ECLD 2025 – a celebration that left flourishing delegates empowered and nurtured 

The Early Childhood Learning and Development (ECLD) Conference 2025 brought together more than 700 passionate professionals from across Western Australia’s early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector at the iconic Optus Stadium in Perth for a celebration of learning, leadership, and sector-wide empowerment.

This year’s conference delivered a dynamic program featuring visionary keynote speakers, practical breakout sessions, live exhibitor showcases, and invaluable networking opportunities that left delegates feeling energised and equipped with new tools and insights.

The conference opened with three powerful keynotes:

• Jennifer Jefferies – Breaking the Stress Loop
• Prof Selena Bartlett – Mastering Children’s Mental Health in the Digital Age
• Nicole Talarico – Can You Keep me Safer? Child Safety in our Every Day

The keynotes were complemented by breakout sessions covering themes of Empowerment and Leadership, Innovation and Creativity, Health and Wellbeing, Inclusion and Diversity, Sustainability and Environmental Education, and Family and Community Engagement.

Delegates described the sessions and keynotes as inspiring, empowering and passionate, offering insights which went beyond the statistics, and which added real value to their day to day work. 

Commenting on the event Child Australia CEO Tina Holtom described it as “an overwhelming success.” 

“The energy was electric, and the feedback from delegates has been incredibly uplifting,” she shared. 

“Events like this are so critical for our sector – they inspire, challenge, and reinvigorate our educators, who go on to make a real difference in the lives of children every day.”

Planning is already underway for the next chapter in the ECLD journey, and it promises to be Child Australia’s most immersive experience yet. 

In response to feedback from delegates, the ECLD 2026 Immersion Experience will be a 2-day event designed to deliver even deeper engagement, practical tools, and more time to connect and collaborate.

Attendees asked for a more interactive format, with hands-on learning and real-world examples they could take straight back into their practice. ECLD 2026 will deliver just that with a dynamic, high-impact event focused on meaningful professional development, sector connection, and real-world application.

Ms Holtom thanked the partnerships which made the event possible saying “it’s so wonderful to have events that bring together our sector professionals. They are people with so much passion, heart, and purpose, and their work has a profound impact on the lives of children. We’re deeply grateful to our sponsors and partners whose support makes these opportunities possible. Together, we’re investing in the future of not just our workforce, but of every child whose potential is unlocked by a truly great educator”.

2025 conference sponsors were Green House Education, The Sector, Buttercups Childcare, KinderPark, BB Recruitment, MANA, and Goodstart Early Learning.

To see more highlights from the event, please visit the ECLD Conference website