Claim OwnershipShine On - an Early Childhood Education Podcast
Subscribed: 18Played: 246
Subscribe
© 2026 Shine On - an Early Childhood Education Podcast
Description
Shine Bright EYM proudly presents Shine On, a podcast series for prospective and current Early Childhood Education Professionals. A podcast to engage, celebrate, and advocate for the Early Years sector through collaborative discussions with professionals in the industry. Drawing inspiration from our guiding philosophy document The Shine Bright Way, we’ll be bringing you a series of conversations, inspirations, and big ideas from all aspects of the Early Childhood Sector. From keeping the joy, professionalism, making every moment matter, to collaborative generative thinking, foregrounding First Nations perspectives, being open to complexity and meaningful documentation.
Subscribe or follow the podcast, and you can follow us on Instagram @shineon_podcast
If you know someone whose story should be featured on the show, please email us at shineonpodcast@shinebright.org.au
33 Episodes
Reverse
(Originally published Nov 2023) Alex and Sophie are in conversation with Nicole Lees. Nicole is a consultant for Be You with Early Childhood Australia. Nicole’s background includes educator and leadership roles, consultancy and research. She spent several years working in the education sector in Japan and South Korea. Nicole’s experience in early childhood education across three different countries highlighted the significance of a sense of wellbeing. To follow this interest, Nicole und...
(Originally published Nov 2023) Kathryn Foley is kindergarten teacher at Nyah West Kindergarten, where she has taught for 35 years. In this episode, Alex and Sophie speak with Kathryn about making every moment matter in early childhood, being brave in trying new things, what it means to be 'school ready', inquiry based projects, coaching in early childhood spaces and so much more!
(Originally published Nov 2023) In this episode Crystal and Alex speak to Shine Bright Maiden Gully Early Years Hub manager Belinda Quinn. This conversation covers Belinda's career journey, balancing the demands of leadership, the experience of establishing a brand new early learning centre and all she has learnt along the way. Belinda shares with us the details of an exciting research project she is currently undertaking with La Trobe University, around theory of practice archit...
(Orginially published Oct 2023) In this episode, Crystal and Sophie are in conversation with Amelia Johnson. Amelia Johnson is a social worker, art therapist and PhD student. She is also a proud mother of 3 adult children, a daughter, sister, niece, aunty, friend and lover of making, creating and enjoying the simple things. She began her career in family support and co-ordinating mentor programs. While her family was young, she focussed on managing family businesses. She has work...
(Originally published Oct 2023) Have you ever thought about establishing a bush kinder program? In this episode, Alex and Sophie are in conversation with Nicole Howie. We explore what bush kinder looks like at Shine Bright Huntly Kindergarten, the incredible benefits and learning outcomes for children, and the challenges that arise from time to time. With some beautiful anecdotes along the way, this episode will make you want to drop everything and go to breathe in that fresh bush air.&...
We are so excited to bring you this conversation with Dr Justin Coulson for our season finale! Dr Justin Coulson has a phD in Psychology, and is one of Australia’s most trusted parenting experts. Justin is the co-host and parenting expert on Channel Nine’s Parental Guidance, and the founder of happyfamilies.com.au. He is the author of multiple books about raising children and is a trusted voice in the wellbeing and relationships space. So much of the work Justin does with families and ...
Educators have often wondered how the COVID pandemic impacted children's learning and development. The research is starting to emerge, and in this episode Crystal and Sophie take you through what the data is telling us, how it connects to your stories from the classroom, and what we should focus on to support children and families to thrive. This episode will appeal to early childhood educators, primary school staff, and parents of children who were in their early childhood (0-8) during the p...
Alex and Sophie are in conversation with Adrian Pattra-McLean in this episode, discussing how we can utilise skills we already have as educators to enhance teamwork, relationships, communication and accountability. With over 15-years of experience, Adrian is a well-respected professional consultant and educator with a Master of Education (Ed. Psychology) and a Bachelor of Education (Human Resources). Adrian has held various senior management roles in the Early Childhood Education sector...
In this episode, we chat with Adele Brown, an inspiring early childhood educator who has upskilled from her Diploma of Early Childhood Education to her Bachelor of Early Childhood Education. Adele shares what motivated her to return to study, the challenges she’s faced while balancing work, life, and learning, and the incredible support that’s helped her along the way. As she prepares to complete her degree this year, Adele reflects on how the journey has shaped her practice and what she hope...
Find yourself doing the same learning experiences over and over? Looking for some inspiration on different activities you can try? Welcome to the Educator Toolkit series from Shine On Podcast, where our Shine Bright educators share their practice, inspiration and ideas. First up - fine motor skills and group games! Thank you to Jas, Belinda, Katie and Shez for sharing their practice with us! Do you have a part of your practice you'd like to share with our Shine On listeners, or an educa...
They say it takes a village to raise a child... but how do we build the village? Wendy Irving and Mim Brown join us in this episode to discuss the benefits of the Shine Bright Supported Playgroup model and other family-centered projects run by Communities For Children Bendigo. Throughout the conversation we’ll explore Wendy and Mim’s important roles within the community, what their projects look like day-to-day, how they support children, families and community, and how they work throug...
Welcome to this special episode of Shine On, where we explore Advice From Little Experts. We know that child’s voice is crucial to high quality early childhood education, so in this episode, we took some questions from educators and children, and asked our little experts for their input. You’ll hear a busy classroom in the background, children at work, and the beautiful chaos of learning with children. The questions our little experts pondered are: how do you show you're being a friend to som...
In this episode, Alex, Crystal and Sophie are recording together for the first time in over a year! We’ll catch you up on what’s next for the pod, what we’ve been up to and share some early childhood recommendations. We’ve got some exciting episodes planned which we are SURE you will love! Head over to our social media @shineon_podcast to tell us the early childhood resources you can’t get enough of! Resources discussed: The Spoke – ECA blog Play School Show Time @thedailyeducator...
Curious about simple and creative ways you can use an iPad for documentation in early childhood programs? Listen in as Rachel Minns from Tech Play Teach talks us through tips and tricks you can start using right now. Rachel is an experienced early years educator with a passion for integrating technology in purposeful, age-appropriate, and creative ways. As an Apple Professional Learning Specialist, she empowers educators to amplify children’s voices and agency through digital tools, spa...
Need a new book recommendation? Alex and Sophie have got you covered with five titles that are sure to be a hit with the children. Listen in to see why we love Come Over to My House by Sally Rippin and Eliza Hull, Owl Babies by Martin Waddell and Patrick Benson, Finding Our Heart by Thomas Mayor and Blak Douglas, The Book With No Pictures by BJ Novak, and The Five Rules of Friendship with Jess Sanders (with thanks to Affirm Press for sending this review copy to Sophie!)
Vicki Hall is in conversation with Sophie and Alex, discussing gender justice and the significance of this work in early childhood education. In a time where gender-based violence is on the rise in Australia, the significance of this work cannot be overstated. Gender equity starts in early childhood, and in this episode Vicki talks us through how they are standing up for children – and how you can too. Over the last four years, Vicki and her team have been implementing an intentional ge...
On this episode we hear from Ana-Luisa Franco from Little Scientists. Come and hear fantastic examples of STEM in early childhood, the inquiry cycle, and Little Scientists recent experience partnering with Play School! Ana-Luisa Franco is the Training Facilitator and Content Developer at Little Scientists. As an Early Childhood Teacher, she believes in fostering educational environments that encourage exploration and thoughtful learning. With over 20 years of experience in early childhood edu...
Alex and Sophie chat with Koralynn Dodds, Early Years Manager of Berrimba Childcare Centre in Echuca. Koralynn is a Yorta Yorta, Wiradjuri and Maori woman who has been an early childhood educator for 7 years. She is the mother of 8 young children, and attended Berrimba childcare herself as a child and now the Early Years Manager Koralynn has a strong passion for culture and children, and has been involved in early years committees to help support outcomes for children in the early years...
Welcome to the Shine On Book Club! Alex and Sophie share some book recommendations that could be great to use in your early childhood educational programs. (These books are recommendations only, please use your discretion when deciding whether or not these will be right for your children).
Dr Red Ruby Scarlet is an activist, early childhood teacher-researcher, consultant, artist and academic. She holds numerous degrees in early childhood education and performing arts. Red has been working in early childhood for over 30 years and is devoted to creative, imaginative, inclusive practices that promote dignity and integrity in early childhood. Red has developed curriculum and learning frameworks nationally and internationally. She has won numerous awards for her teaching and advocac...
Comments
Download from Google Play
Download from App Store
United States