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Critical Reflection in Early Childhood Education: Turning Practice into Progress

  • Writer: OWNA
    OWNA
  • Oct 22
  • 3 min read

Critical reflection helps educators improve their practice, strengthen programs, and create better outcomes for children. It's a key part of quality education and an essential element of the National Quality Standard (NQS).


Still, many educators find the idea unclear or hard to apply day-to-day. So, what does critical reflection actually involve, and how can it become part of everyday routines in early learning services?


Critical reflection in early childhood

What Is Critical Reflection in Early Childhood?


The NQS defines critical reflection as closely examining all aspects of events and experiences from different perspectives to guide future actions (ACECQA Guide to the NQF).


In practice, it means pausing to think deeply about why something happened, how it made you feel, and what could be done differently next time.


Compared to basic evaluations, critical reflection encourages educators to:

  • Explore experiences from multiple viewpoints, including children, families and colleagues.

  • Link their decisions to learning theories and the service’s philosophy.

  • Consider how emotions and values shape responses.

  • Identify opportunities for improvement.

  • Treat reflection as an ongoing process, not a one-off task.


These habits build a stronger understanding of practice and support professional growth.


Why Critical Reflection Matters


Critical reflection is woven through the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) and the My Time, Our Place (MTOP) frameworks. It's also central to several NQS elements, including:

  • 1.3.2: Reflection on children’s learning drives program planning;

  • 4.2.1: Teams work collaboratively and learn from one another;

  • 7.2.1: Continuous self-assessment and improvement.


Reflection helps services:

  • Recognise what's effective and what needs attention;

  • Understand how their decisions affect learning and wellbeing;

  • Strengthen teamwork and communication;

  • Inform their Quality Improvement Plan (QIP); and

  • Foster a culture of ongoing professional learning.


Services that engage meaningfully in critical reflection are more likely to achieve Exceeding NQS ratings (ACECQA - Exceeding NQS).


How to Embed Reflection in Daily Practice


For reflection to make a real difference, it should be part of everyday routines rather than an end-of-month formality.


Practical ways to encourage reflection include:

  • Set small daily goals: Write a simple intention in the morning and review it later.

  • Short check-ins: Take five minutes to discuss what went well and what didn’t.

  • Weekly reflection meetings: Focus on shared learning rather than reporting.

  • Recognise strengths: Start with positives to encourage open discussion.

  • Keep documentation simple: Use journals, photos, or short voice notes instead of lengthy reports.


Creating a Reflective Team Culture


Reflection thrives when educators feel supported to share ideas and ask questions. A reflective team culture values curiosity, professional dialogue and different perspectives.


Try introducing reflective questions in team meetings:

  • Who benefits from our current approach?

  • What could we do to better support inclusion and equity?

  • How did our actions today influence children’s sense of belonging?


ACECQA's article 'The Journey Towards Critical Reflection' includes additional prompts and discussion ideas to help teams get started.


When reflection is part of daily dialogue, improvement becomes second nature.


How OWNA Supports Critical Reflection in Early Childhood


Technology can simplify reflection, making it easier to record, share, and build upon insights across the team.


  • Record reflections in real time: Capture educator notes and observations as they happen.

  • Collaborate easily: Share insights with your educational leader or team.

  • Connect reflection with your QIP: Track actions and link outcomes directly to improvement goals.

  • Stay compliant: Keep documentation aligned with the EYLF, MTOP, and NQS - all in one place.


This makes reflective practice more visible, organised, and purposeful.


Reflect. Improve. Grow.


Critical reflection helps educators evolve their practice and deliver better outcomes for children, but it's most effective when supported by the right systems.


Make reflection part of your daily workflow with OWNA.


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