Welcome to Bedrock, the IEU’s magazine for staff in early childhood education and care.
In this edition, discover how creativity in the classroom strengthens children’s learning and development.
We investigate why staffing ratios in early childhood services need to be improved to ensure safe supervision.
This edition also explores how to attract men to early education and introduces IEU member Stephen Gallen, who explains why he finds early childhood teaching a deeply rewarding career.
This edition is packed with other great reads, including a spotlight on strengthening teacher training courses, the rise of ‘frozen faces’ and the impact of excessive screen use, and the importance of early connections to Country, language and community for First Nations children.
We hope you enjoy this edition of Bedrock and find it valuable for your professional
practice.
Please share this email with your colleagues and invite them to join the IEU. We are always stronger together.
Carol Matthews, Secretary
IEUA NSW/ACT Branch
You can browse through a selection of highlights below or download a PDF to read the full edition.
- Cultural Strength: What helps First Nations children thrive
- Staffing ratios: Why the numbers don’t add up
- Creative minds: Why arts education matters
- Frozen faces: How screens impact young children’s learning
- Gender diversity: How to attract men to early childhood education
- Teacher training: Why quality must not be compromised
Latest from our partners
Bedrock is the early childhood magazine of the IEUA NSW/ACT Branch.
Visit the Bedrock archive to read past editions.
More IEU Publications
-
Bedrock #2 June 2026
Welcome to Bedrock, the IEU’s magazine for staff in early childhood education and care. In this edition, discover how creativity in the classroom strengthens children’s learning and development. We investigate why staffing ratios in early childhood services need to be improved to ensure safe supervision. This edition also explores how to attract men to early education and introduces IEU member Stephen Gallen, who explains why he finds early childhood teaching…
-
Newsmonth #4 June 2026
Welcome to your fourth issue of Newsmonth for 2026. Classroom disruption impedes learning and takes a serious toll on staff. The union is advocating for more support and resources to address behavioural issues. Members in Catholic independent Model A schools voted in favour of union-negotiated agreements that provide pay rises and better conditions. IEU members rallied in Sydney, Lismore and Coffs Harbour to demand the NSW government provide funding for fair pay…
-
Newsmonth #3 April 2026
Welcome to your third issue of Newsmonth for 2026. Read about the NSW government’s proposal to empower school principals to ban threatening and abusive parents. The union strongly supports this measure to stop the harassment and abuse of school staff. The union negotiated a cost-of-living adjustment clause in agreements made in 2025 covering staff in Catholic systemic schools. Find…