Early Childhood Educators day 2025: Together We All Shine

Celebrating the valuable work of Early Childhood Educators

By BEST Childcare Consulting

Every day is rewarding and every day is a challenge to all of us in early childhood education. We are busy and stressed at times, yet the love and recognition we receive from the families we welcome into our lives and hearts makes all the difference. Early Childhood Educators’ Day is a vital moment—especially this year—to value and honour the professionals who nurture children’s learning, wellbeing, and healthy development. It recognises and celebrates the work of Australia’s educators across long day care, family day care, kindergarten/preschools and occasional care, whose daily dedication helps young children thrive. It’s our chance to say a huge, personal “thank you”—from service operators, families and children—as well as to celebrate collectively at state and national levels. Early Childhood Educators’ Day will be celebrated across Australia on Wednesday, 3 September 2025. This year’s theme, “Together We All Shine!”, highlights the collective strength and unity of educators in shaping children’s lives and supporting families.

Why it matters

This day means so much to early childhood educators because it provides recognition for the passion, patience, and professional commitment they bring to their work every single day. Educators are often the first teachers children encounter, guiding them through their earliest social, emotional, and cognitive experiences. Yet, the complexity and importance of this role can easily go unnoticed in the wider community. Early Childhood Educators’ Day shines a spotlight on the profession, reminding us that behind every thriving child is a dedicated educator who has invested time, care, and expertise.

For many educators, the heartfelt messages from families, the smiles from children, and the acknowledgement from service leaders on this day help ease the stress and challenges of the job. It reaffirms their sense of purpose, strengthens team morale, and builds pride in the profession. More than just a celebration, this day is a reminder that educators truly matter—and that together, their efforts shape the future of our children and communities.

How Your Service Can Celebrate

Here are some simple, high-impact ideas you can implement (with links to free resources and inspiration):

  • Shine Together Gratitude Reel: make sure your families know about this special day coming up and are able to contribute their thoughts and feelings for your incredible team. Collect thank-you messages, drawings, or short videos from families and compile them. You can use free posters, cards, and templates from the official Early Childhood Educators’ Day site to support this activity. https://earlychildhoodeducatorsday.org.au/resources/
  • Sunbeam Gestures: Provide a themed morning tea or small recognition gifts. Surprise your team with a catered lunch or hi tea in the staff break room. 
  • Team Shoutouts: Present awards linked to NQS quality areas, highlighting teamwork and excellence. Use ACECQA’s Guide to the NQF to connect recognition back to quality areas and continuous improvement. https://www.acecqa.gov.au/nqf/about/guide

BEST top tip

Over the fourteen years of owning childcare services, we have done many different gift ideas. My favourite gift is to hire a massage therapist to treat your team to a surprise massage during their workday. Set aside an area that you can convert into a tranquil retreat space with massage table, candles and music, set up invitations to give to your team that morning for their individual appointment and organize a relief person to cover that team member in the rooms when it is their appointment time. I always tried to organize the appointments to treat the staff in the best way, use the time just before they go home or go on lunch break to maximize the relaxation factor.  If someone is not working that day, give them a massage voucher to use at their own convenience.  

Communications You Can Use

Newsletter Blurb for Families:

On Wednesday, 3 September, we join services nationwide in celebrating Early Childhood Educators’ Day—this year’s theme is “Together We All Shine!”. Please send a short note or drawing of how your child’s educator helps them shine by Monday, 1 September.

Social Media Post:

Happy Early Childhood Educators’ Day! Today, we shine together under our theme “Together We All Shine!”—celebrating a team that brings warmth, curiosity, and coherence to early learning. Thank you for lighting up children’s lives.

A Simple Timeline

• 2 weeks out 20 August 2025 Announce the theme, invite gratitude messages, download themed resources.
• 1 week out: 27 August 2025 Plan activities—morning tea, group photo, awards.
• On the day Wednesday 3 September 2025: Play the gratitude reel, present awards, post shout-outs.
• Afterwards: Reflect and record in your Quality Improvement Plan (QIP).

Western Australia Note

In Western Australia, services can use the “Together We All Shine!” theme to highlight staff wellbeing initiatives in their Quality Improvement Plan (QIP). For guidance, visit the Education and Care Regulatory Unit (ECRU).

Useful Links

Official Event Site & Date Confirmation (ELAA) (https://earlychildhoodeducatorsday.org.au)

Free Posters & Service Tools (https://earlychildhoodeducatorsday.org.au/resources)

Queensland Information (https://earlychildhood.qld.gov.au/sector-news-and-resources/news-for-educators-and-service-providers/early-childhood-educators-day)

ACECQA Guide to the NQF (https://www.acecqa.gov.au/nqf/national-quality-framework)

ForKeeps Merch – Apparel & Giftware (https://earlychildhoodeducatorsday.org.au/latest-news/our-2025-apparel-and-giftware-is-available-to-order-now)

Childcare Alliance WA (https://wa.childcarealliance.org.au/)

From BEST Childcare Consulting

At BEST Childcare Consulting, we believe that early childhood educators are the heart of every learning community. Early Childhood Educators’ Day is not just about one day of thanks—it’s about recognising the daily dedication, compassion, and expertise that educators bring into children’s lives.

To every educator: thank you for the joy you bring, the challenges you embrace, and the futures you help to shape.

Together We All Shine!

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