Learn Play Thrive The Podcast

We’re bringing back a must-listen favourite. In this powerful encore, I sit down with Dr Kate Highfield to unpack one of the biggest conversations in early childhood right now: Generative AI — should we worry or be excited?
Dr Kate brings clarity, calm, and deep expertise to a topic that can feel overwhelming. Together, we explore how AI is shaping our sector, what it means for documentation, planning and admin, and how we can step into this space ethically and confidently.
Rather than fearing the unknown, Kate shows us how to anchor ourselves in our professional standards, the ECA Code of Ethics, and our commitment to authentic relationships with children and families. She also offers practical examples of AI tools that genuinely save time — while keeping the human heart of early childhood at the centre.
If you enjoyed this episode, consider leaving us a review on your favourite podcast platform.
Have questions or feedback? Connect with us on social media or email us at [email protected]
Connect with Us:
- Website: www.learnplaythrive.com.au
- Instagram: @learnplaythrive_
- Email: [email protected]

In this episode of Navigating the NQS, host Simone Brand guides educators to excellence by diving into the heart of Quality Area 1 - Standard 1.3: Assessment and Planning. This episode is essential for mastering the planning cycle—observing, analysing, planning, implementing, and reflecting—which assessors look for as the systematic bedrock of professional practice. 

We also explore the keys to Exceeding NQS, focusing on Critical Reflection (1.3.2) and Information for Families (1.3.3). Discover how to challenge your practice and demonstrate visible program change, while building family partnership through meaningful, two-way communication about children's progress. Get actionable steps and an Exceeding NQS case study to immediately elevate your program quality this week!
If you enjoyed this episode, consider leaving us a review on your favourite podcast platform.
Have questions or feedback? Connect with us on social media or email us at [email protected]
Connect with Us:
- Website: www.learnplaythrive.com.au
- Instagram: @learnplaythrive_
- Email: [email protected]

This week, we're bringing back one of our favourite episodes just in time for the summer season. Simone Brand chats with Louise Lambeth, an experienced surf lifesaver and children's book author. With warmer weather encouraging more time near the water, this episode is a vital listen for every educator and parent. Louise’s mission is to teach children and families how to stay safe in and around the water, powerfully using the art of storytelling to embed crucial safety lessons.

Key takeaways:
- Discover how Louise’s brilliant picture books align with the EYLF V2.0, focusing on children’s health, safety, and well-being.

- Learn ways to weave essential water safety messages into daily play-based learning for preschoolers.

- Hear all about the fantastic, free incursions offered to early childhood services across NSW through the Surf Life Saving NSW “Annie and the Waves” program.

- Explore digital resources to share with children about  identifying rip currents, choosing safe beaches, and understanding marine animals.

Tune in to make water safety a confident and informed part of your summer curriculum!
If you enjoyed this episode, consider leaving us a review on your favourite podcast platform.
Have questions or feedback? Connect with us on social media or email us at [email protected]
Connect with Us:
- Website: www.learnplaythrive.com.au
- Instagram: @learnplaythrive_
- Email: [email protected]

Join host Linda Harrison and First Nations author, Melissa-Jane Fogarty, as we explore the picture book Tubowgule: A Sydney Opera House History. This story traces the site's story from the Gadi people gathering at Tubowgule over 60,000 years ago, through colonisation, and up to the construction of the Sydney Opera House.

We discuss the story's key themes of Aboriginal culture and language; and how the picture book acts as a powerful tool to begin conversations with preschoolers about big concepts like the impact of colonisation. Linda provides vibrant, play-based story-inspired ideas including a visual arts experience using the Opera House 'sails' to inspire Architect Art that explores STEAM concepts like structure and balance.

Tune in to discover how sharing this story with young children promotes a greater understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing and being, actively working towards Reconciliation.

Find out more:
https://melissajanefogarty.com/
https://www.instagram.com/melissajwriting/?hl=en
If you enjoyed this episode, consider leaving us a review on your favourite podcast platform.
Have questions or feedback? Connect with us on social media or email us at [email protected]
Connect with Us:
- Website: www.learnplaythrive.com.au
- Instagram: @learnplaythrive_
- Email: [email protected]

Join us for an inspiring discussion with two leading voices in early childhood education, Debi Keyte-Hartland and Catherine Lee. We dive into an inquiry-project, which began with a discovery made by children digging in the sandpit. This unexpected find unfolded into a rich, extended inquiry that nurtured children's ecological identity, amplified the arts as a language of learning.

Discover how an initial spark of curiosity developed into a project that transcended preschool boundaries, as the children learned their find was fossilised coral from the Great Barrier Reef. The episode explores how this sustained learning experience fostered a collective ethic of care as the children became aware of climate change, leading to creative activism! We discuss how this vibrant, messy, and unpredictable journey illustrates the Reggio Emilia concept of 'progettazione' (design thinking), where learning is co-constructed, transdisciplinary, and is driven by thinking-with materials.

Listen in to hear the incredible audio clip of the children’s resulting musical and movie to amplify their message - ‘Save the Reef’!

Find out more:

[email protected]
https://debikeytehartland.com
https://www.facebook.com/debi.keytehartland.early.years.ed?
locale=en_G
https://www.linkedin.com/in/debi-keyte-hartland-420b131a/
Catherine Lee | LinkedIn

If you enjoyed this episode, consider leaving us a review on your favourite podcast platform.
Have questions or feedback? Connect with us on social media or email us at [email protected]
Connect with Us:
- Website: www.learnplaythrive.com.au
- Instagram: @learnplaythrive_
- Email: [email protected]