What I Wish I Knew... The Early Learning Guide

Illness is an inevitable part of childhood, but it can also be one of the most stressful parts of the early learning journey for families.

This episode will provide you with practical, reassuring information about navigating childhood illness during the early learning years, helping families understand what's common, what to look out for, how to make those difficult "are they well enough to go today?" decisions, and how parents and educators can work together when children are unwell.

The conversation isn't intended to make you fearful about illness or starting early learning. It's about giving you the knowledge and confidence to feel more prepared when sickness inevitably happens.

Penny Blunden:

💙 Families: APP + course💙 Organisations: Consultancy + Partnerships💙 ECEC: Illness PD

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www.sickhappenseducation.com.au

Safe, Confident Kids: Body Safety in the Early Years. How do we teach young children about their bodies, boundaries and safety without frightening them? Olivia is joined by -: Victoria Barendsen, Registered Psychologist and Founder of The Safe Kids Project if you’d like some practical support to continue the conversation around safeguarding, Goodstart’s protective strategies program, Feel Safe, Be Safe, is designed to help you embed protective strategies into everyday practice. The program includes a practical guide, a resource kit with tools and learning experiences, and a fact sheet for families.

You can find out more and request a copy of the Feel Safe, Be Safe resources via https://www.goodstart.org.au/safeguarding-children/feel-safe-be-safe-protective-strategies

Thanks for listening to What I Wish I Knew… The Early Learning Guide. For more episodes, resources and information, head to https://www.firstfiveyears.org.au/

Olivia Scott (Centre Director) and Emma Rattenbury (Educator of 20years) give you a sneak peak at what it's REALLY like when you leave your children at a QUALITY Early Learning service.

Emma Rattenbury is an early childhood expert who provides insights into tricky behavior in childcare. She breaks down why these moments happen, what they mean developmentally, and how parents can work with educators to support kids through big emotions without shame, guilt, or fear. Rattenbury's work focuses on understanding children's behavior and advocating for inclusion that is practical, evidence-informed, and grounded in children's lived experience.

In this episode we hope to give parents an honest, behind-the-scenes look at what happens inside a quality early learning centre and reassure them that learning extends far beyond play.

Follow Emma!

Emma in Early Childhood (@emma_in_earlychildhood) | TikTok

Emma In Early Childhood - Instagram

Emma In Early Childhood - Facebook

Starting early learning is one of the biggest transitions in a young child's life. This episode gives parents practical, connection-based strategies to make those first weeks feel calmer and more confident, while helping them understand how quality early learning services partner with families to support successful transitions.

Gen Muir:

Modern Parent Education

📒Author Little People Big Feelings

❌ TEDx SpeakerCreator

@highlowbuffalocards

Cohost @beyondthechaospodcast

Educator and Centre Director Olivia Scott is the host of What I Wish I knew... The Early Learning Guide. A podcast for parents navigating one of life's biggest milestones... Starting early learning.

Today's guest is Dr Billy Garvey, developmental paediatrician and one of Australia's most trusted voices on children's development and emotional wellbeing. He is also the co-host of the Pop Culture Parenting podcast and founder of Guiding Growing Minds.

Billy joins Olivia to talk about transitioning into early learning. Billy and Olivia will explore what emotional readiness looks like, why transitions can feel so big and how parents can support their child and themselves through this exciting new chapter.

IG Pop Culture Parenting @popcultureparenting and linktr.ee/popcultureparenting

IG Billy Garvey @drbillygarvey

IG GGM @guidinggrowingminds

You can find Billy’s books here: Link to Billy’s book Ten Things I Wish You Knew About Raising Boys (pre order) and, Ten Things I wish You Knew About Your Childs Mental Health

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