Earlier this year, Liam was interviewed by Lecturer Kathrine Whitty for a video to her Masters students at the Australian Catholic University. It was an opportunity to discuss all things early education, including Liam's professional journey in the sector, and Kath and the ACU were kind enough to share the audio of the interview for the Early Education Show. 

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has been tasked with conducting an inquiry into Australia’s early education sector. What are they looking at, why does it matter, and what do we hope it will accomplish? Find the full shownotes at earlyeducationshow.com. 

We're back for a new fortnightly series! This week, we're tackling the Federal Government's Early Years Strategy. What is the context of this new strategy, and what do we think it should come up with?

We’ve been away for a while - but we couldn’t let as big a year as 2022 pass without getting the gang back together.

It's the final episode of Exploring the NQS - a look at the whole thing, and the journey of exploring it element by element. Thanks for everyone who's listened in.

This week's episode of our Patreon-exclusive podcast series Exploring the NQS provides an overview of Quality Area 7: Leadership and service management. From the Guide to the National Quality Standard: Quality Area 7 focuses on effective leadership and governance of the service to establish and maintain quality environments for children’s learning and development. Effective leaders establish shared values for the service that reflect the service context and professionalism and set clear direction for the service’s continuous improvement. Governance refers to the systems in place to support effective management and operation of the service, consistent with the service’s statement of philosophy.

This episode of our Patreon-exclusive podcast series Exploring the NQS discusses Element 7.2.3 of the National Quality Standard, "Development of professionals". Element description: Educators, co-ordinators and staff members’ performance is regularly evaluated and individual plans are in place to support learning and development.

This episode of our Patreon-exclusive podcast series Exploring the NQS discusses Element 7.2.2 of the National Quality Standard, "Educational leadership". Element description: The educational leader is supported and leads the development and implementation of the educational program and assessment and planning cycle.

This episode of our Patreon-exclusive podcast series Exploring the NQS discusses Element 7.2.1 of the National Quality Standard, "Continuous improvement". Element description: There is an effective self-assessment and quality improvement process in place.

This episode of our Patreon-exclusive podcast series Exploring the NQS discusses Element 7.1.3 of the National Quality Standard, "Roles and responsibilities". Element description: Roles and responsibilities are clearly defined, and understood, and support effective decision-making and operation of the service.

This episode of our Patreon-exclusive podcast series Exploring the NQS discusses Element 7.1.2 of the National Quality Standard, "Management systems". Element description: Systems are in place to manage risk and enable the effective management and operation of a quality service.

This episode of our Patreon-exclusive podcast series Exploring the NQS discusses Element 7.1.1 of the National Quality Standard, "Service philosophy and purpose". Element description: A statement of philosophy guides all aspects of the service’s operations.

This episode of our Patreon-exclusive podcast series Exploring the NQS provides an overview of Quality Area 6: Collaborative partnerships with families and communities. From the Guide to the National Quality Standard: Quality Area 6 focuses on supportive, respectful relationships with families which are fundamental to achieving quality outcomes for children. Community partnerships that are based on active communication, consultation and collaboration also contribute to children’s inclusion, learning and wellbeing.

This episode of our Patreon-exclusive podcast series Exploring the NQS discusses Element 6.2.3 of the National Quality Standard, "Community engagement". Element description: The service builds relationships and engages with its community.

This episode of our Patreon-exclusive podcast series Exploring the NQS discusses Element 6.2.2 of the National Quality Standard, "Access and participation". Element description: Effective partnerships support children's access, inclusion and participation in the program.

This episode of our Patreon-exclusive podcast series Exploring the NQS discusses Element 6.2.1 of the National Quality Standard, "Transitions". Element description: Continuity of learning and transitions for each child are supported by sharing information and clarifying responsibilities.

This episode of our Patreon-exclusive podcast series Exploring the NQS discusses Element 6.1.3 of the National Quality Standard, "Families are supported". Element description: Current information is available to families about the service and relevant community services and resources to support parenting and family wellbeing.

This episode of our Patreon-exclusive podcast series Exploring the NQS discusses Element 6.1.2 of the National Quality Standard, "Parent views are respected". Element description: The expertise, culture, values and beliefs of families are respected and families share in decision-making about their child’s learning and wellbeing.

This series was originally released in 2018 and 2019 for subscribers on our Patreon page. The episodes are now available freely for all, but have not been edited. This episode of our Patreon-exclusive podcast series Exploring the NQS discusses Element 6.1.1 of the National Quality Standard, "Engagement with the service". Element description: Families are supported from enrolment to be involved in the service and contribute to service decisions.

This episode of our Patreon-exclusive podcast series Exploring the NQS provides an overview of Quality Area 5: Relationships with children. From the Guide to the National Quality Standard: Quality Area 5 of the National Quality Standard focuses on educators developing responsive, warm, trusting and respectful relationships with children that promote their wellbeing, self-esteem, sense of security and belonging. Relationships of this kind encourage children to explore the environment and engage in play and learning.