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The Early Education Show

https://www.earlyeducationshow.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com The conversations are honest, reflective and practical. It discusses the “real” side of working in early childhood education, including challenges educators face, leadership pressures and improving practice for children and families.

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A podcast about early childhood education, early learning, childcare and preschool in Australia.

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In this video, Speaker has talked about what are the responsibilities and how we can present ourselves as a leader inside the childcare centre. There is always a room for growth and how we can do gap analysis, and how we can fill that as a leader of the organization.

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The Australian Council for Educational Leaders (ACEL) is a not-for-profit company that actively supports the development of educational leadership capabilities across Australia through conferences and workshops, leadership programs, in-house publications, online resources, and a bookshop. Access to these leadership-focused opportunities is available for classroom teachers through to system leaders.

On their website and platform, educational leaders may join their membership for education workshops, professional development events and supporting research, books or online programs for professional development.

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Early Childhood Education Resources

Websites / Blogs

https://blog.storypark.com

I would recommend this website because it provide practical ideas for early childhood practice. It also support reflective thinking, play-based learning and strong partnerships with families. It help educators understand children’s learning through real examples from practice.

https://www.cela.org.au

This is useful because it supports educators with professional learning and leadership development. It helps to  improve teaching quality and give practical strategies that can be used in everyday practice.

·       https://www.education.gov.au/download/2409/early-childhood-literacy-and-numeracy-building-good-practice-resources-cards/3344/document/pdf

I would recommend this resource because it gives simple and practical ways to support children’s early literacy and numeracy. It shows how learning can happen through play and daily routines.

·       https://qrto.org/o17NcG

This resource is helpful because it provides additional professional learning support. It helps educators strengthen their knowledge and improve their practice in early childhood settings.

Inclusion / Behaviour Support

·       https://education.nsw.gov.au/content/dam/main-education/student-wellbeing/whole-school-approach/media/inclusive-engaging-and-respectful/Student_Behaviour_fact_sheet.pdf

I would recommend this because it guides educators in using positive behaviour support. It  also promote respectful, safe and inclusive learning environments for all children.

https://inclusionagencynswact.org.au/about/the-inclusion-support-program  – This is important because it support inclusive education for all children including those with additional needs. It help educators to use appropriate strategies so every child can participate and feel a sense of belonging.

Documentation & Family Communication Tools

https://blog.storypark.com

I would recommend this because it support communication between educators and families. It also allows educators to share children’s learning and involve families in the learning process. This is useful because it supports planning, observation, and reflection. It helps educators connect children’s interests with intentional teaching and learning outcomes.

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Rare Training (RARE Early Childhood Support Services): 👉 https://rare.support

I explored RARE training which helped me to refresh and enhance my understanding knowledge about children safety and educators' wellbeing which I found really useful and beneficial.

Behavior support grounded in psychology, not just ECEC compliance

Practical, real‑world strategies for trauma, behavior, and emotional regulation

High‑energy presenters who use humor, storytelling, and real case examples

PD that educators actually enjoy, not dry theory

A strong inclusion lens that aligns with your EAL/EALD and wellbeing focus

Workshops that challenge traditional thinking about behavior, triggers, and educator response

1. Strengthens your ability to lead behaviour practice across the team

Rare Training gives you:

A shared language for behaviour

Clear frameworks you can teach to others

Practical strategies you can model and coach

2 Builds confidence in having difficult conversations

Their approach helps leaders:

Understand triggers (child AND educator)

Respond without blame

Reframe behaviour as communication

This makes it easier to guide colleagues who may be struggling, without conflict or defensiveness. A strong Educational Leader needs this emotional intelligence.

3. Enhances reflective practice and team culture

Rare Training encourages:

Reflecting on your own responses

Understanding educator stress cycles

Creating psychologically safe teams

This directly supports transformational leadership.

. Boosts educator wellbeing.

Social media-Digital Child /Educators - Digital Child

Instagram

👉 https://www.instagram.com/digitalchild_au/ (instagram.com in Bing)

LinkedIn

👉 https://www.linkedin.com/company/centre-for-digital-child/ (linkedin.com in Bing)

Educator Resource Hub (their main site)

👉 https://digitalchild.org.au/educators/

Digital Child is one of the few Australian research centres producing fresh, practical, evidence‑based insights on:

digital wellbeing

children’s online behaviours

educator digital capability

AI, technology, and early learning

family digital habits

safe image‑sharing and privacy

STEAM and digital play

Webners

Semann & Slattery – Leadership, Culture & Reflective Practice

Focus: Transformational leadership, team culture, identity, ethics Why it’s out of the box: Deep thinking, provocations, not compliance‑based Link: https://semannslattery.com

-Practical, flexible learning created by specialists in education and leadership. Explore topics like pedagogy, communication, team culture and strategic change. Choose formats that fit your goals and support real impact on your work.

The Kindness Curriculum – Compassionate Leadership

Focus: Mindfulness, wellbeing, emotional intelligence Why it’s out of the box: Leadership through kindness + neuroscience Link: https://thekindnesscurriculum.com

-practical, flexible learning created by specialists in education and leadership” strengthens YOUR leadership — especially as an emerging Educational Leader.

#Blogs

Visible Child (Lisa Murphy)

Why it’s powerful: Focuses on relationships, emotional connection, behaviour, and respectful leadership. Link: https://visiblechild.com

Why it’s practical: Reflective practice, team culture, wellbeing, and leadership confidence. Link: https://theempowerededucatoronline.com

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Digital childhoods are a reality - at home and in the classroom. As collaborative partners dedicated to every child's digital wellbeing, we are committed to creating an educational environment where educators can help children confidently navigate their digital worlds.

Professional learning modules

Lesson plan: Empowering kids across the social media delay

These teaching and learning materials have been developed to support primary school kids and their teachers to have a chat about the delay, explore the impacts, and take action.

Checklists for apps and platforms

The Digital Child's easy-to-use checklist will help staff working in Early Childhood Centres (ECCs) to assess the consequences of using digital apps and platforms.

A suite of resources for educators helping young children and their families use digital technologies

New open access modules from QUT

An introduction to digital play

This e-learning module is designed to help early childhood educators understand and use relational information literacy (RIL) processes to support young children's learning as they engage in digital play.

Can we create a better Children's Internet?

A better Children's Internet would create a better Internet for all. Our researchers have produced a working paper that prompts us to consider what it really means to have fun, productive, safe, diverse and ethical internet experiences.

Catchup on past events via our YouTube channel

We upload recordings of public events to our YouTube channel. Recordings include panel discussion and presentations.

Get our monthly newsletter

Updates on the latest research on children and digital technologies delivered straight to your inbox.

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Digital childhoods are a reality - at home and in the classroom. As collaborative partners dedicated to every child's digital wellbeing, we are committed to creating an educational environment where educators can help children confidently navigate their digital worlds.

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I would like to recommend the following resource:

Spencer, R. A., Joshi, N., Branje, K., Murray, N., Kirk, S. F., & Stone, M. R. (2021). Early childhood educator perceptions of risky play in an outdoor loose parts intervention. AIMS public health, 8(2), 213–228. https://doi.org/10.3934/publichealth.2021017

Risky play and outdoor pedagogy is an approach to early childhood education that recognises the importance of children taking manageable risks through play and exploration. It encourages children to engage in challenging experiences such as climbing, balancing, exploring nature, and problem-solving in outdoor environments. Rather than eliminating all risks, educators support children to develop confidence, resilience, independence, and decision-making skills in a safe and supervised way.

This approach strongly aligns with the Early Years Learning Framework through promoting children’s wellbeing, agency, and active learning. It also connects with the National Quality Standard by supporting safe environments, meaningful relationships, and opportunities for physical and cognitive development. Risky play helps children build self-confidence, persistence, and resilience while encouraging curiosity and engagement with the world around them.

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I found this video really helpful because it explained that leadership in early childhood education is not only about managing people, but also about teamwork, reflection, communication, and supporting each other in everyday practice. One important thing I learned from this video is that strong leadership helps create a positive environment for both educators and children. In early childhood services, this can happen through simple daily actions like listening to coworkers, sharing ideas, helping during busy routines, and communicating respectfully with families and team members.

The video also highlighted how reflection and collaboration are important for improving teaching practices. I could relate this to my own experience while working in childcare because educators often work together to solve problems, support children’s needs, and create better learning experiences. Another important message from this video was that everyone can demonstrate leadership, even student educators. Leadership can be shown through being responsible, supportive, positive, and willing to learn from others. This video encouraged me to become more confident in contributing ideas and working collaboratively with my team. I think this video is very useful for educators because it reminds us that good leadership helps build stronger relationships, better teamwork, and positive outcomes for children.

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The Value of Leadership Development in Early Childhood Systems

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1. Early Childhood Australia Leadership Program- This is a professional learning program designed for current and aspiring leaders in early childhood education.

https://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/professional-learning/eca-learning-hub/online-learning/eca-leadership-program/

2. Early Education Leadership…with a difference- This is a professional development that supports leaders in early childhood education through webinars, mentoring, workshops, and leadership programs. It focuses on “conscious leadership”, which means leading with self-awareness, emotional intelligence, strong relationships, and reflective practice.https://www.earlyeducationleadership.com/leadership-events

3. Be you- Leading an inclusive Learning community-This resource explains how educational leaders can create inclusive environments that support children with developmental delays or disabilities. https://beyou.edu.au/resources/disability-inclusion/disability-inclusion-guide/leading-an-inclusive-learning-community

4. Let’s talk Early Years podcast-The podcast features conversations with educators, leaders, therapists, and industry professionals about important topics in early childhood education. https://linktr.ee/letstalkearlyyears

5. Famly Blog-This is an early childhood education website that shares practical articles, interviews, and professional insights for educators and leaders in ECE settings. The blog covers topics such as leadership, inclusion, educator wellbeing, child development, play-based learning, relationships with families, and reflective practice.https://www.famly.co/blog

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Here are some useful websites, podcasts, and professional learning resources related to leadership and early childhood education that I found interesting and helpful.

1. The Empowered Educator Podcast
This podcast talks about real experiences in early childhood education, including leadership, teamwork, educator wellbeing, and confidence.

https://theempowerededucatoronline.com/2025/06/podcast-ep-02-sensory-integration.html

2. Teacher Tom Blog
This blog shares different ideas and reflections about children behaviour, play, and relationships in early childhood settings. It gives real and honest perspective about working with children and being a thoughtful educator.

https://teachertomsblog.blogspot.com

3. Early Childhood Australia – Leadership Resources
This website has useful leadership articles, resources, and professional learning materials for educators and room leaders.

https://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au

4. Semann & Slattery
Semann and Slattery provide professional development, training and consultancy related to leadership, inclusion, trauma, practice and educator wellbeing.

https://www.semannslattery.com

5. Inspired EC
Inspired EC shares practical ideas, webinars, training, resources and practical ideas for educators and leaders in the sector.

https://www.inspiredec.com

6. Aussie Childcare Network
This website has articles, activity ideas, templates, programming support, and professional information for early childhood educators.

https://aussiechildcarenetwork.com.au

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Anisha Baniya

Blog/Article: Teacher magazine - Teacher

Teacher Magazine is published by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) and features articles about leadership, wellbeing, classroom practice, and educational innovation. The articles are research-based but written in a clear and practical way for educators.

Educational leadership organisations: ACEL

ACEL is a professional organisation that supports leadership development in Australian education. It provides leadership programs, conferences, webinars, and articles that help educators grow into effective leaders.

Professional learning resources: VISIBLE LEARNING - Information About What Works Best For Learning

Visible Learning focuses on evidence-based teaching and leadership practices that improve student outcomes. The platform shares research, professional learning resources, and strategies widely used in Australian schools.

Inclusion agencies: Inclusion Support Program - Department of Education, Australian Government

Supports early childhood services to create inclusive learning environments for children with additional needs.

Webinar: Free On-Demand Leadership Webinars | Real Learning Experience

These short leadership webinars provide practical strategies that educators and leaders can apply in real workplace settings. The sessions focus on communication, teamwork, staff wellbeing, and effective leadership skills in education. They are easy to access, concise, and useful for ongoing professional learning.

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ECA Management Fundamentals Program nurtures future leaders and supports succession planning, enhancing career pathways and organisational sustainability. By improving management across teams, it helps boost effectiveness, productivity, and staff retention while ensuring high-quality education and care. This Program talks about the ECA Leadership Program and Professional learning Initiatives in details which can be helpful for a new leader to shape themselves. Additionally, it also provide the online learning for Pedagogy and Curriculum.

The next wesite that we have is Wholeflow.com.au

WholeFlow Inclusion Co is a values-led practice framework and resource hub designed to support people across the lifespan.

At its core, WholeFlow Inclusion Co honours the understanding that behaviour is communication and that meaningful change begins with connection.WholeFlow Inclusion Co exists to bridge that gap.

Their approach draws from:

Child development theory and lived practice

Social-emotional learning and regulation research

Inclusive, strengths-based and trauma-aware frameworks

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The Program nurtures future leaders and supports succession planning, enhancing career pathways and organisational sustainability. By improving management across teams, it helps boost effectiveness, productivity, and staff retention while ensuring high-quality education and care.

In a dynamic environment, consistent and capable leadership plays a key role in maintaining service quality and supporting the long-term success of education and care organisations.

Start Your Management Journey Today!

Whether you're looking to build your management capacity, meet regulatory obligations, or strengthen your team's performance, this program offers the skills and insights you need to lead with purpose and impact.

Who should enrol

Educational leaders

Team or room leaders

Experienced childhood educators and teachers

Experienced and new service directors and managers

Early childhood consultants

What's included

14 online professional learning courses

Program folder

Online tools and resources

Printed checklists and audit tools

Certificate of completion

Flexible learning

Over 25 hours of content

Self-paced

Enrol at any time

Access to online program content for 6 months

Free factsheet!

This fact sheet showcases a small section of the Management Fundamentals Program. Purchase your copy of the Program today and take the next step in your management journey!

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ECA Management Fundamentals Program - Early Childhood Australia

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The Program nurtures future leaders and supports succession planning, enhancing career pathways and organisational sustainability. By improving management across teams, it helps boost effectiveness, productivity, and staff retention while ensuring high-quality education and care. In a dynamic environment, consistent and capable leadership plays a key role in maintaining service quality and supporting the long-term success of education and care organisations.

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1. ECA Leadership Program & Resources Leadership‑The ECA Leadership Program provides practical tools, coaching, and reflective frameworks designed specifically for early childhood leaders. It supports educators to build confidence in decision‑making, ethical leadership, and team capability.https://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au

2. Zero to Three – Leadership in Infant–Toddler Program: Zero to Three offers research‑based guidance on leading high‑quality programs for infants and toddlers, with a strong focus on brain development, relationships, and responsive caregiving. Their leadership resources help educators strengthen program quality, family partnerships, and reflective supervision.https://www.zerotothree.org/

3. CELA (Community Early Learning Australia) – Leadership Courses: CELA provides practical leadership training tailored to directors, educational leaders, and emerging leaders in ECE. Their courses focus on team culture, compliance leadership, communication, and building confident, capable leadership across services. https://www.cela.org.au

4. KU Children’s Services – Inclusion Agency NSW/ACT-KU’s Inclusion Agency supports leaders to embed inclusive practice through coaching, capability building, and tailored professional guidance. Their approach strengthens leadership confidence in supporting children with diverse needs and fostering equitable, high‑quality learning environments. https://inclusionagencynswact.org.au

5. Raising Children Network:  It provides evidence‑based information on child development, behaviour, and family support that leaders can use to guide practice and mentor teams. The resources help leaders make informed decisions and support educators in delivering developmentally appropriate, inclusive programs. https://raisingchildren.net.au

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I would highly recommend these websites and blogs because they share creative and practical ideas that support children’s learning, inclusion and wellbeing in early childhood settings. I found these resources helpful because they encourage educators to think differently and try new approaches with children.

• The Inspired Treehouse

Website link: https://theinspiredtreehouse.com/

I like this website because it gives fun play-based ideas that support children’s physical development, sensory learning and inclusion through everyday activities.

• Childhood101

Website link: https://childhood101.com/

This website shares simple and practical ideas about behaviour guidance, play experiences and creating positive learning environments for young children.

• The Imagination Tree

Website link: https://theimaginationtree.com/

I found this blog very creative because it includes sensory play, messy play and hands-on activities that encourage children’s curiosity and imagination.

• Visible Child

Website link: https://visiblechild.com/

This blog focuses on building respectful relationships with children and understanding children’s behaviour through emotional connection and support.

• CanChild Centre for Childhood Disability Research

Website link: https://www.canchild.ca/

This is a useful inclusion and allied health resource that supports educators with ideas and research about inclusive practices and supporting children with additional needs.

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Website - The Spoke

The Spoke is an online early childhood blog created by Early Childhood Australia. It shares articles, research, reflections, and professional learning resources for educators, teachers, leaders, and families in the early childhood sector.

The Spoke - Early Childhood Australia

Website - The Sector

The Sector is a popular Australian early childhood education news and professional learning website used by educators, leaders, and services across the sector. It includes the below-

Reading about leadership, curriculum, and pedagogy

Learning about ACECQA, EYLF, and NQF updates

Finding professional development opportunities

Accessing sector news, opinions, and research articles

Latest news/changes in ECEC services.

Early Childhood Education & Child Care News

Website - Starting Blocks

It is an Australian government website that provides trusted information for families and educators about early childhood education and care. It is run by the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA).

Home | Early Childhood Education & Care | StartingBlocks.gov.au

Website - AEDC

It is a national Australian government website that provides information about children’s development when they start school. The site explains the purpose of the AEDC, the five key developmental domains, and how the data is used to support early childhood education and improve outcomes for children. It also offers reports, resources, and tools for educators, schools, and communities to better understand and support children’s learning and wellbeing.

Home | Australian Early Development Census (AEDC)

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Websites & Blogs

The Sector – ECEC leadership news and sector updates

Inspired EC – Inquiry learning, pedagogy, leadership

The Empowered Educator – Reflective practice and wellbeing

Reimagine Australia – Inclusion and family-centred practice

Webinars & Professional Learning

Spot Training Hub – Neuroaffirming and inclusion training

Noah’s Ark Training – Inclusive education webinars

Koorana – Inclusion workshops and educator support

Inclusion Agencies & Allied Health

Koorana Child & Family Services

Allies for Autism

The Whole Child Allied Health

Social Media Pages

Inspired EC Instagram

Mr Chazz Instagram – Behaviour and emotional intelligence

Mona Delahooke Instagram – Trauma-informed behaviour support

PreK Partner Instagram – Autism and inclusion strategies

Outside-the-Box Ideas

TED Talks by Simon Sinek, Brené Brown, and Rita Pierson

Follow content on psychological safety, restorative practice, and trauma-informed leadership, not just education pages.

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Inclusion Support Program

Supports ECEC services to build inclusive practices and address barriers to participation.

KU Children’s Services

Runs Inclusion Agencies in several Australian states and provides professional inclusion support.

Gowrie SA

Provides tailored inclusion support and multidisciplinary guidance for educators.

Yooralla

Offers specialist inclusion supports and equipment services for educators and children with additional needs

Raising Children Network

Very practical information for educators and families around disability, behaviour, development, trauma, and wellbeing.

WholeFlow Inclusion Co

A newer inclusion platform focused on connection-centred and trauma-aware practice. Strong emphasis on behaviour as communication and emotional regulation.

The ECA Podcast

Surprisingly good discussions around inclusion, diversity, and leadership.

Teaching with the Body in Mind

Focuses on movement, regulation, sensory needs, and neuroscience.

The Imperfects

Not education-specific, but incredible for leadership, wellbeing, vulnerability, and emotional intelligence.

Raising Good Humans

Great for understanding co-regulation and respectful communication.

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These websites, podcasts, inclusion organizations, and social media blogs can assist me as an early childhood educator enhance my leadership abilities, teaching, and comprehension of children's learning and development. They provide useful suggestions that I can apply to my everyday work with children, families, and colleagues.

Websites such as Learn Play Thrive, for examples, guide educators about leadership, reflective practice, and fostering happy learning environments. These resources help me gain more self-assurance when working with groups and encouraging kids to learn via play. Learn Play Thrivehttps://learnplaythrive.comLearn Play Thrive

I may also easily and flexibly continue my professional education with the aid of podcasts and webinars. I get new perspectives on relationships, leadership, and care for children in early childhood settings from listening to podcasts like Shine On Podcast. Apple Podcastshttps://podcasts.apple.comShine On - an Early Childhood Education Podcast

Social media sites like Learning Through Play Australia and The Empowered Educator provide me with innovative play setups, games, and curriculum ideas that I can modify for children who are in my service. The Empowered Educatorhttps://theempowerededucatoronline.comLearning Activities

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1. The Spoke (Early Childhood Australia Blog)
https://thespoke.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au

Real educator voices, reflection, pedagogy, and leadership insights

1. Early Childhood Intervention Australia (ECIA)
https://www.ecia.org.au

Inclusion strategies and early intervention support for children with additional needs

1. The Conversation – Education Section
https://theconversation.com/au/education

Research-based articles written by academics in an easy-to-understand format

1. Raising Children Network (Australia)
https://raisingchildren.net.au

Evidence-based child development, behaviour, and family engagement strategies

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Education and Leadership websites;

1..The Empowered Educator Online
it is a website with practical ideas about behaviour guidance, play-based learning, and supporting children’s development.

2.Teach Starter Blog
Provides us educators with creative learning experiences, classroom ideas, and educator wellbeing strategies.

3.Raising Children Network
provides us  evidence-based information for educators and families about children’s learning, behaviour, and wellbeing

4.Big Life Journal

Focuses on growth mindset, resilience, confidence, and emotional wellbeing in children

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The Fee-Free ECEC Professional Learning Program at TAFE NSW is a grovernment funded initiative that gives early childhood educators and teachers in NSW free access to high-quality professional learning and leadership development. It includes short online microskills, interactive webinars, face-to-face workshops, and targeted leadership intensives, all designed by sector experts and delivered through TAFE's online platform. The program is open to all ECEC professionals working in or, living in NSW, is self-paced and flexible, and is a part of a broader strategytegy to reduce burnout, support career progression, and strengthen the early childhood workforce.

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The NSW Department of Education has partnered with TAFE NSW to launch an exciting new program that will support the professional learning of early childhood educators and teachers across NSW. As part of an election commitment, Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) professionals will have the opportunity to strengthen their knowledge, uplift their skills and grow their careers with access to fee-free*, targeted online professional learning and leadership development programs.

* Eligibility criteria, terms and conditions may apply and will be advised.

About the Program

The program will provide fee-free*

Face-to-face workshops featuring ECEC experts and speakers

Targeted leadership development programs

Interactive webinars

Professional learning resources

Communities of practice and other networking opportunities

24/7 access to the online learning platform

Are you an ECEC service provider?

The ECEC Professional Learning Program has been created for the sector, by the sector. While continuing to ensure that professional development opportunities for ECEC professionals cover the areas of interest that educators seek, assistance is being sought in identifying future topics for webinars, microskills and workshops.

Suggestions on the training needs, key topics or professional priorities are encouraged. Please complete this form to provide TAFE NSW with insights that will inform the development of the ECEC Professional Learning Program.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Early Childhood Education and Care Professional Learning Program?

Delivered in partnership between the NSW Department of Education and TAFE NSW, this fee-free program will help early childhood education and care (ECEC) professionals across NSW access quality professional learning to uplift professional capability and support career growth.

Online microskills will be universally available to all ECEC professionals, regardless of their qualifications and experience.

Recognising the aim of the ECEC Workforce election commitment to address burnout and retention, leadership programs will be designed in collaboration with ECEC sector experts to provide targeted leadership capability development.

The program forms part of a suite of initiatives being developed by the NSW Department of Education to attract and retain ECEC professionals. It builds on TAFE NSW's ongoing commitment to train ECEC educators and teachers through VET qualifications and an early childhood teaching degree program.

Who is this program for?

The Early Childhood Education and Care Professional Learning Program is aimed at NSW early childhood educators and teachers looking to develop their skills and capability for professional growth.

What is a microskill?

A microskill is a short online course you can complete in as little as one hour at a time that suits your work commitments and lifestyle.

I'm interested how do I find out more?

Any questions about the program can be directed to ECECProfessionalLearning@tafensw.edu.au

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NSW Department of Education and TAFE NSW offer fee-free online professional learning for early childhood educators, launching Spring 2024. Enhance your skills and knowledge today.

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ACEL events are game-changers for educators like us. They pack real-world PD into conferences, workshops, and webinars—like the annual National Conference (next one's shaping up post-2024's "Reimagining Education" in Adelaide), where top Aussie and global speakers tackle hot topics from team burnout to inclusive play that fits NQS without the basic. It is no government arm, just educators lifting each other up with evidence-based tools that work in Australian ECE realities.

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ACEL acknowledges First Australians, the traditional custodians of country throughout Australia. We recognise their continuing culture, their contribution and connection to land, waters and community, and we pay our respect to elders past, present and emerging.

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Reimagine Australia : Inclusion in Practice

https://reimagine.org.au/practitioner/inclusion-in-practice/

I recommend Reimagine Australia’s Inclusion in Practice resource because it supports early childhood educators to understand inclusion as a basic right for every child. It provides helpful information about how educators can create environments where children with developmental delays, disability, or diverse learning needs feel a strong sense of belonging and can participate meaningfully.

This resource is useful for educators and educational leaders because it encourages reflective practice, inclusive planning, collaboration with families, and working alongside allied health professionals. It also supports leaders to advocate for children’s rights and guide other educators in creating inclusive learning environments.

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I explored the Early Education Leadership website (https://www.earlyeducationleadership.com), which offers professional development specifically designed for early childhood leaders and educators. This platform focuses on strengthening leadership capability through coaching, mentoring, workshops, and reflective practice, rather than policy-based or compliance-focused content.

What stands out about this organisation is its emphasis on “conscious leadership”, where leaders are encouraged to be self-aware, emotionally regulated, and intentional in their decision-making. The website highlights how leadership in early childhood is deeply relational, requiring strong communication, trust-building, and the ability to support team wellbeing while maintaining quality practice in centres.

The programs offered include one-on-one coaching, group leadership programs, and tailored workshops for early childhood teams. These are designed to support educational leaders, directors, and educators in managing real workplace challenges such as difficult conversations, team dynamics, and sustaining quality improvement.

A key idea from the site is that effective leadership is not just about management or compliance, but about creating emotionally safe, connected, and reflective environments where both educators and children can thrive. It also strongly connects leadership development to wellbeing, communication skills, and professional growth rather than just documentation or frameworks.

Overall, this is a valuable resource because it provides a more human and relational approach to leadership in early childhood education. It supports educators in building confidence, strengthening team culture, and leading with purpose in complex and changing environments.

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The Koori Curriculum: A leading resource for embedding Aboriginal perspectives into early childhood programs with authentic, community-led insights.

Early Education Leadership: Focuses specifically on the "soft skills" of leadership, such as communication, trust-building, and emotional regulation within teams.

EduTribe: A community-focused platform offering practical resources like positive behaviour support planning and critical reflection guides for educators.

ECTARC: Provides 2026-specific sessions on topics such as avoiding burnout, staying steady under stress, and embedding cultural responsiveness.

Noah’s Ark: Offers tailored "School Readiness" packages where Allied Health Teams (speech pathologists and OTs) work directly with educators to build their confidence in supporting children with additional needs.

@show_me_the_monet: Run by Australian art teachers, this page provides incredible mixed-media project inspiration that often includes a collaborative element for the whole class.

@aplayfilledlife: A macro-influencer focusing on play-based behaviour, sensory support, and special education (M.Ed. Special Ed).

@montessorifromtheheart: Led by an early years expert, this page focuses on "ditching guilt" and raising confident, screen-free children through modern Montessori methods.

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"Zero to Three" is a research-based organisation focused on the healthy development of infants and toddlers from birth to three years. It provides valuable resources about child development, behaviour guidance, emotional wellbeing, trauma-informed practice, relationships, and family support. The website includes articles, videos, and practical strategies that educators and families can easily apply in everyday interactions with young children.

I chose this resource because it focuses strongly on early relationships and emotional development, which are essential in early childhood education. I also like that the information is evidence-based but still easy to understand and practical to use in real learning environments. It helps educators better understand children’s behaviour, support inclusion, and build responsive relationships with children and families.

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Upcoming Professional Development Opportunities for Early Childhood Professionals

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Enhance your skills & knowledge in early childhood development with expert-led sessions. View upcoming professional development trainings by Zero to Three!

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Webinar - Child Australia Training

Child Australia Webinars (https:// childaustralia.org.au/training) offer great professional development for educators. Their sessions include topics like educational leadership, child wellbeing, inclusion, and service quality. The webinars are practical, affordable, and designed to help early childhood professionals strengthen leadership skills and teamwork within their centres.

Inclusion Agency - KU Children's Services ISA

The KU Inclusion Support Agency (https:// ku.com.au/childcare/ISA) helps educators include all children by offering professional guidance, resources, and workshops. Their support helps teachers create inclusive learning environments and confidently support children with additional needs.

KU also promotes teamwork and reflective practice in early education.

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Wedsite-

https://www.aitsl.edu.au

blog- https://www.cela.org.au/publications/amplify!-blog/jun-2017/welcome-to-community-early-learning-australia

webinar-

https://beyou.edu.au

Inclusion agencies-

https://www.ku.com.au/what-we-do/external-inclusion-programs/inclusion-support-program

Allied health proffesionals-

https://www.ndis.gov.au/understanding/families-and-carers/early-childhood-approach-children-younger-9

Social Media page- https://www.instagram.com/kooricurriculum/

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The Connect Childcare blog on leadership styles in nursery management explores how different approaches impact staff, teamwork, and children’s development. It outlines styles such as democratic, authoritarian, transformational, and laissez-faire, showing how each influences motivation and workplace culture. The article highlights the importance of strong leadership in creating a positive, supportive environment that enhances the quality of care. Practical strategies, including leadership assessments, regular team meetings, and consistent feedback, are suggested to strengthen management effectiveness. Understanding and applying these leadership styles helps nurseries foster collaboration, boost staff morale, and support children’s growth and wellbeing.

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EdLeaders – https://www.edleaders.com.au

Why it’s great:

It’s an Australian platform dedicated to inspiring and developing educational leaders through podcasts, blogs, and interviews with real school and early education leaders.

Focuses on authentic leadership, innovation, and personal growth rather than compliance.

Features practical discussions on team culture, mentoring, wellbeing, and change management in education.

It’s ideal for educators looking to expand leadership thinking beyond regulations and frameworks.

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I choose Inclusive Educators Australia. I am an early childhood room leader. Being a room leader, I aim to provide an inclusive environment for all the children. As I went through this site, it helped me to provide equity and inclusive environments for children, families and colleagues. It helped me to actively listen and recognise unconscious bias.

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I have chosen the article “A Guide to Great Leadership in Early Childhood Education” because it provides practical and actionable insights into effective leadership within early childhood settings. Unlike purely theoretical sources, this article focuses on real-world strategies for inspiring, mentoring, and guiding educators, highlighting essential qualities such as communication, emotional intelligence, ethical practice, and strategic vision. It also emphasises the importance of fostering a positive team culture through collaboration, professional growth, and reflective practice, which directly benefits children’s learning and wellbeing. Furthermore, the article encourages continuous improvement and self-reflection, aligning closely with current ECEC standards and expectations. Overall, it offers a comprehensive, evidence-informed perspective that is highly relevant and directly applicable to both aspiring and current leaders in early childhood education.

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A guide to great educational leadership in early childhood

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Examine the value of leadership in the early years, uncover the responsibilities educational leaders and get tips for excelling in the role.

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The “Full Guide to Leadership in Early Childhood Education” highlights the vital role of strong, compassionate leadership in creating nurturing and high-quality learning environments. It explores key leadership traits like communication, emotional intelligence, and adaptability, while also offering practical strategies such as leading by example, fostering teamwork, and supporting professional growth. The article emphasizes that effective leaders not only guide their teams but also advocate for children, engage families, and drive continuous improvement in early childhood settings. To become a leader, we need a clear vision and the ability to support others. This article provides the information that is simple but also very effective.

Dhriti Deswal

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Full Guide to Leadership in Early Childhood Education

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Leadership in early childhood education is very important, we will explore the strategies that make a great leader in this field.

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In this article, by Buysee and Hollingsworth (2019) highlights the need to connect early childhood program quality with professional development, especially for inclusive programs serving children with disabilities.

They mentioned that program should be linked to children outcomes which deepens heavily on practioner skills, by creating safe environments, intentional teaching and family partnerships. In program standards, NAEYC often address general quality but lacks specific indicators to high-quality inclusion. High-quality inclusion combines general recommended practices with specialized strategies (e.g., Universal Design for Learning, embedded interventions, tiered instruction) plus strong collaboration across stakeholders. Infuse inclusive program quality into professional development, give practitioners opportunities to assess and improve standards, and align with evidence-based instructional and collaborative practices. Here is a concise diagram summarizing the NPDCI professional development framework linked with key components of high-quality early childhood inclusion:

Komal.K

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I have chosen the article “Leadership and retention in early childhood education” because this article explains the critical role of effective leadership while addressing the workforce shortages and increase in educators’ retention(holding/preservation). While the sector is growing, the high turnover of the educators has brought a great impact on the requirement strategies. This article mentions the research which states that there is the shortage of early childhood educators which has highly impacted the leadership and how the working condition and supporting the educators are negatively affected. So, while moving towards the leadership position, we should have the knowledge of how the early childhood industry is running and what are the reasons that bring an impact on the educators. keeping up to date on the research and retention in early childhood education can help leaders to build on their perspective to offer a guidance for the diverse contexts within Australia.

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Leadership and retention in early childhood education - Belinda Downey, Will Letts, Leanne Gibbs, Sharynne McLeod, 2024

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Global early childhood education workforce shortages have highlighted the importance of recruitment and retention. The development of effective leadership has n…

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I chose the Aspect – Workshops and Webinars resource because I find their approach really practical and relatable. Their sessions help educators like me understand and support autistic children in meaningful ways. I especially appreciate that the programs are co-designed with autistic people, which makes the learning feel authentic and grounded in real experiences. I also like how flexible their options are, with live webinars, eBooks, and customised sessions that work around a busy schedule. What stood out most to me is Aspect’s strong focus on empathy and collaboration — it really encourages me to reflect on my own practice and think about how I can create a learning environment where every child feels respected, supported, and included.

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In my understanding early childhood settings leadership shapes our services pedagogical quality, children learning environment and inclusive learning setting. In my view effective leadership means leaders in early childhood education empower teaching style, foster collaborative inquiry, advocate for children rights and adapt to changing community needs. A great leader assist educators and teachers work together , supports children learning and build a safe and meaningful learning environment. Leadership doesn’t say about management only its all doesn’t caring, listening others, helping others to grow. Leadership skills are guide others with kindness, , confidence and  listening their views so everyone feel safe, valued and respected.

https://shop.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/product/rip2104/?srsltid=AfmBOops0ZCDiHZX_Ljl3JSNUNbylQX3PHyeSo-t6TKMJllXuuAmYhcf

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Leadership-as-practice in early childhood education and care settings | Early Childhood Australia Shop

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Description

This book also outlines the need for:

focusing less on the heroic, charismatic individual and more on the collective action of emerging and positional leaders

practising leadership and understanding effective leadership as a foundation for positional leadership roles

engaging educators in the practices of leading and leadership.

By planning for the preparation of leaders, organisations can strengthen the quality of their educational programs, provide opportunities for educators and ensure continuity of the profession.

ECA Digital Library is your all-in-one subscription offering greater flexibility, more content, and a seamless digital experience. Including flipbook versions of the Research in Practice and Everyday Learning Series titles and accompanying downloadable resources subscribe to ensure all your professional learning needs are met.

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Leadership-as-practice in early childhood education and care settings | Early Childhood Australia Shop

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By Leanne Gibbs Despite the link between the quality of early childhood education and care (ECEC) settings and leadership enactment, leading and leadership are not always fully understood or developed within the profession. The sector will need more leaders in the future, so it is important to cultivate leadership for not just formal positions but also staff at all levels.

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I chose the article “How Do They Manage? A Review of the Research on Leadership in Early Childhood” by Muijs, Aubrey, Harris, and Briggs (2004) explores what is known about leadership in early childhood settings. The authors found that research on this topic is limited and often focuses more on management tasks such as administration and supervision rather than educational or pedagogical leadership that supports children’s learning. Early childhood leaders often manage many responsibilities — including staff support, parent engagement, and daily routine — but many feel underprepared due to limited leadership training. The authors highlight the need for more research to define what effective leadership looks like in early childhood education and to provide professional development that helps leaders balance management duties with a strong educational vision

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Tracey begins his video by mentioning that leaders never stop growing and developing which is very impressive. I also personally believe that being a leader is having that inner reflections and continuous passion for growth and learning from other leaders, children, educators, families and community. Leaders are never mean to be perfect and always commit towards learning and growing more. So, I can agree with him on that phrase. He says in the video that we should read, study and do courses for regular improvement. Now, in context of early learning education, I would refer it as Professional Development including books, articles, webinars, seminars, any reflective meetings, discussions to keep us relevant and updated in the education field. Next, he says to find the leadership quality that you are missing, So as I am Humar resource type of leader, I feel like I need to focus on conflict management, building trust and transparency hand in hand balancing people and tasks. So, critically reflecting on what he said I need to focus on my goals or my area of improvement to be a good leader. He inspires us not to look at our past mistakes or any regrets such as missing out on an opportunity but rather focus on what is ahead of us so I will have to think of how I need to lead my team for better future outcomes. Following this, he shares 4 steps to improve the leadership skills such as:

·       Do more of certain things: Do more things of what have greater value to you and more important to achieving positive results as a leader.

·       Do less of certain things: Deliberately reduce amount of time you spend on activities that take you nowhere.

·       Start to do things you aren’t doing that you need to be doing: Identify the skills and knowledge that you need to be a great leader and start working on them.

·       Make changes to your goals: What you considered important in the past might not be important for you anymore. Take a step back and re-evaluate those steps and time you spent on the previous goals and change or replace them wisely.

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4 Tips to Improve Leadership Skills | Brian Tracy

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https://studyonline.canberra.edu.au/blog/leadership-redefined-what-educational-leadership-and-why-it-important

I chose the article " Leadership redefined: What is educational leadership and why is it important?" from the University of Canberra's blog because it provides a modern viewpoint on the changing role of leadership in education. According to the article, good educational leadership entails directing, motivating, and creating a supportive learning atmosphere in addition to handling administrative duties. This supports my view that inclusive, dynamic, and child-centered leadership is essential in the educational field. The post aligns with my principles and goals in the field of educational leadership by emphasising the value of flexibility and a people-first approach.

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What makes a good educational leader? The landscape is changing and with it, so is the role and need for effective leadership. Evidence shows teachers and school leaders have the greatest influence on student achievement, but gone are the days of simply implementing a curriculum in the classroom.

Educational leadership in 2024 and beyond demands the critical ability to apply theory in practice - creating inclusive environments that empower today's teachers and students to thrive in a tech-driven world.

Historically, the need for more resources and an emphasis on academic achievement in classrooms has overshadowed the importance and development of leadership skills. But the ability to influence positive change and pioneer new teaching strategies is critical - now, more than ever.

Forward-focused universities have noticed this gap and are taking steps to close it by offering leadership specialisations in some Master of Education degrees. With units on inclusion, well-being and managerial skills, the specialisation is designed to equip educators with the unique skills needed to navigate the contemporary educational landscape.

While no one can predict the future of education, one thing we can be sure of is that it will be marked by change. Leadership skills will be the cornerstone of success as schools navigate these shifts - but which ones are most valuable and how can aspiring educational leaders cultivate them?

Below, we delve into why leadership is important in education and what makes a good leader. We also answer the core question - what is a master's in educational leadership?

What is an educational leader and why do we need them?

Educational leadership is about developing a vision and empowering educators to bring it to life by providing direction and support where needed.

In 2024, the role of an educational leader will entail:

Creating dynamic and optimal learning environments.

Promoting academic excellence across all levels of learning.

Encouraging a growth mindset and building confidence amongst learners.

Fostering collaboration and communication among peers.

Supporting individual needs by recognising diversity and pioneering inclusion.

Implementing innovative teaching strategies that adapt to tech-driven changes.

With the surge in popularity of online learning and the rapid advancements in technology, such as AI, the role of educational leaders has become increasingly essential and central to shaping a school's culture. These leaders have to advocate for the needs of students and staff, and drive innovation to meet the ever-evolving demands of education.

Strengthening educational leadership is so vital that it has been identified as a key priority by the UNESCO International Institute for Educational Planning. The institute states that school leaders working through a managerial lens can provide safe, inclusive and equitable learning environments. They can also help schools achieve success by improving students' academic and well-being outcomes, as well as staff cohesion and teamwork.

What makes a good educational leader?

Effective educational leadership is multifaceted, requiring a range of skills and abilities often used continuously and simultaneously.

Leaders in this space come from various work backgrounds with differing expertise, but there are certain traits that the most effective leaders share. With the right education and training, the following leadership skills can be learned.

Strategic thinking

This isn't just about understanding current educational trends and patterns but truly grasping the future of the educational industry. Strong leaders are able to recognise opportunities for improvement and effectively craft plans for their institutions to achieve them. Strategic thinking is one of the core skills aspiring educational leaders need to hone.

Collaboration

Working harmoniously with faculty members, teachers, staff, parents and fellow educational leaders is key to driving positive change and achieving shared objectives. Effective educational leaders know that success is a collective effort and possess the skills to forge connections where needed most.

Problem-solving skills

Effective educational leaders excel in designing creative strategies that address the myriad of challenges schools face - from resource allocation to inclusion policies to tech adoption. Cultivating a solution-focused mindset rather than a problem-focused mindset is vital. The hallmark of successful leadership is the ability to tackle challenges with innovative solutions. Successful leaders are adaptive, adept and proactive.

Emotional awareness

Fostering a positive and inclusive learning environment is a fundamental responsibility of educational leaders and high emotional intelligence is crucial to achieving this goal. Understanding and managing your own emotions and those of others is essential for leaders to implement change and navigate inevitable challenges effectively.

Adaptability

The education sector is undergoing tectonic shifts driven by tech advancements, societal changes and policy reform. Leaders who can navigate these changes smoothly, adapting their strategies and approaches accordingly, thrive in their careers.

Stakeholder engagement

Effective leaders engage with various stakeholders - including students, parents, staff, the local community, and educational systems and communities. The ability to communicate effectively and authentically, understand stakeholder needs and build strong relationships that support the institution's goals is what sets successful educational leaders apart.

Why study leadership in education?

A postgraduate specialisation in leadership is perfect for teachers or anyone in the education sector who wants to drive positive change for students, fellow educators and the wider industry. Securing senior or leadership positions in schools is the most impactful way to achieve this.

School leadership is a significant area of focus for the Australian government, so job prospects will be positive for graduates. These roles are most often higher paid and many of them require postgraduate education.
Popular educational leadership roles include:

Curriculum Coordinator or Specialist

Principal

Deputy Principal

Early Childhood Director

Education Assessment Specialist

Executive Principal

Executive Teacher

Head of Department or Faculty

Instructional Leader

School Leader

School Policy Adviser or Developer

Student Wellbeing Manager

Year Adviser

A master's degree opens doors to these roles, equipping leaders and aspiring leaders in education with the skills needed to excel.

Why choose a leadership specialisation with University of Canberra's Master of Education?

If deciding to undergo a postgraduate qualification in leadership education is the most pivotal decision in your career, deciding where to complete it is a very close second.

University of Canberra (UC)'s Master of Education Online is designed specifically for educators who want to further their impact and develop advanced educational leadership skills for the industry of tomorrow. The 100% online and accelerated course offers great flexibility, making it easier for students to balance work and family commitments. Key features include:

Industry-leading curriculum: Gain a deep understanding of contemporary leadership theories and practices, with a differentiating focus on real-world application.

Expert faculty: Learn from experienced educators and leaders who have positively impacted the field of education - benefit from their knowledge and practical expertise.

Flexibility for full-time work: Complete your coursework on your own schedule, from any device or location, without disrupting your work and personal life.

Build your network: Connect with a diverse network of current and future leaders to increase collaboration and growth.

With industry-informed units such as Educational Leadership and Change, Leading and Developing Educators, and Educational Management and Administration to delve into, students are empowered to establish a holistic influence on school success.

You'll hone the critical skills for effective leadership - strategic thinking, problem-solving skills, emotional intelligence, collaboration, adaptability - and more.

The specialisation fortifies the students' leadership toolkit to navigate the contemporary educational landscape, empower school communities, plus support student outcomes and development in your colleagues.

The education industry needs more leaders - will you be one of them?

The education sector is on the cusp of an entirely new era - of diverse and inclusive classrooms, where tech proficiency is a baseline expectation. Both students and educators alike will be empowered to thrive in a rapidly changing employment landscape.

Schools and educational institutions need highly qualified and highly skilled leaders at the helm to ensure not only can they navigate these challenges but also create positive impacts alongside them.

A postgraduate specialisation in leadership education provides the key that unlocks many doors - whether you're looking to climb the ladder in your current career path or skip a rung to a new position entirely. Graduates will be equipped to respond to existing and emerging challenges in education to drive positive, lasting impact where it matters most.

If you've ever considered redefining leadership in education, becoming a catalyst for change, or influencing the future of learning, a Master of Education may be for you.

Ready to take your education career to the next level? Gain advanced leadership skills and tools to influence positive change in modern education environments. Learn more about the Master of Education Online by visiting our website.

You can also get in touch with one of our Student Enrolment Advisers on 1300 471 770.

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Leadership redefined: What is educational leadership and why is it important?

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What makes a good educational leader? The landscape is changing and with it, so is the role and need for effective leadership. Evidence shows teachers and school leaders have the greatest influence on student achievement, but gone are the days of simply implementing a curriculum in the classroom.

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I chose this blog because it highlights the importance of mentoring as a core part of leadership in early childhood education. The idea of mentoring as a cultural shift which strengthens educator’s confidence, wellbeing and reflective practice stood out for me. I want to encourage early childhood educators (including myself) to reflect and remove the idea or thought that “it is not a part of my job title’ mindset.

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Cultivating a Mentoring Culture in Your Early Childhood Service

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Discover how to cultivate a mentoring culture in your early childhood service. Embedding mentoring strengthens educator wellbeing, leadership confidence, and alignment with the NQS and workforce strategy. Learn practical steps to build reflective practice, empower Educational Leaders, and retain quality staff. Start your journey with our free mentoring tool for leaders.

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I have chosen a Community Childcare Association (CCC)or ''It takes a village''. I was recommended by my colleague when she started working with children 10 years The Community Childcare Association (CCCA) gives educators and other professionals free tools and advice to help them become better leaders and educators. It helps leaders to improve communication, teamwork, and reflective practice. The platform also promotes advocacy, inclusivity, and continual growth, which gives educators the tools they need to maintain great programs and ensure that every child is supported on their learning . It helps educators express their ideas, feel surer of themselves, and make good decisions.

This link has both paid and unpaid resources that support educators in developing leadership and educational skills through free professional resources and practical guides. It has their own blog. When you log in, you can also receive some free resources. You can access some "why" answers like “Can a doctor’s clearance certificate override our policies? Where?” It also provides useful links under national advocacy organizations for community services and families. CCCA also helps educators learn about their duties as leaders and management of services. Overall, it encourages educators to be confident, reflect, and work together as collaborative leaders in early childhood education

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This blog by New Readers is an excellent resource for current and emerging leaders. It provides the information about how leadership is not a single style; it is a blend of styles which we can adapt while inspiring, growing and supporting the school communities. It encourages educators to reflect on their own leadership identity and recognise that self-awareness and adaptability play a vital role in shaping the positive and successful school culture. Instructional leadership is the foundation of the growth , where the leader creates an environment where learning comes first for the children and the educators, building a supporting system and focusing on improved outcomes for all decisions. This article identifies 5 different leadership styles. The transformational leadership is inspiring your team with clear vision high expectations and motivating the team. Adaptive leadership is navigating change as opportunity helping the team to deal with uncertainty in a creative way enhancing resilience. Servant leadership is one where the people come first, listening to them empowering and supporting their growth building good trust and relationship. Inclusive leadership actively seeks for diverse voice, all the voice are heard and people are values and involved in the decision-making process. Coaching leadership is to help other build skills and leadership capacity by  feedback, mentoring and unlocking their potential.

I believe this blog is genuinely important for any leader in Ealry Childhood Education care (ECEC) as it goes beyond theory and shows what true leadership is about which is about people not the process. I believe that leadership in ECEC is not only about ticking boxes or managing routines. Its about inspiring the team, building real trust and creating an inclusive, safe environment where children and educators can grow and feel supported. Leaders are the role model who shapes the team culture , guide the team on how they think and practice with respect and empathy. I believe this five leadership style are not just an nice ideas they are the practical way of putting those principle in action every day. I believe when ECEC leader use these combined leadership styles according to situation and circumstances, they can support inspire their educators. Building trust and relationship with children and families, think and reflect based on what children really need by encouraging adaptive thinking and lead with both vision and compassion.

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Five Leadership Styles for Aspiring Principals to Explore | New Leaders Blog

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Leadership isn’t a single style—it’s a blend of styles you can adapt as needed to inspire, grow, and support your school. Explore seven approaches that can shape your future role.

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From, This video explains that being a leader is more than simply a job title but a mission with a clear vision. As a leader, she is presented as an explorer, mentor, and highly experienced professional who inspires and motivates educators to improve their teaching and learning practices.

When I watched her story, I felt like it was quite similar to me and how I jumped from being an assistant educator to RP and room leader. As a mother of 2 children, I came to Australia to gain more experience. Where I continued studies for certificate III, diploma and now the final year of ECT. I started working in early childhood education from 2022 as an assistant educator. My centre leader was quite impressed with my work on my first day. I worked in the same preschool room over the 2 years, where I am constantly excited to work with children and have inspired many of my coworkers. They also mentioned how positive I am, always speaking in a respectful tone and being honest, patient, and committed in working with children. I continually work hard and try to do my best. Within two years, it was my best experience dealing with children. After that, I wanted to flow more, so I went to another centre. I had interviews, and they offered me work as a preschool room leader, but I didn’t agree with the offer because of studies and the full-time work requirement. When I started my 1st year, they offered me to work as an RP and room leader; now, I could see my ups and downs because of my part-time work commitments. However, I always balance my room and my amazing team. I am a thoughtful and purposeful room leader as well as well organised with everything and love lists and learning experiences. When working as a team, I don't like conflict, and I prefer to ask someone rather than tell them. I am neat, tidy and detail-focused. For example, I still remember that I went to visit my family for 2 weeks last time. Before I came back, my team wrote in the communication book, 'Damanta will be back after 3 days. Make sure everything is tidied up and well organised. Team have to do everything on time and follow the same pattern, which I continue to follow in my room.' I was inspired by it. I always feel proud of myself for how I achieved it from the first year until now. When I was in the first year, I was struggling to communicate in a professional way. I hesitated to speak in front of the large group, but throughout the journey, it shaped my mind. Nothing is impossible; focus on what we do with dedication, and we can achieve everything.

My strengths include effective organisation and process direction, fostering equity in practices, providing clear instruction, and leading and mentoring educators. During a room meeting, my manager and education leader also mentioned to me that I work hard, am well-detailed and structured, am a good planner, have excellent time management skills, have a high level of patience, and have a thorough understanding of various strategies for working with children. For example, when children are frustrated or overwhelmed, ques use the strategies to use in the messy situation. I am always exploring my roles and responsibilities for the purpose to grow and gain confidence in allocating duties and dealing with difficult discussions with colleagues. I've always believed that a great team is made up of people who are reflective, adaptable, and eager to learn.

My weakness is sometimes I find it difficult to manage communication with new peers, because some of the new ones have language barriers and lack of training and working style. To achieve this one, I will spend time observing teams and how they communicate during the classroom meeting and daily routine while asking them for feedback in their own style. Keep a journal reflection with peers on what went well and could be implemented and strategies to apply next time.

My long-term goal is Becoming an educational leader, currently as a room leader and RP, I am planning to work with the educational leader to observe her leadership practices, decision-making and reflective strategies. I will review more details about the centre policy and producer of the educational leader practices. I will engage with team meetings, reflection sessions, webinars and collaborative planning to foster a positive, reflective and empowered team culture.

Damanta Basnet Basnet

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How to Lead an Early Childhood Education Team (and LOVE IT)

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After listening to this podcast in Yutube has greatly influenced and shaped my leadership and teaching approach. It has deepen my understanding of mindfulness, compassion and emotional awareness. This podcast encourages me to reflect on myself with calmn and patience especially in challenging moments when I fell low. Life is all about unpredictable and we don't know what's is comming up next but with patience, calm one day I will reach my goals.

As a teacher, I create calm, inviting and nurturing environment where the educators, children and families feel safe, supported and valued. By practicing mindfulness in my everyday allows me to respond thoughtfully rather than reacting on it. I believe that having patience, calm, and emotional awarenss helps to establish a secure based and create comfortable space to collaborate to achieve a shared goals.It aligns with National Quality Standard(NQS) Quality Area 5 'Relationship with children' and Quality Area 7 collaborative partnerships with families, and communities.

This podcast has highly influence my leadership style where I support and value my colleage's effort and their inputs. When the staff members are going through challening moment, I always offers some time off the floor or if they would like to share their ideas, I open for any suggestions/feedback. I listen to them attentively and be available for them as needed. This approach has helped me to foster a postive team culture that aligns with NESA Graduate Standards 6 'Engage in professional learning' and standard 7 'Engage professionally with colleagues, parents/carers and the community.

Karuna lama

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Listen To This When You Are Feeling Down | Buddhism In English

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This document has helped me to learn about different challenging behaviours and what could be the potential reasons behind them and what they are trying to communicate. The strategy to handle and minimise the negative consequences in early years. In this document they have mentioned that behaviour is a teachable moment but not in the crisis once we know the triggers which are causing them to do that and then we can minimise the triggers such as transitions, noise, lack of sleep.

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I found this podcast really helpful for guiding our day-to-day practice as early childhood educators. This episode is about what it means to be a 360-degree leader in early childhood education, and I liked how it shows everyone can be a leader, not just the manager. The speakers talked about balancing long-term vision with what happens every day, and how working together and supporting each other makes our team stronger. What stood out to me was how important open communication, giving and receiving feedback, listening to everyone’s ideas, and helping each other grow as educators. It reminded me that leadership isn't just about making big decisions, it’s about building relationships, encouraging ownership, and making sure everyone feels involved in supporting children’s wellbeing. This episode made me think about how I can help empower not only myself but also my team and families, so together we can create a welcoming and caring environment for children to learn and thrive.

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This article provides innovative and practical insights into educational leadership. The site includes real-life examples, videos, and articles on developing leadership skills, creating strong and inclusive teams, and fostering a positive learning culture. It goes beyond standard policy, offering actionable strategies that early childhood educators can implement immediately to improve teaching practices, support colleagues, and lead collaborative learning environments.

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Discover the challenges, strategies, and triumphs of troubleshooting, guiding, and inspiring not just a classroom, but an entire academic community.

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Leadership in the area of early childhood education is discussed in this webinar in relation to coaching. It examines how seemingly little discussions can turn into chances for reflection and development and clarifies the difference between mentoring and coaching. Ms. Mariappan introduces such frameworks as RIPPLE and CARE for leaders to navigate their qualifying teams through communication, decision-making and inclusivity. I found it interesting that she reflected on how leadership changes. For example, when she first started mentoring, she thought that sharing her strategies would be enough; however, when this didn’t work, she learned that leadership is really listening, asking the right questions and empowering others. For me, this is a good reminder, as a future early childhood educator, that leadership is not knowing all the answers, but is leading with empathy, reflection and others.

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National Institute of Early Childhood Development

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Naptime Webinar: Coaching for Effective Leadership | Ms Vinothini Mariappan, NIEC

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I found this video really useful to guide our everyday practice as early childhood professionals to support and guide children. This video is about how we can support children's social, emotional and language development through interactions, rather than simply sitting and giving instructions. What really stands out to me from the video is the statement; "You gotta be spontaneous with 4 year olds, we're figuring out what works", because that's what I have been experienced at work, sometimes me and my team feel like, "okay this strategy is really good, this will definitely work" but when we actually implement it, you never know. So this video gets you into thinking about having quality time with the children, listening and validating their feelings, encouraging them to share how and what they feel and more importantly, the power of interaction, both one-to-one and in group.

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Early Childhood Education: The Power of Interactions

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Edwin Locke’s Goal-Setting Theory emphasizes that goals play a central role in motivating individuals at work. Motivation begins with personal values and desires, which lead to goal-setting and purposeful actions. Effective goals are specific, challenging yet realistic, and supported by personal commitment. Goals are more motivating when they are made public, the individual has control over outcomes, and timely feedback is provided. Cultural context also affects goal-setting effectiveness, working best in societies that value achievement, autonomy, and high performance. Locke views goal-setting as a practical motivational technique, enhancing performance without inhibiting motivation when goals are realistic and individuals have control over results.

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Edwin Locke: Goal-Setting Theory of Motivation

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The short video from YouTube explains how to show good pedagogical leadership in early childhood education settings by creating positive and supportive environments for both children and staff. It says leadership is not just about being the boss but about helping everyone do their best by focusing on their strengths. Leaders should have a clear vision of where they want the program to go and work together with the team to reach those goals. When leaders communicate positively and make people feel valued, it helps everyone feel motivated and excited to improve. The video also highlights that leadership should be shared among the team, not just one person leading alone. For pedagogical leadership to work well, everyone in the organization needs to support a shared vision of growth and learning.

Reflecting on this, I feel I have learned that leadership in early childhood education is about supporting and encouraging others rather than just giving orders. I think if I were in this role, I would try to focus on positive communication and showing appreciation for people’s strengths. I have realized that leadership is about working with others and inspiring them, helping create a happy and productive environment for both children and educators. From my EDEC309 studies, this video reinforced the importance of strength-based leadership and how it helps transform educational settings by building trust and motivation within the team. This understanding is crucial for creating quality learning experiences for young children.

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10 How can we model Pedagogical Leadership in the Early Childhood Care and Educational Setting

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This article highlights the leadership position is very demanding and emotionally exhausting job. The article was published after the principal wellbeing Survey was done in ACU in 2024. The survey found out the data that shows that leaders are facing problems like over workload, huge responsibilities which often lead them with no social interaction and the author mentioned about feeling isolated which was affecting his wellbeing.

The article also shows that reflective supervision and executive coaching are powerful effective methods to support leaders wellbeing. The author has shared his experience of how structured, confidential support can help to reduce the feeling of isolation.

The article also have challenged education sector to rethink how they are promoting leaders wellbeing.

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Balancing the Load: The Promise of Reflective Supervision and Executive Coaching in School Leadership

The 2024 Australian Catholic University (ACU) Principal Occupational Health, Safety and Wellbeing Survey underscores the demanding realities faced by school leaders across Australia. Increasing workload, complexity and the emotional labour involved shine a spotlight on the ongoing challenge of sustaining leaders' wellbeing within these high-pressure roles (ACU, 2024).

Reflective supervision is becoming recognised as a promising support approach for school leaders. It provides a safe, confidential space where leaders can consider the emotional and psychological challenges inherent in their roles, enhance self-awareness and develop strategies to support both their professional growth and personal wellbeing (Barron et al., 2023; University of Sydney, 2024). Emerging research suggests these reflective practices offer benefits beyond those provided by traditional mentoring or supervision, with participants reporting increased resilience, confidence and improved capacity to manage ongoing stressors (Daniëls, 2023; Miller, 2023).

Executive coaching, while traditionally focused on leadership development and achieving goals, also plays an increasingly significant role in supporting school leaders' wellbeing. Within educational contexts, coaching conversations often revolve around personal stress management, work-life balance and the emotional demands of leadership (Grant, 2017; Passmore & Fillery-Travis, 2011). Both coaching and reflective supervision offer confidential support that can ease feelings of isolation and help leaders process their experiences with greater clarity (Cerni, Curtis, & Colmar, 2010).

During my time as Associate Principal and Acting Principal at Halls Creek-a remote and complex community school-I experienced firsthand just how scarce formal mental health supports were for school leaders. While the role was among the most challenging (and rewarding) of my career, I can now see that my own wellbeing was too often placed last in the pursuit of leading the school. This lack of available assistance highlighted the sense of isolation common in school leadership, particularly in remote settings where resources are limited and leader wellbeing can easily be overlooked. Importantly, in my later years at Halls Creek, engaging in executive coaching became a turning point. It offered structured, confidential support that enabled me to better balance operational demands with personal wellbeing. These coaching sessions were essential spaces to reflect, process challenges, and develop sustainable strategies for leadership.

Subsequently, as an executive coach working with over 50 school leaders, I observed that a substantial portion of coaching sessions with my clients focused on navigating the balance between operational tasks, strategic leadership and personal wellbeing. Through this experience I learned how leaders consistently valued the opportunity for candid, supportive dialogue, highlighting the critical role of structured, confidential coaching and reflective practice in fostering professional sustainability.

Given these insights, isn't it time to reconsider how the education sector prioritises its school leaders' wellbeing?

Rather than deeming reflective supervision and executive coaching as optional extras, should they become foundational components of leadership support? Imagine the difference if regular, confidential reflective supervision sessions were formally embedded within school leader contracts-ensuring all leaders, irrespective of context, had access to structured dialogue focused on sustaining their professional and personal wellbeing.

How might leadership development frameworks transform if reflective practice, executive coaching and wellbeing were regarded as integrated pillars rather than fragmented initiatives?

Could funded peer supervision or coaching networks further reduce isolation and build stronger community among leaders, particularly in remote or high-pressure contexts?

Should policy and funding mechanisms explicitly recognise and resource the emotional labour inherent in leadership, elevating wellbeing from an individual concern to a strategic priority?

Finally, might deeper research partnerships identify best-practice methods to embed and scale these approaches, crafting evidence-informed supports that meet the evolving demands of school leadership?

These questions represent provocations, not prescriptions. As leadership complexity intensifies, the essential challenge remains, how can we move wellbeing from the margins to the mainstream of school leadership support?

Now is the time to earnestly engage in this vital conversation. Now is the time to take action.

References

ACU. (2024). Australian Principal Occupational Health, Safety and Wellbeing Survey. Australian Catholic University.

Barron, C., et al. (2023). Reflective supervision and consultation and its impact within early childhood education. Early Childhood Research, 109, Article 102983. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecresq.2023.102983

Cerni, T., Curtis, G. J., & Colmar, S. H. (2010). Executive coaching in Australian schools: Teachers' perception and implications for practice. International Coaching Psychology Review, 5(2), 145-162.

Daniëls, E. (2023). Learning to lead: Can group reflection help train school leaders? Research Outreach. https://researchoutreach.org/articles/learning-lead-group-reflection-help-train-school-leaders/

Grant, A. M. (2017). The third 'generation' of workplace coaching: Creating a culture of quality conversations. Coaching: An International Journal of Theory, Research and Practice, 10(1), 37-53. https://doi.org/10.1080/17521882.2016.1262044

Miller, L. S. (2023). Supervisory practices supporting reflective practice in schools. Journal of Educational Supervision, 38(1), 54-68.

Passmore, J., & Fillery-Travis, A. (2011). A critical review of executive coaching research: A decade of progress and what's to come. Coaching: An International Journal of Theory, Research and Practice, 4(2), 70-88. https://doi.org/10.1080/17521882.2011.596484

University of Sydney. (2024). Reflective supervision in education. Retrieved July 30, 2025, from https://www.sydney.edu.au/arts/study/continuing-professional-development/professional-learning-in-education/reflective-supervision.html

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Balancing the Load: The Promise of Reflective Practice and Executive Coaching in School Leadership

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The 2024 Australian Catholic University (ACU) Principal Occupational Health, Safety and Wellbeing Survey underscores the demanding realities faced by school leaders across Australia. Increasing workload, complexity and the emotional labour involved shine a spotlight on the ongoing challenge of sustaining leaders' wellbeing within these high-pressure roles (ACU, 2024).

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Lars Sudmann is a leadership advisor and award-winning lecturer. In this video, he talks about common challenges many leaders fall into because of constraints like too little time, having people to manage, and power. According to Sudmann, self- leadership involves cultivating self-awareness, reflection, and regulation. Sudmann proposes three specific practices that leaders can use to build self-leadership. This are Self-Awareness, Self-Reflection, and Self-Regulation. Through this video, i learned that to become a great leader, you have to know yourself first.

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Great leadership starts with self-leadership | Lars Sudmann | TEDxUCLouvain

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This video focuses on practical leadership skills in early childhood teaching, namely, how leaders build high-performance teams and foster a positive work culture. It emphasizes self-knowledge, good communication, and intentional leadership—key elements of facilitating quality practice and substantial learning outcomes for children aged 0–5 years. I appreciate it as it equates leadership with everyday realities within early learning settings, with realistic approaches offered for new and experienced leaders alike.

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How to Lead an Early Childhood Education Team (and LOVE IT)

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Jamie McVeigh and Sarah Louise G. in the webinar, “Kind Leadership in Early Childhood Education and Care” discuss the importance of compassionate leadership in the early childhood context. They speak about the introduction of new ideas and how they can improve leadership practice to create a positive and supportive environment both to educators and to children. This session is about developing a team culture that appreciates co-operation, respect, and common objectives. The concept of reflective practice is emphasized as an essential element, which enables an educator to evaluate his or her practices and implement constant improvements. Also, the speakers explore the different leadership styles, promoting the ones which focus more on empathy, inclusivity, and morality. Combining these principles with each other, early childhood education leaders will be able to establish nurturing environments, which will promote the whole child development as well as the professional development of teachers.

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Kind Leadership in Early Childhood Education and Care

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After watching this video and getting different prospectives from different Early childhood professionals, I believe that to be a leader we don’t need to be in any positions, leadership can also be seen when you teach, plan the experience, guide the curriculum and when interacting with anyone. Even, when we mentor a new educator or share our reflective practices with team members it also demonstrates leadership. I think leadership in early childhood education is about our daily practice about how we are creating a positive environment for everyone, inspiring others, contributing our views for children’s learning and well-being.

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The Value of Leadership Development in Early Childhood Systems

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The Key to Leadership by Simon Sinek. This is the short video with great message to be learned about early steps and understanding leadership. I have realised that leadership is not about happening overnight or taking big responsibilities all at once. It is about starting with small responsibilities and growing gradually building confidence, resilience and experiences. There will be mistakes, challenges, and failure which is totally okay and I feel that is the part of learning and will helps me to learn, build my knowledge, experience, and confidence to be prepared for responsibilities in future.

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Based on Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam's video, 6 Qualities of a Great Leader, I was able to learn various concepts that can be applied to childcare leadership. Dr. According to Kalam, a great leader inspires, supports, and leads others towards a common purpose, and this is also true of leaders working with young children in early childhood education.

One important quality is vision. In regard to childcare, the objective is to understand the type of learning environment we want to see in children and work with educators to make it a reality. I intend to follow this by setting appropriate goals for children's growth and development. Honesty, or being honest and fair, is another key quality. As a childcare leader, I must always be fair, respectful, and trustworthy so that both educators and children feel valued and secure.

Dr Kalam also mentions confidence and courage, both of which relate to the ability to stand up for what is right even when it is tough. In early childhood care, this may involve promoting children's needs or supporting educators during challenging times. Further skills that my profession will require are kindness,  positive and caring relationships with my team and families.

Finally, there needs to be communication and dedication. I will be able to listen to others' ideas, provide comments in a polite manner, and remain determined to improve the service. Vision, honesty, confidence, empathy, communication, and commitment are the six attributes that will help me to become a positive, supportive, and inspiring childcare sector leader.

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6 Qualities That Make a Great Leader || APJ Abdul Kalam

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Australia - Pyramid Model Consortium

In the early learning sector where children's emotional and social wellbeing are crucial, I chose the Pyramid Model Consortium, Australia because it is a leading resource for early childhood education and care (ECEC), especially in the areas like inclusion and emotional wellbeing. This model provides educators with evidence-based strategies to proactively prevent challenging behaviors, aligning to EYLF principles and NQS quality area 5. Likewise, for leaders this article offers diverse ranges of training that promotes trauma-informed practices and cultural safety which are crucial for diverse communities. It's focus on universal supports helps build resilient services, reducing exclusions and enhancing equity. Additionally, the availability of free toolkits and peer networks makes it an accessible resource, empowering leaders to foster inclusive cultures and nurture every child's potential. Overall, the Pyramid Model Consortium Australia offers a practical roadmap for transformative, compassionate leadership in ECEC.

Thank you

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Watch the following clips to find out about the development of the Pyramid Model in Australia and its connections to our early childhood education and care frameworks.

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This short video from YouTube about leadership beautifully explains how a person with a strong vision can inspire and motivate a group of people. The author on the video mentioned, “Leadership is not a position awarded to an individual, it's the individuals desire to lay the foundation for others to follow and help them find the courage to do something” which was very similar with what I learned in the first day class of unit EDEC309. When I first walked into the classroom, my personal view with leadership completely changed. The first day discussion helped to me to understand that leadership is within you and we do not a title or position to demonstrate leadership qualities in a workplace environment. This video has explained the same idea by explaining that leadership is about passion, motivation, and ability to empower other. It also explains how one person’s encouragement can become the steeping stone for a group to move forward with confidence and find purpose in their life.

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Leadership is not just an awarded position - Inspirational Video

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In this video Sadguru talks about seeing things other can't see to help the humankind is effective leadership.

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How Do You Develop Good Leadership Skills?

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Seth Godin – Leadership vs. Management - What it means to make a difference.

When I first started unit EDEC 309, I thought leadership is being a manager. My goal was to become a manager of a childcare service. However, as I progressed through this unit, my perspective have had a significant transformation. This video by Seth Godin perfectly relates with the evolution of my thinking about what it truly means to lead rather than simply manage. In this video, Godin shares this amazing example about a cyclist who was dead last in a race. Instead of giving up, he tried different aerodynamic methods and ended up winning. This shows that management is just doing what you are told. It doesn't work when things change. That's when you need leadership. Watching this video I reflected the big difference . It is that the Management is about following instructions, doing what's been done before whereas leadership is  trying new things, taking responsibility when change is needed. In 8:06 min he he specifically talks about Education,  which made this video particularly relevant to our field. The education sector, including early childhood services, is experiencing different changes. We are navigating new pedagogical approaches, diverse family structures, technological integration, and evolving understanding of child development. In this context, we cannot simply manage our way through using old methods. We need leaders who are willing to experiment, take responsibility for outcomes, and create new pathways forward. This has challenged me to reconsider my career goals. Rather than aspiring to be a manager who maintains operations, I now aspire to be a leader who takes responsibility for creating positive change, experiments with new approaches when old methods aren't working

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Seth Godin – Leadership vs. Management - What it means to make a difference

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The article " Leadership and retention in early childhood education" explain and examines the critical role of leadership. It also address about shortages of staff members and how it is actually affecting in early childhood education sectors. As recruitment efforts are often emphasizes. This article mainly highlight about the effective leadership is a key factors that needs to be improved and take action. This can improve the working conditions and supporting educator retention. While going through this article I have learned about several factors which contribute to effective leadership. It includes the factors such as, collaborative practice, supportive leadership, professional development and recognition and appreciation. I learned about fostering collaborative environment with my co workers as working as an leader which enhance team cohesion and job satisfaction. Likewise, creating a supportive environment and recognizing the staff members which will encourage them to work in a friendly and achieving environment where we can deliver the quality education to the children during early years.

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The video of Lars Sudmann in TEDx talk on Leadership in Utopia, explains to consider the truly important aspect of leadership as being rooted in self-awareness and self-reflection. It says one should first consider my self-leadership skills by means of emotional intelligence, self-insight and relentless reflection before influencing or guiding others. Moreover, I need to welcome feedback, experience and take personal responsibility in order to grow. In my opinion, this practice will make me a better leader as an educator in early childhood. Through open communication, teamwork, and reflective thinking, I will be able to lead with positive examples to the children and other colleagues.

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Playing Off the Page: Education and Leadership in the 21st Century | Evan Mazunik | TEDxMSUDenver

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The video talks about the importance of good leadership in the early year's development of education environments like preschools and early childhood education settings. It describes that leadership during the initial years does not relate to the daily running but rather to the leadership of the vision, value, and culture of the learning environment. It says powerful leaders motivate and encourage teachers, foster critical thinking, and make sure that all the decisions taken are helpful to the welfare of young children and their growth. The video also focuses on the idea that effective leadership would establish a favorable, cooperative environment in which employees feel appreciated, driven, and willing to develop professionally. It also outlines the distinction between management, which is task-centered, organization-centered as opposed to leadership, which is inspiring change, encouraging innovation and quality teaching practices. In addition, the video emphasizes the essence of communicating, collaborating, and collaborating with families and the community to build a holistic and supportive learning and development environment for children. In general, it depicts leadership as an evolving, interpersonal, and transformational process which improves the performance of the staff and the outcome of children in their early learning lives.

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This video helped me to understand the concept of leadership in early childhood education. I have learn the most important responsibility ofany leaders is to set a clear vision and direction for their role. I t also talks about the way one can approach conversations that are difficult with the help of care, resprct, and clesr intentions that make relationships stronger and establish trust within a team and even with families.

Ramandeep kaur

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The article of Lillio called Guide to Great Leadership in Early Childhood Education is a great source of information on what the effective leadership in the context of early childhood education may be. It says that leadership is not merely the process of a team management, it is the one that needs to inspire others, provide the common vision and support educators in order to help them flourish. Emotional intelligence, reflective practice, open communication, and lifelong learning are the essential qualities of leadership identified in the article that great leaders inspire their teams to work together and not by order. It also covers the distinct issues peculiar to the sphere of early childhood education, such as high turnover, emotional pressure, and proposes leaders focus on the wellbeing of the staff and the realistic expectations.With the vision of leadership as an ongoing process of development and introspection, the article contributes to the further insight into the fact that effective, empathic leadership is a powerful idea that can influence the learning journey of teachers and children in a positive way.

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Guide to Great Leadership in Early Childhood Education

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“Leadership” is a buzzword that gets thrown around a lot but is often misused. There is a lot more to being a great leader than a fancy job title. Just…

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I use Semann and Slattery’s workshops and webinars because they give me practical tools that help me work better with my team and become a stronger leader. When I follow their advice, I feel more confident handling challenges and communicating clearly, which makes me ready to take on leadership roles in my early learning centre. I like that their training fits my real life needs, so I can apply what I learn right away. https://www.semannslattery.com/events-calendar

This calendar provides all of the incoming professional development courses.

I also visit Early Education Leadership because their coaching and blogs teach me how to build trust with my colleagues and manage stress in a positive way. When I practice their strategies, I feel like I’m growing into a leader who supports others well, even though I’m still a student. It has helped me a lot during my ongoing intership as well. I find their guidance clear and easy to follow, which helps me set goals and solve problems calmly at work.

Both of these resources make me feel prepared and give me skills I can use now to improve my leadership abilities.

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In this blog post I talk about mindful self-care and leadership and why the two are intrinsically linked to your success, relationships.....

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https://inclusionsolutions.org.au/what-we-do/training-workshops/

One highly recommended leadership and education resources that i have found is Inclusion Solutions. Their workshops and webinars focus on building inclusion practices, leaderships skills, and awareness around diversity and accessibility.These resources support early childhood leaders and educators by providing practical day to day strategies to create inclusive learning environment and lead with collaboration,empathy and equity. I believe that this resources is valuable for developing strong educational leaderships which aligns inclusive value and practice and support professional growth of both leaders and the team.

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Our Workshops and Webinars

Educating business leaders, organisations, and individuals is an integral part of our work. Through carefully designed face-to-face workshops and webinars, we aim to inform and educate around the ideas, theories and practices of social inclusion in a non-confrontational space, where attendees can ask questions and learn in a safe and interactive group setting. Sessions are developed using strong theoretical foundations, whilst delivering practical tips and strategies to help you implement your learnings.

Looking to book a workshop specifically for your team? All our workshops can be tailored to suit your organisation's individual needs and are facilitated by our skilled and friendly staff. Please reach out to our team to learn more.

Are you an individual who would like to attend a workshop or webinar? Browse selected workshops below or sign up for upcoming training opportunities here.

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Our experienced team can deliver bespoke sessions to cater to your target audience and needs. Some of the workshops we've put together have included; inclusive communication and marketing, education and employment, youth volunteering and key note presentations.

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Workshops and Webinars - Inclusion Solutions

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Equip yourself with the knowledge and skills to promote inclusion and accessibility for all. Discover Inclusion Solutions' training and workshops today.

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According to Lillio, leadership in Early Childhood Education is not just a job title but it is about supporting, encouraging, inspiring and guiding people to go on a same journey and get success as a team. A good leader helps their team, share same values and vision, work together and always looks for ways to enhance the quality of education and care for the young children which I strongly believe and support.

From this, I am able to understand what strong leaders do:

Sets clear communication by explaining the reasons behind the decision that are made.

Ensure everyone is valued and encourages teamwork

Always open to new ideas as part of brainstorming and learning opportunities

Being reflective on their practice and look better ways to do things

Support, train, and help others to grow professionally

Advocating the Early Childhood Sector, children, families and fellow educators.

Great leadership is not being kind, fair, competent and confident but it is also about being able to support, learn together, and grow with the team every day.

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Guide to Great Leadership in Early Childhood Education

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“Leadership” is a buzzword that gets thrown around a lot but is often misused. There is a lot more to being a great leader than a fancy job title. Just…

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 “The Space Between Us” Discussion Resource (1)

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https://www.earlyeducationleadership.com/leadership-coaching?origin=side+cart

The Early Education Leadership website has lots of amazing webinars, blogs and resources that we can sign up for and very useful articles for us as leaders. Here I have also attached one discussion resource on the topic "The space between Us." This resource is designed to support

early childhood teams to explore how pace, presence, and leadership behaviour shape the emotional climate of their service. This reflection tool can be used during team meetings, leadership circles, mentoring sessions, or professional learning days.

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Free Downloadable “The Space Between Us” Discussion Resource (1)

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This article was highly informative for me as I was doing my assessment. It talks about the way one can approach conversations that are difficult with the help of care, respect, and clear intentions that may really make relationships stronger and establish trust within a team and even within families. It provides realistic ideas on how early childhood leaders can engage in heart-to-heart conversations that do not offend but help foster a healthy work environment. The article may be used as a great source in order to build leadership communication skills outside the usual frameworks that we follow.

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Addressing Issues Early: How to Have the Hard Conversations Before They Get Worse

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Avoiding hard conversations can harm trust. This post shares how to lead with care, clarity, and courage—before things escalate.

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After reading Bolman and Deal's Restructuring Organisations, I realised that leadership is about understanding that there is no one right way to lead and facing challenges from a number of viewpoints. The book shows how great leaders manage their teams using empathy, adaptation, and creativity. I realised that effective leadership needed a combination of purpose, personal ties, and structure. It also taught me to see change as an opportunity for personal growth and to carefully analyse my alternatives before acting. This encouraged me to think about how I may be more adaptable, compassionate, and supportive in my own leadership growth.

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I took part in a live webinar on Children's Safety and Safeguarding in Early Childhood Services provided by early childhood Australia. This was a mandatory training for me from my workplace, but I would also suggest that’s its a must. There were leaders from all over Australia and we discussed about children’s safety and safeguarding especially after the cases from Victoria came. We here talked about digital media, grooming behaviours and how as a leader we can make other staff confident and safe to report activities. How I also learned that what we call cctv cameras as safe, they are not actually safe and hackers can hack them as well. It was a really beneficial webinar.

I also follow Seman and Slaterry page which is amazing for educators for training and leadership and I have myself been a part of two trainings from here.

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This video helped me to understand what leadership means in ECE. I learned that guiding a team is not only about giving instructions but also involves inspiring and motivating others, fostering relationships, demonstrating emotional awareness, and supporting colleagues effectively. In a leadership role, what I have understood is, I need to manage my own emotions as well as those of the team, provide a clear vision, and create safe, respectful environments where educators feel valued. Also, as mentioned in the Video, leadership can be challenging, but adaptability and resilience allow leaders to navigate difficulties while maintaining a positive attitude. I also wonder how and why Cooperation, effective communication, and empathy are crucial for teams with families and the community.

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What Is Leadership In Early Childhood Education? - Childhood Education Zone