ELM (ACT) Facilitating the ACT Early Education and Care Network
In 2025, ELM (ACT) was selected by the ACT Department of Education to facilitate and coordinate the ACT Early Education and Care Network (ECEC Network).
The Network is designed to foster cross-sector collaboration by bringing together ACT ECEC providers, service leaders, and educators. Through shared knowledge, reflection, and the implementation of best practices, the Network aims to strengthen early education and care services across the ACT.
We are excited to announce our first calendar of events!
After three months of consultation with over 400 Early Childhood Education and Care professionals, we are excited to share our inaugural calendar of events. We look forward to seeing you at one of these upcoming sessions and extend our sincere thanks to everyone who has contributed to bringing us to this point.
Head to the Network Upcoming Events Section to register
Establishing the ECEC Network Sector Leadership Group (SLG)
ELM will also create the ECEC Network Sector Leadership Group (SLG). The SLG will co-design and co-administer the ECEC Stakeholder Network alongside ELM, ensuring broad sector representation and strategic leadership.
The SLG comprises 14 members from across the ECEC sector in the ACT. Our SLG members are:
| Tracey- Lee Elliss | Assistant Director Woden Valley Early Learning Centre https://www.wodenvalleychildcare.com.au/ |
| Natasha Stefopoulos | Program Manager | Early Learning Connection https://www.baringa.org.au/ |
| Elizabeth Sebesfi | General Manager, 360 Throsby https://360earlyeducation.com.au/locations/throsby/ |
| Vanessa Woodward | Children’s Education and Care Teacher, Canberra Institute of Technology |
| Sarah Grieves | Head of Department, Education Design and Delivery, Canberra Institute of Technology https://cit.edu.au/ |
| Karen Pollard | Executive Director, Community Services #1 Https://communityservices1.org |
| Kellie Stewart | Director Children’s Services, Communities at Work https://www.commsatwork.org/ |
| Kylie Keane | CT CoP Representative, ACT NOSHSA https://www.noshsa.org.au/actbranchconference2025 |
| Rowena Muir | Lecturer, Director and Academic Lead – Wiradjuri Preschool, University of Canberra https://www.canberra.edu.au/ |
| Kara Bromley | Director, Manuka Occasional Childcare Association (MOCCA) Incorporated https://manukachildcare.com.au/ |
| Lisa Syrette | Manager (Early Childhood Services) AIS Operations Australian Sports Commission |
| Ali Sewter | Executive Director Forrest Children’s Services https://forrestpandc.com.au/ |
| Katherine Hellwig | Executive Director of Children’s Services, YWCA https://ywca-canberra.org.au/ |
Over the coming months the SLG will support ELM in:
- Designing and facilitating the Network Consultation Strategy
- Developing the Network Governance Manual
- Communicating key messages to sector staff and stakeholders
Additionally, SLG will provide expert guidance and recommendations on:
- Networking, professional learning, and mentoring opportunities across the ACT ECEC sector
- Emerging sector topics and key issues
- Quarterly engagement plans for the Network
This exciting initiative will strengthen collaboration, empower educators, and enhance early education and care services in the ACT. Stay tuned as ELM and SLG
Network Upcoming Events
Our New Calendar of events for the second quarter of 2026 Is Now Open for Registration .
We’re excited to share that our new series of events is now open for registration. If you haven’t joined us before, here’s what educators are saying about their experience:
“I loved the flexible discussion format — it allowed for a variety of genuine and meaningful conversations.”
“I got ideas from other educators’ perspectives.”
“I really appreciated how reflexive the workshop was. It made us actively reflect on our practice.” “Open conversations with passionate people.”
May Events
Working Across Services: Strengthening Cross-Sector Connections
| Working Across Services: Strengthening Cross-Sector Connections 📅 Date: Tuesday, 5th May ⏲️ Time: 10.00 am-12.00 pm 🏢Venue: Stepping Stones at Yerrabi Ponds, 27 Gundaroo Drive, Gungahlin 🚗Parking: Free About the Session The session will be facilitated by Amanda Tobler. This session brings educators and leaders together to explore what meaningful collaboration looks like across services, sectors, and community partners. We will unpack the practical realities of working beyond organisational boundaries – sharing information, aligning approaches, and building relationships that genuinely support children and families. Through reflective discussion and examples from the ACT context, participants will consider how collaborative practices can reduce duplication, improve transitions, and create more cohesive support pathways. Together, we will identify the enablers, the barriers, and the everyday strategies that support a shift from parallel practice to purposeful partnership. Participant Expectations Professional Learning Network events are interactive, and active participation is expected. Participants are encouraged to share their experiences and ideas, contribute thoughtfully to group discussions, and help foster an inclusive and respectful learning environment where every voice is heard and valued. |
Meaningful Engagement: Deepening Connection with Children, Staff, and Families
| Meaningful Engagement: Deepening Connection with Children, Staff, and Families 📅Date: Tuesday, 12th May ⏲️Time: 10.00 am-12.00 pm 🏢Venue: Southside Venue to be confirmed 🚗Parking: Free About the Session The session will be facilitated by Amanda Tobler. This session explores what meaningful engagement looks like across the core relationships in our work: with children, with colleagues, and with families. Rather than treating engagement as a set of tasks or events, we will consider how it becomes a way of being – embedded in daily interactions, shared decision-making, and a culture of genuine listening. Together, we will reflect on: · Engaging with children in ways that honour their agency, perspectives, and unique ways of expressing themselves · Engaging with staff through trust, transparency, and collaborative practice that strengthens team culture · Engaging with families as partners whose knowledge, values, and experiences enrich learning and wellbeing. Through discussion and practical examples, participants will consider the conditions that make engagement authentic and sustainable, and explore strategies that build stronger, more connected learning communities. Participant Expectations Professional Learning Network events are interactive, and active participation is expected. Participants are encouraged to share their experiences and ideas, contribute thoughtfully to group discussions, and help foster an inclusive and respectful learning environment where every voice is heard and valued. |
June Events
Reflective Practice Journey: Rethinking Learning Environments
| Reflective Practice Journey: Rethinking Learning Environments 📅 Date: Wednesday, 17th June ⏲️ Time: 10.00 am-12.00 pm 🏢 Venue: Stepping Stones at Yerrabi Ponds, 27 Gundaroo Drive, Gungahlin 🚗 Parking: Free About the Session This session invites educators into a reflective exploration of how learning environments shape children’s engagement, identity, and wellbeing. Together, we will unpack what it means to move from “setting up spaces” to cultivating environments that are intentional, responsive, and grounded in children’s voices. A key focus will be exploring reflective practice models that support educators and leaders to pause, notice, question, and adapt their environments with purpose. Through shared dialogue and practical examples, participants will consider how reflective cycles can strengthen everyday pedagogy and deepen the connection between environment, practice, and learning outcomes. Participant Expectations Professional Learning Network events are interactive, and active participation is expected. Participants are encouraged to share their experiences and ideas, contribute thoughtfully to group discussions, and help foster an inclusive and respectful learning environment where every voice is heard and valued. |
Working Across Services: Strengthening Cross-Sector Connections
| Working Across Services: Strengthening Cross-Sector Connections 📅 Date: Wednesday, 24th June ⏲️ Time: 10.00 am-12.00 pm 🏢 Venue: Southside Venue to be confirmed 🚗Parking: Free About the Session The session will be facilitated by Amanda Tobler. This session brings educators and leaders together to explore what meaningful collaboration looks like across services, sectors, and community partners. We will unpack the practical realities of working beyond organisational boundaries – sharing information, aligning approaches, and building relationships that genuinely support children and families. Through reflective discussion and examples from the ACT context, participants will consider how collaborative practices can reduce duplication, improve transitions, and create more cohesive support pathways. Together, we will identify the enablers, the barriers, and the everyday strategies that support a shift from parallel practice to purposeful partnership. Participant Expectations Professional Learning Network events are interactive, and active participation is expected. Participants are encouraged to share their experiences and ideas, contribute thoughtfully to group discussions, and help foster an inclusive and respectful learning environment where every voice is heard and valued. |
| What are Learning Circles? Facilitated group discussions where participants share experiences, reflect on practice, and deepen understanding around a shared topic or challenge. Participant Expectations: Professional Learning Network events are interactive, and active participation is expected. For those attending online, cameras and microphones should be switched on throughout the session to support group interaction. Participants are encouraged to share their experiences and ideas, contribute thoughtfully to group discussions, and help foster an inclusive and respectful learning environment where every voice is heard and valued. |
Join The ECEC Network
If you’re interested in joining The ECEC Network mailing list, to ensure you don’t miss out on hearing about all of our events, we’d love to hear from you. Please email us today to sign up.
By signing up, you’ll receive updates on sector-wide collaborations, professional learning opportunities, and key initiatives shaping early education and care in the ACT.
The Network is an initiative of the ACT Government’s Set up for Success: An Early Childhood Strategy for the ACT and delivered by ELM.
