Shows / Learn Play Thrive Early Education Podcast
Learn Play Thrive Early Education Podcast
Welcome to the Learn Play Thrive Early Eduction podcast! Join us for expert insights and interviews, practical tips and inspiring stories in Early Childhood Education and Care. Whether you are an educator or leader in the sector, this podcast is your go-to resource to discover strategies to foster learning, promote play and empower young minds to thrive.
Learn Play Thrive – A podcast for early childhood educators & sector leaders.
Pedagogy insights, play-based learning ideas, quality practices…
Episodes
Learn Play Thrive Early Education PodcastNavigating the NQS #13: Standard 6.2 - Collaborative partnerships
In this episode of Navigating the NQS, host Simone Brand continues the journey through Quality Area 6: Collaborative Partnerships with Families and…
- Learn Play Thrive Early Education Podcast
Caring for Neurodivergent Children and Families
In this episode of Learn Play Thrive, host Simone Brand welcomes Madeleine Jaine Lobsey, certified AuDHD coach, keynote speaker, advocate, and founder of…
Learn Play Thrive Early Education PodcastS2E8 Little Library: Derek
In this episode of Learn Play Thrive’s Little Library, host Linda Harrison welcomes multi-talented author Anne Donaldson to celebrate her CBCA award-winning…
- Learn Play Thrive Early Education Podcast
PART 2 - Design Is Not Decoration: Pedagogy Made Visible
In this episode of Learn Play Thrive, host Simone Brand welcomes back Pedagogical Coordinator Clare Comedoy for part two of an insightful discussion on infant…
Learn Play Thrive Early Education PodcastS1E1 Building Your Village: Welcome to Building Your Village
In this debut episode of Building Your Village—an exclusive 10-part mini-series for the Learn Play Thrive podcast—host Simone Brand introduces Kathryn Stoneman…
- Learn Play Thrive Early Education Podcast
PART 1 - Design Is Not Decoration: Pedagogy Made Visible
In this episode of Learn Play Thrive, host Simone Brand welcomes Pedagogical Coordinator Clare Comedoy to explore the profound impact physical and relational…
Learn Play Thrive Early Education PodcastRoad Safety in Early Education #7: Digital Tools for Road Safety Education
Welcome back to our Road Safety in Early Education mini-series. where host Linda Harrison chats with road safety education experts Amanda Menzies and Bec Dunn…
- Learn Play Thrive Early Education Podcast
Insights from Inspire X
In this special compilation episode of Learn Play Thrive, we head straight to the floor of the Semann and Slattery InspireX Conference. Host Simone Brand…
Learn Play Thrive Early Education PodcastNavigating the NQS #12: Standard 6.1 - Supportive relationships with families
Welcome back to Navigating the NQS, the National Quality Standard breakdown for licensed Early Childhood Education and Care settings in Australia. In this…
- Learn Play Thrive Early Education Podcast
Building Inclusive Early Learning Environments
Host Simone Brand sits down with Dina Petrakis, CEO of Ethnic Community Services (ECS), to dive into the vital role of cultural inclusion in early childhood…
Learn Play Thrive Early Education PodcastS2E7 Little Library: The Thing About Christmas
Celebrate the true spirit of Christmas in this episode of the Learn Play Thrive Little Library! Join host Linda Harrison as she sits down with award-winning…
- Learn Play Thrive Early Education Podcast
Strengthening Professional Identity and Educator Wellbeing
In this episode of the Learn Play Thrive podcast, host Simone Brand sits down with early childhood teacher, advocate, and play therapist in training -- Emma…
Learn Play Thrive Early Education PodcastRoad Safety in Early Education #6: Making Road Safety Musical
Music and movement take centre stage in this episode of Learn Play Thrive, as host Linda Harrison chats with Amanda Menzies and Bec Dunn from Macquarie…
- Learn Play Thrive Early Education Podcast
Why Health Literacy Starts in the Early Years
In this episode of Learn Play Thrive, host Simone Brand sits down with Lisa Woodward and Michelle Weisbaum from Life Ed Australia—the powerhouse team behind…
Learn Play Thrive Early Education PodcastPlay Provocations #10: Sensory Play
In this episode of Play Provocations, host Linda Harrison is joined by lead early childhood educator Michelle Jackson to explore the vital role of sensory play…
- Learn Play Thrive Early Education Podcast
Tamworth Pedagogy in Practice: Early Education Conference Panel
In this special panel episode recorded live at the Pedagogy in Practice: Early Education Conference in Tamworth, the Learn Play Thrive podcast brings together…
Learn Play Thrive Early Education PodcastNavigating the NQS #11: Standard 5.2 - Relationships between children
In this episode of Navigating the NQS, host Simone Brand dives into Quality Area 5, Standard 5.2 to explore how early childhood settings support children in…
- Learn Play Thrive Early Education Podcast
Attracting, Sustaining and Preparing Quality Teachers in Early Childhood
In this episode of Learn Play Thrive, host Simone Brand sits down with leading researcher Professor Sandie Wong to unpack groundbreaking ARC-funded research on…
Learn Play Thrive Early Education PodcastS2E6 Little Library: My Nonno Loves
In this episode of Learn Play Thrive’s Little Library, host Linda Harrison sits down with acclaimed children's author Adelle Frittitta to discuss her…
- Learn Play Thrive Early Education Podcast
Embedding Diverse Languages in ECEC
In this episode of the Learn Play Thrive podcast, host Simone Brand sits down with Amanda MacDonald, Early Learning Specialist at Education Services Australia…
Learn Play Thrive Early Education PodcastRoad Safety in Early Education #5: Early Numeracy in Everyday Travel
In this episode of the Learn Play Thrive mini-series on Road Safety in Early Education, we welcome back Amanda Menzies and Bec Dunn from Kids and Traffic—the…
- Learn Play Thrive Early Education Podcast
Celebrating Early Learning Matters Week 2026
In this special feature episode of the Learn Play Thrive podcast celebrating Early Learning Matters Week 2026, host Simone Brand chats with three distinguished…
Learn Play Thrive Early Education PodcastPlay Provocations #9: Construction Play
In this inspiring episode of our Play Provocations mini-series, host Linda Harrison is joined by lead early childhood educator Michelle Jackson to explore how…
- Learn Play Thrive Early Education Podcast
Bush Kindy Australia
In this episode of the Learn Play Thrive podcast, host Simone Brand sits down with Bec Burch, the visionary founder of Bush Kindy Australia. As Australia’s…
Learn Play Thrive Early Education PodcastS2E5 Little Library: Ships In The Field with Susanne Gervay
In this episode of Learn Play Thrive’s Little Library mini-series, host Linda Harrison sits down with Order of Australia honoree and award-winning author…
- Learn Play Thrive Early Education Podcast
Connecting the Dots Between Music and Self-regulation
In this episode of the Learn Play Thrive podcast, we welcome Amelia, former Early Learning Music Specialist at International Grammar School and founder of…
Learn Play Thrive Early Education PodcastNavigating the NQS #10: Standard 5.1 - Relationships between educators and children
Welcome back to the Navigating the NQS podcast mini-series with host Simone Brand! In this episode, Simone dives straight into the absolute heart of daily…
- Learn Play Thrive Early Education Podcast
Building Sustainable Quality at Gilgandra Preschool
In this inspiring episode, Simone sits down with the leadership and pedagogical powerhouse team from Gilgandra Preschool. Together, they share how they have…
Learn Play Thrive Early Education PodcastRoad Safety in Early Education #4: Language, literacy & learning
Welcome back to the Road Safety in Early Education podcast mini-series! In this episode, we reframe the local streetscape as a giant, interactive picture book…
- Learn Play Thrive Early Education Podcast
Creating a Culture of Sustainability in ECEC
Welcome to a brand-new episode of the Learn Play Thrive podcast! In this episode, host Simone Brand sits down with Dorothée Seeto, Director of Endless Play…
Learn Play Thrive Early Education PodcastPlay Provocations #8: Digital Play
Welcome to a brand-new episode of the Play Provocations podcast mini-series with host Linda Harrison! In this episode, Linda is joined by Dr. Kate Highfield…
- Learn Play Thrive Early Education Podcast
Beyond Attachment: Using Theories with Infants and Toddlers
In this episode of the Learn Play Thrive podcast, host Simone Brand invites listeners to journey into the intentional heart of infant and toddler pedagogy…
Learn Play Thrive Early Education PodcastS2E4 Little Library: Mr Huff
Welcome to a brand-new episode of Learn Play Thrive’s Little Library mini-series, where host Linda Harrison is joined by Linda Stock—a qualified early…
- Learn Play Thrive Early Education Podcast
Building Resilience and Tackling Anxiety in Young Children
In this episode of the Learn Play Thrive podcast, host Simone Brand sits down with Dr. Kaylene Henderson—a medically trained child and adolescent psychiatrist…
Learn Play Thrive Early Education PodcastNavigating the NQS #9: Standard 4.2 Professionalism
What takes an early childhood service from a group of people working in the same building to a collaborative, ethical community of practice? In this episode of…
- Learn Play Thrive Early Education Podcast
Weaving Country into Curriculum
In this very special live episode of Learn Play Thrive, host Simone Brand sits down with Aunty Tracey Linn Bostock—a Bundjalung Mulungjali Woman, artist…
Learn Play Thrive Early Education PodcastRoad Safety in Early Education #3: A Framework for Programming and Planning
In this episode of our Road Safety in Early Education mini-series, we explore how to move beyond 'Road Safety Week' and embed life-saving messages into your…
- Learn Play Thrive Early Education Podcast
The Sleep Smart Guide to Safe Rest in ECEC
In this episode of Learn Play Thrive, we explore the vital role of sleep and rest in early childhood settings with the team from Sleep Smart Australia. Quality…
Learn Play Thrive Early Education PodcastPlay Provocations #7: Nature Play
Step outside the four walls of an early years classroom and into a world of invitations to wonder. In this episode of Play Provocations, Linda Harrison sits…
- Learn Play Thrive Early Education Podcast
Building a Bridge to Belonging: Supporting Children in Foster Care and Adoption
In this moving episode, we are joined by international guest Jeanette Yoffe, Clinical Director of Yoffe Therapy and founder of the Celia Center in LA. Jeanette…
Learn Play Thrive Early Education PodcastS2E3 Little Library: What Do You Call Your Mum?
Join us for a heartwarming new episode of the Learn Play Thrive: Little Library mini-series! Host Linda Harrison sits down with bestselling children's author…
- Learn Play Thrive Early Education Podcast
Attachment and Parenting: Where Does It All Fit?
In this episode of the Learn Play Thrive podcast, we are joined by Megan Jones, a Clinical Psychologist with over 26 years of experience, to unpack the science…
Learn Play Thrive Early Education PodcastRoad Safety in Early Education #2: A Whole-of-Service Approach
In this next episode of our Road Safety in Early Education mini-series, host Linda Harrison is joined by experts Amanda and Bec to shift the conversation from…
- Learn Play Thrive Early Education Podcast
Championing Access to Quality ECEC
In this compelling episode of Learn Play Thrive, host Simone Brand joins forces with Georgie Dent, CEO of The Parenthood, to confront the systemic fractures…
Learn Play Thrive Early Education PodcastNavigating the NQS #8: Standard 4.1 - Staffing Arrangements
In this episode of the Navigating the NQS mini-series, host Simone Brand dives into Quality Area 4, Standard 4.1—Staffing Arrangements. Simone tackles the…
- Learn Play Thrive Early Education Podcast
Educator and Exhibitor Voices: ECA Regional, Rural and Remote Early Childhood Forum
In this special live episode of the Learn Play Thrive podcast, we take you to the heart of the ECA Regional, Rural and Remote Early Childhood Forum in Coffs…
Learn Play Thrive Early Education PodcastPlay Provocations #6: Small World Play
In this episode, Play Provocations returns with a deep dive into Small World Play. Host Linda Harrison is joined by Centre Director Aimee Hansen to discuss how…
- Learn Play Thrive Early Education Podcast
The 2026 ECEC Roadmap: Award Changes, Retention Payments, and NES Updates
In this episode of Learn Play Thrive, host Simone Brand broadcasts live from the ECA Regional, Rural & Remote Forum to tackle the most pressing legal and…
Learn Play Thrive Early Education PodcastS2E2 Little Library: Castle Crashing
In this episode of Learn Play Thrive’s Little Library, we head to the seaside to explore the 2026 CBCA Notable picture book, Castle Crashing. Join host Linda…
- Learn Play Thrive Early Education Podcast
Sector Insights from Family Day Care Australia
In this episode of Learn Play Thrive, host Simone Brand sits down with Andrew Paterson, CEO of Family Day Care Australia (FDCA). With over a decade of…
Learn Play Thrive Early Education PodcastRoad Safety In Early Education #1: Key Road Safety Messages
Welcome to a special edition of the Learn Play Thrive podcast as we launch an exciting 10-part mini-series Road Safety in Early Education. Recorded in…
- Learn Play Thrive Early Education Podcast
Educational Leadership in ECEC
In this episode, we sit down with pedagogical leader Kelly Goodsir to explore the transformative power of intentional inquiry and deep listening in early…
Learn Play Thrive Early Education PodcastNavigating the NQS #7: Standard 3.2 Physical Environment - Use
In this episode, host Simone Brand explores National Quality Standard 3.2 - Use of the Physical Environment. We dive into: - Element 3.2.1 and the importance…
- Learn Play Thrive Early Education Podcast
The Hundred Languages of Children: An Introduction to Reggio Emilia
In this episode, we are joined by a powerhouse duo from the Reggio Emilia Australia Information Exchange (REAIE) - Chairperson Kate Mount and General Manager…
Learn Play Thrive Early Education PodcastPlay Provocations #3: Risky Play for Preschoolers
Join hosts Linda Harrison and Lindsay Laing as they explore the vital role of Risky Play in early childhood settings! Find out why risky play is important for…
Learn Play Thrive Early Education PodcastPlay Provocations #5: Play Schemas Part Two
In the second part of our deep dive into play schemas, host Linda Harrison and Educational Leader Rachel Emms explore the final four of the 'Big Eight'…
- Learn Play Thrive Early Education Podcast
Fostering Digital Literacy with Story Box Library
In this episode, we welcome Teresa Mei Macri and Haley Davis from Story Box Library to discuss how theis digital platform connects young children with diverse…
Learn Play Thrive Early Education PodcastS2E1 Little Library: Laugh In The Bath
In this episode of Learn Play Thrive’s Little Library, host Linda Harrison dives into the bubbly world of Laugh in the Bath (2026 CBCA Notable picture book)…
- Learn Play Thrive Early Education Podcast
Learn Play Thrive Early Education Conference: Pedagogy in Practice Panel
In this live-recorded episode from the Pedagogy in Practice: Early Education Conference on the NSW Central Coast, host Simone Brand sits down with an…
Learn Play Thrive Early Education PodcastNavigating the NQS #6: Standard 3.1 Physical Environment - Design
In this episode of Navigating the NQS, we explore Standard 3.1 Physical Environment - Design; and the concept of the physical environment as the "third…