Learn Play Thrive The Podcast

In this episode, host Simone Brand welcomes Danny Pinchas from The Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL). We unpack how the Teacher Standards  affirm the professional identity of early childhood educators, providing national consistency and a clear framework for quality teaching across the sector.

Danny explains that setting this national benchmark directly impacts children's wellbeing and learning during their most formative years. We also discuss how the Teacher Standards serve as a roadmap for career progression, guiding self-reflection, mentoring, and recognition of expertise in ECEC.
 
Tune in to affirm early childhood teachers as valued professionals and raise public confidence in the sector!

Find out more:
www.aitsl.edu.au/
www.facebook.com/aitsl/
www.instagram.com/aitsleduau/
https://au.linkedin.com/company/aitsleduau
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_
- Facebook: @Learn Play Thrive Australia
- Email: [email protected]

In this episode of Navigating the NQS, host Simone Brand breaks down the shift from compliance to excellence in Standard 2.2: Safety. She challenges educators to move beyond 'blanket supervision' toward pedagogical agility, where teams intentionally position themselves to support individual child rhythms. By treating supervision as an active, living practice rather than a perimeter-watching exercise, Simone illustrates how services can move from 'Meeting' to 'Exceeding' the National Quality Standard.

Simone also dives into the critical role of trauma-informed emergency management and proactive child protection. She emphasises the importance of moving past routine fire drills, to instead engaging in deep critical reflection and expert consultation with local authorities. By fostering a culture of "courageous conversations" and transparent partnerships with families, Simone provides a roadmap for empowering every staff member to act as a confident advocate for child safety.
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_
- Facebook: @Learn Play Thrive Australia
- Email: [email protected]

In this episode, we are honoured to sit down with Director Amy Shine, an incredible force in the ECEC sector with over 25 years of dedicated experience in rural and remote communities. Amy is a passionate advocate for inclusion, reconciliation, and ensuring that every voice is heard within the early years classroom.

Amy shares her deep commitment to building strong community partnerships and a culture where everyone belongs. We dive into the vital work being done at Forbes Preschool, exploring how they collaborate with Community Health to identify gaps and ensure that essential speech and language programs are accessible to every child.

Amy provides tips for how educators and therapists can work together to create sustainable, evidence-based programs that make a difference. We discuss the critical referral stage—moving beyond just the initial assessment to ensure meaningful follow-up that shapes positive outcomes for children in the year before school.

Find out more:
https://www.facebook.com/p/Forbes-Preschool-100063665347418/ https://www.instagram.com/p/DJkeL0yTRHq/
https://www.forbespreschool.com/
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_
- Facebook: @Learn Play Thrive Australia
- Email: [email protected]

In this month's episode of our Little Dreamers mini-series, we explore the playful world of our favourite furry friends! Host Kathryn leads preschoolers on a gentle relaxation journey through a sun-drenched backyard, smelling the fresh eucalyptus leaves and feeling the soft green grass. 
It’s a sensory-rich mindfulness experience designed to help little ones transition from high energy to a state of peace and calm. Preschoolers can also stretch their bodies with easy-to-follow yoga movements, including Downward Dog and Cat Pose. 
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_
- Facebook: @Learn Play Thrive Australia
- Email: [email protected]

Welcome to an invigorating episode of Learn Play Thrive! Today, we are joined by a powerhouse of  our sector, Stacey Jackson from Twinkl Australia. As the Early Years Segment Manager, Stacey is at the forefront of bridge-building between pedagogical theory and the practical, transformative tools used in early years learning environments every day.

In this conversation, we dive deep into the 'why' behind the 'play', exploring how Twinkl's high-quality, EYLF V2.0 aligned resources can help spark children's curiosity and lifelong learning. Whether you are a sector leader or an educator in the thick of it, Stacey’s empowering perspective will help you rethink how to use intentional tools to enrich the lives of children from birth to five.

Stacey also shares insights into how Educational Leaders can use Twinkl's pedagogical tools as a foundation for mentoring, ensuring that inclusive philosophy and high expectations remain at the heart of every service. Plus, we are thrilled to celebrate Twinkl as our Platinum Sponsor for the upcoming Learn Play Thrive: Pedagogy in Practice conference! 

Find out more:
Twinkl Australia Early Years
Twinkl Australia Early Years Facebook group
Twinkl Australia Early Years Instagram
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_
- Facebook: @Learn Play Thrive Australia
- Email: [email protected]