Professional development

NSW Department of Education’s ECE Connect Online returns to boost ECEC

Freya Lucas

Nov 14, 2023

Save

The popular New South Wales Department of Education program ECE Connect Online will return later this month, with a range of informative sessions designed to continue to support and promote the early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector.

More than 6,000 participants from across NSW have already signed up to attend the free webinars, which will include a ‘bumper series’ of 13 sessions on a range of topics including:

Workforce
Health and wellbeing
Department led programs and initiatives
Regulatory updates.

Representatives from within the department’s ECEC directorate, along with expert speakers, will share their insights on a range of topics including information on health and development checks, exploring risk in ECEC settings, Start Strong and emergency management.

The first webinar will focus on regulatory changes that have come into effect including safe sleep practices, approval process and safe arrival of children, and provide guidance on how to implement those changes.

ECE Connect Online launches Monday 20 November, and aims to continue the conversation on improving quality early learning following a successful On the Road tour across NSW.

During the On the Road tour, the department travelled to 10 locations across NSW and met with over 500 educators and service providers to listen to their experiences, feedback and ideas.

Mark Barraket, Acting Deputy Secretary of Early Childhood Outcomes, said ECE Connect Online and the On the Road tour are “invaluable opportunities to openly consult and collaborate with the sector”.“ECE Connect allows us to reach ECEC professionals from metro, regional and rural areas and gives them the opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue about the sector that they would otherwise not have,” he said.

More information on how to register for ECE Connect Online and topics being offered can be found on the registration page.

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.