Leanne has a chat with Sarah Mitchell MLC, NSW Minister for Early Childhood Education, discussing the NSW Government's Start Strong funding and the importance of early education.

Find the full shownotes at earlyeducationshow.com.

Shadow Minister for Early Childhood Education Kate Ellis has launched a national consultation on policy reform for Australia's early education and care sector. This episode we go through the discussion paper question-by-question and create our own audio submission. 26 questions in just over an hour - it's the early childhood policy lightning round!

It's Leanne's turn to take a break this week, so Lisa and Liam take you through a discussion on the data on quality ratings in "Long Day Care" and Preschool settings. Why is there such a stark difference, and what does the data mean for the sector's definition of "quality"?

Find the full shownotes for this episode at earlyeducationshow.com.

Tomorrow marks the start of National Reconciliation Week, so we chat with Alex Shain from Reconciliation Australia about their work in promoting reconciliation, the Narragunnawali platform for early childhood education and why educators and leaders should engage with Indigenous perspectives.

Find the full shownotes at earlyeducationshow.com.

Leanne and Liam are flying without Lisa again this week, but are joined by National Educational Leader for ACECQA Rhonda Livingstone for this first in our series of seven episodes on the revised National Quality Standard. More episodes tackling each of the other Quality Areas will be released throughout the rest of 2017.

Find the full shownotes for this episode at earlyeducationshow.com

We're donning our sparkly costumes, organising huge props and light shows and tackling Australia's National Partnership for Early Childhood Education. Why is it structured the way it is, why is funding always uncertain and does it work for children and the sector? And does Europe come out on top with the best approach to pre-school learning?

Find the full shownotes for this episode at earlyeducationshow.com

Lisa couldn't join us this week, so instead Leanne and Liam have a chat with the wonderful Martel Menz about unions, campaigns and educators. What is the role of unions in supporting professional recognition of the work educators do, and should educators be more involved?

Find the full shownotes for this episode at earlyeducationshow.com

We're back after a bit of a break to tackle the challenges, tensions and implications of early childhood education run in a business context. What are the biggest issues that emerge when trying to work ethically with young children while operating as a business?

Find the full shownotes for this episode at earlyeducationshow.com

You're all getting a break from hearing Leanne, Lisa and Liam this week! Instead we bring you a presentation from Niru Palanivel and Zoe Grant from the fantastic advocacy organisation ChilOut to the NSW Chapter of OMEP on the current situation for children in Australia immigration detention.

Find the full shownotes for this episode at earlyeducationshow.com

We're all still a bit shocked that the Jobs for Families package is now legislated, and vulnerable children will be those who are the biggest losers in these "reforms". So what do you do when you get bad news? You talk it over with your friends. So this episode we ditch the usual format and bring you a bunch of interviews with amazing early childhood people. Let's work through this together, everyone!

Find the full shownotes for this episode at earlyeducationshow.com