By BEST Childcare Consultancy
Some children arrive at our services carrying more than backpacks. They carry medical plans. Emergency medication. Parent anxieties. Quiet hopes that their child will be safe, included, and understood.
For families of children living with epilepsy, every day requires trust. Trust that educators will recognise a seizure. Trust that supervision is vigilant. Trust that systems are strong. Trust that their child will belong — not be defined by a diagnosis.
Purple Day (26 March) is not simply about wearing purple. It is about honouring that trust. For early childhood services, this day provides a meaningful opportunity to strengthen inclusive practice in alignment with the Education and Care Services National Law, the Education and Care Services National Regulations, and the vision of the Early Years Learning Framework — that every child is safe, supported and able to participate fully.
When approached intentionally, Purple Day becomes powerful evidence of Exceeding practice — not because of decorations, but because of strengthened systems, deeper reflection and genuine collaboration.
What is epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a neurological condition that affects the brain and causes a person to have recurring seizures. Seizures happen when there is a sudden burst of unusual electrical activity in the brain, which can temporarily affect how the body moves, feels, behaves or responds. Not all seizures look the same — some may involve shaking or stiffening of the body, while others may appear as brief staring episodes or moments of confusion. Epilepsy can affect people of all ages, including children, and with the right medical support and safety planning, most people living with epilepsy can lead active, full and engaged lives.
Children with epilepsy in childcare
Epilepsy in children within childcare settings requires calm, informed and inclusive practice. Epilepsy is a neurological condition that can cause seizures, which may look different from child to child — ranging from brief “staring” episodes to more visible convulsions. In early childhood services, the focus is not on the diagnosis itself, but on safety, supervision, partnership with families and clear medical management planning. Services are required under the Education and Care Services National Regulations to have medical conditions policies, individual risk minimisation plans and communication strategies in place. With up-to-date seizure first aid knowledge, strong relationships with families, and inclusive language that reduces stigma, children living with epilepsy can safely participate in all aspects of the program — feeling secure, capable and fully included in their early learning environment.
Educational Programming Ideas
1. Exploring the Brain
Children investigated how the brain sends messages to the body through movement games, drawing and playdough modelling.
- “Brain says” movement games
- Clay brain sculptures
- Conversations about how everyone’s brain works differently
Understanding Epilepsy
https://www.epilepsy.org.au/about-epilepsy/
2. Inclusion & Empathy Conversations
Educators gently introduced age-appropriate discussions about health differences and how adults help keep everyone safe.
- Role play helping a friend
- Reinforce: “We always get a grown-up.”
- Model inclusive language
Seizure First Aid
https://www.epilepsy.org.au/about-epilepsy/seizure-first-aid/
3. Community Kindness Project
Children created purple artwork or collaborative murals to show support for people living with epilepsy.
Purple Day
https://www.purpleday.org/
4. Protective Behaviours Language
Purple Day reinforced everyday safety language:
- “Tell a trusted adult.”
- “Stay where educators can see you.”
- “We look after our friends.”
ACECQA – Managing Medical Conditions
https://www.acecqa.gov.au/resources/supporting-materials/factsheets/managing-medical-conditions
5. Empathy and inclusion
Read-aloud: Zeeba and the Seizure
Supports sympathy, inclusion, “get a grown-up” safety messaging, and calm, reassuring language around seizures.
Zeeba and the Seizure video
Professional Learning & Programming for Adults
1. Review & Strengthen Epilepsy Management Plans
Epilepsy Action Australia – Seizure Management Planning
Families and carers can create an Epilepsy Management Plan (EMP) outlining seizure types, triggers, safety strategies and emergency procedures.
https://www.epilepsy.org.au/how-we-can-help/our-services/seizure-management-planning/
Services reviewed:
- Individual EMPs
- Risk minimisation plans
- Emergency communication procedures
2. Training & Capability Audit
Epilepsy Action Australia – Resources for Schools & Staff Training
Although school-focused, these seizure first aid and epilepsy understanding resources are highly relevant to ECEC.
https://www.epilepsy.org.au/schools/
Epilepsy Action Australia – Education & Training
Online training modules for carers, teachers and educators.
https://www.epilepsy.org.au/education-training/
Leadership:
- Audited seizure first aid training
- Scheduled refreshers
- Displayed updated response charts
3. Critical Reflection Prompts
- Are we confident in recognising different seizure types?
- Are supervision practices responsive and positioned effectively?
- Does our language reduce stigma?
- Do families feel safe disclosing medical needs?
4. Governance & Policy Alignment
- Reviewed Medical Conditions Policy
- Cross-checked compliance against National Regulations
- Strengthened documentation systems
- Evaluated incident response procedures
QIP write up
Quality Area 1 – Educational Program and Practice
Theme 1: Practice was embedded in service operations
Learning about health, safety and inclusion was embedded into ongoing curriculum investigations rather than treated as a one-day event.
Theme 2: Practice was informed by critical reflection
Educators critically reflected on how medical conditions are discussed with young children and refined language to promote accuracy and respect.
Theme 3: Practice was shaped by meaningful engagement with families and community
Families contributed insights into management plans and supported curriculum discussions about inclusion.
Quality Area 2 – Children’s Health and Safety
Theme 1: Embedded practice
Epilepsy Management Plans were reviewed in partnership with families using Epilepsy Action Australia templates.
Theme 2: Critical reflection
The service evaluated emergency response readiness and educator confidence in seizure first aid.
Theme 3: Meaningful engagement
Families were engaged in reviewing risk minimisation and communication plans to ensure clarity and shared understanding.
Quality Area 3 – Physical Environment
Theme 1: Embedded practice
Medication storage, emergency documentation and accessibility systems were audited and strengthened.
Theme 2: Critical reflection
Supervision positioning and response time capacity were analysed and adjusted where necessary.
Theme 3: Meaningful engagement
Environmental adjustments were discussed collaboratively with families to ensure inclusion and dignity.
Quality Area 4 – Staffing Arrangements
Theme 1: Embedded practice
Seizure first aid knowledge formed part of induction and ongoing professional development expectations.
Theme 2: Critical reflection
Leadership analysed staff capability gaps and addressed them through targeted training.
Theme 3: Meaningful engagement
External training providers and epilepsy organisations were engaged to strengthen educator expertise.
Quality Area 5 – Relationships with Children
Theme 1: Embedded practice
Educators modelled inclusive language and empathetic responses during daily interactions.
Theme 2: Critical reflection
Teams reflected on children’s understanding of difference and adjusted intentional teaching strategies.
Theme 3: Meaningful engagement
Children’s questions guided curriculum extensions about safety and caring for others.
Quality Area 6 – Collaborative Partnerships
Theme 1: Embedded practice
Communication plans regarding medical conditions were formalised and strengthened.
Theme 2: Critical reflection
The service reflected on how accessible and reassuring health information was for families.
Theme 3: Meaningful engagement
Partnerships with Epilepsy Action Australia and families enhanced knowledge and shared decision-making.
Quality Area 7 – Governance and Leadership
Theme 1: Embedded practice
Medical conditions policies were reviewed against regulatory requirements and updated accordingly.
Theme 2: Critical reflection
Incident management systems were analysed to ensure continuous improvement.
Theme 3: Meaningful engagement
Leadership sought expert guidance and involved families in governance discussions related to child safety.
Key Resources links
Epilepsy Action Australia
https://www.epilepsy.org.au/
Seizure Management Planning
https://www.epilepsy.org.au/how-we-can-help/our-services/seizure-management-planning/
Schools & Staff Training
https://www.epilepsy.org.au/schools/
Education & Training
https://www.epilepsy.org.au/education-training/
Purple Day
https://www.purpleday.org/
BEST Childcare Consulting
At BEST, we believe awareness must translate into action. Purple Day reminds us that inclusion is not symbolic. It is procedural. It is relational. It is reflective. It is embedded. When families entrust us with their child’s safety, our response must be calm, capable and confident — every day, not just one.
As always, use these inspirations to lead your service throughout the whole year in your everyday practices to truly earn an exceeding rating.
Contact us TODAY.
