ACT Education Directorate

This symposium aligns with the intent of Quality Area 5 and Quality Area 6, of the National Quality Standard. The symposium explores how responsive relationships with children and respectful, collaborative partnerships with families are fundamental to achieving quality outcomes for children. It includes presentations from Kirinari Early Childhood Centre, Children’s Voices Centre, Charles Sturt Uni...

This interactive panel discussion will support participants to engage in a dialogue about responsive and respectful relationships with children and partnerships with families with guest speakers

When we talk about “parent engagement,” we often picture confident parents who know exactly what to ask for. Drawing on ACT Parents’ work supporting public school families from preschool to college, this session explores what quality engagement looks like in practice. It will outline what parents are really looking for and how strong relationships and honest communication help make difficult conve...

The National Quality Standard (NQS) positions relationships as the foundation of children’s learning, development, and wellbeing. Quality Area 5 of the NQS emphasises the importance of responsive, respectful relationships with children. Relationships with children are developed when educators are attuned to each child’s cues, interests, and ways of being. These secure relationships create the cond...

This presentation proposes that families are best supported when early childhood education intentionally aligns strategy, governance and day to day practice. This builds capability to strengthen outcomes for children, particularly those experiencing vulnerability and hardship. You will hear from the organisation’s Executive Director, Flynn ECEC Centre Director, Senior Service Educational Leader an...

This presentation by Associate Professor Kathy Cologon is Acting Director at the Children’s Voices Centre, Charles Sturt University, proposes that children’s perspectives are critical to informing the work of early childhood educators. It will explore what young children tell us about inclusion when educators create meaningful opportunities to listen in diverse ways. The presentation will draw on...

At Kirinari Early Childhood Centre, they do not leave relationships to chance. They are intentionally designed through the systems they implement, the culture they build, and the conditions they provide for educators. This session explores how relationships are shaped from first contact with families and through everyday practice. It examines the critical role leadership plays in supporting educat...

Sean Moysey, Executive Branch Manager, Education and CareRegulation and Support, ACT Education Directorate Discusses National Child Safety Reforms as of March 2026.

Emily Andrews, YWCA Quality Support Officer and NicolaJeffery, Educational Leader, YWCA Canberra Reid Early Childhood Centre present about YWCA Canberra Reid's center journey from significant improvement required to exceeding.

Sean Moysey, Executive Branch Manager, ECRS provided anupdate on child safety reforms and local and national ECEC policy work. Jo Stratton and Nikki Ross, from Evelyn Scott Preschool Unitshared how their program and practice is informed by slow pedagogy, meaningfulengagement with community and inclusive environments helped them to achieve theExcellent rating.

Update on child safety reforms and local and national ECECpolicy work.

Evelyn Scott School Preschool Unit the Excellent rating. Preschool Teachers Jo Stratton and Nikki Ross will share examples of teaching practice, documentation of children’s learning and connections with community that helpedthem to achieve the Excellent rating.

Cassandra Tinning, Allied Health Manager, Women Youth and Children’s, Community Health Programs ACT presented on the traffic light system. This was part of the 2022 CECA Risk Management in ECEC Forum

Education and Care Regulation and Support (ECRS) hosted the symposium. It covered governance and leadership in the non-government school sector. Sean Moysey, Registrar of ACT Non-government Schools and Executive Branch Manager of ECRS shared some key findings about ACT school enrolment trends. Adrienne Day, Director Day and Hodge Associates, shared her experience as a board chair of a non-governme...

Dr Leanne Gibbs, Sarah Wilcox, Amanda Tobler, Teresa Thomas and Katherine Hellwig

Sarah Wilcox, Operations Manager, Wonderschool with over 30 years’ experience in both the profit and non-profit sectors, a Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Sarah Bampton and Teresa Thomas, Quality Engagement Program, CECA, ACT Education Directorate. Katherine Hellwig, Executive Director of Children’s Services and Emily Andrews, Quality Support Officer, YWCA Canberra

Dr Leanne Gibbs, Senior Lecturer, School of Education,Charles Sturt University specialising in leadership, policy, and advocacy in early childhood education. A published author, podcaster, and Board Member, Leanne brings deep expertise in organisational leadership and workforce development,championing children’s rights and ECEC sector advancement nationally and internationally.

Children’s Education and Care Assurance (CECA) hosted itssecond ACT Early Childhood Education and Care Symposium at the National Museum of Australia. This year it explored governance requirements under the National Quality Framework and how to embed good governance in ECEC. Attendees were welcomed by Minister Yvette Berry, DeputyChief Minister, Minister for Early Childhood Development and Minister...

Full recording of all presentations.

This meeting concluded with a panel discussion involving presenters and OSHC sector representatives.

Communities at Work colleagues shared insights on engaging and collaborating with children, families and the wider school community to enhance educational programs. Provider level quality assurance systems, and critical reflection strategies were also shared with participants.

CECA’s Quality Assurance Assistant Directors Jessica Annerley and LaurenKapper provided an overview of the quality in ACT OSHC settings and diverseways that OSHC can meet or exceed the NQF.

National and local National Out of School Hours Services Alliance (NOSHSA)representatives provided an update on current priorities, activities andinitiatives of NOSHSA.

Associate Professor Jennifer Cartmel from Griffith University and Kylie Keane at Keen About unpacked the role of critical reflection.