Educational Leaders conference attracts more than 1,500 delegates

The recent Best Start, Best Life: Educational Leaders Conference, held 28 March 2025, attracted more than 1,500 delegates from across Victoria, gathering at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre for a day dedicated to learning, collaboration and innovation in early childhood education.

Keynote speakers Professor John Spencer and Professor Deborah Phillips explored the conference theme of ‘Brain development and the criticality of the early years’ and presented recent research into neuroscience and teaching practice.

Director of Wattletree Early Childhood Centre Lisa Hammonds, who attended the conference, said professional learning opportunities such as these are “really important to learn new ideas and bring them back to the team,” reflecting the mood of many.

“It’s been great to connect with so many educational leaders, especially those close to our centre that we can continue this relationship with,” she added. 

The conference program was rounded out with an interactive workshop that provided an early showcase of the department’s intentional teaching professional learning program, which is set for release later this year.

Participants were thoroughly engaged in the workshop, praising the tangible demonstration of intentional teaching, including how to improve teacher-child interactions and build subject matter knowledge in literacy and language development.

For more information about the conference, refer to Best Start, Best Life: 2025 Educational Leaders Conference.