Advocacy at C&K C&K advocates for every child’s right to high quality, accessible and inclusive early childhood education and care. We believe every child deserves a good childhood. What we advocate for Supporting our vision where every child flourishes. C&K’s vision ‘where every child flourishes’ is a broad yet clear ambition statement to guide each decision relating to our ECEC provision and our advocacy positions. We actively advocate for:High quality, evidence backed early childhood education and care delivered by a qualified early childhood specialist workforce.Affordable and accessible early childhood environments that meet the needs of working families and best support children’s outcomes, and supporting family choice of what will suit their child best.Inclusive environments where every child has the support they need to flourish.C&K partners with governments, peak bodies and sector groups to positively influence policies and decisions that benefit children, families, our workforce and the early childhood sector. How we make a difference C&K has a long history of advocating for children, families and the early childhood education and care sector. We proudly share our involvement in shaping and responding to a range of policy development and government inquiries. C&K's Submissions To support our advocacy efforts, C&K make submissions to government inquiries, reviews, and reform proposals. These submissions enable us to advocate with evidence-informed insights that influence policy and elevate the voices of children, families, and educators in our sector. National Advocacy ACCC Childcare Inquiry 2023Jobs and Skills Australia ECEC Workforce Capability Study 2024National Early Years Strategy 2023Productivity Commission: Children’s Perspectives of Early Childhood Education and Care 2024Productivity Commission Inquiry: A Universal Path to Early Childhood Education and Care 2024Productivity Commission Inquiry: A Universal Path to Early Childhood Education and Care Draft Report 2024Submission to the Senate Inquiry into Australia's Early Childhood Education and Care System in Rural, Regional and Remote Communities 2026 Queensland Advocacy Queensland Regulatory Impact Statement on Growing Child Safe Organisations 2023Queensland Thrive by Five Action PlanPutting Queensland Kids First 2024C&K CEO Dr Sandra Cheeseman is a member of the Queensland Minister’s Early Childhood Forum. Preschool Reform Agreement C&K advocate for long term sustainable funding for kindergarten, to ensure the future growth and viability of the community kindergarten sector, and support for kindergarten within LDC settings.C&K CEO Dr Sandra Cheeseman is a member of the Federal Government’s Outcomes Advisory Group, supporting the development of an evidence based measurement tool in kindergarten settings. Featured news View all Parents & Guardian Key C&K kindy dates for 2027: Term Dates and School Holidays To help our families plan ahead for the 2027 kindy year, here is some important information and the kindy term and holiday dates.Term 1 commences on Monday, 25 January 2027. If your child is in Group… Media Release Statement by the CEOs of ten quality large not-for-profit early learning providers in response to Four Corners Program We are appalled at all reports of child abuse highlighted by last night’s ABC Four Corners report and our thoughts are with the children and families affected.We remain committed to delivering… Centre C&K Board recognises C&K Oxley’s latest achievement C&K Oxley Childcare Centre has achieved its second Exceeding rating under the National Quality Standard (NQS), with C&K’s Board Chair and Deputy Chair visiting the centre to recognise the… Centre C&K Kirwan Community Kindergarten wins Queensland Mental Health Award A simple idea about kindness has grown into a meaningful approach to children’s emotional wellbeing at C&K Kirwan Community Kindergarten, with its Wellness Wednesday initiative winning the Early… C&K Kirwan Community Kindergarten Wellbeing Universal Supports for Inclusion: Helping Every Child Learn, Communicate and Belong C&K's commitment to inclusive education has taken another significant step forward with the rollout of the Universal Supports for Inclusion (USI) program across our kindergarten and childcare… Parents & Guardian The Childcare Centre Test: Can you picture your child here? Choosing a childcare centre is one of the biggest decisions you'll make as a parent.You can compare fees, check ratings, read reviews and browse websites. But when it comes down to it, there's one… Media Release C&K Carindale wins Queensland early STEM award C&K Carindale Community Kindergarten has been named the Queensland winner of the 2026 Little Scientists Early STEM Education Award. The national awards celebrate excellence in STEM… C&K Carindale Community Kindergarten Media Release Bribie Island Kindy celebrates historic fifth Excellent rating Bribie Island Community Kindergarten has celebrated an Australian first, bringing together past and present families, educators and community members to mark the extraordinary achievement. The C… Bribie Island Community Kindergarten Parents & Guardian C&K and The Empire Invite Families to Play, Imagine, and THRIVE C&K is proud to mark eight years of partnership with The Empire’s much-loved THRIVE Festival in Toowoomba, a unique celebration of creativity, imagination, and play for children and families.… Media Release C&K Woodford team's reconciliation work earns national HESTA Awards finalist spot C&K Woodford Community Kindergarten has been named a finalist for Outstanding Service in the 2026 HESTA Early Childhood Education & Care Awards, recognising the team's outstanding and ongoing… C&K Woodford Community Kindergarten Wellbeing More than a job: What it really means to work at C&K Ask anyone who's built a career at C&K, and they'll tell you the same thing: it stops being "just a job" pretty quickly. What keeps people part of the C&K family is just as important as what… Parents & Guardian Can my child start kindy in Term 3? Absolutely! It's never too late to start kindy. Many families wonder whether there's any point in enrolling their child in kindergarten if we’re already halfway through the year. Our answer is… Media Release 2026 C&K Awards: Celebrating excellence, innovation and joy Outstanding teachers and educators from across Queensland have been recognised at the 2026 C&K Awards, celebrating innovation, leadership and excellence in early childhood education and care.… Parents & Guardian Holiday Program fun at Kindergarten with Extended Hours For many families, finding care that supports their child's learning, wellbeing and routine throughout the year can be a challenge - especially during school holidays. That's why the holiday program… Media Release C&K CEO announces resignation C&K Chief Executive Officer, Dr Sandra Cheeseman, has announced she will step down from the role later this year, after seven years at C&K, including five years as CEO.Dr Sandra Cheeseman… Parents & Guardian Kindy that fits your life: Extended Hours at C&K We know that every family looks a little different. Some are balancing full-time work, shift rosters, long commutes, or caring for other family members - and having extra flexibility in your day can… Parents & Guardian Starting Kindy with a Neurodivergent Child The transition to kindergarten can feel overwhelming when your child has additional needs. Here's how one family navigated it, and what they want other families to know. When we found out our… Parents & Guardian Harmony Week at C&K: Celebrating Diversity and Inclusion in Early Learning Harmony Week is dedicated to celebrating cultural diversity, respect, and belonging. Harmony Week provides a wonderful opportunity for children to learn about different cultures, traditions, and… Media Release Shining a light on leadership: New program launches to support early childhood leaders Early childhood leaders from across Queensland have begun C&K's Leadership and Management Program (LAMP), a sector-leading initiative which aims to strengthen the leadership skills of childcare… Parents & Guardian Everyone is welcome at C&K! A guide for families from different cultures and languages Every early childhood service is made up of families with different cultures, languages and identities. These differences are important and should be seen, heard and celebrated. Choosing the right… Parents & Guardian C&K Lunchbox Bites - Recipes from our C&K Team of Chefs Packing a lunchbox for your little one as they start kindergarten can feel like a puzzle - balancing nutrition, appeal, and what will actually get eaten! You want meals that fuel their busy days of… Parents & Guardian What to pack for kindergarten Starting kindergarten is a significant milestone for both children and their parents, and we understand that it can be nerve-wracking to navigate how to prepare and what to pack in your child’s bag.… Media Release C&K’s Claire Allsop named National Leader of the Year for championing inclusion in early childhood education C&K’s Principal Advisor of Inclusion, Claire Allsop, has been named Leader of the Year at the 2025 Reimagine Australia National Awards, recognising her exceptional leadership in embedding… Parents & Guardian Kindy begins! Let's play. The first day of kindy is finally here, an exciting milestone filled with new faces, discoveries, and adventures! We’re here to let you know it’s natural to feel a mix of excitement and nerves, and… Parents & Guardian, Wellbeing Building confidence for starting kindy: A guide for parents Starting kindy is an exciting milestone for both children and parents. In the months leading up to that first day, there are many simple, joyful ways you can help your child build the confidence and… Media Release Workforce is the key to building child-safe environments: Joint Statement from Not-for-Profit Early Childhood Education and Care Providers to changes to National Law As leaders of some of Australia’s largest not-for-profit early learning providers, we welcome the National Law changes being considered by the Victorian … Parents & Guardian The Benefits of a Quality Kindergarten Program at C&K Is your family wondering whether attending kindergarten is the right choice for your child? While not mandatory, attending kindy offers extensive benefits and opportunities for learning and growth.… Centre, Parents & Guardian, Wellbeing Every child belongs: C&K Deception Bay North kindergartens journey to inclusive learning At C&K Deception Bay North Community Kindergarten, inclusion is more than a value - it’s a way of being.In recent years, the team has undertaken extensive professional development in neuroscience… C&K Deception Bay North Community Kindergarten Parents & Guardian Free Kindy - What is it and is your family eligible? If you're preparing for your child's kindergarten year in Queensland, you've probably heard about Free Kindy – but what exactly does it cover, and does your family qualify? Whether you're considering… Media Release C&K Teacher wins prestigious award for innovative approach to learning in an age of instant gratification Rebecca Bowen, Teacher/Director at C&K Oaks Beach Community Kindergarten in Bundaberg, has been awarded the prestigious Merline Muldoon Memorial Award for Innovation in Teaching at the 2025… C&K Oaks Beach Community Kindergarten Media Release Local Community Kindergarten’s “Proud to Be Me” Project Wins National Recognition C&K Ascot Community Kindergarten has won the Innovation in Early Childhood Education and Care category at the 2025 HESTA Early Childhood Education & Care Awards for their transformative "… Parents & Guardian The ‘3 Day Guarantee’ - What families need to know In a huge win for Queensland families, the Australian Government will implement the '3 Day Guarantee', removing the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) Activity Test, from January 2026. Families will now be… Parents & Guardian Child Care Subsidy (CCS) - Essential information for families The Child Care Subsidy (CCS) is an Australian Government program that helps families with the cost of childcare. If you're eligible, CCS can significantly reduce your out-of-pocket childcare expenses… Parents & Guardian Essential tips for families before your child's first day of childcare You’ve toured the childcare centre, accepted your enrolment offer, and organised your child’s start date… Now what? If this is your family’s first childcare experience, it’s natural to have a lot of… Parents & Guardian Childcare FAQs - Everything families need to know about starting childcare at C&K Starting childcare is a big decision for any family, and it's natural to have questions. At C&K, we're here to make the process as smooth as possible for both you and your child. Whether you're… Media Release Experiencing the Joy of Early Childhood Education at the 2025 C&K Conference Across two inspiring days from 25-26 July 2025, more than 765 early childhood education and care professionals across the nation came together for the 2025 C&K Conference, presented by Winc… Parents & Guardian Parents guide to finding the ideal early learning centre in Brisbane Choosing the right childcare centre or kindergarten for your young child is one of the most important decisions you'll make as a parent. In Brisbane's bustling landscape of early childhood education… Centre Meet Edgar: The Puppet who's taking over hearts (and classrooms!) 🎉 Drumroll please... We're absolutely thrilled to celebrate Natalie McDougall and her superstar sidekick, Edgar from C&K Slade Point, who just snagged the Winc Education Playful Pedagogy Award at… C&K Slade Point Community Kindergarten Media Release Celebrating Joy, Culture and Creativity in the North at 2025 C&K Conference C&K is proud to announce the winners and finalists of our 2025 Awards, recognising the outstanding educators, teams, and centres who bring high-quality early childhood education and care to life… Media Release C&K Coomera’s Lynette Harding wins at 2025 C&K Awards As part of the 2025 C&K Awards, Lynette Harding from C&K Coomera Community Kindergarten was honoured with the Department of Education Inspiring Impact Award, recognising her decades-long… Media Release Central Queensland Centres Shine at 2025 C&K Awards C&K is proud to announce the winners and finalists of our 2025 Awards, recognising the outstanding educators, teams, and centres who bring high-quality early childhood education and care to life… Media Release Brisbane Centres Recognised in 2025 C&K Awards C&K is proud to announce the winners and finalists of our 2025 Awards, recognising the outstanding educators, teams, and centres who bring high-quality early childhood education and care to life… Media Release Celebrating Joy in Early Education: 2025 C&K Award Winners Announced C&K is proud to announce the winners of our 2025 Awards, recognising the outstanding educators, teams, and centres who bring high-quality early childhood education and care to life across… Centre Creativity, Culture, and Connection: A Powerful Gathering in Meanjin On Tuesday, July 1st, under the warm sun and crisp winds of a perfect winter’s day in Meanjin, something special happened. Ninety passionate Kindy educators came together with eight talented… Media Release How Three Kindergartens Are Embedding Reconciliation Year Round During National Reconciliation Week, three C&K kindergarten directors from Woodford, Acacia Ridge and Kirwan shared reflections on their ongoing reconciliation journeys. Their stories show how… Media Release Dr Megan Gibson Appointed Chair of C&K Board C&K is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Megan Gibson as the new Chair of the C&K Board.A long-time advocate for children and early education, Dr Gibson brings a unique blend of… Parents & Guardian Your complete centre visit checklist: What every parent needs to know Finding the right early childhood education setting for your child is a significant decision. As you prepare to tour potential centres during Open Week or at any time, here's what to observe and ask… Media Release An Out of the Box partnership that’s just perfect Some combinations just make sense: cheese and vegemite, sausage sizzles and Bunnings, chocolate and strawberries, picnics and parks. And that’s exactly how we feel about our latest partnership with C… Parents & Guardian Explore the Joy of C&K During Open Week! Searching for the right childcare or kindergarten can be challenging. Many factors must be considered before making this important choice, including location, availability, routines, quality ratings… Media Release C&K Partners with QPAC to Bring the Magic of Arts to Children We're thrilled to announce our renewed partnership with the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) as the Principal Partner of the Out of the Box festival 2025, taking place June 17-22."The Out of… Media Release Upskilling Queensland's ECEC Leaders: C&K College Secures $250K for Micro-Credential Initiative C&K have been chosen as a successful recipient of the Queensland Government’s Micro-Credentialling Program, under Round 3 awarding $250,000 for C&K College to design and deliver targeted… Parents & Guardian, Wellbeing Bilingual pilot program supports equity and inclusion at C&K Mt Warren Park The 2024 pilot was a collaboration between the Creche and Kindergarten Association, the Department of Education and Mt Warren State School’s Early Childhood Development Program (ECDP). The program… Centre, Parents & Guardian Early Childhood Education and Care – for all families. From January 2026, parents of young children will have guaranteed access to three days of subsidised early childhood education and care (ECEC) each week, following legislation passed by the… Wellbeing Mindful Teaching, Mindful Leading: Connecting with Self and Student Jane Newman is a powerhouse. Founder New Core Consulting; Educational Leader, Consultant, Trainer, Coach and Speaker. Her journey as an Educator spans more than 25 fulfilling years, culminating in a… Parents & Guardian Empowering Inclusion: Nurturing Play and Communication for Autistic and Neurodivergent Children In recent years, the landscape of early childhood education has seen significant evolution, especially for children who are autistic or neurodivergent. This evolution has been driven by enhanced… Centre Continuous Improvement in Childcare for Children & Communities: An interview with Shantai Jackson C&K Thornlands Childcare Centre has been providing quality early childhood education and care for children in the community for a little over five years now. Pulling into the centre and entering… C&K Thornlands Childcare Centre Centre Celebrating Our Global Citizenship Journey: A Year of Transformation Last month, 11 graduates of the 2024 C&K Global Citizenship Community of Practice – Transformational Practices in Global Citizenship in early years education, came together to share stories of… Centre Active supervision in Early Childhood Education & Care to boost connection As early childhood educators, we often find ourselves juggling multiple tasks and responsibilities throughout the day. In the midst of this busyness, it’s easy to fall into autopilot, going through… Media Release C&K set to deliver new year pay rise C&K is set to deliver a historic pay rise in the new year after a record 98% yes vote to approve a new enterprise agreement.C&K CEO Dr. Sandra Cheeseman said the approval marked a significant… Wellbeing How Intergenerational Programs Transform Community Connections A Thoughtful Approach to Intergenerational LearningOur program, developed in partnership with Rockpool Residential Aged Care, wasn't just about bringing children and seniors together. It was about… Media Release C&K appoints Grant Thornton as new external auditor C&K The Creche and Kindergarten Association Limited are pleased to announce the appointment of a new external auditor for the 2024 financial year, Grant Thornton.C&K's outgoing external… Parents & Guardian, Wellbeing Resisting ‘The Busy Badge’ as a parent - 10 benefits of embracing the slow in the early years At childcare pick up, a friend asks, “How are you?”You reply, “So busy, really busy”, while simultaneously reading the email from school about the latest head lice outbreak, working out the logistics… Wellbeing How to keep cool with your child this summer In the first five years, children learn more quickly than at any other stage of their life. At C&K, we want your child to have every opportunity to learn through play - even during the warmer… Centre 2024 C&K Conference Highlights On Saturday 20th July, 570 members of the early childhood education sector joined us for the 2024 C&K Conference. Guided by the year’s theme – ‘Everyday Matters: For Every Child. For You. For… Centre C&K Parkhurst Childcare Centre in Rockhampton is now open! C&K Parkhurst Childcare Centre in Rockhampton opened its door to the community on Monday, 10 June 2024.After 18 months of dedication and hard work, we were thrilled to welcome our new families… C&K Parkhurst Childcare Centre Parents & Guardian What to pack for childcare If you’re reading this, you are likely gearing up for your child’s first day of childcare. It’s normal for parents, caregivers and children to feel nervous about their first day, and as you start… Parents & Guardian Everything you need to know about Free Kindy About C&K's Kindergarten ProgramC&K's government-approved kindergarten program is led by university-qualified teachers for children in the year before they attend school. Children attend… Centre What is play-based learning? In early childhood education, one approach stands out for its unique ability to foster holistic development while keeping children engaged and enthusiastic about learning: play-based learning. At C… Wellbeing Five Benefits of Swinging Swings are a childhood favourite, be it at the playground or at our C&K centres. At C&K, we encourage our children to swing, offering many opportunities for this beneficial type of play.The… Wellbeing How to make childcare and kindergarten drop-offs easier It can take time to adjust to a new routine, for both parents and children, whether it is the first day at kindergarten, at a childcare centre or moving to a new room. There are things that you … Parents & Guardian Five things to do before the first day of kindy Starting kindy is exciting, but it's normal for children (and their families) to feel nervous. To help make the transition to kindy a positive and calm experience, we have put together five things… Wellbeing C&K welcomes putting Queensland children first C&K commends Putting Queensland Kids First as a positive step forward to create a holistic early childhood development system and welcomes the Queensland Government’s announcement to invest $500…
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