Australian Childcare Collective to again host Symposium event

The Australian Childcare Collective will again host its popular Symposium event at the Shangri-La Hotel in Cairns, Queensland. 

Held on Monday 26 May, the event is always popular, and well attended by the early childhood education and care (ECEC) community. 

This one-of-a-kind symposium showcases the strategies, insights, and inspiration behind some of the most successful long day care centres in the country, which are driven by thoughtful design, an unshakable commitment to excellence, and a belief that children deserve the freedom to explore and the confidence to thrive.

Whilst attending the conference delegates will have the opportunity to learn more about the approach taken by Australian Childcare Collective services, and how to replicate their approach elsewhere, as well as building relationships with like-minded operators and educators while growing their professional network.

Central to the conference experience is a Tropical Buffet BBQ dinner with drinks, including a welcome cocktail on arrival.

The 2025 theme is “It Starts with a Block of Land”, acknowledging the developers, architects, builders and playscape designers have all contributed to creating the unique, interactive, and aesthetically beautiful designs which services under the Collective are known for. 

Behind the design is careful planning and an intuitive perspective on what parents want for their children or what children see through their eyes. The planning team also focuses on how to ignite and enhance children’s resilience, confidence, creativity, and natural curiosity. 

“We want children to choose their own destinies and feel free to be themselves – to get muddy and dirty and run, play, laugh, skip, and jump in amazing natural environments,” spokesperson John Wall said. 

“If they go home with a Band-Aid on their knee, we believe they had a great day! We call this bringing back their innate “Wild hood”, which is about preparing them for school success but also for “life success”.”

Centres in the group are family owned and operated, supported by an experienced team, and driven by a philosophy of ‘keeping childcare simple.’

“Our centres also mirror a model that has been carefully researched and crafted,” Mr Wall continued. 

“A model that has been developed over 20 plus years and doesn’t just revolve around commercial pursuits. We know what works in childcare – the demand for enrolments in our centres, the length of our waiting lists and the data and expressions of interest behind our centres prove that.” 

Learn more about the conference or register by emailing [email protected]