Early childhood
Explainer
Pop culture
A good toy can be the building blocks of a career, or just a way to skip church
Not all toys say “educational” on the box. Still, some can spark lifelong learning. Here’s what the experts put in toy boxes.
- by Jackson Graham
Latest
Opinion
Childcare
Childcare subsidy won’t deliver for children, families or taxpayers
It’s safe to say the cost of childcare may come in as a close second in deterring parents-to-be from starting a family.
- by Georgie Dent
Has parenting really become too hard? Experts certainly believe so
Many parents are at the breaking point of stress, and some say parenting has become too hard. What can we do to bring the joy back?
- by Sarah Berry
Eighty-year-old kinder facing eviction as church eyes lucrative sale
Gardiner Preschool, which has been on St Andrews Lane in Glen Iris for 80 years, has been given notice by the Uniting Church to vacate by the end of 2025.
- by Noel Towell
No medal for Australia in international childcare rankings
A study of childcare in nine developed countries found Australia’s system did little to incentivise services where they’re most needed.
- by Alex Crowe
Andy Lee’s books have sold 3.5 million copies. Now comes the TV series
The popular podcaster and TV host is turning his bestselling children’s books into an animated series.
- by Karl Quinn
‘Kids and heavy industry don’t mix’: Backlash after childcare centre approved in industrial zone
A tribunal approved a childcare development in an industrial zone with chemical smells, ruling the children could play indoors “if the odour is particularly strong”.
- by Sophie Aubrey
Perspective
Perspective
The Cubbies: the junkyard that became home to children’s dreams
An empty block in Fitzroy became a place of adventure for the children of the tower blocks. Scrounging cast-offs, they built their dreams: cubby houses.
- by Tony Wright
$10-a-day childcare should be ‘right there’ with Medicare, public schools
A think tank says the estimated $7 billion cost of providing free or low-fee early childhood education and care would be “more than offset” by other benefits.
- by Rachel Clun
Exclusive
Education
Parents push back after school’s decision to ditch books for screens
An inner west public primary school has told parents that students will use an e-library rather than physical books for their home reading program.
- by Lucy Carroll
School bonus divides as rich reap benefits and poorer private areas miss out
Public school students in wealthy suburbs will get $400 each to help with learning costs while their private peers in poorer areas miss out.
- by Rachel Eddie and Robyn Grace
Original URL: https://www.smh.com.au/topic/early-childhood-1lzs