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 first quarter of 2026.
Please find below the first Early Education and Care Professional Learning Network events for 2026. This quarter’s program has been designed to support the professional learning needs of all ECEC staff across the ACT.
Our first round of events will be delivered face‑to‑face, as we’ve found that while our online sessions often sell out, actual attendance tends to be low. If you have ideas on how we can strengthen engagement in our online events, we would love to hear them.
March
| Learning Circle- Topic Speaking Up About the Session The session will be co-facilitated by Amanda Tobler and Alasdair Roy and will explore practical strategies to build a confident, skilled, and culturally safe workforce in which educators feel empowered to speak up for themselves, staff, families, and the children in their care. Expected Outcomes By the end of the session, you will have established new professional connections within the ECEC sector and gained practical tips and strategies to enhance your own practice. You will leave with fresh ideas to share with colleagues, leaders, and teams. 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. 📅Date: Friday 20th March ⏲️Time: 9:30 am- 11:30 am 🏢Venue: Hedley Beare Centre for Teaching & Learning, 51 Fremantle Drive, Stirling ACT 2611 🚗Parking: Free |
Due to popular demand, more tickets have been made available for this event.
Learning Circle- Topic Supporting neurodivergent children in early childhood This session will unpack the indicators and implications of neurodevelopmental conditions and neurodiversity in early childhood Overview A Learning Circle focused on creating safe, inclusive ECEC environments starts with understanding the diversity of children we work with. This session will unpack the indicators and implications of neurodivergencey in early childhood About the Session The session will be co-facilitated by Amanda Tobler, Alasdair Roy, and Dr Karen Oakley, Clinical Neuropsychologist and Senior Lecturer in Educational Psychology at the University of Canberra. This session will provide a facilitated discussion to unpack the indicators and implications of neurodevelopmental conditions and neurodiversity in early childhood. A particular focus will be on understanding and responding to behaviours within a neurodevelopmental framework. Practical strategies will be explored to support staff in having conversations with parents, providing referral pathways, working with allied health, and developing and implementing accommodations, adjustments and strategies to support neurodiverse children’s development. 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. 📅Date: Tuesday 31st March ⏲️Time: 10 am-12 pm 🏢Venue: University of Canberra 🚗Parking: Paid |
| 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.
