First Five Years

First Five Years Research shows us that children who start ahead tend to stay ahead with the early years providing the foundation for the rest of a child's life.

First Five Years is a collaborative community of parents and educators sharing information about the early years and meeting the challenges of raising young children. First Five Years acknowledges that a parent is a child’s primary teacher and empowers parents with information so that children can benefit from high quality, early learning extending into the home. Written in a collaboration between

experienced journalists, leading academics and professional educators, First Five Years provides a source of reliable knowledge and a community to share information about the early years and meet the challenges of raising young children. Community Standards

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02/09/2026

Today is Australia’s national celebration of Early Childhood Educators’ Day!
It’s a day to show our appreciation for the incredible work they do every day in shaping the lives of young children and supporting their families - laying the essential groundwork for children’s future learning, development and well-being. Thank you to our amazing early childhood educators!

To find out more visit www.EarlyChildhoodEducatorsDay.org.au.

01/09/2026

Save this for the next hard transition.

A little silliness can lower cortisol fast. Make the shoe go on your head.
Be silly, make jokes and even put on music and dance it out for 30 seconds.
It sounds simple, but laughter changes the whole nervous system.
When kids are stressed, they need connection before correction.
Sometimes the fastest way back to calm is not more control - it's a giggle.
What’s your go-to reset with your kids?
Hashtags

30/08/2026

A look back at our first episode of "What I Wish I Knew... The Early Learning Guide" with

What matters when you walk into a childcare center? Not the cute decor. Not the perfect branding.
✅It’s the educators.
✅It’s the values.
✅It’s the feeling you get the second you walk in.

If you’re a parent, save this for your next tour. If you work in early childhood, tag someone who needs this reminder.

27/08/2026

Good Choices is all about helping you identify high-quality early learning services. Here Emma in Early Childhood talks about the key things to notice on your early learning centre tour 👀
It’s not just about the rooms or the resources, it’s about how the space feels.

A few things to look for:
✨Do the educators seem warm and engaged?
✨Does the environment feel calm and safe?
✨Are children supported by trusted relationships?
✨Do they mention key educator relationships or circle of security?
✨Does it feel like a place where your child could belong?

Did you know we have a toolkit online for you to download for free? It gives you the top 5 things to ask on a centre tour https://www.firstfiveyears.org.au/good-choices

26/08/2026

Mythbusting - “Just playing all day”.

Play is how children learn, make sense of the world, and build relationships. And behind that play is real work, from the child and the educator creating the environment. The more intentional the play, the more learning is happening.



Looking for a fun and meaningful way to enjoy stories together this Book Week?Story Box Library's special Children's Boo...
25/08/2026

Looking for a fun and meaningful way to enjoy stories together this Book Week?
Story Box Library's special Children's Book Week 2026 collection is available for everyone to enjoy, with no subscription required.

Featuring beloved books read aloud by engaging storytellers, each story also includes thoughtful questions and prompts to spark conversations, encourage curiosity and help children connect more deeply with what they're reading.

🎥 Explore the free Children's Book Week collection: https://brnw.ch/21x59kX

You can access even more stories via their app! The best bit? Your library card could give you access to the app! Search your library on the app and enter your library card barcode number.

What's your go-to book week book?

Goodstart Early Learning

24/08/2026

Most people think “getting ready for school” is the goal with early learning...It’s not.

School is only 13 years - and not every child will follow the same path.
What matters more is this:
✨confidence to keep going
✨creativity to solve problems
✨resilience when they get stuck
✨the belief that “I don’t know yet” is not the same as “I can’t do it”

Tag a parent or educator who needs this reminder.

We should be preparing kids for life, not just the next classroom.

Today! Join us atRocks Riverside Park, 531 Seventeen Mile RocksRoad, Seventeen Mile RocksOur First Five Years tent will ...
22/08/2026

Today! Join us atRocks Riverside Park, 531 Seventeen Mile Rocks
Road, Seventeen Mile Rocks

Our First Five Years tent will have:

• Meet Australian artist, illustrator, teacher and author
Megan Forward.
• Join Megan for a hands-on, nature-inspired children’s
craft activity.
• Enjoy special readings of Jacaranda Magic with
Megan at 10am and 11am.
• Enter the draw to win a $500 children's resource
pack, including a selection of children's books and
learning resources 🚜📚

We can't wait to see you at 9!


So excited to be heading to the G'dayLittle Queenslanders event this Sunday!Event details – Brisbane WestSunday 23 Augus...
22/08/2026

So excited to be heading to the G'day
Little Queenslanders event this Sunday!

Event details – Brisbane West
Sunday 23 August
9.00am to 12.00pm

Rocks Riverside Park, 531 Seventeen Mile Rocks
Road, Seventeen Mile Rocks

Each free outdoor event will be packed with:
• Live kids' entertainment including a Live Interactive
Experience with Bluey and Bingo, guaranteed to make
little ones smile.
• Creative family-friendly activities where imaginations
come alive.
• Information stalls, resources and all the helpful info
every parent needs.
• Food and drink trucks because happy tummies =
happy families.
• Chill-out spaces perfect for soaking up the good vibes
and spending quality time together.
• A keepsake certificate to take home on the day for
your little Queenslander.

We will also be there with:
• Meet Australian artist, illustrator, teacher and author
Megan Forward.
• Join Megan for a hands-on, nature-inspired children’s
craft activity.
• Enjoy special readings of Jacaranda Magic with
Megan at 10am and 11am.
• Enter the draw to win a $500 children's resource
pack, including a selection of children's books and
learning resources 🚜📚

Visit qld.gov.au/littlequeenslanders to find out more and
register today.


21/08/2026

Episode 3 is now out on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube... Olivia and Emma in Early Childhood give you a sneak peek of what it's like when you leave your child at a quality early learning service. Emma chats about body safety and what that looks like.

Address

Murarrie, QLD

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