The recent Four Corners investigation into Australia’s childcare system has uncovered deeply troubling gaps in child safety. Experts say it’s a wake-up call for all of us — parents, carers and educators — to do more to protect children from harm. When Systems Fail, Communities Must...
Unpaid ‘women’s work’ is worth $427 billion, writes researcher Leonora Risse All those thousands of hours that Australians put towards unpaid household work and care – cooking, cleaning and caring for family members – are an essential thread that keeps our economy stitched together. But they’re not recognised...
Do kids cost more now? Asks expert, Ben Phillips. Calculating the cost of raising kids is complicated. Australians are having fewer children than ever. At 1.5 babies per woman, the fertility rate is at a record low. Many attribute this to the cost of having and...
A UK hack shows Australia needs to be very careful about its CCTV trial for daycare centres, reports Lauren Brocki, Alicia Phillips and Kelli-Anne Price It has been a horror year for early childhood education and care in Australia, amid ongoing reports and allegations of abuse...
Education experts say flexible school models could curb teacher burnout and boost student success — it’s time to rethink the school day. Reimagining the School Day The traditional 8:30 am to 3:15 pm school day was designed for another era — and it’s no longer serving modern...
Many children who resist school aren’t being defiant — they’re overwhelmed. Learn how to spot the signs of school refusal and support your child with empathy and early help. When school mornings turn into battles As Term 4 begins, many parents are bracing for the return of...
Ideal for younger readers, these books combine warmth, rhythm, and colour to keep little ones engaged from start to finish. Whether read at bedtime or playtime, it’s a lovely way to introduce babies and toddlers to the joy of books and shared reading. The Drought Kangaroo by...
Here’s what to do instead, writes Nick Fuller the author of Healthy Parents, Healthy Kids It’s a tactic many parents know well: “eat two bites of broccoli, and then you can have dessert”. It seems like a practical solution for encouraging kids – especially picky eaters – to...
Across Australia, more families are choosing to homeschool. How can we make sure they do it well? asks Rebecca English, Chris Krogh and David Roy According to NSW figures released late last month, homeschooling registrations in the state more than doubled between 2019 and 2024, from...
Parents play an important role in teaching their children about sex and relationships, write researchers Jennifer Power, Alexandra James and Thomas Norman. But their new report shows many parents – fathers in particular – find it mortifying. Our national survey of 1,918 parents shows they are...
