Global Handwashing Day, celebrated every year on 15 October, is an ideal opportunity for early childhood education services to highlight the importance of handwashing as a simple, powerful way to keep children healthy. Handwashing with soap and water is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of germs that cause illness, helping reduce absenteeism and supporting children’s overall wellbeing. In early childhood settings, where play, exploration, and shared resources are part of daily life, teaching and reinforcing proper handwashing routines empowers children to take responsibility for their own health. By celebrating this day through hands-on activities, songs, and science experiments, educators can make hygiene education fun, memorable, and embedded into daily practice — supporting compliance with the National Quality Standard and building a culture of health and safety that lasts all year.
Category Archives: Exceeding the NQS BEST tips
Exceeding the NQS BEST tips
Achieving Exceeding Rating through Embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Perspective as world’s first Astronomers
At BEST Childcare Consulting, we know that World Space Week (4–10 October) is an incredible opportunity to ignite children’s curiosity, foster a love of STEM, and build strong connections with families and communities. Space Week is also a powerful way to embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives, recognising that First Nations peoples are the world’s first astronomers. Their knowledge of the stars, moon, and seasons continues to guide navigation, food gathering, and storytelling today. Embedding these perspectives helps children develop respect for the world’s oldest continuing culture while building a sense of belonging and shared identity.
Exceeding the NQS BEST tips
Achieving Exceeding Rating Through Aboriginal Perspectives of Australian Animals
Australian Wildlife Week from 1–6 October 2025 is a unique chance for Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) services to demonstrate how they embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives into everyday practice. By planning Wildlife Week experiences that honour Country, engage with Traditional Custodians, and support children’s connection with nature, services can provide evidence of Exceeding practice across multiple QA areas. You can also include this theme in Save the koala day on 26 September 2025 and as part of Biodiversity month in September.
Each year in September, early childhood services have the opportunity to join the global celebration of the International Week of Deaf People. In 2025, the theme “No Human Rights Without Sign Language Rights” reminds us that communication is a fundamental right for every child. Embedding Auslan (Australian Sign Language) in early learning is not only inclusive practice — it is also a powerful way to demonstrate Exceeding quality across multiple areas of the National Quality Standard. From supporting early communication and wellbeing, to strengthening relationships, inclusion, and community partnerships, Auslan offers meaningful ways to bring the Exceeding themes of embedded practice, critical reflection, and meaningful engagement to life in your service.
Achieving an Exceeding Rating with Roald Dahl Day Activities
Roald Dahl Day (13 September) can be celebrated in early childhood settings in ways that nurture imagination, play, and early literacy. With thoughtful planning, these activities can provide rich evidence for Exceeding practice across the National Quality Standard (NQS).
Top Tip, best Roald Dahl book for younger children
The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me is widely recognised as the most suitable Roald Dahl story for very young children. It is light, humorous, non-scary, and filled with opportunities for role play and imaginative storytelling.
Protective Behaviours elevates child-safety from being adult-controlled and policy-driven to being child-empowered, embedded in daily practice, critically reflected on, and meaningfully shared with families and community. That’s what moves a service from Meeting into Exceeding. Protective Behaviours (PB) gives your service a shared safety language children can use every day (“I have a right to feel safe,” “helping-hand network,” “early warning signs”). PB West’s programs translate that language into consistent practice, coaching, and family engagement—exactly what assessors look for in Exceeding evidence.
Exceeding the NQS BEST tips
Promoting the 2025 National Child Protection Week Theme “Every Conversation Matters” and Achieving an Exceeding Rating
In 2025, the importance of embedding child protection into early childhood education has never been more vital. With growing awareness of children’s rights, safety, and wellbeing, early learning services play a critical role in creating environments where every child feels safe, heard, and empowered. National Child Protection Week, with the theme “Every Conversation Matters,” offers a timely and powerful opportunity for educators to foster protective behaviours, build trust, and teach children the language of safety from their earliest years. By integrating these messages into everyday practice, services not only exceed their obligations under the National Quality Standard—they also contribute meaningfully to a culture of prevention, advocacy, and genuine care for every child in their community.
Exceeding the NQS BEST tips
Celebrating Father’s Day in Early Childhood Education: Inclusion, Learning, and Exceeding Practice
Father’s Day is more than a calendar event—it is an opportunity in early childhood education to foster belonging, build community, and recognise the special people who play significant roles in children’s lives. When celebrated thoughtfully, it becomes a rich learning experience that can even demonstrate exceeding practice in your service. It is still entirely appropriate to celebrate Father’s Day in childcare when approached with care and inclusivity. The focus should be on honouring the important people in each child’s life—whether that is a dad, grandparent, stepdad, foster carer, or another special figure—while ensuring every child feels represented and respected. By using inclusive language, offering alternatives, and engaging families, services can transform Father’s Day into a celebration of belonging, diversity, and connection.
Exceeding the NQS BEST tips
Promoting Speech Pathology to Achieve Exceeding Rating in Your Childcare Service
To achieve an Exceeding Rating in your childcare service during Speech Pathology Week 2025 (11–17 August), the theme “Impact through Communication” offers a meaningful and strategic opportunity to showcase your service’s commitment to communication, inclusion, and partnerships. Here’s how to align this focus with the National Quality Standard (NQS).
Exceeding the NQS BEST tips
Promoting Book Week 2025: “Book an Adventure” to Achieve an Exceeding Rating in Early Childhood Education
Book Week 2025, themed “Book an Adventure”, is a valuable opportunity for early childhood educators to celebrate the power of stories in shaping young minds. Book Week is more than a celebration of stories — when thoughtfully planned and embedded into your program, it becomes a powerful example of Exceeding practice under the NQS.
