Shine On - an Early Childhood Education Podcast

Shine Bright Early Years Advisors

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_podcastIf you know someone whose story should be featured on the show, please email us at shineonpodcast@shinebright.org.au  

  1. JAN 28

    SUMMER REPLAY: Mental health and wellbeing in early childhood education with Be You consultant Nicole Lees

    (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 undertook a Master of Childhood and Youth Studies, focusing on early childhood wellbeing and spirituality.  This conversation includes educator wellbeing, child wellbeing, experience of teaching internationally, Be You resources and studies and multiple practical strategies to promote mental health and wellbeing in early childhood settings.

    58 min

  2. JAN 21

    SUMMER REPLAY: Every moment matters in early childhood education with Kathryn Foley

    (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!

    46 min

  3. JAN 14

    SUMMER REPLAY: Leadership and professionalism with Belinda Quinn

    (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 architectures and influences that affect, create and contain everything we do in early childhood education and in leadership.

    48 min

  4. JAN 7

    SUMMER REPLAY: Wellbeing and arts-based reflective practice with Amelia Johnson

    (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 worked in the education sector for 15 years, joining the early years in 2021. Her current PhD topic is exploring how arts-based practices enhance Reflective Practice in the early years.  Amelia works for Shine Bright as a social worker/art therapist delivering reflective practice, proactive wellbeing support, trauma informed practice and many other programs to our services across regions.

    38 min

  5. 12/31/2025

    SUMMER REPLAY: Bush Kinder with Nicole Howie

    (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.  Nicole Howie is an educator who has been working in early childhood for 9 years and been involved in bush kinder programs at two centres.  Her background is in primary teaching and she has always had a passion for the environment.  She finds joy in connecting children to nature in her work and personal life.

    44 min

  6. 12/10/2025

    Dr. Justin Coulson in conversation with Alex and Sophie

    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 children is applicable to early childhood education, you'll need a pen and paper for this one - so many strategies to take away!

    43 min

  7. 11/28/2025

    Post-Pandemic Childhood: what the data and your stories tells us about the COVID generation

    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 pandemic.  This episode was informed by the following sources: Australian Early Development Census 2024 findings: https://www.aedc.gov.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/aedc_national-report-2024_da7-409a37b9d-95ce-43e7-af00-51aa604cf0b3.pdf?sfvrsn=b56015ba_1 Australian Early Development Census Data Story: How has the COVID19 pandemic affected children? https://www.aedc.gov.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/aedc-data-story_issue-3_covid_da6.pdf?sfvrsn=3dec201c_1 COVID Kids ABC Radio National Life Matters podcast (2023) https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/lifematters/talkback-covid-kids-pandemic-impacts/102439774  More than isolated: The experience of children and young people with disability and their families during the COVID-19 pandemic Report on CYDA’s 2020 COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and children and young people with disability survey by Professor Helen Dickinson and Dr Sophie Yates Public Service Research Group, School of Business, UNSW Canberra For Children and Young People with Disability Australia May 2020 https://cyda.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/covid_report_compressed_1.pdf The Post-Pandemic Child by Professor Kim Cornish AM https://publishing.monash.edu/product/the-post-pandemic-child/  Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Children in Australian Early Childhood Education and Care from the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute https://www.rch.org.au/uploadedFiles/Main/Content/ccchdev/Impact%20of%20COVID-19%20pandemic%20on%20children%20in%20Australian%20ECEC%20(1).pdf National trends in child development AEDC (ECA conference presentation 2025) ‘Are the kids alright? Raising the post-pandemic child’ panel discussion through Victoria University 2025 Full Stop Australia COVID19 response inquiry https://fullstop.org.au/uploads/main/Submissions-Reports/2024/Full-Stop-Australia-Submission-COVID-19-Response-Inquiry.pdf  SNAICC position on COVID19 https://www.snaicc.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/SNAICC-position-on-COVID-19_ECEC_recovery.pdfParenting During COVID‐19: A Study of Parents' Experiences Across Gender and Income Levels Full list here: Sources.pdf

    34 min

  8. 11/05/2025

    Leading Through Relationships and Teamwork: A Conversation with Adrian Pattra-McLean, Farran Street Education

    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 including Group General Manager and Education Director. He believes that developing and supporting high quality, passionate Educators is the key to quality outcomes for children. Adrian is committed to supporting the development of high-quality early learning services and his service to the community has been recognized with an Order of Australia Commendation. He is the Educational Director of Farran Street Education and together with his family Adrian owns and operates a long day care centre in Sydney’s lower north shore. Adrian facilitates learning focused on Leadership, Management and HR within the Early Education and Care sector. Currently Adrian is in partnership with Go1 to provide leadership and management content for their online learning platform. https://farranstreeteducation.com.au/

    33 min
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About

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_podcastIf you know someone whose story should be featured on the show, please email us at shineonpodcast@shinebright.org.au  

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