Professional development

Victoria’s early childhood educational leaders invited to unique conference opportunity

Freya Lucas

Feb 01, 2023

Save

The inaugural Best Start, Best Life 2023 Educational Leaders Conference will be held on Wednesday 15 February 2023 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre and live streamed, offering educational leaders across the state a special opportunity to network with one another, and learn from some prestigious international thinkers.

Moderated by leading journalist Ellen Fanning, co-host of ABC’s ‘The Drum’ and former 60 Minutes journalist, the conference will be an exciting opportunity for educational leaders in early childhood education services to hear from world-leading experts and other leaders in the field.

The conference will be a day of exploration and learning through keynote presentations and panel discussions on practical, evidence-based approaches to lift the quality of early childhood education.

The conference will feature three renowned international experts:

Professor Iram Siraj, Professor of Child Development and Education, University of Oxford
Professor Jane Bertrand, Program Director, Margaret and Wallace McCain Family Foundation
Sir Kevan Collins, Board Member, Goodstart Early Learning and Board Member, AERO.

The conference program is available at the conference website. Educational leaders will be able to learn about how they can lead effectively in the early childhood sector and what the latest evidence says about pedagogical leadership, as well as practical and evidence-based strategies to improve intentional teaching and play-based learning.

Employers of educational leaders ordinarily required ‘on the floor’ may be eligible for a backfill contribution. Employers of educational leaders in regional and rural areas undertaking long-distance travel to attend in person may also be eligible for a contribution.

Detailed information and forms to claim these contributions are available over at the conference website.

One educational leader in services (including long day care and sessional services) providing a funded kindergarten service in Victoria is eligible to attend the conference, in-person or online.

Event details:

Date: Wednesday, 15 February 2023

Time: 9.00am – 5.00pm

Location: Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre

Platform: In-person and online

Cost: free

For more information including the link to register, head to the Best Start, Best Life 2023 Educational Leaders Conference website. Registrations close 10 February. Further details and questions can be directed to earlychildhoodleadersconference@education.vic.gov.au

Don’t miss a thing

New Geccko course simplifies payments, fees and CCS obligations for ECEC services

A new online learning course launched on the Geccko platform is helping early childhood education and care (ECEC) providers better understand how to manage payments, gap fees and Child Care Subsidy (CCS) entitlements in line with Family Assistance Law.

What is ARACY and how can The Nest support early childhood services

The Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth (ARACY) has shaped the national conversation on child and youth wellbeing for more than two decades. Its flagship Nest Wellbeing Framework is increasingly used by organisations to align strategy, measure outcomes and strengthen collaboration.

Skilled migration opportunities for early childhood teachers to teach in Victoria

New opportunities are available for qualified early childhood professionals to build meaningful careers through the state’s skilled migration program.

Edge Early Learning becomes first QLD provider to embed Life Ed wellbeing and safety program across all centres

Edge Early Learning has announced a new statewide partnership with Life Ed Queensland that will see a comprehensive wellbeing, safety and school-readiness program embedded across every Edge centre in Queensland from January 2026, the first early learning provider in the state to take this integrated, whole-centre approach.

Looking ahead: What the ECEC sector can expect in 2026

As 2026 begins, early childhood education and care (ECEC) services across Australia are preparing for a year of substantial reform, focused on strengthening child safety and raising the bar on national standards. Following a series of agreements by Education Ministers in 2025, new changes to the National Quality Framework (NQF) and the Education and Care Services National Law will take effect progressively throughout the year. These reforms reflect the shared commitment of educators, families, communities and governments to place child safety and wellbeing at the centre of early learning environments.

New Geccko course simplifies payments, fees and CCS obligations for ECEC services

What is ARACY and how can The Nest support early childhood services

Skilled migration opportunities for early childhood teachers to teach in Victoria

New opportunities are available for qualified early childhood professionals to build meaningful careers through the state’s skilled migration program.