What is trauma informed practice?
Trauma informed practice in early childhood education is an evidenced, strengths-based approach, developed on the understanding that early trauma and vulnerability can impact a child's brain development, emotional regulation, and ability to learn. In using a trauma-informed approach, educators can create supportive environments benefiting all children, that promote healing, resilience, and positive developmental outcomes.
With growing awareness of the impact of trauma on children’s development, we are focusing on creating safe, supportive, and nurturing learning environments through integrating a holistic trauma-informed approach into all areas of the learning environment, educator practices, family engagement, and community support.
A trauma informed approach ensures that early learning environments promote healing, resilience, and positive development for all children. By recognising and responding to trauma with compassion and evidence-based strategies, educators empower children to thrive and grow socially, emotionally and intellectually.
Best outcomes for children
At Sparkways, we are committed to providing safe and nurturing learning environments for all children. One way in which we do this is through implementing an approach known as Trauma Informed Practice.
Trauma informed practice in play-based early childhood settings creates a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment where children can express themselves, build relationships, and develop social and emotional resilience through play. Play naturally allows children to explore and make sense of their experiences, manage their emotions, and build essential social skills, making it a valuable foundation for learning in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC).
When trauma informed practices are integrated into play-based early childhood settings, children experience significant positive outcomes in their emotional, social, cognitive, and behavioural development. By prioritising safety, relationships, emotional regulation, and resilience-building, trauma-informed approaches help children overcome adversity and thrive.
At Sparkways, we are committed to providing safe, nurturing and trauma-sensitive learning environments for all children. Our educators are highly qualified in trauma informed frameworks, ensuring they can effectively support, understand and respond to the individual needs of all children and families.
Sparkways educators have completed specialised training in trauma informed frameworks including the Berry Street Education Model (BSEM). The Key Principles being:
- Understand the Impact of trauma on learning
- Create safe and predictable environments
- Build strong, trusting relationships
- Self-regulation and wellbeing strategies
- Strength-based learning and engagement
- Encourage play-based learning to build resilience
- Support flexible, child-led learning to foster curiosity and confidence
- Support educator wellbeing and reflective practice
Berry Street Education Model (BSEM) – Early Years
In 2025, Sparkways engaged Berry Street to provide ongoing professional learning to all early childhood teachers and educators working across all our Kindergartens and Childcare centres.
The Berry Street Education Model (BSEM) – Early Years, is a trauma-informed, strength-based framework designed to support young children in early childhood education and care settings. Developed by Berry Street, a leading Australian child welfare organisation, this model provides educators with practical strategies to create safe, predictable, and nurturing learning environments for children who have experienced adversity or trauma.
The Berry Street Education Model is proven to be effective by:
- Trauma informed framework: Helps children feel safe and supported
- Practical and evidence-based: Based on research in neuroscience, child development, and psychology.
- Whole child approach: Supports social, emotional, and cognitive growth.
- Empowers educators: Provides tools for managing challenging behaviours with compassion in a play-based environment
Holistic practice and family support
Sparkways has dedicated Practice Partners, who provide on-site coaching and support to our Early Years teams in embedding the trauma informed approach and continuously developing their educational program and practice.
We also have Family Support Partners, who work closely with our service leaders to assist families facing barriers to participation, including supporting families to access the assistance they need from the wider community services sector.
