Little People, Big Dreams – Northern Territory’s premier ECEC conference is coming

Early childhood education and care (ECEC) professionals from across Australia are preparing for a trip to the Northern Territory for Little People, Big Dreams conference in September 2023. 

The evening prior to the conference opening will see the ECEC community gather for the Northern Territory Education and Care Awards, with a ceremony to be held on Friday 22 September from 6.30-8.30pm at the DoubleTree Hilton Esplanade.

The conference will be held on Saturday 23 September at the DoubleTree Hilton Esplanade, and features a strong lineup of keynote speakers along with a range of breakout sessions which allow attendees to tailor their conference experience to their service type (outside school hours care (OSHC) or early childhood).

Keynote speakers

Catherine Liddle, SNAICC CEO is confirmed as a keynote speaker, and will share her perspective – both as SNAICC CEO and as a Arrernte/Luritja woman – on the importance of Closing the Gap in the ECEC space. 

Linda Harrison will walk delegates through the way in which the Australian community has reshaped the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) and My Time, Our Place: The Framework for School Aged Care (MTOP) based on her personal experience of being a contributing writer of the revised frameworks. 

Ms Harrison was one of the six researchers who led the update, working with ACECQA and representatives from all States and Territories over a two-year period. In her address she will share the ways that the lead researchers reached out to a diverse range of stakeholders to ensure the revisions of the Frameworks were relevant, comprehensive, and wanted. 

Her keynote delves into the two-year story of engaging with educators, providers, professionals, families, governments, and children and young people.

Dynamic and engaging keynote speaker Robbie Figg will round out the program, using his perspective as the General Manager at Happiness Co and as a facilitator with “one the most interesting CV’s in the country.”

Mr Figg has worked in team building and culture for over seven years, and uses a ‘3 E’s’ approach of engagement, environment and education to inspire others to share his passion for ensuring individuals feel empowered and enthusiastic about their workplace happiness.

Breakout sessions

The breakout sessions at Little People, Big Dreams have been carefully designed to allow both OSHC and early childhood participants to maximise their opportunities for connection with others in their field, and with information and discussion which is relevant to their day to day roles. In the OSHC stream, one room will have a sole focus on the OSHC realm, with  Kylie Brannelly( NOSHSA) and Jennifer Cartmel featuring strongly.

There will be sessions on the revised learning frameworks, sessions on supporting children to self regulate, on how children escalate and de-escalate, discussions on trauma informed strategies for the early years, opportunities for learning more about connections between inclusion and mental health and wellbeing, how to action commitments made toward reconciliation, and how educators can have ‘tricky conversations’ with caregivers with confidence and kindness. 

Core themes in the breakout sessions are understanding the impact of trauma on children’s behaviour, explorations of reconciliation, and a deeper understanding of the revisions to the approved learning frameworks. 

Trina Bourke from Child Australia will also present on ‘the multimodal language of dance’ using her experience as a performer, teacher, choreographer and parent. Having worked in the ECEC sector, Ms Bourke will provide provocations that will support educators’ understanding of creative movement and encourage future forays into implementing movement into practice.  Audience participation is anticipated and encouraged. 

“We’ve developed a program that truly has something for everyone,” Child Australia CEO Tina Holtom said. 

“We’re grateful for the support of our sponsors, and particularly our partner, the Northern Territory Government, for the opportunity to bring sector professionals together, to showcase the wonderful things happening in the Northern Territory ECEC space, and to share some powerful discussions and provocations.” 

 During the Awards presentation the winners of the following awards will be announced: 

• New service award
• Outstanding education and care program award
• Outstanding educator award
• Outstanding Aboriginal educator award
• Outstanding early childhood teacher 
• Outstanding leader

All finalists will receive a framed certificate and free registration to the conference, with winners in each category receiving a trophy along with cash prizes to support continued professional development. 

Registration for the conference is now open! To learn more, or to secure your space, please visit the dedicated conference website, here.  

Or go directly for tickets to eventbrite: LPBD23 NT – Little People Big Dreams Conference NT Tickets, Sat 23/09/2023 at 7:45 am | Eventbrite