Reggio Childcare
Reggio Childcare is a collaborative, creative approach to early learning built around children’s questions, projects, and community connections. In Australian services, Reggio Childcare operates within the National Quality Framework (NQF) and Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF), with quality measured against the National Quality Standard (NQS). If the service is an approved provider, families may be eligible for the Child Care Subsidy (CCS).
What Is Reggio Childcare?
Reggio Childcare views children as capable, curious researchers who express ideas in many ways — drawing, building, storytelling, movement, music (often called the “hundred languages of children”). Educators design environments and experiences that respond to children’s questions, then co-construct learning through dialogue, exploration, and long-term projects.
In a Reggio Childcare setting, the environment is the “third teacher”: light-filled spaces, open-ended materials (“loose parts”), and a studio (atelier) invite creativity and problem-solving. Educators document learning with photos, transcripts of children’s words, and artefacts that make thinking visible. Families are partners in the process, shaping projects and sharing knowledge from home and community.
Reggio Childcare – A Short History
Reggio Childcare is inspired by the municipal preschools of Reggio Emilia, Italy, developed after World War II under educator Loris Malaguzzi and the local community. The approach emphasised democracy, collaboration, and respect for children’s ideas. Over decades, Reggio-inspired practice spread worldwide. In Australia today, centres adapt Reggio principles within the NQF/NQS and EYLF, building project work, documentation, and community connections into daily practice.
Core Reggio Principles
The child as competent
Children are active protagonists in their learning, not empty vessels. Educators listen to children’s theories and build on them.
The hundred languages
Children communicate through many modes — drawing, clay, construction, music, dance, narrative — all valued as learning.
Environment as “third teacher”
A thoughtful layout, natural light, mirrors, plants, and rich materials invite inquiry. An atelier (studio) and often an atelierista (art-educator role) support deep exploration.
Projects (emergent curriculum)
Investigations grow from children’s questions — e.g., bridges, shadows, birds. Projects can run for days or weeks, interweaving literacy, numeracy, science, and the arts.
Documentation & reflection
Photos, notes, and children’s words are displayed to show the learning journey. Documentation informs planning and invites family dialogue.
Educator as co-researcher
Staff observe closely, pose questions, and learn alongside children. Planning is flexible and responsive, not fixed worksheets.
Community & relationships
Families are collaborators; excursions and community experts enrich projects. Respectful relationships are the foundation for learning.
Reggio Childcare vs other approaches
Reggio vs Mainstream Play-Based Programs
Teaching style
- Reggio Childcare: child-led inquiries and teacher-child co-research.
- Play-based mainstream: educator-led planning with play provocations and more routine group times.
Environment & materials
- Reggio: open-ended materials, studio spaces, visible documentation.
- Play-based: varied learning areas (blocks, home corner, art, literacy), rotated regularly.
Assessment & documentation
- Reggio: rich panels of children’s words, photos, drafts; focus on learning processes.
- Play-based: learning stories, photos, and program plans mapped to EYLF outcomes.
Grouping & day flow
- Reggio: flexible small groups around investigations.
- Play-based: age-based rooms with small- and whole-group experiences.
Bottom line: Both can be excellent. Prioritise NQS quality, relationships, and how well the approach fits your child.
What a Reggio Day Looks Like
Morning welcome & provocation
Children encounter invitations to explore — e.g., light tables, recycled materials, nature items — sparking questions.
Small-group project work
Educators document conversations, extend ideas with new materials or site visits, and help groups plan “next steps.”
Atelier (studio) time
Children explore clay, wire, paint, textiles, and digital tools as expressive languages, guided by an atelierista (where available).
Outdoor inquiry
Gardens, water play, loose parts, and nature walks seed investigations in science, maths, and design.
Routines with respect
Meals and rest are unhurried, social, and language-rich; children help set up, serve, and care for the space.
How to Choose a Reggio Childcare Service
What to look for (quick checklist)
- Rich documentation: panels that capture children’s words, photos, iterations, and educator analysis.
- Inviting environments: natural light, open-ended materials, an atelier or studio-like space.
- Project evidence: displays show the arc of an investigation — questions, trials, reflections, next steps.
- Family partnership: families contribute knowledge, materials, and feedback; community links are visible.
- Reflective practice: educators talk about hypotheses, theories of learning, and how documentation shapes planning.
- Calm, collaborative culture: respectful conversations, shared problem-solving, children’s ideas taken seriously.
Questions to ask on a tour
- “How do children’s questions turn into projects here? Can you show me a recent example?”
- “What does documentation look like? How do you use it to plan next steps?”
- “Do you have an atelier or dedicated creative space? How is it used?”
- “How are families involved in investigations?”
- “How does Reggio Childcare align with the EYLF and demonstrate NQS quality (QA1, QA5, QA6, QA7)?”
- “How do you support children with additional needs within collaborative projects?”
Quality & compliance (Australia)
All approved services — including Reggio Childcare — work within the NQF/NQS and plan with the EYLF. Check published ratings and ask to view the Quality Improvement Plan (QIP).
See: National Quality Framework and National Quality Standard.
Fees & CCS
If the service is an approved provider, eligible families can claim CCS. Use the calculator to estimate costs.
Start here: Child Care Subsidy and Child Care Subsidy Calculator.
Common Myths (and the Reality)
“Reggio has no structure.”
Reggio Childcare is structured around projects, routines, and agreements; flexibility comes from following children’s ideas within a thoughtful framework.
“It’s just art all day.”
The atelier is a language for thinking. Projects integrate science, maths, literacy, and design alongside the arts.
“There’s one official Reggio program to tick off.”
There isn’t a single global accreditation. Look for Reggio-inspired practice: strong documentation, collaborative projects, and educator research — all aligned with the EYLF/NQS.
Is Reggio Childcare a Good Fit for Your Family?
Often a great fit when your child…
- Loves collaborating, storytelling, and making things with their hands.
- Is curious about how things work and enjoys investigating questions.
- Thrives when adults listen, ask questions, and value their ideas.
Might prefer a different approach when your child…
- Prefers structured individual work and long periods of solitary concentration (consider Montessori Childcare).
- Responds best to strong daily rhythm with nature crafts and low-tech routine (consider Steiner/Waldorf).
- Enjoys a broad mix of rotating play areas and predictable small-group times (mainstream Play-Based).
Explore other Early Learning Approaches.
Reggio Childcare – FAQs
Next Steps
- Visit Reggio Emilia reference organisation in Australia: REAIE
- Learn how to read quality ratings: National Quality Framework and National Quality Standard.
- Estimate your costs with CCS: Child Care Subsidy and Child Care Subsidy Calculator.
- Explore other approaches: Early Learning Approaches