Blog Posts

“Can You Hear It?” explores how a centre’s philosophy can move beyond words to become a living presence - something you can see, hear, and feel. It reflects on how values come to life through environments, language, relationships, and reflective practice, reminding kaiako and leaders that a philosophy isn’t meant to live on paper but in people, guiding every interaction, decision, and moment of joy.

When we think about toddler environments, it’s easy to drift toward ideas of “mini classrooms,” themed corners, or curated activity tables. But toddlers aren’t driven by curriculum—they’re driven by biology. Their natural urges, impulses, curiosity, and instinctive need to move are what shape their learning.

Loose Parts are more than objects, they are invitations. Invitations to wonder, to stretch, to build, to imagine, to collaborate, to become.

Celebrates the magic of open-ended materials in early childhood education. Grounded in the EYLF for Australia, it explores how loose parts nurture creativity, collaboration, and curiosity.

“Mixed Age Learning” celebrates the beauty and challenge of early learning spaces where babies, toddlers, and preschoolers grow together. Grounded in the EYLF, it explores how mixed-age environments nurture belonging, empathy, and leadership through natural tuakana–teina relationships and everyday acts of care. This piece reminds educators that true learning happens in community, where every age contributes, connects, and learns from one another.

Leadership in early childhood education isn’t about running a centre. It’s about shaping a culture. It’s about the tone you set, the energy you bring, and the way your teachers feel when they walk through the door each morning.

Mat time. Hui time. Connection time. Story time. Gathering. Different names—same purpose. It’s not what you call it; it’s what you believe about it.

The big question is: should we even be doing mat times at all? It’s one of those hot-button topics in early childhood education, with passionate views on both sides.

Visual arts in early childhood are not simply about producing something to hang on the wall, they are about giving tamariki a voice, nurturing their identity, and affirming that their ideas matter.

Printed portfolios have been a cherished part of ECE for decades, but in 2025, educators are divided, some see them as essential, others question their relevance.

Let’s stop creating inauthentic documentation that does nothing to improve teaching practice or children’s learning outcomes. We may as well write it on a piece of paper… and burn it.

In early childhood education, power and autonomy are about recognising the capabilities of both child and teacher. It’s about holding space, not holding control - making room for choice, voice, and shared leadership.