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 consultation with Early Childhood Education and Care professionals, we are excited to share our calendar of events for the remainder of 2026. 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.”
July Events
Fresh Ideas for Busy Kitchens: Innovation, Inspiration, and Healthy Hacks.
| 📅 Date: Tuesday, 14th July ⏲️ Time: 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm 🏢 Venue: Hedley Beare Centre for Teaching and Learning 🚗Parking: Free Paid About the Session Healthy food experiences are at the heart of quality early childhood programs — but in busy kitchens and fast‑paced services, finding fresh ideas can be a challenge. This practical, energising session is designed specifically for ECEC cooks and educators who support mealtimes. Participants will explore creative approaches to menu planning, simple strategies for boosting nutrition, and clever time‑saving hacks that make healthy eating easier every day. The session will also highlight ways to create positive food experiences for children, from encouraging curiosity to building confidence and independence at mealtimes. Whether you’re looking to refresh your kitchen routines, introduce new flavours, or strengthen your service’s approach to healthy eating, this workshop offers inspiration you can put into practice straight away. 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. |
Supporting Neurodivergent Children in Early Childhood
| 📅 Date: Wednesday, 22nd July ⏲️ Time: 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm 🏢 Venue: Online 🚗Parking: N/A 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. |
August Events
Leading Through Change: Supporting Teams in Uncertain Times
| 📅 Date: Tuesday, 11th August ⏲️ Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm 🏢 Venue: Denman Village Community Centre 🚗Parking: Free About the Session This interactive session will equip leaders with practical, real-world approaches to: Support staff wellbeing: Recognise early signs of stress and burnout, respond with care, and embed everyday wellbeing practices into team routines. Maintain team cohesion: Strengthen trust, communication, and psychological safety so teams stay connected—even under pressure. Navigate change with confidence: Lead through uncertainty with clarity, compassion, and consistency, helping staff feel informed, included, and supported. 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. |
September Events
Emotional Intelligence in Practice: Strengthening Connection, Communication
| 📅 Date: Tuesday 8th September ⏲️ Time: 2pm – 4 pm 🏢 Venue: Hedley Beare Centre for Teaching and Learning 🚗Parking: Free About the Session This session will give participants practical tools to better understand emotions—their own and others’—and use that insight to build stronger, more connected relationships. Together, we’ll explore simple, effective strategies to enhance communication, deepen trust, and support positive teamwork with children, families, and colleagues. Participants will leave with approaches they can apply immediately in everyday interactions, helping create calmer, more collaborative, and emotionally attuned learning environments. 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. |
Infants – How We Hear Children’s Voices
| 📅 Date: Tuesday 22nd September ⏲️ Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm 🏢 Venue: Hedley Beare Centre for Teaching and Learning 🚗Parking: Free About the Session Infants communicate long before they use words. Their voices are expressed through movement, emotion, rhythm, relationships, and the subtle cues they share with the people around them. This session explores how educators can recognise, interpret, and respond to these early forms of communication with confidence and respect. Participants will deepen their understanding of: how infants express agency, preferences, and needs the role of attuned observation in hearing infants’ voices practical strategies for slowing down, noticing patterns, and responding sensitively creating environments where infants feel safe, understood, and empowered. This session supports educators to strengthen relationships, honour infants as active participants, and embed meaningful child voice practices in everyday routines. 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. |
October Events
Supporting Mental Health and Emotional Regulation in OSHC
| 📅 Date: Tuesday 6th October ⏲️ Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm 🏢 Venue: Hedley Beare Centre for Teaching and Learning 🚗Parking: Free About the Session This session will equip participants with practical, strengths‑based strategies to recognise and respond to children’s emotional needs in busy OSHC environments. Together, we’ll explore approaches that promote wellbeing, nurture positive behaviour, and strengthen children’s capacity for self‑regulation. Educators will leave with simple, effective tools they can apply immediately to create calmer, more connected, and emotionally supportive spaces for all children. I 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. |
Emotional Intelligence in Practice: Strengthening Connection, Communication
| 📅 Date: Wednesday 21st October ⏲️ Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm 🏢 Venue: Denman Village Community Centre 🚗Parking: Free About the Session This session will give participants practical tools to better understand emotions—their own and others’—and use that insight to build stronger, more connected relationships. Together, we’ll explore simple, effective strategies to enhance communication, deepen trust, and support positive teamwork with children, families, and colleagues. Participants will leave with approaches they can apply immediately in everyday interactions, helping create calmer, more collaborative, and emotionally attuned learning environments. 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.
