Victoria Minson asks What are the national standards? Recently, we heard claims of shocking abuse and neglect in Australian childcare centres on ABC’s Four Corners program. While 91% of services met or exceeded the national standards as of February 2025, there have also been reports of centres...
Simple schoolhouses, big dreams – how a dad-to-be’s PhD project is transforming childhoods around the world When Faisal Bin Badar started his PhD at Charles Darwin University, he had one goal in mind: to help children in Pakistan access a better education. What he didn’t expect...
Rachel Leslie, Annette Brömdal, Cris Townley and Glenys Oberg advise parents how you can tell the difference and help your child It’s back-to-school again around Australia. While many students will be excited to reunite with friends, or have some nerves about their first day, others may...
Teachers, homeschoolers and families — take your students on an online adventure! The Australian National Maritime Museum is offering a fantastic line-up of free virtual excursions in Term 2 for primary school students across Australia. These interactive sessions align with key curriculum topics and national events,...
Funny and Engaging Early Reader Books to Build Kids’ Vocabulary Early Reader books—sometimes called Junior Fiction—sit between picture books and more advanced chapter books. Aimed at children aged 6 to 8, these books feature more complex plots, rich vocabulary to support reading growth, and plenty of...
There is a persistent gender gap in Australian schools, writes Sarah Buckley. Boys, on average, outperform girls in maths. What can parents do? We see this in national tests such as NAPLAN, as well as international assessments. A new Australian Council for Educational Research analysis by my...
Australia’s top early childhood educators are set to be recognised, with nominations now open for the 2025 HESTA Early Childhood Education & Care Awards. Now in its 11th year, the awards celebrate outstanding educators and carers across three categories: Advancing Pedagogy & Practice, Individual Leadership, and...
All schools in Australia receive both public and private funding. How does it work? asks Laura Perry. During the federal election campaign we can expect to hear candidates talk passionately about school funding. This is one of the most contentious areas of education policy – and...
The 2025 CBCA Book of the Year Shortlist has just been announced. The List of Notables was published at the end of February. This year's shortlist features some of the best known names in Australian children’s literature, such as Isobelle Carmody, Freya Blackwood, Matt Stanton and...
Ben Kilby looks at how to talk about philosophy with little kids If your young child asks “what’s the meaning of life?” you might laugh it off (how cute!) or freeze in panic (where do I even begin?). It’s tempting to dismiss these big questions as too...
