Childcare educator platforms—embracing digital dynamics in early childhood education curriculum
Curtin University’s School of Education collaborates with Xplor Education to help graduates succeed by providing hands-on experience with childcare educator platforms.
For most, the early childhood education (ECE) educator journey begins in the halls of Australia’s colleges, TAFEs and universities. Many institutions offer this pathway for prospective ECE educators and teachers to enter the workforce. But Curtin University aims to ensure that students are equipped with current practical knowledge and skills to hit the ground running from the moment they graduate and commence working in the sector.
Curtin University’s Digital Learning Hub gives students hands-on experience with childcare educator platforms
One way Curtin seeks to enable their students to engage with childcare sector tech is via their new Digital Learning Hub. This is a space for School of Education students to come and interact with the various technological solutions used in early learning centres. This includes childcare educator platforms.
“We were thrilled to have the Xplor Education team in attendance to launch Curtin University’s School of Education, Digital Learning Hub (TheHub). This innovative and immersive space allows pre-service educators to explore various technologies, empowering them with the knowledge and skills of using technology to enhance learning in the classrooms of today and tomorrow,” said Nikki Jenkins, Educational Technologies Lead | School of Education, Curtin University.
Technology is becoming increasingly important in the early years sector. As such, boosting and complimenting operations to enable educators to focus on children’s learning and development is increasingly vital.
Recently, Curtin’s School of Education launched this innovative space with their event, EdTechX. Curtin faculty, students and members of the K-3 education community surrounding the University’s Perth campus and online attended the event. During the hybrid event, attendees had the opportunity to engage directly with industry experts, educators and educational leaders. They were treated to various presentations and immersive demonstrations by technology providers like Microsoft, Adobe, Commbox, and Xplor Education.
At the EdTechX event, the team from Xplor Education showcased their cutting-edge solution that empowers early childhood educators and streamlines their administrative and reporting processes. Playground gives back time to educators to focus on what’s important—the children and quality early learning.
Nikki Jenkins
Educational Technologies Lead | School of Education
Curtin University
Xplor Education’s childcare educator platform at Curtin University’s EdTechX event
The Xplor Education team were present on campus to demonstrate its childcare management software. This featured a focused deep dive into their childcare educator platform, Playground. The presentation covered how Playground enhances administrative efficiency, optimises compliance management and fosters sustained family engagement through Xplor Education’s user-friendly family engagement platform, Home.
Showcasing the Xplor ecosystem allowed attendees to recognise gaps in their current software and processes. It also highlighted technology’s value to the early years sector. Students also had the opportunity to learn first-hand about the software solutions, such as childcare educator platforms, they can expect to encounter in the workforce.
It’s fantastic to have such an innovative approach to introducing Bachelor of Early Childhood Education students to the technology used in the sector. Xplor Education is certainly proud to be one of the foundational partners in Curtin’s Digital Learning Hub, helping the future educators of the sector succeed from the early stages of their careers.
Matt Varley, General Manager of Xplor Education
The event empowered future industry professionals to understand the benefits various technologies, like the Playground childcare educator platform, provide. They can streamline workflows and simplify tasks within early childhood education and care services.
Hands-on experience with ECE technology benefits everyone
Often, change management and training staff and families on new software present an obstacle for services. This can slow down the adoption of new technology at their centres. However, the sector is becoming more reliant on digital technologies on all levels. This extends from how children interact with technology to educators communicating a child’s development and learning with their family.
Element 3.2.2 of the National Quality Framework calls for educators to “introduce appropriate technologies to enhance children’s learning.” A recent study by the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child found that educators need to continue developing their digital skills and capabilities further to introduce these technologies. An ideal way for educators to proactively obtain these skills is through initiatives such as TheHub. It provides students with an advantage through hands-on experience as they gear up for their future roles.
Programs such as this benefit students by ensuring
- Career Readiness—Preparing graduates to navigate modern educational tools
- Integrated Learning—Bridging traditional and tech-based education methods
- Industry Alignment—Aligning student skills with industry standards
- Skill Development—Nurturing the digital literacy vital to professional success
Practical experience for new educators
The partnership between Curtin University and software providers guarantees students are always up to date with sector technology. This occurs via hands-on experience with Xplor Education’s childcare educator platform.
“As we celebrate the launch of ‘TheHub,’ we extend our gratitude to all presenters, whose expertise and passion fuelled this transformative experience,” said Nikki Jenkins. “Thanks to the Xplor Education team for supporting our event and future educators!”
Curtin University’s Digital Learning Hub is a pioneering initiative that equips future ECE educators with crucial digital skills. This includes hands-on experience with advanced technologies, like Xplor Education’s childcare educator platform Playground. This forward-thinking approach not only prepares students for industry demands but also addresses digital adoption challenges within early childhood education. By fostering a rich, immersive learning environment, Curtin sets a high standard for educational innovation, readying students for a digitally driven future.
Mufaro Maringe
Community & Engagement Lead
