The Power of Theater for Preschool-Aged Children

If you have heard that the rules around mobile phones and electronic devices in early childhood settings have changed, you are right. If your child attends a childcare centre in NSW, these changes are already in effect.

Here is a plain-English breakdown of what changed, why it happened, and what it means for your family.

Why Did the Laws Change?

The changes were introduced as a child safety measure. In 2025, Australia’s Education Ministers agreed to amend the Education and Care Services National Law to address concerns about the potential for personal devices to be used to capture, store, or transmit images of children in care without authorisation.

The intent is straightforward: children in early learning settings deserve an environment where their privacy and safety are actively protected.

What Changed Nationally

From 27 February 2026, amendments to the national Education and Care Services National Law took effect across Australia. Under these changes, educators and staff who work directly with children are restricted from using personal electronic devices in care settings.

Before this, from 1 September 2025, all early childhood education and care services nationwide were required to have written policies in place addressing the use of digital devices.

What Changed in NSW

NSW moved ahead of the national timeline. The Education and Care Services (Supply, Authorisation and Use of Devices) Order 2025 took effect on 6 November 2025, applying across NSW’s 6,000 or more early learning services, including long day care centres, preschools, and family day care.

Under this order, educators and staff must use service-issued or service-authorised devices rather than their own personal devices when working directly with children.

What Counts as a Personal Device?

The definition is broad. A personal device is any device owned by an individual (not the approved provider) that is capable of capturing, storing, or transmitting an image. This includes:

Mobile phones
Smartwatches
Cameras and tablets
iPads and laptops
Hard drives, USB drives, and memory cards
Wearables such as camera glasses

Who Does the Ban Apply To?

The restrictions apply to anyone working directly with children at a service, including permanent and casual educators, students on placement, volunteers, contractors, and allied health professionals delivering programs on-site.

Parents, carers, and other visitors are not covered by the ban. In NSW, parents and carers remain free to use their personal devices during drop-off, pick-up, centre visits, and events involving their own children. There are also authorised exceptions for essential purposes, including emergencies and health or disability support needs.

What About Screen Time for Children?

These new laws specifically address staff device use, not children’s screen time. Screen time limits for young children are not mandated within childcare regulation at a national level.

The relevant guidance comes from the federal Department of Health and Aged Care’s 24-Hour Movement Guidelines, which recommend no screen time for children under 2 years, and no more than 1 hour per day for children aged 2 to 5 years. These are health guidelines, not regulatory requirements.

What This Means for Your Family

If your child attends a childcare centre in NSW, their service is already required to operate under these rules. Any educator or staff member working directly with your child should not be using a personal device to take photos or videos. Only service-authorised devices should be used for that purpose.

If you have questions about how your centre handles digital devices or image capture, you are well within your rights to ask. Most services will have a written policy in place that covers exactly this.

At Clovel, the safety and wellbeing of every child in our care is at the heart of everything we do. If you would like to know more about how we support your child across our centres, we would love to have that conversation with you.

There are multiple benefits that participating in theater can afford your preschool-aged child. Theater offers a unique and exciting platform for young minds to explore their imagination, express themselves creatively, and develop essential life skills.

Today, we’ll explore the many advantages of theater for preschoolers and offer you some valuable tips to help your little one build confidence when on stage.

The Benefits of Participating in Theater

Imagination and Creativity

Theater provides a magical space where children can step into different roles, explore various scenarios, and use their imagination to bring stories to life. Through improvisation and imaginative play, preschoolers learn to think outside the box, create unique characters, and build narratives, fostering their creativity and imaginative thinking.

Expression of Emotions

Engaging in theater allows children to express a wide range of emotions in a safe and supported environment. They learn to identify and convey emotions effectively, building emotional intelligence and empathy. Preschoolers develop the ability to understand and relate to the experiences and feelings of others, enhancing their social and emotional development.

Language and Communication Skills

Theater encourages children to develop strong language and communication skills. Through storytelling, script reading, and dialogue memorisation, preschoolers enhance their vocabulary, pronunciation, and articulation. They learn to project their voices, speak clearly, and actively listen to others, honing their communication abilities.

Confidence and Self-esteem

Participating in theater helps preschoolers gain confidence in themselves and their abilities. As they take on different roles and perform on stage, children overcome stage fright, develop self-assurance, and believe in their capabilities. Theater offers a supportive and encouraging environment that fosters a positive self-image and boosts self-esteem.

Collaboration and Teamwork

Theater is a collaborative art form that teaches preschoolers the value of teamwork. Through group rehearsals, children learn to work together, respect each other’s ideas, and contribute to a shared goal. They develop essential skills such as cooperation, compromise, and problem-solving, all of which are crucial for success in various aspects of life.

Tips for Building Confidence on Stage

Don’t be surprised if your child is initially reluctant to make their acting debut. After all…they don’t call it “stage fright” for no reason. Also known as performance anxiety, this stress response isn’t limited to the theater. You may have seen it in your child during dance lessons or while playing a team sport. There’s something about engaging in an activity when all eyes are on them that can initiate a child’s fight-or-flight response.

But learning how to work through those anxious feelings in a healthy way is a skill your child will use throughout their life.

To help your little one build confidence when on stage, here are some practical tips you can incorporate into your everyday routines:

Encourage Creative Play

Encourage your child to engage in imaginative play at home. Provide them with props, costumes, and a space where they can create their own stories and characters. This will help them develop their creativity and boost their confidence in expressing themselves.

Read and Act Out Stories

Read books with your child and encourage them to act out the stories. Use different voices, expressions, and gestures to make it fun and engaging. This activity will enhance their storytelling abilities and familiarise them with the concept of performing.

Practice Public Speaking

Encourage your child to speak in front of family members or friends. Start with small presentations or show-and-tell sessions where they can share their interests or achievements. Gradually increase the audience size to build their confidence in speaking in public.

Enroll in Theater Classes

Consider enrolling your child in drama classes specifically designed for preschoolers. These classes provide a structured environment where they can learn theater techniques, build confidence, and develop their performance skills under the guidance of experienced instructors.

Attend Theater Performances

Take your child to age-appropriate theater performances or watch them online. This will expose them to the world of theater, inspire their imagination, and demonstrate the possibilities of what they can achieve on stage.

Participating in theater at a preschool age offers numerous benefits for your child’s holistic development that can empower your preschooler to thrive both on and off the stage. Incorporating the provided tips into your child’s daily life will further support their growth and ensure a positive theater experience.

Let us join hands in encouraging our little stars to shine brightly in the captivating world of theater!

Lyn Connolly

Founder and Company Director

Lyn Connolly is the Founder and Company Director of Clovel Childcare & Early Learning Centres, a family‑owned group of eight centres across Western Sydney established from her first service at Merrylands. Active in early childhood education since 1977, she also serves as President of the Australian Childcare Alliance (ACA) NSW, representing providers in state and federal consultations, media, and public hearings.