(Originally published Nov 2023)

Alex and Sophie are in conversation with Nicole Lees. Nicole  is a consultant for Be You with Early Childhood Australia. Nicole’s background includes educator and leadership roles, consultancy and research. She spent several years working in the education sector in Japan and South Korea. Nicole’s experience in early childhood education across three different countries highlighted the significance of a sense of wellbeing. To follow this interest, Nicole undertook a Master of Childhood and Youth Studies, focusing on early childhood wellbeing and spirituality. 

This conversation includes educator wellbeing, child wellbeing, experience of teaching internationally, Be You resources and studies and multiple practical strategies to promote mental health and wellbeing in early childhood settings. 

(Originally published Nov 2023)

Kathryn Foley is kindergarten teacher at Nyah West Kindergarten, where she has taught for 35 years. In this episode, Alex and Sophie speak with Kathryn about making every moment matter in early childhood, being brave in trying new things, what it means to be 'school ready', inquiry based projects, coaching in early childhood spaces and so much more! 

(Originally published Nov 2023) 

In this episode Crystal and Alex speak to Shine Bright Maiden Gully Early Years Hub manager Belinda Quinn. This conversation covers Belinda's career journey, balancing the demands of leadership, the experience of establishing a brand new early learning centre and all she has learnt along the way. 

Belinda shares with us the details of an exciting research project she is currently undertaking with La Trobe University, around theory of practice architectures and influences that affect, create and contain everything we do in early childhood education and in leadership. 

(Orginially published Oct 2023) 

In this episode, Crystal and Sophie are in conversation with Amelia Johnson. 

Amelia Johnson is a social worker, art therapist and PhD student. She is also a proud mother of 3 adult children, a daughter, sister, niece, aunty, friend and lover of making, creating and enjoying the simple things. She began her career in family support and co-ordinating mentor programs. While her family was young, she focussed on managing family businesses. She has worked in the education sector for 15 years, joining the early years in 2021. Her current PhD topic is exploring how arts-based practices enhance Reflective Practice in the early years. 

Amelia works for Shine Bright as a social worker/art therapist delivering reflective practice, proactive wellbeing support, trauma informed practice and many other programs to our services across regions. 

(Originally published Oct 2023)

Have you ever thought about establishing a bush kinder program? In this episode, Alex and Sophie are in conversation with Nicole Howie. We explore what bush kinder looks like at Shine Bright Huntly Kindergarten, the incredible benefits and learning outcomes for children,  and the challenges that arise from time to time. With some beautiful anecdotes along the way, this episode will make you want to drop everything and go to breathe in that fresh bush air. 

Nicole Howie is an educator who has been working in early childhood for 9 years and been involved in bush kinder programs at two centres.  Her background is in primary teaching and she has always had a passion for the environment.  She finds joy in connecting children to nature in her work and personal life.

We are so excited to bring you this conversation with Dr Justin Coulson for our season finale! Dr Justin Coulson has a phD in Psychology, and is one of Australia’s most trusted parenting experts. Justin is the co-host and parenting expert on Channel Nine’s Parental Guidance, and the founder of happyfamilies.com.au.  

He is the author of multiple books about raising children and is a trusted voice in the wellbeing and relationships space. So much of the work Justin does with families and children is applicable to early childhood education, you'll need a pen and paper for this one - so many strategies to take away!

Educators have often wondered how the COVID pandemic impacted children's learning and development. The research is starting to emerge, and in this episode Crystal and Sophie take you through what the data is telling us, how it connects to your stories from the classroom, and what we should focus on to support children and families to thrive. This episode will appeal to early childhood educators, primary school staff, and parents of children who were in their early childhood (0-8) during the pandemic. 

This episode was informed by the following sources:

• Australian Early Development Census 2024 findings: https://www.aedc.gov.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/aedc_national-report-2024_da7-409a37b9d-95ce-43e7-af00-51aa604cf0b3.pdf?sfvrsn=b56015ba_1 
• Australian Early Development Census Data Story: How has the COVID19 pandemic affected children? https://www.aedc.gov.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/aedc-data-story_issue-3_covid_da6.pdf?sfvrsn=3dec201c_1 
• COVID Kids ABC Radio National Life Matters podcast (2023) https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/lifematters/talkback-covid-kids-pandemic-impacts/102439774  
• More than isolated: The experience of children and young people with disability and their families during the COVID-19 pandemic Report on CYDA’s 2020 COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and children and young people with disability survey by Professor Helen Dickinson and Dr Sophie Yates Public Service Research Group, School of Business, UNSW Canberra For Children and Young People with Disability Australia May 2020 https://cyda.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/covid_report_compressed_1.pdf 
• The Post-Pandemic Child by Professor Kim Cornish AM https://publishing.monash.edu/product/the-post-pandemic-child/  
• Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Children in Australian Early Childhood Education and Care from the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute https://www.rch.org.au/uploadedFiles/Main/Content/ccchdev/Impact%20of%20COVID-19%20pandemic%20on%20children%20in%20Australian%20ECEC%20(1).pdf 
• National trends in child development AEDC (ECA conference presentation 2025) 
• ‘Are the kids alright? Raising the post-pandemic child’ panel discussion through Victoria University 2025 
• Full Stop Australia COVID19 response inquiry https://fullstop.org.au/uploads/main/Submissions-Reports/2024/Full-Stop-Australia-Submission-COVID-19-Response-Inquiry.pdf  
• SNAICC position on COVID19 https://www.snaicc.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/SNAICC-position-on-COVID-19_ECEC_recovery.pdf
• Parenting During COVID‐19: A Study of Parents' Experiences Across Gender and Income Levels 

Full list here: Sources.pdf

Alex and Sophie are in conversation with Adrian Pattra-McLean in this episode, discussing how we can utilise skills we already have as educators to enhance teamwork, relationships, communication and accountability. 

With over 15-years of experience, Adrian is a well-respected professional consultant and educator with a Master of Education (Ed. Psychology) and a Bachelor of Education (Human Resources).

Adrian has held various senior management roles in the Early Childhood Education sector including Group General Manager and Education Director. He believes that developing and supporting high quality, passionate Educators is the key to quality outcomes for children.

Adrian is committed to supporting the development of high-quality early learning services and his service to the community has been recognized with an Order of Australia Commendation. He is the Educational Director of Farran Street Education and together with his family Adrian owns and operates a long day care centre in Sydney’s lower north shore.

Adrian facilitates learning focused on Leadership, Management and HR within the Early Education and Care sector. Currently Adrian is in partnership with Go1 to provide leadership and management content for their online learning platform.

https://farranstreeteducation.com.au/

In this episode, we chat with Adele Brown, an inspiring early childhood educator who has upskilled from her Diploma of Early Childhood Education to her Bachelor of Early Childhood Education. Adele shares what motivated her to return to study, the challenges she’s faced while balancing work, life, and learning, and the incredible support that’s helped her along the way. As she prepares to complete her degree this year, Adele reflects on how the journey has shaped her practice and what she hopes to achieve next in her career.

🎧 Tune in for a warm and vulnerable conversation about growth, perseverance, and the power of lifelong learning in early childhood education.

Crystal is back in the recording studio with some books she's been itching to share! Join us for our third book club episode and get your pens ready - you'll want to take note of the books we're recommending today. Head over to our socials and let us know if you pick these titles up! 

Books discussed:

The Magic Is In You by Brooke Vitale and Colin Hosten, illustrated by Grace Lee

Bidhi Galing by Anita Heiss, illustrated by Samantha Campbell

Be You by Peter H. Reynolds

Australia: Country of Colour by Jess Racklyeft

Just The Way You Are by Lake Press

Never, Not Ever! By Beatrice Alemanga

With thanks to Affirm Press and Simon and Schuster for review copies of Australia: Country of Colour and Bidhi Galing)