Connect, reflect and share – A series of Victorian professional learning events

The early childhood education and care (ECEC) workforce is at the heart of Victoria’s education system. 

 

Due to the range and scale of the Best Start, Best Life (BSBL) reforms, including funded Three-Year-Old Kindergarten and the introduction of Pre-Prep, it is important to recognise, develop and support the existing workforce, and the Victorian Department of Education has a number of upcoming events to enhance the experience of the highly skilled early childhood teachers (ECTs) and educators who are leading these reforms at service level. 

 

These targeted professional development supports are designed to provide individuals with the space and time to connect, reflect and share as part of a broader professional learning agenda.

 

Examples of upcoming opportunities include:

 

Beginning Teachers Conferences

 

Beginning Teachers Conferences (BTC) for early childhood teachers in their first year of practice and those with anticipated graduation in the next 12 months working in services with a kindergarten funded program – The next Victorian Teaching Academy event taking place on 12 July, 2024.

 

The 2024 BTC series will feature 6 conferences, 3 virtual and 3 in-person. The conferences will focus on practical concepts and ideas for supporting children with additional needs and challenging behaviours, general topics, and feature facilitated deep-dive discussions, and a panel discussion including Q&A’s.

 

BTCs support early career teachers’ induction into the Victorian early childhood sector, strengthen their professional practice and provide access to expert speakers and evidence-informed information. The conferences also provide an opportunity for early childhood teachers in the beginning stages of their careers to build professional networks with peers.

 

The 2024 BTC conferences will be facilitated online and at the Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership, 41 St Andrews Place, East Melbourne between 9.00 am – 3.00 pm on the following dates:

 

• 20 May 2024
• 12 June 2024
• 12 July 2024
• 28 August 2024
• 12 September 2024
• 31 October 2024

 

Coach and Mentor Training Program 

 

The Coach and Mentor Training Program is for experienced ECTs and educators, as well as for those already in coach and mentor roles who may wish to further develop their skills – Intake 2 registration opens 17 June, 2024

 

The Coach and Mentor Training Program helps teachers and educators build their coaching and mentoring skills. The program will cover the foundations of what makes a good mentor or coach. 

 

It will also help lift the standards of mentors and coaches across the sector. This is an opportunity for experienced teachers and educators to advance their careers.

 

Mott MacDonald Education Consultancy is delivering the program with the Department of Education.

 

This program is fully subsidised by the Department of Education. A backfill contribution may be available for participants to cover the core requirements of the program. A travel subsidy may also be available to assist with the cost of long-distance travel. More information will soon be available, including associated application forms.

 

Early Years Learning Networks and Forums 

 

A series of Early Years Learning Networks and Forums are being held locally across Victoria for ECTs and educational leaders working in sessional and long day care services with a funded kindergarten program.

 

More than 60 Early Years Learning Networks are currently convened by the department across Victoria. Networks meet once per term, bringing together a wealth of knowledge and expertise from early childhood teachers who work in sessional and long day care services with a funded kindergarten program.

 

Networks are local, collaborative and focussed on professional practice.

 

Through these networks, and at these forums, attendees can:

 

• connect and collaborate with other early learning professionals across their local area

 

• engage in reflective conversations around practice, pedagogy and the VEYLDF

 

• learn more about the Best Start, Best Life reforms

 

• work with other professionals to discuss how to manage changes in your service or explore solutions to common problems.

 

To learn more about the range of professional learning opportunities available to Victorian ECTs and educators, please visit the Department’s website, here.