Agenda

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7:45

Registration

8:45

Welcome to Country

9:00

Chairperson's Opening Address

Chiang Lim, Chief Executive Officer, ACA NSW

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9:10

Minister Address: Embedding safety & quality in the next phase of ECEC reform

• With the new 7 days to 24-hour notification rule for abuse allegations coming into effect from 1 September 2025, what more can be done to truly protect children?

• Understand how the Government’s reforms aim to restore public trust while improving consistency, compliance and care outcomes

Jess Walsh, Minister for Early Childhood Education, Department of Education, Australian Government

9:20

The evolution of ECEC reform: Lessons from the past to shape the future

• The highs and lows: what have we learned from the last 2 decades of reform in the sector, and how can this shape the future?

• With more change on the horizon, how do we maintain the sector's diversity, ensuring long-term viability and sustainability, particularly for small providers?

Paul Mondo, President, Australian Childcare Alliance National

09:50

Beyond compliance: Redesigning casual staffing for child safety and quality outcomes

• As new reforms tighten notification rules, compliance expectations, and accountability, childcare providers need absolute confidence in every person working with children, including agency staff

• Gain insight into how Z Staffing’s enhanced staffing model, built on rigorous vetting, safeguarding, ongoing educator support, and strong centre partnerships, can uphold safety, consistency, and quality in an increasingly regulated environment

Jessica Buddle, Co-founder & General Manager, Z Staffing

10:10

Panel: “It shouldn’t take CCTV to keep kids safe” – Or should it?

• Is surveillance in early learning centres a vital safety measure or a step too far?

• Explore the legal, ethical and financial implications of CCTV in childcare – and how it’s reshaping provider accountability, supporting educator development, and also how it can be showcasing successful practices in action

Moderator: Trish Jarvis, Executive Officer, Catholic School Parents South Australia

Skye Rose, Practice Leader - Child Safety Team, Moores

Gabrielle Meagher, Emeritus Professor, Macquarie University

Leanne Cain, Chief Safeguarding and Pedagogy Officer, Busy Bees Early Learning

11:00

Morning tea & coffee

11:30

The evolution of the National Quality Framework (NQF) and its impact on child outcomes

• How has the National Quality Framework evolved to meet the changing needs of children, families, and providers – and where is it heading next?

• Learn how ongoing reforms to the NQF are driving improved outcomes, greater consistency, and a stronger foundation for quality assurance across the sector

Gabrielle Sinclair, Chief Executive Officer, Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA)

12:00

Panel: Centres with excellent ratings: What sets them apart?

• What does it take to achieve and maintain an “Excellent” rating under the National Quality Framework?

• Gain direct insights from high-performing providers on leadership, culture, safety, quality and child-centred pedagogy

Moderator: Su Garrett, Director, Explore & Develop Annandale

Bridget Isichei, Centre & Program Director, Northern Rivers Preschool

Akram Eshaghi, Director, Uniting Airlie Preschool Oatlands (UAPO)

Sue Inglis, Manager and Educational Leader, Pelican Waters Golden Beach Kindergarten and Childcare Centre

12:40

Lunch

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1:30

Regulating for safety: A stronger framework for protecting every child

• With growing concerns about inconsistent safety practices in early childhood setting (i.e. from hygiene lapses to breaches in child protection protocols) there’s a renewed urgency to strengthen regulatory frameworks and enforcement

• What does a regulatory system look like that doesn’t just respond to harm but prevents it? How do we balance compliance with support for educators? And how can families be assured that safety standards are upheld in every service, every day?

Hon. Natasha Maclaren-Jones, Shadow Minister, Families, Communities and Disability Inclusion

2:00

Developing mandatory training for all ECEC staff: What can you expect?

• How will the new mandatory training reshape professional development, compliance, and improve the quality and safety of care?

• Gain insights on the skills and the knowledge it will cover, and learn how providers can prepare their workforce for a seamless transition

Amanda Paton, Deputy Director, Practice Lead, Australian Centre for Child Protection

2:30

Case study: How Guild Insurance supports centres during a crisis

• How does Guild Insurance help childcare centres, families, and communities navigate casualty claims, especially in moments of crisis?

• Gain insights into how early, empathetic, and professional claims handling can protect both reputations and relationships, and why having the right insurance partner matters

Andrew Appleton, Head of Casualty Claims, Guild Insurance

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2:50

Panel: Preventing abuse through higher standards and stronger safeguards

• As concerns rise around the sexual exploitation of children, early learning settings must be held to the highest possible standards of safety and vigilance

• Implement proactive steps from stricter staff screening, Working With Children Checks to stronger quality standards, clearer reporting pathways, and a culture of zero tolerance to protect the most vulnerable

Professor Michael Salter, Director, Childlight East Asia & Pacific Hub, UNSW

Samantha Page, Chief Executive Officer, Early Childhood Australia

Nadia WIlson-Ali, Director - Education and Quality, Nido Early School

3:30

Afternoon Tea

4:00

Celebrating the joy of teaching: A male educator’s perspective

• In a sector where recent headlines have cast male educators under suspicion, how can we reframe the conversation to highlight the value, diversity, and positive impact they bring? What does it look like when men in early childhood education are not only accepted but celebrated for their contributions to children’s learning, wellbeing, and growth?

• Gain an authentic, first-hand perspective on the rewards of working in early childhood education as a male educator

Tyler Inglis, Early childhood teacher and speaker, Pelican Waters Golden Beach Kindergarten and Childcare Centre

4:30

Panel: Certificate III in 12 months: A loophole or a lifeline?

• Are we sacrificing quality by fast-tracking education for short-term workforce solution?

• Examine the rise of condensed qualifications (i.e. 1-year courses), international student enrolments driven by migration goals, and whether these quick fixes are solving the educator shortage – or creating new risks for children, staff, and service quality

Moderator: Edward Beswick, Chief Executive Officer, Thrive Group Tasmania

Jo Goodrick, Executive Director, Early Childhood Education and Care

Josephine Wise, Deputy Executive Director – Education, Lutheran Education Queensland

Anita Kumar, Chief Executive Officer, ECTARC Early Childhood Education Services and Training

5:10

Chairperson’s closing remarks

5:15

Networking drinks