On 3rd September 2025, early learning services, families, and communities across Australia paused to celebrate something truly special: Early Childhood Educators Day.
It’s a day where the spotlight falls on the Early Childhood Educators: the dedicated professionals who nurture curiosity, guide development, and provide the safe, supportive environments that help children flourish.
At ACA Victoria, we were proud to join the celebration and honour the heart of our sector: our educators.
How Early Childhood Educators Day Began?
Early Childhood Educators Day was first established in 2011 by the Australian Childcare Alliance (ACA). The aim was simple yet powerful: to provide a national moment to recognise the contribution of early childhood educators, who for too long had worked tirelessly with little public acknowledgement.
Since then, the first Wednesday of September has become an annual highlight for the early childhood education and care sector. Services across the country now celebrate in their own ways, through children’s artwork, family thank-you messages, morning teas, and heartfelt gestures of appreciation.
Over the years, the day has grown into a movement. It’s no longer just about saying thank you; it’s about raising awareness of the critical role educators play in shaping children’s lives and strengthening communities.
ACA Victoria’s Celebration: A Visit to Clever Little Monkeys
This year, ACA Victoria’s Membership Lead, Michelle Losurdo, marked the occasion with a visit to Clever Little Monkeys in Mornington: A warm and welcoming 32-place service led by Approved provider, Sarah Grech.
To make the day extra special, Michelle arrived with goodies and treats for the educators, a small gesture of appreciation for their big impact. Sharing these tokens of thanks created a joyful atmosphere, filled with smiles, conversation, and genuine connection.
The visit was more than just a drop-in; it was an opportunity to celebrate the incredible work of Clever Little Monkeys’ team and, by extension, the dedication of educators across Victoria. Their philosophy, built on play-based learning, strong family partnerships, and fostering independence, was beautifully reflected in the environment and in the warmth of their educators.
Their team, like so many across Victoria, goes above and beyond to help children build confidence, empathy, and a love of discovery. Celebrating with them was a powerful reminder of why this day exists, to ensure that educators feel seen, valued, and appreciated.
Why Early Childhood Educators Deserve to Be Celebrated
Early childhood educators do far more than simply guide play, they lay the foundations for a child’s future. In those formative years, they nurture children’s social, emotional, and cognitive growth, helping little ones learn how to express themselves, build friendships, and make sense of the world around them. They form strong and trusting partnerships with families, ensuring that every child’s journey is supported with consistency, care, and understanding.
Within their services, educators create environments that are safe, inclusive, and deeply nurturing spaces where children feel they belong and are encouraged to explore with confidence. Through patient guidance and encouragement, they inspire resilience, independence, and a lifelong love of learning.
It is this unique blend of professionalism, creativity, and compassion that makes early childhood educators the backbone of our sector. And it is precisely why Early Childhood Educators Day is so important: to pause, to reflect, and to acknowledge the life-changing impact of their work.
A Message of Thanks
From all of us at ACA Victoria:
Thank you to every educator, teacher, and service leader across Victoria. Your passion, resilience, and unwavering commitment make an extraordinary difference every single day.
Though Early Childhood Educators Day 2025 has passed, our appreciation continues, and we remain committed to celebrating, supporting, and advocating for our early learning workforce all year round.
