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Making news this fortnight...
Universal not Uniform: building a universal early childhood system; National child safety training foundation course now available; PRECI responds to feedback for implementation support; IDFM updates vacation care assessment process; ‘Close the Gap’ campaign report launch; Free online Resilience Scale Masterclass; Healthy hearing starts early; and upcoming calendar days.
Scroll down to read more, find the latest in state and territory news, and discover what ECA teams have been up to.
The Welcome Experience supports regional early childhood providers. This free NSW Government service supports regional ECEC providers by helping new staff to make the move to regional NSW and settle into their community. Local Connectors can help staff and their families find housing, information about the local community, partner employment and get connected socially. If your service is hiring, you can include The Welcome Experience in your job ads and onboarding processes. With the support of a Local Connector, your new staff will be settled in sooner and more likely to stay longer. Find out more.
Universal not Uniform: building a universal early childhood system
ECA CEO Sam Page outlines why a universal early childhood system is not about a one-size-fits-all model. It’s about building a system that delivers access, quality and safety for every child, in every community. As communities are diverse and families have different needs, it is important to provide choice and flexibility. Read the full article.
National child safety training foundation course now available
The foundation course of the national child safety training is now available and mandatory for all people working or volunteering in early childhood education and care (ECEC) services regulated under the National Quality Framework. All staff have until 27 August 2026 to complete the foundation training. Find out more.
PRECI responds to feedback for implementation support
Professionals & Researchers in Early Childhood Intervention (PRECI) will visit locations nationwide to support real-world implementation of the National Best Practice Framework for Early Childhood Intervention and connect with practitioners and researchers. Sessions are now open for registration and begin later this month. Learn more.
IDFM updates vacation care assessment process
The Inclusion Development Fund Manager (IDFM) is updating its assessment process for vacation care cases in outside school hours care (OSHC) settings, effective from April 2026. For information about this update, you can contact your local Inclusion Agency or refer to the vacation care factsheet on the IDFM website.
‘Close the Gap’ campaign report launch
Join the ‘Close the Gap’ campaign for the online launch of the 2026 report, Community Voices: The Pathway to Justice, Equality and Healing. The report features nine community-led case studies demonstrating how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations are embedding self-determination in practice. Thursday 19 March 2026, 10.30 am AEDT. Learn more.
Free online Resilience Scale Masterclass
As part of Brain Awareness Week, Queensland Kids Partnership will host a free, three-hour virtual workshop introducing the Brain Story and Resilience Scale Framework to professionals from the health, education, justice and ECEC sectors to improve outcomes for individuals, families and communities. Thursday 19 March, 9.30 am AEST. Learn more.
Healthy hearing starts early
Hearing Australia has launched its ‘Healthy Hearing Starts Early’ campaign to encourage regular ear and hearing checks for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. There are many ways for ECEC services to get involved, including sharing the Spirit of Sound storybook and displaying flyers encouraging families to book ear and hearing checks. Find out more.
Upcoming calendar days
Explore relevant calendar dates to consider acknowledging in your service this month: Harmony Week (16–22 March); Global Recycling Day (18 March); International Read to Me Day (19 March); National Close the Gap Day (20 March); World Frog Day (20 March); World Autism Understanding Month (1–30 April); World Health Day (7 April).
State and territory news
ACT
The ECA ACT Committee is offering two fully funded scholarships to attend the ECA Reconciliation Symposium in Tarndanya (Adelaide) on 1 and 2 May, available exclusively for ECA ACT members. Each scholarship includes registration, flights and accommodation. Applications close 28 March 2026. Apply now.
NSW
Expressions of interest are now open for Round 8 of the Compliance Support Pathway (CSP), a targeted support initiative designed to help ECEC services strengthen compliance with the Education and Care Services National Law and Regulations. Round 8 will commence on 20 April 2026, with expressions of interest closing on 16 March 2026. Read more.
NT
A Child Care Subsidy (CCS) period of emergency was applied in parts of the Northern Territory from 11 to 20 February due to the impact of flooding, including Alice Springs, Barkly, Central Desert and MacDonnell. Some services may be eligible for a Community Child Care Fund special circumstances grant. Read more about recovery after an emergency.
QLD
The Queensland Government’s ‘Women’s Career Grants’ program will receive a $20 million expansion, which aims to help more women return to work and ease pressures on the ECEC sector. Expressions of interest for this second round of grants are now open, with full applications scheduled to open on 23 March 2026. Learn more.
SA
The 2027 Channel 7 Children’s Research Foundation Annual Research Grants round is now open for expressions of interest. If you are an early-, mid- or senior-career researcher and your project seeks to improve health, education and welfare outcomes for the next generation, you are encouraged to apply for a grant. Expressions of interest close 6 April 2026. Learn more.
The Child and Family Health Service (CaFHS) has a new mobile clinic, the Child Health and Development Community Van, which aims to make it easier for families to access free health and development checks for children aged birth to five years. The van will initially visit metropolitan areas with potential expansion to regional areas. Read more.
Program available now
The program for the Regional, Rural and Remote Early Childhood Forum is now live. Get ready for two days of inspiring keynotes, expert-led discussions and practical sessions designed to support and empower early childhood professionals in regional, rural and remote communities. Don't miss this opportunity to learn, connect and grow. View program and register now.
Reconciliation Symposium
Explore practical ways to embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives in early childhood education and care at the 2026 ECA Reconciliation Symposium in Tarndanya (Adelaide) on 1 and 2 May 2026. Bring your team for an enriching, collaborative experience that strengthens shared responsibility and drives action. Register today.
Online safety for the early years
The eSafety Professional Learning courses, developed by the eSafety Commissioner and ECA, provide tips and strategies to support safe and positive digital experiences for young children. Gain practical advice for building positive online habits, as well as guidance on using them successfully in your daily practice. Enrol now.
Access over 100 titles
The ECA Digital Library can help you filter out the noise so you can focus and reset for the new year. In a time of sector change and transition, this is your trusted library for quality-assured best practice titles at the click of a button. Subscribe today!
Be You Stories
Need inspiration for your Be You journey, or curious to learn more about Be You? Read, watch and discover Be You Stories from early learning services across Australia. These stories share real experiences, practical approaches and the impact of a whole learning community approach to mental health and wellbeing. Learn more.
Let’s Talk About… Not Misbehaved, Just Misunderstood
In this episode of the ECA Podcast, occupational therapy students Bianca Plug and Kyla Russell explore how children with ADHD experience the world, and how a strengths-based, neuro-affirming approach can make a real difference for children and their families. Listen now.
You and Me: Our Place
You and Me: Our Place is a thoughtful picture book about connection to place and people. While it explores cultural differences, it focuses on the commonalities that unite us. A valuable resource for introducing children to respectful cultural coexistence, place-based storytelling and the importance of listening to Elders. Shop now.
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