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  • How Do I Create a Play-Based Learning Program?

    How Do I Create a Play-Based Learning Program?

    Creating a play-based learning program is not just about facilitating play but harnessing its potential to foster holistic development. In this post, we’ll guide you through creating a play-based learning program and offer tips for recording it effectively.

  • Engaging Parents in Children’s Programs: 10 Strategies for your Service

    Engaging Parents in Children’s Programs: 10 Strategies for your Service

    Parent involvement is key in creating a supportive, well-rounded learning environment for children. Active engagement can enhance children’s learning experiences and foster a collaborative, supportive relationship between educators and families. It is also a core component of NQS and ALFs. Here are 10 tailored strategies for each type of Early Childhood Education and Care setting to encourage parent interest and involvement in their child’s program.
  • The role of loose parts in ECEC and how it links with EYLF

    The role of loose parts in ECEC and how it links with EYLF

    Loose parts play in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) offers a rich opportunity for children to engage in open-ended, creative, and exploratory play. This type of play allows children to manipulate and transform materials in a variety of ways, fostering key developmental areas. Linking loose parts play to the EYLF, it strongly supports children's learning in several key learning outcomes. Here’s how loose parts play promotes children's learning, aligned with the EYLF...

  • 35 Community Involvement Ideas for Early Learning Services: Engaging Without Leaving the Service

    35 Community Involvement Ideas for Early Learning Services: Engaging Without Leaving the Service

    Community involvement is a key part of fostering a strong sense of belonging and identity in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC). While excursions and off-site visits are great, there are many ways to connect with your local community without leaving your service. Here’s a list of creative, simple, and effective community engagement ideas that can be done right within your early learning setting.
  • 2024 Revisions to the Queensland Kindergarten Learning Guidelines (QKLG 2024): What's New?

    2024 Revisions to the Queensland Kindergarten Learning Guidelines (QKLG 2024): What's New?

    Here we check out what's new in the QKLG 2024 to support you in your transition. The support in this article is a perfect tool to be utilised in staff meetings and reflective discussions in the lead up to 2025.

  • Expectations of Educational Leaders in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC): Free Checklist

    Expectations of Educational Leaders in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC): Free Checklist

    As an Educational Leader in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC), it's crucial to have clear guidance to ensure you are fulfilling your role comprehensively. Your role is pivotal in shaping the educational practices and overall quality of the service. This guide provides clear directions on your expectations, responsibilities, and practical steps to effectively lead your team, ensuring the best outcomes for children in your care. Download the free checklist...
  • Enhancing Early Childhood Education with Reflection Diaries: A Comprehensive Guide

    Enhancing Early Childhood Education with Reflection Diaries: A Comprehensive Guide

    As an early childhood educator, maintaining a reflection diary can significantly enhance your teaching practices and the learning experiences of the children under your care. This article delves into the importance of an early childhood educator reflection diary and how the Butler Diaries' Weekly Programming and Reflection Child Educator Reflection Diary can support you.
  • What Are the Duties of a Family Day Care Educator?

    What Are the Duties of a Family Day Care Educator?

    Family Day Care (FDC) educators play a crucial role in the Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) sector, offering a unique and personalised form of child care within a home environment. Their duties extend beyond mere supervision, encompassing a broad range of responsibilities that contribute to the development and well-being of the children in their care. Here, we explore the key duties of a Family Day Care educator.
  • What is a Diary in Childcare and Early Childhood Education and Care?

    What is a Diary in Childcare and Early Childhood Education and Care?

    Diaries in Childcare play an indispensable role in achieving this, serving as more than just a tool for keeping track of dates and events. They are the backbone of effective planning, assessment, and communication within educational settings. Here, we delve into the multifaceted purposes of a diary in ECEC and how it can transform your professional practice.
  • A Plan is a Guide Right? What Happens if you Don't Complete your Entire Program that Day?

    A Plan is a Guide Right? What Happens if you Don't Complete your Entire Program that Day?

    We saw a question raised in a Facebook group, if the department were to visit and you had not completed your program for the day  - will this impact your Assessment? The Short Answer - Nope! The Long Answer - No, this will not impact your Assessment and Rating if you show what you actually did and why. Here are some tips!

  • Example Program Ideas for Babies with Links to EYLF V2

    Example Program Ideas for Babies with Links to EYLF V2

    In our blog, 'Tips for Programming for Babies in the Weekly Programming and Reflection Diaries' we discuss how to adjust your program for babies and one of our tips was understanding that not all boxes in your program need to be filled every day. Here is an example program of activities for babies and includes which box it would program under in your Weekly Programming and Reflection Diary, links to EYLF and the description you need to replicate the experience.
  • Tips for Programming for Babies in the Weekly Programming and Reflection Diaries

    Tips for Programming for Babies in the Weekly Programming and Reflection Diaries

    The Weekly Programming and Reflection Diaries are designed to capture programs from babies through to school aged children. Slightly adapting the way you approach programming is what will help you complete your program. This article will support you to implement the Butler Method for younger age groups.

  • An Example of the Sustainability Calendar: QIP in Action

    An Example of the Sustainability Calendar: QIP in Action

    We recently received an example of the Sustainability Calendar and how it is being used to show the Quality Improvement Plan in Action, check it out.
  • two children playing outdoors butler diaries

    How to Link Theorists to Observations in Early Childhood Education and Care

    The best way to learn about how to do something, whether it’s how to teach or how to care for children, is to learn from those who have already done it. Those individuals are called theorists, and their theories are the structures upon which much of the practice that you see around you was built. While all of these theories are extremely beneficial in your practice, it can be difficult to know how each one can be used effectively, especially if you’re new to the field of early childhood education and care.
  • Understanding Queensland Kindergarten Funding: A Snapshot Guide for Approved Kindergartens

    Understanding Queensland Kindergarten Funding: A Snapshot Guide for Approved Kindergartens

    Navigating the intricacies of Queensland kindergarten funding is crucial for approved kindergartens to effectively manage resources and provide quality early childhood education. This article aims to demystify the process, detailing when funding is received, how it's accessed, timelines for usage, and permissible expenditures.
  • Supporting Families to Understand the Butler Method: Free Parent Information on Butler Diaries

    Supporting Families to Understand the Butler Method: Free Parent Information on Butler Diaries

    Embark on a shared journey of learning and growth with families by downloading our free Parent Information on Butler Diaries factsheet that supports families understand programming, the Butler Method, the benefits of written records, and how to read and participate in your program.
  • Which Butler Diary is right for me?

    Which Diary is right for me?

    Here is a visual guide of which Butler Diaries may be right for you. Check out their purpose, who they are designed for, what's included and what variations are available.
  • Free QKLG Download: Embedding QKLG into Practice Educator Summary Poster

    Free QKLG Download: Embedding QKLG into Practice Educator Summary Poster

    We delve into the significance of integrating the QKLG into practice and explore the practical application of the Continua of Learning and Development. We've also included a free download, "Embedding QKLG Educator Summary" to support you in your programming, reflections and practice.
  • A Practical Example of a Cycle of Planning

    A Practical Example of a Cycle of Planning

    Here is an example of what a cycle of planning might look like...
  • Where to find examples of the OSHC Weekly Programming and Reflection Diary?

    Where to find examples of the OSHC Weekly Programming and Reflection Diary?

    We have a ton of examples and support available for our Weekly Programming and Reflection Diaries... here's how to find them.
  • Free EYLF Download: Embedding V2 Educator Summary Poster

    Free EYLF Download: Embedding V2 Educator Summary Poster

    With the release of the Early Years Learning Framework Version 2 (EYLF V2) and My Time Our Place Framework Version 2 (MTOP V2), educators have a powerful tool at their disposal to enhance the learning experiences of young children. In this guide, we delve into the significance of V2 and offer insights into effectively embedding it into practice. We've also included a free download, "Embedding V2 Educator Summary" to support you in your programming, reflections and practice.
  • A Quick Guide to the Educational Leader Diary with Examples

    A Quick Guide to the Educational Leader Diary with Examples

    The Educational Leader Diary when used correctly acts as a Reflection Tool and shows how critical reflection is being used within the team to improve outcomes for children. It demonstrates and captures evidence of the role of the Educational Leader and the work they are doing to support Educators. Here's a quick guide to the Educational Leader Diary to maximise the way it's being used in your service.
  • 20 Engaging Group Time Experience Ideas for ECEC

    20 Engaging Group Time Experience Ideas for ECEC

    Group times are a cornerstone of Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC). They offer opportunities for children to learn, engage, and connect with their peers and educators. To make group times truly enriching and captivating, it's important to have a variety of activities at your fingertips. Here are 20 engaging group time experience ideas that align with EYLF, ensuring a holistic and stimulating learning environment.
  • Providing EYLF Information for Families: Free EYLF Portfolio Information for Families

    Providing EYLF Information for Families: Free EYLF Portfolio Information for Families

    At Butler Diaries, we understand the importance of making complex topics accessible, so we've created an EYLF Portfolio Information Pack for Families that you can include in the front pages of children's Portfolios. The Pack includes the purpose of a child's portfolio and explanations of linking to EYLF, how it works, the importance of play, children's progress, and working together. We've also included a bonus Elements of the Early Years Learning Framework Summary Page to help make it clear.
  • Where to find Program inspiration?

    Where to find Program inspiration?

    Are you stuck? Feel like you've fallen into the cycle of the same thing over and over and want to start the year off fresh? Maybe still stuck in Christmas mode? Here are all the places you can find program inspiration this year!
  • FAQs on the Weekly Programming and Reflection Child Educator Diary

    FAQs on the Weekly Programming and Reflection Child Educator Diary

    Have some questions on how the Weekly Programming and Reflection Diary can best be used to show the cycle of planning and children's goals? Wondering how to use it and show evidence for Assessment and Rating... all your information is here.
  • Essential Tips for Wrapping up the Year and Preparing for Next in ECEC

    Essential Tips for Wrapping up the Year and Preparing for Next in ECEC

    Let's dive straight into the essential tips for wrapping up the year and preparing for the next in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC).
  • What's the role of Jottings in ECEC?

    What's the role of Jottings in ECEC?

    In Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC), jottings play a crucial role as a form of observation and documentation. Jottings are concise, brief notes or records made by educators to capture significant moments, behaviours, or interactions of children in their care. These observations are integral to the EYLF, as they support the principles and practices of the framework, emphasising the importance of understanding and responding to children's interests, strengths, and learning styles.
  • Free Early Childhood Christmas Program with Links to EYLF

    Free Early Childhood Christmas Program with Links to EYLF

    Download your free EYLF Early Childhood Christmas Program. Incorporating these Christmas activities into your ECEC program not only brings holiday cheer but also aligns with the principles of EYLF. It's a testament to the rich learning opportunities that can be found in every festive season. Remember to document these activities in your Weekly Programming and Reflection Child Educator Diary.
  • child-holding-chicken-butler-diaries

    What Children Can Learn From Chickens In Early Childhood and How to Include Them in Your Centre

    The thought of keeping chickens in your childcare centre or kindergarten might seem like a crazy idea. After all, chickens are big and noisy, right? Wrong! Chickens are actually fantastic educational pets that can be trained to behave in certain ways at the sound of your voice. They can even be litter trained! Here’s how chickens in early childhood can teach children important lessons about responsibility, nutrition, and empathy.
  • EYLF Activities to Develop Gross Motor Skills 0-5 Years

    EYLF Activities to Develop Gross Motor Skills 0-5 Years

    In the first two years of life, children are rapidly developing their gross motor skills. Here are some activities tailored to 0-5 year olds that are linked to the Early Years Learning Framework.
  • Nurturing Young Minds: Challenges of Teaching Sustainability in ECEC Programs

    Nurturing Young Minds: Challenges of Teaching Sustainability in ECEC Programs

    Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) plays a pivotal role in shaping young minds and fostering lifelong learning. One of the critical lessons we aim to instill in our young learners today is the importance of sustainable practices. However, integrating sustainability into ECEC programs comes with its own set of unique challenges.
  • Linking EYLF and MTOP Practices to Theorists

    Linking EYLF and MTOP Practices to Theorists

    Here's another quick reference guide. This time to help you link the EYLF and MTOP practices with Theorists in Early Childhood Development. Perfect for your programming, reflections, and learning stories!

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