Being a parent and working in early childhood education…   When I first started working in early childhood education, I was yet to have children of my own. I would have parents regularly coming in and saying “I don’t know how you do it all day”. But working in chid care and being a parent…

By Loretta Davis “They’re smarter than we give them credit for”. These words were spoken to me the other night by one of our nursery parents. And of course, I agree. Although, I didn’t realise how much I agree until several hours after our conversation, after I’d been home for a while. Children are a…

By Moniqui McAuley Last week after arriving home from work, I did my usual scroll through social media and a quick browse on the Internet, reading through a couple of articles in an effort to wind down: a typical afternoon. However, that afternoon would soon prove to become more than just normal routine, which was…

  Working in early education and care as a male teacher, friend and most importantly role model…   Working at Handprints ELC has shown me how accepting families can be of a male teacher in an early education and care environment. I have heard many stories about how a male can be stigmatised in this…

 Education is my passion. I believe that in Early Childhood we need to move away from the concept of care and towards environments where experience is the focus. Where educators who are qualified and trained lead programs that enhance the opportunity for education to be extended across the day. Play based learning programs do not…

On September 2nd 2014 I wrote a blog about the important role early childhood education plays for our young children. And how in a world where education is prioritised for young children in the first five years we have the capacity to create a world filled with tolerance, respect and most importantly empathy. A world…

As we come to the conclusion of another busy week where new children were welcomed into our Home, I find myself reflecting on one particular aspect of our philosophy. And that is the final point… “Our Experiences”. After 8 years in the profession and having spent time introducing well over a hundred different children into…

“Everyone has a family. Some families have different dynamics to others, but everyone develops a feeling of belonging in some way” Miss Moniqui (in her learning story – What does it mean to be part of a family). Handprints ELC is a family. Since before we opened our doors on November 10th 2014, we developed…

To the future children at Handprints ELC: My Handprint Commitment to YOU! 1. You will HAVE FUN! There is so much excitement to be had at Handprints. And each and every day I promise we will put out something to engage with that you find fun, that you enjoy! Have you heard about our digging…

“Children do not learn from people they don’t like” Rita Pierson. This quote has a lot of resonance with me. I believe in relationships in their ability to affect experience. The sharing of important moments with someone who you know cares about you makes the moment in itself so much more real and so much…