At Mother Duck Childcare, our commitment to child safety and wellbeing is grounded in continuous learning and collaboration. In Blogs 2 and 3, we explored how connecting with community, walking alongside families, and building supportive systems create the conditions for children to thrive. In this fourth blog, we are excited to share how these ideas extend even further—into research, innovation, and sector-wide partnership.

Mother Duck is proud to announce that we are participating in a new research project with The University of Queensland, in partnership with Dr. Laetitia Coles from the Queensland Brain Institute: Child Health Research Centre. This research will involve collaborating with other key groups such as ARACY, Thriving Queensland Kids Partnerships, Reimagine Australia and Autism QLD and BUSHkids.
This project, Inclusion in Early Childhood Education and Care Enablers: Linking Education and Health for Successful Foundational Supports, aligns closely with our values and our commitment to ethical, evidence-informed practice.

Bridging Silos for Better Outcomes

One of the central messages of this research is that child safety and wellbeing cannot sit within one sector alone. True safety—where each child feels seen, supported, and able to flourish—depends on education, health, community, and families working in partnership. When these perspectives come together, silos break down—and children benefit.

This aligns with our belief that child safety is proactive work. It is not only about responding to risk—it is about building environments and systems that allow every child to grow confidently, securely, and joyfully.

Understanding What Supports Optimal Development

Research on child development, including the groundbreaking work of the Queensland Brain Institute, reminds us that:

• Early experiences shape brain architecture.
• Warm, attuned relationships support resilience and emotional security.
• Predictable, inclusive environments strengthen a child’s sense of self.
• Barriers to inclusion can disrupt learning and wellbeing when they are not addressed early.

This research partnership will help us deepen our understanding of these concepts and apply them in practical, meaningful ways.

Why This Matters for Child Safety

Child safety and wellbeing are built on:

• Connection and safe relationships for children and families
• Equity, access and inclusion for all children
• Community partnerships
• Responsive systems
• Skilled, supported educators

By participating in this research, Mother Duck is actively contributing to knowledge that strengthens all these areas. It positions us—and the broader ECEC sector—to better understand what helps children feel safe, supported, and capable.

Using Research to Strengthen Practice at Mother Duck

We look forward to using the insights gained through this partnership to:

• Strengthen our internal systems and quality frameworks
• Enhance our training and development for educators and leaders
• Continue building environments where every child and family experiences the strong foundations they deserve

Mother Duck Childcare is honoured to contribute to this important research and to stand alongside UQ and Dr. Coles in shaping the future of inclusive, safe early childhood education. Together, we are supporting the sector to better understand how to build strong foundations from the earliest years—because every child deserves to grow up safe, secure, and well.