Early Childhood Australia

As the end of financial year approaches, now is the time to consider how your professional learning budget can support your team beyond the day-to-day.

Attending the 2026 ECA National Conference is an investment in your people, your practice and the ongoing development of your team. Across three days, early childhood professionals will engage with a diverse program of speakers, research and sector insights from across Australia and internationally.

Supporting your team to attend can strengthen professional reflection, inspire new thinking and bring renewed energy back into your workplace.

Take advantage of earlybird rates before 30 June 2026 and start planning your team’s conference experience in Melbourne.

🔗 https://www.ecaconference.com.au/2026/
📅 30 September–3 October 2026
📍 Melbourne, VIC

📣 New for 2026: Early Career Registrations

This year’s program includes presentations specifically for our emerging professionals and early careers delegates. We’ve highlighted three sessions below offering foundational knowledge and inspiration to support the early stages of your career.

🟪 Finding your fizz: Joyful pedagogy in challenging times
Jo Stratton explores how joyful pedagogy can support purpose, identity and professional sustainability.

🟪 Maker spaces as catalysts for professional bravery: Strengthening educators’ and children’s mindsets
Dr Fiona Boylan and Professor Lennie Barblett AM examine how maker spaces can support creativity, confidence and innovation in practice.

🟪 Dancing with risk in OSHC
Angus Gorrie explores how OSHC leaders can create richer, more meaningful play experiences for school-aged children.

Find out more about the Early Career Registrations https://www.ecaconference.com.au/2026/early-career-registration/

As part of National Reconciliation Week, we’re making this professional learning courses free to access:

Initiating a Reconciliation Action Plan: Where do I start? https://bit.ly/49srnwg

Learn more about reconciliation in early childhood education and where to start when developing a Reconciliation Action Plan. This course supports educators and leaders to better understand the RAP process and how to guide meaningful implementation within their service.

Enrol for free until 3 June.

The NSW parliamentary inquiry into the ECEC sector has now tabled its final report.

ECA broadly supports the recommendations outlined in the report, while recognising the significant reform this represents for the sector.

We’ve shared our commentary on each recommendation and welcome feedback from members and stakeholders.

🔗Read more here: https://bit.ly/43GzlhP

National Reconciliation Week runs from 27 May to 3 June 2026, and this year's theme, ‘All In’, is a call to move beyond acknowledgement and into action.

‘All In’ reminds us that reconciliation is not a spectator sport. It belongs to all of us, not only First Nations peoples, who have long carried the weight of advocating, explaining, and championing what should be a shared responsibility. Reconciliation will not happen by itself, and it will not happen without all of us.

Allyship in reconciliation is the ongoing commitment to listen, learn, and act alongside First Nations peoples, using our voices and influence to create genuine respect, equity, and lasting change.

At ECA, we believe early childhood settings are powerful places for this work. The way we care for and educate young children—and how we talk about culture, history, and belonging—shapes the values they carry into the world.

For more information and resources visit: https://www.reconciliation.org.au/our-work/national-reconciliation-week/

National Reconciliation Week 2026: All In for Reconciliation The theme for National Reconciliation Week 2026 is ‘All In’, a call for all Australians to commit wholeheartedly to reconciliation every single day. 'All In'...

South Australia’s ECEC community — only 4 days to go until we gather at Warriparinga for a free event, Reconciliation Week Walk with Aunty Suzanne.
Join Early Childhood Australia SA for a meaningful morning of connection, shared learning and reflection in the beautiful natural surrounds of Warriparinga.

Spots are limited, register now! https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/157891

Walk with Aunty Suzanne ECA SA invite our members to join Aunty Suzanne for a walk on Country. In the spirit of Reconciliation, we’ll use our senses to deepen our...