Iris Education Qld

07/06/2026

🌈

05/06/2026

Love the explanation he gives, ‘adults grow out of creative’. We stop taking risks for fear of being wrong. 🥲

12/05/2026

🩷❤️🧡💛💚🩵💙💜

When you pause to wonder what is behind the behavior, you open the door to understanding.

Curiosity shifts the moment from reaction to connection and creates space to teach what is needed.

12/05/2026

The question isn’t whether we’re parenting perfectly.
It’s whether we’re showing up as the kind of human we hope our children become.

Our kids are watching how we repair, rest, love, apologise, cope with stress, and treat ourselves. That’s the legacy that lasts. 🤍

30/04/2026

Content warning: This article talks about su***de and suicidal thoughts and behaviours.

If this topic raises concerns for you, https://aifs.gov.au/growing-australia/participants/services

Connection is at the centre of our philosophy. We believe authentic connection, where children feel genuinely seen, heard, valued and safe, creates the foundation for lifelong wellbeing.

These meaningful relationships shape not only how children learn, but how they understand themselves, relate to others and move through the world with confidence and belonging.

On 22nd April 2026 a report from the Australian Institute of Family Studies reinforces the importance of this work, highlighting that “schools, families and peer networks all play an important role, and support in these settings can make a real difference.” When connection is nurtured across a child’s world, its impact reaches far beyond childhood, it becomes part of the strength they carry into the future.

At Iris Education, connection is more than a value; it is the lens through which we view children, families and learning communities. By fostering authentic relationships built on trust, belonging and care, we help create environments where children can flourish, now and for the years ahead.

https://aifs.gov.au/growing-australia/news-media/positive-relationships-may-help-reduce-su***de-risk

A sense of school belonging and positive relationships with parents and peers may help reduce su***de risk for young Australians, a new report by the Growing Up in Australia study has found.

29/04/2026

28/04/2026

What if 60,000 years of cultural wisdom and brain science told the same story?
They do. And this National Reconciliation Week, ARACY, Queensland Kids Partnership and Yiliyapinya are bringing that story to life.

What if 60,000 years of cultural wisdom and brain science told the same story?
They do. And this National Reconciliation Week, we're bringing that story to life.

Join us on National Sorry Day — Tuesday 26 May, 1 pm AEST — for a powerful webinar:
All In for Growing Deadly Brains: How science is catching up with 60,000 years of cultural wisdom
Presented by ARACY, Queensland Kids Partnership and Yiliyapinya Indigenous Corporation — whose very name means 'brain' in Wankumara (Galali) Language.

The first years of life are when brains are built. Relationships, safety, connection to culture and community — these shape children's health and wellbeing for life. And when communities are trusted to lead, children thrive.

Growing Deadly Brains is proof. Community-led, evidence-based, and working — this program trains Brain Health Coaches, builds free learning resources, and keeps children connected to family, school, and culture — and out of the child protection and justice systems.

This year's Reconciliation Week theme is All In. Not watching from the sidelines. Not leaving it to others.

Hear from extraordinary speakers:
Sue-Anne Hunter — National Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People
Sheryl Batchelor — CEO, Yiliyapinya Indigenous Corporation
Rhi Parsons — Project Manager, Growing Deadly Brains
Jessica Oostenbroek — Director, ARACY & Board Member, Queensland Kids Partnership

Come ready to listen. Come ready to act.
Register now: d64888a1-bbe0-49cf-9739-8f825f2c054b@486f2bc3-1b04-465b-b923-d28832372a86" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/d64888a1-bbe0-49cf-9739-8f825f2c054b@486f2bc3-1b04-465b-b923-d28832372a86

16/04/2026

When you’re little, your world is built for you.
The spaces, the people, the tone of voice, the way you’re comforted (or not)… it all quietly shapes your mind.

And then… plot twist.

You grow up and that very mind, beautifully, imperfectly, humanly shaped, starts building your world for you.

As Dr Vanessa Lapointe so wisely reminds us:
“When you are a child your environment creates your mind, and when you’re an adult the mind created for you in that childhood creates your environment.”

No pressure, right? 😅

But here’s the heartening part…

In early childhood settings, we are not just setting up rooms, we are shaping internal worlds. The way we greet a child, the patience we offer, the safety we create in everyday moments… these become the “inner voice” they carry with them long after they’ve left our care.

And for us as adults?
Sometimes we’re out here rearranging furniture, changing jobs, buying indoor plants, when really, it’s our inner environment asking for a little attention.

At Iris Education, we hold space for both:
🌟Creating environments where children feel safe, seen, and deeply valued
✨ Supporting educators to reflect on the environments that shaped them—and the ones they now create

Because every calm response, every moment of connection, every “I’ve got you” matters more than we can see in the moment.

(And yes… sometimes the most important “learning space” is the one between our ears.

14/04/2026

Nothing about Us, Without US! If you know someone in the age group, consider mentioning this survey.

The Australian Human Rights Commission 'On Your Terms' survey is a chance for young people aged 14 to 18 years to share their views on consent and s*x education.

The findings will inform to how consent and respectful relationships are taught in schools and contribute to the Australian Government's work towards ending violence against women and children.

The online survey is anonymous and takes just 10 to 15 minutes to complete.

Findings will be shared in late 2026 through reports, videos, infographics and social media. All answers are combined and anonymous.

We encourage you to share the survey with any young people in your life: https://www.onyourtermssurvey.com.au/

14/04/2026

Tuesday night, I had the absolute pleasure of working alongside the passionate team at Wonderkids Early Learning Centre as they embarked on the meaningful journey of developing their service philosophy 🌱

This process began where it matters most, with the educators themselves. By exploring their personal values and identifying their non-negotiables in the early learning space, the team laid a strong and authentic foundation for what truly guides their practice.

Together, we reflected on the connection between the Early Childhood Australia Code of Ethics and the National Quality Framework, drawing links to the National Quality Standard and uncovering the shared values, evident within their everyday practices.

Listening deeply, collating ideas and engaging in rich discussions became crucial steps as the educators began shaping the opening paragraphs of their philosophy, words grounded in real practice, not just aspiration.

The journey doesn’t stop here. Everyone has been tasked with seeking the voices of children, families, and the wider community, ensuring this philosophy is not only written about them, but with them. Through this, the team will bring their values to life, proudly sharing (“shouting out!”) what matters most in their learning environment.

With a wealth of experience across the team and strong staff retention, Wonderkids already has a deeply supportive and connected culture. This work simply shines a light on the strength that already exists 💛

✨ Are you a daycare or kindergarten team ready to revisit your philosophy?
At Iris Education Qld, we partner with services to co-create philosophies that are creative, practical and emerging. Grounded in your team’s values and aligned with the National Quality Standard and CoE, our approach ensures your philosophy is lived, not just written.

If you’re ready to bring your team’s voice to the forefront and develop a philosophy that truly reflects your community, we’d love to walk alongside you 🌿

Wonder Kids Early Learning Centre