Ignite & Inspire: The Heart of Early Childhood

Ignite & Inspire: The Heart of Early Childhood

Friday 6th February 2026

Friday 6th February 2026
​INDIVIDUAL - $199
9:00am - 5:00pm (New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania)
8:30am - 4:30pm - (South Australia, Northern Territory)
8:00am - 4:00pm - (Queensland)
6:00am - 2:00pm - (Western Australia)

Friday 6th February 2026

Saturday 7th February 2026
INDIVIDUAL - $199/TEAM - $699
9:00am - 5:00pm (New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania)
8:30am - 4:30pm - (South Australia, Northern Territory)
8:00am - 4:00pm - (Queensland)
6:00am - 2:00pm - (Western Australia)

Ignite & Inspire: The Heart of Early Childhood

OVERVIEW
Ignite & Inspire: The Heart of Early Childhood is a powerful one-day online professional learning experience designed to inspire, uplift, and strengthen early childhood educators across Australia.
Across this energising 9–5 program, educators will explore the heart of practice—purpose, play, wellbeing, relationships, inclusion, and intentional environments—while reconnecting with the joy and meaning that brought them to the profession.
Aligned with the NQF, EYLF V2.0 and MTOP frameworks, this summit blends theory, reflection, and practical strategies to support high-quality, child-centred pedagogy. Educators will walk away feeling renewed, confident, and ready to elevate their practice with clarity and intention.

WHAT EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATORS WILL LEARN
By the end of the summit, participants will:
  • Reconnect with their personal and professional purpose as educators
  • Understand how to create emotionally safe, engaging, and intentional learning environments
  • Strengthen their active supervision skills to promote safety and autonomy
  • Develop confidence in facilitating risky and messy play with appropriate risk-benefit assessments
  • Apply connection-based behaviour guidance grounded in attachment theory
  • Embed inclusive practices that support children with diverse and additional needs
  • Learn practical ways to prioritise educator wellbeing within busy settings
  • Explore how nature play supports children’s wellbeing, resilience, and engagement
  • Strengthen reflective practice aligned with NQF, EYLF V2.0, and MTOP
  • Leave with actionable strategies they can implement immediately

COURSE SESSIONS
  • Welcome & Spark Session
  • Igniting Passionate Educators
  • Active Supervision & Intentional Environments
  • The Power of Risky & Messy Play
  • Guiding Children’s Behaviour
  • Supporting Children’s Additional Needs
  • Supporting Educators’ Wellbeing
  • Nature Play & Children’s Wellbeing

SESSION DETAILS
9:00 – 9:15 am
Welcome & Spark Session
NQF: QA7, QA4
EYLF/MTOP: Principles – Reflective practice; High expectations & equity
  • Setting intentions for the day
  • “Why I teach with heart” reflective opener

9:15 – 10:15 am
Session 1 – Igniting Passionate Educators
NQF: QA4, QA7
EYLF/MTOP: Principles – Ongoing learning & reflective practice
  • Reconnecting with purpose and pedagogy
  • Sustaining educator passion and professionalism

10:15 – 11:15 am
Session 2 – Active Supervision & Intentional Environments
NQF: QA2, QA3
EYLF Practices: Intentional teaching; Learning environments
MTOP Practices: Supportive active supervision
  • Creating safe, engaging environments
  • Intentionality in design and interaction

11:15am - 11:30am 
Morning Tea Break 

11:30 – 12:30 pm
Session 3 – Risky & Messy Play
NQF: QA1, QA3
EYLF Practices: Holistic approaches; Learning through play
MTOP Practices: Play & leisure-based learning
  • Benefits of risk-taking
  • Risk-benefit assessments
  • Supporting confidence, resilience, and agency

12:30pm - 1:30pm 
Lunch

1:30 – 2:30 pm
Session 4 – Guiding Children’s Behaviour
NQF: QA5, QA2
EYLF Practices: Responsiveness to children; Cultural competence
MTOP: Strong relationships
  • Connection-based behaviour guidance
  • Supportive emotional regulation

2:30 – 3:30 pm
Session 5 – Supporting Children’s Additional Needs
NQF: QA1, QA6
EYLF Principles: Partnerships with families; Respect for diversity
MTOP Practices: Collaboration with children & families
  • Strengths-based inclusion
  • Meeting diverse needs with dignity

3:30 - 3:45pm 
Afternoon Tea Break

3:45 – 4:30 pm
Session 6 – Supporting Educator Wellbeing
NQF: QA4, QA7
EYLF Principles: Respect for educators; Reflective practice
MTOP Principles: Collaborative learning communities
  • Healthy boundaries
  • Emotional wellbeing in teams
  • Micro-moments of calm

4:30 – 5:00 pm
​Session 7 – Nature Play & Children’s Wellbeing
NQF: QA3, QA2
EYLF Practices: Learning through play; Environments
MTOP Practices: Connections to natural world
  • Nature-based wellbeing practices
  • Activities to incorporate immediately

Participants Receive
  • Full-day access + replay
  • Reflection journal
  • Resource pack with templates
  • Certificate for 7 hours Professional Development