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...
We tried a different preschool curriculum to prevent youth crime. Checking in 20 years later, it worked, report researchers Jacqueline Allen, Kate Freiberg and Ross Homel Shutterstock There’s been an increased political and media focus recently on so-called youth crime waves, particularly in Queensland and the Northern...
How much is it really costing parents? Average fees for Year 12 are at least $15,000, report Emma Rowe and Diana Langmead Recently, updated figures once again showed an increasing number of Australian families are choosing to send their children to private schools. According to the Australian...
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...
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...
Sarah Jefferson advises how to help your child return to school after a long illness, new diagnosis or an accident It is very common for children to have a day or two away from school due to illness. But children can also miss much longer...
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...
