certificate III (Trainer Holly)
Jessica: Honour Early Learning Park RidgeCertificate III (Trainer Elissa)
Eilidh: Journey Brisbane
Airport - Certificate III (Trainer Sue)
Tahlena: Free Range Laidley 2 - Certificate III (Trainer Sona)
Sharlotte: Treasure Island Childcare Centre CliftonCertificate III (Trainer Sona)
Annabelle: Kidz at the Beach - Certificate III (Trainer Lorraine)
Charlotte: Little Scholars School of Early Learning Ormeau - Certificate III (Trainer Holly)
Le: Sunkids Oxley - Certificate III (Trainer Ammie)
Annabell: Little World for Discoverers - Certificate III (Trainer Melissa)
Kailtin: Imaginarium Early Learning Bellbird ParkDiploma (Trainer Kellie)
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1800 810 213 childcaresuper.com.au
Joanne Fenton jfenton@hesta.com.au 07 3223 4906 hesta.com.au
Kate Graham Kgraham@ngssuper.com.au 0437 516 830 ngssuper.com.au
Graham Bone info@abcschoolsupplies.com.au 07 3823 2999 abcschoolsupplies.com.au
Georgia Murray gmurray@bellbird.com.au 03 8795 6904 bellbirdkidz.com.au
Anna Popow sales@compliantcs.com.au 1300 314 491 compliantcs.com.au
David Croft david@croft.net.au
3274 3900 croftcare.com.au
EducationAll Australia Julie Rowan julie@educationall.com.au 1300 044 984 educationall.com.au
H Pro Pty Ltd
Macrosphere Pty Ltd
Modern Teaching Aids (MTA)
William White william@hpro.com.au 07 3041 4132 hpro.com.au
Margaret Robbins mrobbins@macrosphere.com.au
MTA Team sales@teaching.com.au
OfficeWorks Caitlin McKenzie clmcken2@officeworks.com.au
PSE Preschool Equipment Karen Clark info@preschoolequipment.com.au
Starex Inspiring Manufacturing Monique Denham monique@starex.com.au
3102 1111 macrosphere.com.au
497 teaching.com.au
3624 5695 officeworks.com.au
555 972 preschoolequipment.com.au
3709 3336 starex.com.au
Step4 Melinda Neal melinda@step4.com.au 0466 126 714 step4.com.au
Suppleyes Chelsea O’Neill info@suppleyes.com.au
ACE Community College Robyn Keenan Robyn.k@acecolleges.edu.au
ACTAC - Australian College of Teacher Aides and Childcare Erin Winsbury ewinsbury@actac.com.au
Australian Internships Sue Beck sue@internships.com.au
CAECE - College for Australian Childhood Educators Cris Romao Frobisher manager@caece.com.au
Custom Data Solutions Tracey Jory tracey@customdata.com.au
ECTARC (Early Childhood Training and Resource Centre) Jan Langtry info@ectarc.com.au
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511 455 actac.com.au
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Expand Your Library Jenae Tien info@expandyourlibrary.com.au 0435 730 027 expandyourlibrary.com.au
Farran Street Education Adrian McLean education@farranstreet.com.au
Food Safety eLearning Academy Graham Henrickson ghenrickson@fsea.au
In Safe Hands Educators in Safety Michael Pecic enquiries@insafehands.net.au
Oscar Care Group Nicole Buettel info@oscarcaregroup.com.au
Phoenix Support for Educators Sandi Phoenix admin@phoenix-support.com.au
The Karma Class Howard Fuller howard@thekarmaclass.com
366 896 farranstreeteducation.com.au
491 485 fsea.au
794 644 insafehands.net.au
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361 243 phoenix-support.com.au
131 662 thekarmaclass.com
We Belong Education Saurubh Malviya info@webelongeducation.com 0430 015 526 webelongeducation.com
Valuers
Herron Todd White Simon Fox simon.fox@htw.com.au
Knight Frank Valuation & Advisory Queensland Darren Trivett darren.trivett@qld.knightfrankval.com.au
3002 0900 htw.com.au
776 008 knightfrank.com.au
Experience the CAECE Way:
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Supported by experienced trainers
Connect with industry leaders
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Get qualified with CAECE!
CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
CHC50121 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care
HLTAID012 Provide First Aid in an Education and Care Setting
HLTAID009 Provide Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
