The Association of Graduates in Early Childhood Studies

⏳ 5 weeks to go!

Have you started your AGECS Fellowship application yet?

The AGECS Fellowship Program for Leadership and Change is your opportunity to bring your early childhood vision to life. Receive grants of up to $10,000 to fund a project that creates real impact in early childhood education.

💡 Not sure where to start? Past recipients have pursued activities such as accreditation with specific learning programs (e.g., The Pyramid Model, Circle of Security, ECQRS-EC training), international study tours (e.g., Forest Kindergartens, Reggio Emilia), or funding certification of therapy animals for their participation in early learning programs.

🗓️ Applications close July 26, 11:59 PM AEST.

✅ Apply through https://agecs.org.au/fellowship-program/

Know someone with a brilliant idea? Tag a colleague in the comments section! ⬇️

At AGECS, it is our mission to provide free resources to support your teaching. We have compiled all resources from last year's monthly inForm ranging from podcasts, posters, lesson plans to include in your toolkit. Access all 19 resources here:

https://agecs.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2025-inForm-Resources.pdf

You can also access our compilation from 2023 and 2024 on our website: https://agecs.org.au/free-resources/

⭐️ June inForm is here!

📩 Check your email for the latest happenings at AGECS, sector news, free opportunities, resources and ways to support AGECS.

In this inForm, you will also be able to read a previous Fellowship recipient's project. If you're thinking about applying for the Fellowship Program, we hope this article inspires you.

Haven't signed up yet? It's completely free. Go to this link to subscribe: tinyurl.com/subscribeinform

🌟 Last night we had the pleasure of hosting Professor Nicola Yelland for our professional learning event. Thank you to everyone who joined us!

🎥 Missed it? A recording of the event is now available exclusively to AGECS members. Head to our website to watch it back: https://agecs.org.au/professional-learning/

Not yet a member? Now is the perfect time to join AGECS and gain access to recordings, resources, and more - all while supporting our non-profit mission to bring free professional development to the early childhood education community. Sign up today.

📅 And save the date - our next online event is just around the corner!

On Monday, August 3 at 6:00 PM, Dr Chris Speldewinde will be sharing his findings on the newly created Bush Kinder Assessment Tool (BKAT) and exploring how to assess children's outcomes.

Bookings will open one month in advance. Keep an eye on our page so you don't miss out.

We hope to see you there 🌿

🌟 Are you an early childhood professional in Victoria with a vision for change? This could be for you.

The Association of Graduates in Early Childhood Studies (AGECS) through the Fellowship Program for Leadership and Change is offering grants of up to $10,000 to support individual EC professionals to undertake a 6-to-12-month project that makes a real difference for children aged birth to 5 years.

Your project could focus on:

✨ Building or strengthening quality programs

📚 Deepening professional knowledge

🌏 Exploring practice nationally or internationally

💛 Improving outcomes for children

🔄 Leading new directions in early childhood practice

Past recipients have pursued activities such as accreditation with specific learning programs (e.g., The Pyramid Model, Circle of Security, ECQRS-EC training), international study tours (e.g., Forest Kindergartens, Reggio Emilia), or funding certification of therapy animals for their participation in early learning programs

Fellowship recipients will be supported to share their learnings through a published article and presentation to the early childhood community.

Eligibility: You must be employed or working in Victoria to apply. The project itself can take place anywhere.

🗓️ Applications open now until July 26, 11:59pm AEST.

Apply through the website at https://agecs.org.au/fellowship-program/

Know someone with a brilliant idea? Tag a colleague in the comments section! ⬇️

📖 The AUDAX Autumn Edition is here.

Exclusive to AGECS members, this edition is packed with ideas, reflections and research from across the early childhood sector:

🌿 Celebrate Diversity Grant - teachers share how they promote diversity through picture books
💬 Council Conversations with Nicole Lees on collegial relationships
✏️ Linda Churchyard on integrating Playwork into her ECEC setting
🔬 Dr Yanina Carrizo on what microscopic 'microworlds' can teach children
🌳 Holly Swetman on the benefits of outdoor learning for children's social skills

Want to write for AUDAX? Join AGECS today and have the opportunity to be published in future editions.

AUDAX is AGECS' biannual journal featuring articles, case studies, reflections and resources from members, Council, researchers and practitioners across early childhood education.

https://agecs.org.au/join/

🌱 Free Online Professional Learning Event

What if we started from a place of capability, not deficit?

Join us on Tuesday, June 2, at 6:00pm (AEST) via Zoom for a thought-provoking session with Professor Nicola Yelland (University of Melbourne), who will challenge us to rethink how we see young children as capable citizens and what that means for teachers' pedagogy, curriculum, and practice.

Professor Yelland will share case studies in STEM learning ecologies and explore how educators can design innovative environments that honour children's funds of knowledge, agency, and capacity for meaning-making.

🎟️ Free to attend
💻 Online via Zoom
🗓️ Tuesday June 2 | 6:00pm AEST
✅ Open to teachers, educators, pre-service teachers, service leaders, tertiary educators

This event is brought to you by the Association of Graduates in Early Childhood Studies (AGECS), a non-profit charity dedicated to supporting ECEC professionals through free professional development opportunities and resources.

🔗 Book early to secure your spot. Registrations close June 1. https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1579337?