Belonging Is Not a Display Board
What the NQF and Frameworks Actually Mean When They Talk About Belonging Belonging is one of the most used words in education and care. It’s in our frameworks. It’s in our policies. It’s on our walls. But I often wonder if we’ve made it smaller than it was ever intended to be. What is Belonging? Belonging isn’t a display board of family […]
The Biggest Mistakes When Hiring Centre Directors (and What to Do Instead)
Let me say this upfront, most Approved Providers are doing their absolute best. They’re hiring under pressure. They’re juggling compliance, staffing ratios, families, budgets, and their own wellbeing. And often, they’re trying to hire a Centre Director at the exact moment they can least afford to get it wrong. So when we talk about “mistakes”, this isn’t about blame. It’s about patterns we see every single week working in early […]
Job Search Tips for ECE & OSHC Educators and Leaders
Looking for your next step in Early Childhood Education or Outside School Hours Care? Whether you are a Director, Coordinator, Assistant, or an educator ready to grow, finding the right role takes a bit of planning and reflection. As recruiters who specialise in this sector (and as ex-educators and leaders ourselves), we know how important […]
Child Safeguarding Starts with Recruitment, But It Doesn’t End There
As a father of a 3-year-old boy and a 5-year-old girl, and someone who has worked in the OSHC and ECE sector for over seven years, I’ve been deeply affected by the recent news out of Melbourne. Like many, I feel a mix of sadness, frustration and concern. My heart goes out to the families […]
If a McChicken can go up, why can’t educator wages?
This blog was actually sparked by a reel posted by one of my husband’s friends, he’s a mortgage broker, talking about the cost of a McChicken burger. It made me pause and think, hang on… he’s right. The McChicken has quietly gone up 31% since 2019. No outrage. No big headlines. It just happened. And […]
How to Evaluate Educator Performance (Without Making It Awkward)
We all want to work with great educators – people who genuinely care, show up for their team, and keep growing in their role. But supporting that growth? That’s where many services feel stuck. At Firefly HR, we’ve seen performance processes done well – and… not so well. From annual reviews that feel like job […]
Interview questions for an Educational Leader: Why it matters
Recruiting the right Educational Leader can be the difference between a service that just ticks the boxes and one that thrives. The role goes beyond compliance – an effective Educational Leader inspires, mentors, and embeds a culture of continuous improvement. But how do you find that person in an interview? A great candidate doesn’t just know the […]
Workforce Transitional Arrangements Extended: Much needed relief for services, but what about quality…?
If you blinked, you would have missed it! Last Friday, Australia’s Education Ministers announced an extension for three workforce transitional arrangements under the Education and Care Services National Regulations. Initially set to expire by the end of this year, these provisions will now remain in place until 2026 and 2027, giving early childhood education and […]
Are We Missing the Mark on True Equity in Childcare?
Childcare reform in Australia has been making headlines, with the government rolling out initiatives to ease the financial burden on families. The ACCC’s report on childcare pricing and the Productivity Commission’s recent inquiry have both sparked conversations about how we can make early childhood education and care (ECEC) more affordable. But is affordability the only […]
Clarifying Misinformation: Understanding the New Guidelines on Taking Photos in Early Childhood Education and Care
In recent days, there has been considerable discussion and confusion surrounding new guidelines regarding the taking of photos in early childhood education and care settings. This confusion primarily stems from discrepancies between official press releases and simplified social media posts by government officials, notably the recent statements made by Minister Jason Clare. The National Model […]