The Educator's Edit

This week on The Educators Edit, we chat with Heni - a resident superstar at TGA, renowned for her incredible table set-ups and play-based experiences. 🌟

With over five years at TGA, Heni’s joyful, child-led approach inspires curiosity and creativity in children while empowering educators to see the magic in everyday play.

Cass is back after a 10-week prac as part of her Bachelor of Education (Primary, Birth–12 years) majoring in Early Childhood - and she’s spilling it all. From first-day nerves to classroom wins (and a few caffeine-fuelled moments), Cass and Tiana unpack what prac is really like.

Whether you’re prepping for your own placement or guiding a student teacher, this episode brings real talk, laughs, and lessons from the classroom.

Did you know there’s new free national training available for educators on navigating allergies in early childhood education? In this episode, we unpack the growing prevalence of food allergies, their impact on children and families, and practical strategies educators can use to build safe, inclusive environments. Whether you’re new to the sector or a seasoned professional, you’ll find insights to help you better support children with allergies in your care.  ✨

Show Notes & Resources:

https://heas.health.vic.gov.au/training/managing-allergies-and-other-dietary-requirements-in-childrens-education-and-care/

https://foodallergytraining.org.au/

https://thesector.com.au/2025/08/11/free-national-training-launched-to-support-allergy-safe-nutritious-food-in-ecec/

https://myfoodallergyfriends.com/

We've dropped a special episode for the biggest event in our calendar to celebrate all things ECE… and most importantly, EDUCATORS!

This week on The Educators Edit, we’re celebrating Speech Pathology Week with a special guest! The girls are joined by Ben Mason, our very own speech pathologist from The Grove Academy, to dive into all things speech - from bilingualism myths, to the do’s and don’ts of speech support, and plenty more along the way. Grab a cuppa and tune in for an insightful (and fun) chat you won’t want to miss!

Book Week is here, and it’s time to dive into adventure! We’re talking about why Book Week matters, sharing our favourite book picks for every age, and exploring creative ways to celebrate with children. Plus, we’ve got plenty of ideas to spark imagination, bring stories to life, and turn every page into a mini adventure in your centre!

Mid-Year Break Playlist: For the Hardworking Hearts of Early Ed
You've spent the first half of the year shaping little minds, wiping little noses, and juggling it all with heart and hustle. Now it's your turn. This playlist is made just for our incredible early education crew: a mix of uplifting tunes, laid-back beats, and sing-alongs (with no puppets in sight). Put your feet up, press play, and enjoy the pause, you've earned every second.

Check out the playlist here:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4u29NcFD0dMpzQdwmFyZxJ?si=9fa2bb100e204320

It’s the halfway point of the year, and Jackie, Tiana, and Cass are hitting pause to reflect, reassess, and realign. In this honest and lighthearted chat, the trio revisit their 2025 goals, celebrate the wins, laugh at the lessons, and share what’s shifting as they move into the second half of the year. Whether you’re ticking boxes or just treading water, this episode is your reminder that growth looks different for everyone—and that the check-in matters just as much as the check-off.

In this special NAIDOC Week edition of TEE, we’re joined by Belinda from Freshwater Education – a passionate advocate for empowering early childhood educators to embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives with confidence, authenticity, and heart. 

Together, we explore what it means to move beyond tokenism, the significance of this year’s NAIDOC theme “The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy”, and how educators can honour First Nations culture in everyday practice – not just during NAIDOC Week, but all year round.

In this powerful episode, Jackie, Cass & Tiana explore what it means to truly safeguard children in early education. We unpack your role as a Mandatory Reporter in NSW, how to recognise red flags, and what the 2025 NQF changes mean for child-safe practice.

We also share practical steps, support contacts, and expert insights to help educators take confident, informed action.

🔔 Content warning: This episode discusses child abuse and may be distressing for some listeners.

Support & Reporting (NSW):

📞 Child Protection Helpline – 132 111

📞 Lifeline – 13 11 14

📞 NSW Mental Health Line – 1800 011 511

🔗 reporter.childstory.nsw.gov.au

👩‍🏫 Follow child safety advocate Kristi McVee:

Instagram: @‌kristimcvee

Facebook: Kristi McVee – Child Safety Advocate

TikTok: @‌tiktokcop81

Website: cape-au.com/links