In Conversation with Megan and Baz

Today, we’re unpacking the challenges services face during Assessment and Rating – from the pressure and prep to the emotions and uncertainties that come with it. Whether it’s your first A&R or your fourth, we know it’s a big moment. Let’s talk strategies, mindset, and how to stay grounded through the process.

Today, we’re talking about growth, challenges, and the power of reflection in shaping who we are in this profession. Whether you're just starting out or well into your career, this episode is a chance to pause, look back, and move forward with purpose. Let’s dive in.

Today, we’re stepping outside and into the world of Bush Kinder a nature based learning approach that’s as exciting as it is enriching. We’ll cover the do’s, don’ts, and key things to consider, from safety and preparation to fostering independence and embracing outdoor play. Whether you're a parent or educator, this episode will give you practical tips and fresh insight into how nature can become the ultimate classroom. Let’s get started!

Hold onto your hats, everyone—this one is a must-listen! In today’s episode, we are thrilled to welcome Deidre Brandner—a paediatric psychologist, author, and parenting expert whose voice of clarity and compassion is exactly what we need right now. We all know that working with children brings incredible rewards and complex challenges. Whether you're new to the sector or a seasoned educator, many of us are finding ourselves facing situations we’ve never encountered before—questions without easy answers, and a rapidly changing world that sometimes feels hard to keep up with. That’s why Deidre’s perspective is so powerful. In this conversation, she dives into the importance of structure, explores the impact of screen time, and helps us make sense of the world we’re teaching in. Her insights will leave you not only feeling heard—but also better equipped to support the children in your care. So settle in, get ready to reflect, and let’s explore some practical, thoughtful ways to navigate today’s early childhood landscape.   Here are the links to Deirdre's books they are brilliant  https://www.deirdrebrandner.com.au/books

In this episode, we’re serving up some food for thought on leadership, specifically for educational leaders in early childhood. We’ll reflect on what it means to lead with purpose, how to inspire and support teams, and the impact of strong pedagogical guidance. Whether you're new to the role or a seasoned leader, this conversation will offer insights to help you grow, reflect, and lead with confidence.

In this episode, we’re diving into the importance of wellbeing—for both educators and children. We’ll talk about how creating emotionally safe, nurturing environments supports children's growth and learning, and how educator wellbeing is just as vital. From managing stress to fostering positive relationships, we explore simple, meaningful ways to prioritise mental, emotional, and physical health in early childhood settings. Headspace- click here  Beyond Blue- click here 

In this episode, we’re talking about the individual child and how we approach developmental milestones through a personalised lens. We’ll explore how every child grows in their own time and how educators can support and celebrate progress by tuning into each child’s strengths, interests, and unique journey—rather than rushing to meet a checklist.

In this episode, we’re exploring the importance of family engagement in early childhood education and educators' vital role in building strong, respectful partnerships with families. From daily communication to collaborative goal setting, we’ll talk about how educators can create meaningful connections that support each child’s learning and well-being.

 "We’re back and excited to kick things off again—with fresh episodes dropping every Monday! Join us each week as we dive into new topics, share insights, and keep the conversation going." Leadership in early childhood is about guiding, inspiring, and supporting educators to create nurturing, high-quality learning environments that foster the development and well-being of young children.     Instagram page  FREE Resources found here  https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1FPKE8X2mZ/  

As we wrap up our series on assessment and rating in early childhood education, we encourage educators to continue to engage in reflective practices and seek feedback from colleagues and parents to enhance the quality of their programs. Remember, assessment and rating is about continuous improvement and providing young children the best possible learning experiences.  Thank you for tuning into our podcast series on assessment and rating in early childhood education. We hope you found the information valuable and insightful, and we look forward to continuing the conversation in future episodes.

In today's episode, we explore the roles of educational leaders in assessment and rating. We discuss strategies to support your team in effectively implementing assessments and ratings, as well as the key responsibilities that leaders must uphold in this process. We also consider potential questions that leaders may encounter and offer guidance on how to best address them. Tune in to gain valuable insights on how to excel in your role as an educational leader in assessment and rating.

Welcome to today's episode where we are diving deep into room compliance and all the key factors you need to consider to ensure your room is meeting requirements at all times, not just during assessment and rating. By the end of this episode, you will better understand the importance of room compliance and the crucial elements to consider to create a safe and functional space. So grab your note pad and pen, and let’s dive in!

Welcome back to our podcast, where we dive deep into the world of assessment and rating. This series will explore different assessment and rating aspects, sharing our thoughts and sparking discussion among our listeners. Whether you agree with us or not, we hope to inspire you to take a fresh look at how assessment and rating are approached in your teams. With 5 episodes released 2 weeks apart, there's plenty of content to keep you engaged and informed. So grab a coffee, tune in, and let's start the conversation! Megan and Baz 

We are all feeling the pinch with staff shortages and workloads. Today we speak with Bahar Huseyin, a registered counsellor and student wellbeing co-ordinator. Here are some links to get you started Let's really embed mindfulness in our everyday practice. How mindfulness changes the emotional life of our brains | Richard J. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CBfCW67xT8- The Power of Mindfulness: What You Practice Grows Stronger | Shauna Shapiro https://youtu.be/IeblJdB2-Vo  

Brains are the most fantastic thing ever, and if we just upskilled our knowledge a little on them, we would see children and their big emotions so differently. We hope you enjoy this as much as we did. Melissa is a Psychologist and has moved her work into the early years. Check out her Instagram page it's full of awesome stuff   honeybee_psycology

This is one of those episodes that make you stop and reflect on how you see play and how you see the whole child. Laura Rosenberg is a registered play therapist and registered mental health social worker will have you rethinking how you support children and acknowledge the emotions they have.      

We talk with Karen Webster who is one of our amazing trainers at ECT. She has over 30 years of experience working on and off the floor in early Childhood and being a Trainer and Assessor. Karen's passion is for supporting children's behaviour, Teacher's well-being and being an advocate for children's voices. We hope you enjoy this episode. If you'd like the checklist we talk about please email us at [email protected]  

We speak to an inspirational team from Tugulawa Early Education with an Educational Leader who's deep understanding of what the team wants and needs makes her the perfect person to support them.   Everyone will want to go work at this service after you listen to the podcast :)

Gina a Kinder Teacher and owner of many centres over the years talks to us about embedding Sustainability in our practice and why it's so important. Some links for you to get started on your journey    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zx04Kl8y4dE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdd2fNe2dA4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmVLcj-XKnM    

Short and sweet. Ideas for supervision and what to make sure you are doing.  

Megan and Baz talk about the importance of Belong Being Becoming and why it's important to really understand the basics.    This is our interpretation and its food for thought Enjoy :)

Janet has so much experiance working in the HR Department for many Early Childhood Services. Couldn't have thought of a better person to talk with about this topic than her.   https://dollysdream.org.au/ https://www.justice.vic.gov.au/saynotobullying https://www.beyondblue.org.au https://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/unsafe-always-unacceptable  

An introduction to our up and coming podcast series everything Early childhood.....Can't wait to have you tune in