It Takes A Village Australia

Our CEO, Daniela, and Acting Services Manager, Narelle, recently represented our education and care community at the VECRA Capability Review to help shape their role, capabilities and impact. 📢✨

We were encouraged to see findings from the consultation session highlight:
💙 A shared commitment to protecting the safety, rights and best interests of children
💜 The critical role and importance of a stable, skilled and supported early childhood education and care workforce
💚 The importance of reform and change being sustainable, clear and accompanied by support for approved providers and services to embed changes and continue to focus on quality improvement.

It Takes A Village will continue to raise the experiences, challenges, and needs of our members to help contribute to change in our sector.

Find out more about our advocacy on behalf of community-owned not-for-profit education and care:
📌 itav.org.au/advocacy-and-policy/

👋 If the long weekend didn't quite feel long enough, you may have missed our June e-news, which landed in your inbox last Tuesday! 👀

In the June edition, you'll find:
💙 Your special early bird ticket to The Leadership Conference 2026
💜 FREE resources for inclusive imaginative play
💙 Wellbeing tips and tools for leaders
💜 A NEW PD to equip you to have tricky conversations at your service.

PLUS: Members always get more must-know updates, easy-to-use resources and exclusive offers! 🎉

Keep an eye out for The Agenda in your inbox each month! Just look out for emails from Narelle Lawton, Acting Services Manager at It Takes A Village (ITAV). ✨

Want in? Subscribe to get The Agenda – Free edition straight into your inbox:
📌 cccinc.us2.list-manage.com/subscribe

Don't miss out – save $$ on child safe consultancy! 🚨⏰

Child safety compliance is likely at the top of your list right now. But you might also be feeling the pinch of rising operational costs.

That's why we're offering a limited-time EOFY discount on our Child Safe Standards review and improvement audit consultancy package. ✨

What's included?
✔️ 2-hour site visit
✔️ Written audit report and recommendations
✔️ 10 hours of coaching and implementation support.

How much will you save?
Members 👇
Regular price: $2566 + GST
EOFY price: $2399 + GST

Non-members 👇
Regular price: $3386 + GST
EOFY price: $3219 + GST

*Any travel costs for ITAV consultants are additional.

📅 To take advantage of this limited-time offer, book and pay for your consultancy package before 5pm, 30 June.

Consultancy can then be undertaken at a time that suits your service before the end of 2026.

Get your EOFY special offer before it runs out. ⏳
📌 itav.org.au/gh/forms/89-submits-request-a-quote-eofy-consultancy-special-offer-form/submit/

📣 Huge news! 📣 We're celebrating the Federal Government's decision to extend the Worker Retention Payment for a further 2 years with a $3.6 billion investment. 🎉

💬 Our CEO Daniela Kavoukas shares, 'Our members consistently tell us what a difference this investment has made to the lives of their staff. On average, services would lose one in three staff every year – now educators can afford to stay in the jobs that they love.'

Services, staff and families now have certainty that professional wages will continue, without increased costs for families. 🙌

The incredible impact of the Worker Retention Payment on the education and care sector shows that investing in professional wages helps improve quality and safety for children – and shows educators that their work is valued. ✨

💙💜💚

Educators and teachers: You won't want to miss this lineup of trailblazers... 🔥

We're excited to share that Rachael Robertson will be presenting a keynote address at The Leadership Conference 2026. ✨

This year's conference is packed with leaders like Rachael, who've been right where you are (or perhaps someplace much colder!) and faced the same sticky dilemmas...

If you're not familiar with Rachael, she's an Antarctic expedition leader, leadership and teamwork expert – and best-selling author! 🤯

Rachael will reveal how she kept her team inspired and productive through Antarctica's long, dark winter with no way in or out. 🥶

PLUS! You'll also have an opportunity to ask Rachael your burning questions in a Q&A. 🙌

Important details:
📅 Wednesday 26 August
📍 Novotel Melbourne Preston (in-person!)
🕐 9.30am–4.00pm

Book NOW to grab your spot at an early-bird price: 👇
📌itav.org.au/event/the-leadership-conference-2026/

Questions? Give us a call on 03 9486 3455 and ask for Pina. 💙💜💚

Looking for practical ways to engage with culturally diverse children and families? 🤝

🌏 It's Refugee Week and Saturday is World Refugee Day 🌏

In edition 17 of Victorian Inclusion Agency's Embrace magazine, Inclusion Professionals Laura and Jodie unpack how we can better nurture and celebrate the backgrounds of the children at your service by building a strong connection with families.

See pages 8-9 for their practical strategies to support families from all cultures:
📌 viac.com.au/resource/embrace-magazine-17-digital-edition

Want families to know they are welcome at your service from the moment they come through the door?

Print and display this VIA poster to let families know that no matter their background, they'll be welcomed into your learning community!
📌 viac.com.au/resource/youre-welcome-here-free-printable-poster

The VIA program is delivered in consortium with KU Children's Services and Yooralla.

June is International Pride Month – How are you celebrating with the LGBTQIA+ families at your service? 🌈🎉

Here's a reminder to diversify your book collection with these fantastic LGBTQIA+ stories from VIA's popular poster:
📌 viac.com.au/resource/diversify-your-reading-these-lgbtqia-books

Learn more about the origins of Pride Month from Minus18:
📌 minus18.org.au/campaigns/lgbtqia+-pride-month/

❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

Children can engage in rich dramatic play using only their imagination, but we know the dress-up corner is a hit for a reason! 🤩

🎉 Today is International Day of Play 🎉

When children have access to a diverse range of costumes and accessories, they can embody characters, create scenarios, and develop narratives that explore different identities and ways of being in their play. 💭✨

Have you thought about whether your dress-up corner unintentionally reinforces stereotypes related to culture, disability or gender? Use this FREE resource to make sure everyone is included, respected and valued during play. 🚀🌟

Download the 'Dress-ups that celebrate diversity' poster, from the Victorian Inclusion Agency, and follow 5 steps to reflect on and diversify dramatic play at your service:
📌 viac.com.au/resource/dress-ups-celebrate-diversity

Early childhood and OSHC leaders – we know there's a lot on your plate... and it can feel like a lonely road.

The good news: You don't have to face the pressures alone. 🎉

Build your capabilities and connections at The Leadership Conference 2026. 🔥

📅 Wednesday 26 August
📍 Novotel Melbourne Preston (in-person!)
🕐 9.30am–4.00pm

We've assembled speakers who understand that leadership in education and care is complex, human and evolving. You'll gain strategies and tools to better support and inspire your team, alongside others who really get it. ✨

Keep your eyes peeled for the FULL program coming very soon. 👀

For now, grab a copy of the flyer for a sneak peek AND don't forget to print and share it in your staff room: 👇
📌 itav.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/ITAV-LC-2026-A4-flyer-web.pdf

📢 ITAV members: You'll save $$ on the price of your ticket!

+ Early bird discount applies up to 17 July, so get booking! 👇👇👇
📌 itav.org.au/event/the-leadership-conference-2026/

Questions? Give us a call on 03 9486 3455 and ask for Pina. 💙💜💚