ECEC in focus: Journey Early Learning commitment to educators and child success

At a time when early childhood educators across Australia are navigating ongoing challenges, Journey Early Learning is investing in connection, collaboration and professional growth through its Community of Practice (CoP) meetings, a unique initiative designed to uplift and empower educators at every stage of their career.

 

Held every eight weeks, the CoP meetings bring together Lead Educators from across Journey’s centres, grouped by the age groups they work with, infants (0–2), toddlers (2–3), and kindergarten (3–5). This structure ensures that every session is developmentally tailored, allowing educators to reflect deeply on the learning needs of children in their care.

 

A space for growth, reflection and collaboration

 

The purpose of the CoP meetings is simple yet powerful:

 

• Elevate professional knowledge and practice
• Reflect on key learnings and how they are applied in centre settings
• Collaborate nationally with peers working in similar age groups
• Share and co-develop strategies for embedding Journey’s Learning and Development sessions
• Inspire and motivate educators by highlighting both fresh and established practices

 

For many educators, these sessions are more than just professional development, they are a chance to connect with like-minded colleagues, exchange experiences, and feel part of a collective movement striving to deliver the best for children.

 

“We want our educators to feel like active participants in their own learning journey,” explains Susan, Learning Experience Specialist at Journey Early Learning. “The Communities of Practice aren’t about top-down direction; they’re about creating a space where educators can share, reflect and inspire each other. That’s what makes them so powerful.”

 

 

Supporting every stage of an educator’s journey

 

One of the strengths of Journey’s CoP initiative is its inclusivity. Sessions are structured to support both new and experienced educators, encouraging mentorship while also giving space to fresh ideas and innovative practices.

 

For educators just starting out, the meetings provide reassurance, professional guidance, and a sense of belonging. For experienced practitioners, they offer a platform to share expertise, trial new approaches, and continue evolving their practice.

 

Importantly, Journey Early Learning views investment in its educators as central to delivering high-quality early education. Professional development is not an afterthought,it is intentionally planned and executed year-round This ongoing commitment ensures that training, mentoring, and reflective practice are not isolated events, but part of a continuous cycle of growth. By making professional learning a core priority, Journey is building teams that feel valued, confident and inspired in their roles.

 

The CoP initiative also complements Journey’s 4Cs training sessions and Centre Learning and Development sessions, creating a cohesive and layered approach to educator support and professional growth.

 

Extending the conversation

 

Following each meeting, participants receive “Our Shared Journey”, a newsletter packed with resources, strategies, and discussion points to take back to their teams. This ensures the learning doesn’t stop once the meeting ends, instead, it flows back into centres, benefiting whole educator teams, children, and families.

 

This structured approach means that what educators learn in CoP meetings isn’t left in the meeting room, it is embedded back into the classroom. Educators return with practical tools and strategies that influence daily routines, curriculum planning, and interactions with children and families. In this way, the professional development Journey invests in translates directly into richer learning experiences for children.

 

“It’s about building a ripple effect,” Susan says. “The insights and strategies shared in the CoP meetings are carried into centres, shaping practice and inspiring teams far beyond the individuals who attend.”

 

 

Uplifting educators in a challenging climate

 

The early learning sector has faced significant pressures over recent months from workforce challenges to growing expectations. Journey Early Learning’s CoP program is one way the organisation is addressing those challenges head-on: by investing in educators, empowering them with tools, and reminding them that they are part of a supportive, professional community.

 

Educators who attend often describe leaving the sessions with a sense of renewed energy and purpose. As one participant shared:

 

“These meetings make me feel valued and supported. It’s not just about learning new strategies, it’s about connecting with others who understand the realities of our work and who inspire me to keep growing.”

 

Looking ahead

 

Journey Early Learning’s Communities of Practice are not only strengthening professional practice across their services, but also highlighting the importance of collaboration, reflection, and collective inspiration in the wider ECEC sector.

 

By bringing educators together in this way, Journey is ensuring that children, families, and communities benefit from environments where learning is intentional, inspired, and continually evolving.

 

As Susan reflects:

 

“When educators feel inspired and empowered, that energy flows directly to the children in their care. That’s the ultimate outcome of our Communities of Practice.”

 

 

For educators who are passionate about professional growth and want to be part of a supportive, forward-thinking organisation, Journey Early Learning offers rewarding career pathways across Australia, visit the Journey early Learning careers page here.