The Educator's Edit

What do you do when a child's behaviour feels overwhelming, transitions become a daily battle, or you're just not sure what to try next?
In this episode of The Educators Edit, we're joined by Kirsten, The Grove Academy's Behaviour Therapist, for a practical and honest conversation about some of the real challenges educators face every day.
From children struggling with transitions and arrival, to supporting big emotions, co-regulation, group times, sensory needs and those tricky conversations when families say, "But they don't do that at home!" Kirsten shares practical strategies and a different way of looking at behaviour.
We also chat about the emotional load on educators, how leaders can recognise when their teams need more support, and why sometimes the best thing we can do is stop trying to fix everything and start looking at what's happening underneath the behaviour.
Expect plenty of practical takeaways, real educator scenarios and advice you can take straight back into your room.

This week on The Educators Edit, we're flipping the script.
Tiana is back in the podcast studio while on maternity leave and preparing for a brand new experience - searching for childcare for her own little one.
After years of welcoming families into centres, she's now the parent walking through the door, asking the questions, noticing the little things, and trying to find the right fit.
Together, Jackie, Bec and Tiana chat about:
💛 What families are really looking for on centre tours in 2026
🏡 The small things that leave a lasting impression
🚩 Green flags, red flags… and the ones that could be both
👶 How becoming a parent changes your perspective as an educator
✨ Why trust, relationships and feeling matter more than ever
Whether you're an educator giving tours, a leader supporting enrolments, or a parent starting your own childcare search, this episode is a reminder that behind every enrolment enquiry is a family simply looking for somewhere their child will be loved, safe and belong.
Tune in for an honest, relatable and surprisingly emotional conversation about seeing our sector through a different lens.

This week, Jackie and Bec dive into the topics that always spark debate in early childhood education. From screen time and sustainability to food play, educational philosophies, under-the-roof ratios, risky play and those Pinterest-perfect expectations, nothing is off the table.
No drama. No "right" answers. Just honest conversations, different perspectives and plenty of laughs along the way.
Whether you're nodding along, disagreeing out loud or rethinking your own practice, this episode is guaranteed to get the staffroom talking.
What's your biggest educator hot take? We'd love to hear it.

This week on The Educators Edit, Jackie sits down with Tayla and Vanessa from TGA Oatley to unpack the heart behind their newly reworked centre philosophy, “Every Step Matters on Their Journey Up.”
More than just words on a wall, this philosophy was created collaboratively by their entire team, drawing from real educator experiences, challenges, growth, relationships and the everyday moments that shape life in early childhood.
Together, they chat about:
What makes a philosophy feel genuine and lived, not just laminated
Why educator growth deserves just as much recognition as children’s development
The quiet moments in ECEC that often have the biggest impact
Building a strong team culture in early childhood
Supporting educators through confidence, reflection and growth
The importance of relationships, connection and belonging within a service
A thoughtful, emotional and inspiring conversation for anyone working in early childhood.

In this episode of The Educators Edit, Bec sits down with TGA Behaviour Specialist Kirsten to unpack one of the biggest challenges educators face every day - behaviour.
From emotional regulation and communication breakdowns to inclusion, sensory needs and supporting families with compassion, this conversation is full of practical strategies and mindset shifts that every educator can take back into the room.
Kirsten shares her journey from studying in the UK to working across schools, clinics and early learning settings, and explains why behaviour should never be viewed as “naughty”, but instead as communication.
They chat about:
supporting dysregulated children in the moment
why proactive strategies matter more than reactive ones
the power of visuals, routines and environment setup
building educator confidence
navigating conversations with families
what true inclusion actually looks like in practice
This episode is a reassuring reminder that educators are not failing - they just need the right support, guidance and tools.
A must-listen for educators, leaders and anyone working alongside children with diverse needs.