What Is Respectful Practice in Early Childhood Education?

Respectful practice means treating every child as capable, valued and worthy of being heard

It’s about slowing down, listening closely, and responding to each child’s unique needs, choices and voice.

At Sanctuary Early Learning Adventure, respectful practice shapes everything we do. From the way we communicate with children to how we design our learning environments.

What does respectful practice look like in childcare?

Respectful practice is something children experience every day.

It looks like:



• Listening to children, even when they communicate through play or gestures
• Speaking kindly and calmly, even in challenging moments
• Giving children time to respond instead of rushing them
• Acknowledging feelings in a supportive way
• Offering choices so children feel a sense of control and belonging

Respect means recognising each child as an individual with their own voice, rights and way of being.

Why is unhurried time important for children?

Children don’t learn best when they’re rushed.

Unhurried time allows educators to truly connect, observe and respond.

This means:

• Following the child’s lead during play
• Allowing time for exploration and problem-solving
• Noticing subtle cues in behaviour and communication



When children feel seen and supported, they build confidence, trust and a strong sense of belonging.

How do educators support children’s choices and consent?

Respectful practice includes recognising children as active participants in their own learning.

This involves:

• Asking before helping
• Respecting a child’s preferences and responses
• Offering meaningful choices throughout the day
• Supporting independence while staying connected

Children learn that their voice matters and that carries with them beyond early learning.

What’s the difference between routines and rituals?

Routines

• Everyday parts of the day
• Predictable and necessary
• Help children feel secure

Rituals

• Meaningful and memorable
• Built around connection and emotion
• Create a sense of belonging



Rituals transform everyday moments into experiences children remember.

Real examples of respectful practice across our centres

Across Sanctuary centres, birthday celebrations are a beautiful example of how routines can become meaningful rituals—designed around each child’s age, interests and sense of belonging.

Highfields Child Care Centre

Each room creates its own celebration based on children’s developmental stage:

• Nursery: First birthdays are celebrated with rainbow photo displays and handprint keepsakes for families
• Toddlers: Children decorate their own plant pot and choose seeds to grow
• Junior Kindy: Children create and paint birthday lanterns displayed together
• Senior Kindy & Preschool: Children design birthday bead creations with their photo, forming a shared display in the room

For the team, birthdays are also a time to connect—with shared cakes, flowers, and special celebrations that bring everyone together.

Sanctuary Ashmore

Celebrations are studio-based and shaped by each group:

• Jellyfish & Seagulls: Children create and thread birthday beads, displayed alongside their photo
• Dolphins: A “birthday galaxy” features children’s artwork on star or planet shapes
• Children often choose how they celebrate—such as a dance party or tea party

Sanctuary Maudsland

Celebrations focus on connection, creativity and shared experiences:

• Studios include birthday sticks, drawings, and globe-themed celebrations
• Children reflect on what their birthday means to them
• Educators and children celebrate together with flowers, cake and shared meals

Sanctuary Buderim

Each studio creates its own unique celebration:

• Dance parties, tea parties and a personalised sensory box
• Children receive a personalised birthday cupcake from the centre chef
• Monthly team celebrations bring educators together

Sanctuary Health and Knowledge Precinct (Southport)

• Birthday high tea celebrations create a special shared experience
• Celebrations are held in the multipurpose space, bringing children together in a meaningful way 

How Sanctuary brings respectful practice to life

Across all centres, respectful practice is reflected in:

• Environments that feel calm, welcoming and home-like
• Educators who build genuine, trusting relationships
• Programs that support emotional wellbeing alongside learning
• Opportunities for children to express themselves, make choices and feel valued



You’ll see this approach in action at:

• Sanctuary Ashmore
• Sanctuary Buderim
• Sanctuary Health and Knowledge Precinct (Southport)
• Highfields Child Care Centre
• Sanctuary Maudsland
• Sanctuary Redlynch