It Takes A Village Australia

It Takes A Village Australia Established in 1971, It Takes A Village (formerly Community Child Care Association) is the national voice of community-based education and care services.

Established in 1971, It Takes A Village Australia (formerly Community Child Care Association) is the national voice of community-based education and care services. Our vision is 'World-leading early learning and outside school hours care for every child in Australia'. Building a strong sector is at the heart of what we do. We support and champion services, work with governments, and advocate for a

n Australia where every child has access to free, quality education and care. Nearly 800 services across Australia rely on us for professional advice and practical support. Here to help services transform vision into practice, we provide expert training, coaching and consultancy across the sector. Our deep community connections and role as peak body make us a trusted sector leader and unwavering advocate for services, educators, children and families. Our focus is on building a sustainable community-based sector and an empowered, well-resourced workforce to deliver free and accessible quality education and care.

We all know a superstar educator who goes above and beyond for their learning community. 💖Today is the day we celebrate ...
01/09/2026

We all know a superstar educator who goes above and beyond for their learning community. 💖

Today is the day we celebrate all of you who put your whole heart into shaping young minds, sparking curiosity and wonder – and making learning so much FUN! 🙌

Happy Early Childhood Educator's Day 2026! 🎉

We LOVE hearing about the passion and creativity in our education and care community, so tag someone below who you think deserves recognition – and share what makes them so special. 🤩👇👇

Thank you for everything you do! 🫶✨

Looking for more ways to spark conversations about diversity, inclusion and belonging with children? 🌈✨🎉The 'I like my m...
01/09/2026

Looking for more ways to spark conversations about diversity, inclusion and belonging with children? 🌈✨🎉

The 'I like my monsters' poster is a great way to start, featuring imaginative artwork and words by award-winning author and illustrator Elise Gravel - English.

Download the FREE poster + find MORE inclusion resources to use at your service in the August edition of Inclusion News:
📌 mailchi.mp/itav/your_inclusion_update_august2026

Don't forget to hit 'SUBSCRIBE' and get amazing resources, tools and strategies, thoughtfully curated by VIA's Inclusion Professionals, delivered straight to your inbox! 📨

Inclusion News is a Victorian Inclusion Agency (VIA) resource. The VIA program is delivered by It Takes a Village alongside KU Children's Services and Yooralla.

Indigenous Literacy Day (ILD) is coming up this Wednesday 2 September and celebrates Country as our teacher. 🌿📌 ilf.org....
31/08/2026

Indigenous Literacy Day (ILD) is coming up this Wednesday 2 September and celebrates Country as our teacher. 🌿
📌 ilf.org.au/ild

Sign up to watch the free ILD film (suitable for all ages!) and join the livestream to explore Aboriginal communities' connection to Country, cultures and languages through storytelling, song, and dance:
📌 sydneyoperahouse.com/schools/indigenous-literacy-day-2026

40–70% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults have low literacy. The Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF) advocates for equal access to literacy resources in remote Indigenous communities. 🖤💛❤️

Did you catch ILF Ambassador Justine Clark and ILF Programs Manager Zoe Cassim at the OSHC Conference in May, sharing about Busking for Change?

OSHC services and schools can sign up for the Busking for Change program to learn a song in an Aboriginal language and raise funds for the ILF. 🎶
📌 buskingforchange.org.au

Who's still buzzing from The Leadership Conference yesterday? We sure are! 💥Here's what some of yesterday's attendees to...
27/08/2026

Who's still buzzing from The Leadership Conference yesterday? We sure are! 💥Here's what some of yesterday's attendees told us... 👇

'Love having the chance to hear from and connect with others in the [sector].' – Stephanie, Director, KCH Community Childcare

'I really enjoyed how practical the information provided has been. I feel inspired.' – Amani, Director, Remus Way Children's Centre

A HUGE and heartfelt thank you to all the speakers, service directors, coordinators, leaders and educators who attended yesterday (some even from interstate!) – it was a fabulous time reflecting, growing and connecting with our peers. ✨

We would also like to thank our amazing member partners and ITAV friends who supported the event with prizes, booths and your smiling faces! 🎉
Bunnings Warehouse Australia
CCI Services
DreamStone HR
Yarn Strong Sista

A BIG shout out to our incredible team of ITAV staff who made The Leadership Conference 2026 possible. You're all stars! 🌟

Let's finish off with a powerful call to action from Tarryn Holland, one of our fabulous panel discussion members:

'We need to be courageous leaders. We need the courage to care and advocate... and make decisions in the moment because it's the right thing to do.'
👏👏👏

📷 1: The ITAV conference team
📷 2: The lucky prize winners
📷 3: ITAV's Aisha, Bryony, Caitlin and Kylie
📷 4: Yarn Strong Sista and Bunnings Trade booths
📷 5: ITAV's Lucy and Kylie at the Vic Rocks booth

'Don't apologise for being a leader. Have confidence in yourself. If you don't know how you got yourself into that posit...
26/08/2026

'Don't apologise for being a leader. Have confidence in yourself. If you don't know how you got yourself into that position, accept that you are and that you can do it.'
– Kathy Walker

🎉 That's a wrap on our 2026 Leadership Conference! 🎉

A sold-out room of education and care leaders (seasoned and emerging) left with so many nuggets of wisdom and real-world learnings from a lineup of pioneering and inspiring speakers, including:
✨ Antarctic expedition leader, Rachael Robertson
✨ A panel of expert service leaders, led by Catharine Hydon
✨ HR and workplace conflict guru, Kylie Thomas
✨ Award-winning education author, Kathy Walker OAM
✨ ITAV consultants, Bryony Catlin and Kylie Seadon
✨ Clarendon Children's Centre Coordinator, Linda Davison

What stood out to you today? The words 'know your WHY' are front of mind for us! 💡💭

Tell us below what you'll be taking into your leadership role or sharing with your team tomorrow! 👇👇

Thanks to everyone who joined us and made today possible – we loved hearing you ask your burning questions, share so openly and connect so warmly with your professional colleagues. 🔥

📷 1 and 2: The incredible room of educators and leaders who attended The Leadership Conference 2026
📷 3: ITAV's Daniela with delegates Michelle and Penelope
📷 4: ITAV's Bryony and Narelle with Rachael Robertson
📷 5: Catharine, Annie, Tarryn, Anthony and Narelle on the panel
📷 6: Kathy Walker delivering her keynote presentation
📷 7: Delegate Dilruba and ITAV consultant Lucy
📷 8: Bryony and Caitlin at the ITAV booth
📷 9: The delicious lunch spread provided by the Novotel Preston

'Respect trumps harmony every time. If you focus just on harmony, you won't get innovation.' – Rachael Robertson🙌 Who el...
26/08/2026

'Respect trumps harmony every time. If you focus just on harmony, you won't get innovation.' – Rachael Robertson

🙌 Who else is feeling fired up? 🙌 Accidental Antarctic leader, Rachael Robertson, kicked us off at ITAV's The Leadership Conference this morning with a powerful (and humorous!) keynote, 'Leading on the edge', to a room bursting with leaders and educators at the Novotel Preston.

'Every job has an Antarctic winter, a period of time when work is just work. The only way to keep yourself inspired is to find a reason to celebrate.' 🎉

What are the moments worth celebrating that could give your team momentum during challenging times? 🤔 Tell us below! 👇👇

Rachael also reminded us that you don't need a title to be a leader. If you have great ideas, share them! That's what makes a leader, not the title. 🤩

[And lastly, wiser words have never been spoken: 'You cannot feel angry or sad when watching penguins.' 🐧]

🔥 Next up: A lively debate hosted by Catharine Hydon, asking a panel of experienced education and care leaders, Taryn Holland, Narelle Lawton, Annie Mok and Anthony Morris, whether it's better to be loved or feared. Get your questions ready for the Q&A at the end!🔥

📷 1: ITAV CEO Daniela Kavoukas kicks off the day
📷 2: Rachael Robertson giving the opening keynote
📷 3: ITAV's Narelle, Pina and Sabina at the registration desk.

How do we keep pre-adolescent children engaged in our OSHC program? 🌟Hear from leading global researcher and OSHC sector...
24/08/2026

How do we keep pre-adolescent children engaged in our OSHC program? 🌟

Hear from leading global researcher and OSHC sector advocate, Bruce Hurst, who'll share major findings from 15 years of research exploring the experiences of older children in OSHC across Australia. 🤸‍♀️🎉

Join this exclusive in-person professional learning session for:
💡 Practical learning you can apply in the unique context of your service
💡 Meaningful discussion and problem-solving in a small group setting
💡 Networking and connection with OSHC professionals from other services.

📅 Tuesday 8 September 2026
📍 ITAV office, Preston
🕐 10.30am–12.30pm Professional learning
🕐 12.30pm–1.00pm Networking (optional)

Member price: $99
Non-member ticket price: $149

Limited places! So, get in quick to grab your spot. 👇👇
itav.org.au/event/older-children-in-oshc-what-15-years-of-research-can-teach-us/

Educators – have you got your favourite purple fit ready?✨💜 Wear it Purple Day is this Friday! 💜✨This year's theme, Colo...
24/08/2026

Educators – have you got your favourite purple fit ready?

✨💜 Wear it Purple Day is this Friday! 💜✨

This year's theme, Colours of Courage, celebrates the many different forms of courage shown by LGBTQIA+SB young people, allies and communities every day.

Did you know? The letters 'SB' in the acronym LGBTIQA+SB recognise Sistergirls and Brotherboys, terms used to describe First Nations people with culturally specific gender identities.

Here are some of our fave ways to celebrate at your service:

🟣 Wear your best purple getup on Friday 28 August to show support for LGBTQIA+SB young people, and invite children and families to join in!

🟣 Refresh your rainbow book collection using this popular poster from VIA: viac.com.au/resource/diversify-your-reading-these-lgbtqia-books

🟣 Show up, start conversations and create safe spaces for young LGBTQIA+SB people to feel proud of who they are, all year round!

Read more about Wear it Purple Day: wearitpurple.org/

Planning for Father's Day at your service? With reflection and mindful actions, you can include all families, even those...
21/08/2026

Planning for Father's Day at your service? With reflection and mindful actions, you can include all families, even those without a dad at home. 🏠

For some families, Father's Day can feel complex or challenging. Or it might not recognise what family looks like to them. 🤗

Want to help every family join in the fun? Try these simple steps:

🌟 Think about all the shapes and sizes of families at your service. What a beautiful thing!

🌟 Talk with your learning community about taking a more inclusive and reflective approach, so all families feel part of the celebration.

🌟 Avoid activities or gifts based on stereotypes, like a BBQ or tools and ties for dads. Ask families what would be meaningful to them!

🌟 Encourage children to bring along a special adult in their life. This could be a grandparent or family friend. Make sure no child is left alone on the day.

🌟 Choose a time that makes it easier for family members who work to attend.

💡 If your team wants extra support to feel confident when planning for days like this, ask us about our PD package on meaningful celebrations:
📌 itav.org.au/professional_develop/meaningful-celebrations-in-education-and-care/

Address

Suite 02, L1, 306-308 Bell Street
Melbourne, VIC
3072

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+61394863455

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