ACT early childhood education and care sector meetings

In February 2026, CECA hosted two online Child Safety Reform Information Sessions.

Sean Moysey, Executive Branch Manager, Education and Care Regulation and Support, Education, ACT Government and Clare Brookes, Senior Director, Education and Care Regulation and Support, Education, ACT Government outlined changes to the Education and Care Services National Law and Regulations and the National Quality Standard (NQS) commencing in 2026.

To learn more about these changes access the Child Safety Reform Online information Session resources at:

• National Child Safety Reforms Information Session - presentation [PDF 4 MB]
• National Child Safety Reforms Information Session - recording
• Frequently Asked Questions from the National Child Safety Reforms Information Session [PDF 210 KB]

For further information:

• Child safety - What is changing? | ACECQA
• Quality and safety - Department of Education, Australian Government

Children’s Education and Care Assurance (CECA) hosted the meeting.

It covered topics including child safety reforms and quality educational programs and practice in early childhood education and care (ECEC).

Sean Moysey, Executive Branch Manager, Education and Care Regulation and Support (ECRS) provided an update on child safety reforms and local and national ECEC policy work.

Jo Stratton and Nikki Ross, from Evelyn Scott Preschool Unit shared how their program and practice is informed by slow pedagogy, meaningful engagement with community and inclusive environments helped them to achieve the Excellent rating.

Access the podcasts from the event at: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5yKIJCTF9Ryyp2V7AQ60Qt?si=nv7SK6vwRGCH_rOkV23IBQ

Access the PowerPoint slides from this event at: Presentation ECRS Sector Meeting 4 November 2025 [PDF 2.3 MB]

* Please note that the AEDC presentation was tailored for participants who attended the ACT Early Childhood Education and Care Sector Meeting.

To ensure contextual support and AEDC information is provided, ECEC providers and services should book a tailored session with the AEDC team at: aedc@act.gov.au

Children’s Education and Care Assurance (CECA) hosted the meeting.

Its topic focus was governance requirements under the National Quality Framework and how to embed good governance in early childhood education and care (ECEC).

ACT Minister for Education and Early Childhood Yvette Berry spoke about the legacy building work of developing new leaders in the sector.

Charles Sturt University academic Dr Leanne Gibbs talked about good governance and leadership theory in early childhood settings and the importance of empowering teams to foster high-quality governance and leadership.

The CECA Quality Engagement program team presented on topics including quality, roadblocks, reflective approaches, and how leadership and governance promote sustainable quality improvement. The YWCA team shared their Quality Improvement Plan journey and learnings from being part of the Quality Engagement Program.

Wonderschool and Australian Institute of Company Directors’ graduate Sarah Wilcox discussed what good governance looks like in practice, including the responsibilities of those in management positions.

ELM Managing Director, Amanda Tobler, introduced the ACT ECEC Professional Learning Network and the leadership group members who are supporting its design and implementation.

The symposium concluded with a panel discussion about governance and leadership.

Listen to the podcast https://open.spotify.com/episode/1HCPUsOE2tnZ2O4Y7RAN1C?si=32db51d92cb444d7

Read the presentation ACT ECEC Governance Symposium Presentation 22 July 2025 [PDF 6 MB]

Children’s Education and Care Assurance (CECA) hosted the meeting.

It covered topics including child safety and quality educational programs and practice in Out of School Hours Care OSHC (OSHC).

Clare Brookes, CECA Senior Director, provided an overview of the ACT OSHC sector landscape and an update on national work relevant to the OSHC. This included the Child Safety Review under the National Quality Framework (NQF).

Griffith University’s Associate Professor Jennifer Cartmel and Keen About’s Kylie Keane spoke about the role of critical reflection.

National and local National Out of School Hours Services Alliance (NOSHSA) representatives provided an update on their current priorities, activities and initiatives.

CECA’s Quality Assurance Assistant Directors Jessica Annerley and Lauren Kapper provided an overview of the quality in ACT OSHC settings and diverse ways that OSHC can meet or exceed the NQF.

Communities at Work team members shared insights on engaging and collaborating with children, families and the wider school community to enhance educational programs. Provider level quality assurance systems and critical reflection strategies were discussed.

The meeting concluded with a panel discussion involving presenters and OSHC sector representatives.

Listen to the podcast March 2025 ACT OSHC sector meeting
Read the presentation March 2025 ACT OSHC sector meeting [PDF 85 MB]

Children’s Education and Care Assurance (CECA) hosted the meeting.

It covered topics including child safety, gender equality and the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Sean Moysey, Executive Branch Manager, Education and Care Regulation and Support provided an update on Child Safety Review under the National Quality Framework, the ACT Child Safe Standards and CECA’s Reportable Conduct Policy.

Dr Red Ruby Scarlet and Holly Edney shared their expertise on gender equality in the early years.

Participants had the opportunity to reflect on practical strategies to help address gender inequality in their settings. The presentation highlighted the importance of establishing a culture of gender equity in the early years as a foundation for reducing gender-based violence.

Associate Professor Kate Highfield facilitated an interactive session on ethical and practical considerations of digital documentation and the use of AI in ECEC settings. The session included ethical dimensions to consider when using AI to document children’s learning and development.

Listen to the podcast October 2024 Early Childhood Education and Care sector meeting

CECA hosted the ACT Early Childhood Education and Care Disability Inclusion Symposium at the National Museum of Australia.

Participants were welcomed with an opening address from the ACT Minister for Early Childhood Development, Yvette Berry. Minister Berry highlighted the importance of inclusion in early childhood and spoke about local and national initiatives to support the early childhood sector.

Christina Keeble, CEO of Christina Keeble Consulting, shared her professional expertise and lived experience as an AuDHD (Autistic and ADHD) and a parent of 2 neurodivergent children. Christina spoke about the importance of inclusion in early childhood education and shared strategies that educators can use in practice to support children and families.

Jodie Griffiths-Cook, ACT Public Advocate and Children and Young People Commissioner, presented an introduction to the ACT Child Safe Standards Scheme and how this will be implemented.

Karen Toohey, Discrimination, Health Services, Disability and Community Services Commissioner, spoke about the key legal frameworks that operate to promote and protect disability inclusion in the ACT.

Tracey Harkness, ACT Senior Practitioner, presented on risk responsive regulation and her experience of inclusion in the disability sector.

Rhi Sugars, Director and Atypical Educator, shared her lived experience as a person born with 22q11 Duplication Syndrome and neurodivergence. Rhi also challenged early childhood education and care (ECEC) providers, service leaders and educators to think about inclusion for educators and children in their settings.

Rhi Sugars and Christina Keeble facilitated a practical workshop on planning for inclusion. Participants were encouraged to reframe commonly used descriptions of children’s behaviour, considering the child’s perspective and inclusion needs. A scenario regarding educational access and participation of a child with disability, encouraged participants to reflect on how they would make reasonable adjustments to support the child within their ECEC service context.

The Symposium concluded with a panel discussion involving the presenters. Panel members shared their knowledge and experience in relation to disability inclusion and answered questions from attendees.

Listen to the podcast 2023 Leading with impact combined presentations Leading with Impact

At this meeting that CECA hosted, participants were updated on national and local ECEC initiatives. This included the:

• National Children’s Education and Care Workforce Strategy Shaping our Future
• ACECQA’s review of child safety arrangements under the National Quality Framework (NQF)
• ACT’s 2024 Early Childhood Degree Scholarship Program.

Macquarie University’s Professor Sheila Degotardi, Director of the Centre for Research in Early Childhood Education, presented her university’s research on ECEC pay and conditions conducted for the National Workforce Strategy.

Lisa McCoy, ACECQA’s General Manager for National Projects provided an overview of the recommendations from the review of child safety arrangements under the NQF.

Michael Pecic, Chief Executive Officer of In Safe Hands continued the child safety focus, sharing strategies to support child safety awareness and the importance of child safe cultures in the sector.

Amy Duncan from Narragunnawali, Reconciliation Australia, explained the significant role of reconciliation in the sector. Amy shared free resources available for ECEC services to create meaningful and effective Reconciliation Action Plans.

Listen to the podcast ACT Early Childhood Education and Care Sector Meeting April 2024