All children attending Goodstart's centres are set to experience even more playful teaching thanks to Goodstart's Teaching and Learning for All Children Conference. The conference streamed nationally this week to more than 1600 Goodstart teachers in-centre and at 10 satellite locations, inspired teachers to incorporate innovative and holistic teaching strategies that meet children at their point of development.
One of the highlights of the conference was a provocation presented by Sue Robb, Goodstart's General Manager of Pedagogy and Practice as she urged teachers to reflect on their own teaching.
“Are you a gamester? How playful is your teaching?” Sue said.
Sue emphasised the need for teachers to create more moments for play by adopting more playful, holistic, and intentional teaching strategies that cater to each child's developmental needs.
“The importance of teachable moments cannot be understated, nor the role of play in children's learning – as one can’t exist without the other,” Sue said.
In her keynote, Sue shared that this year’s teacher conference was particularly significant.
“This is a moment in time, as the importance of teachers and teaching is being highlighted across our sector,” Sue said.
“With the pending changes to the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) set to take effect in February next year, we’re all about providing all teachers with valuable insights and empowering you to critically reflect and improve practice.”
The conference featured respected national and international speakers who shared evidence-based contemporary knowledge and practice. Notable sector experts, including Professor Lennie Barblett AM, Dr Jane Page OAM, and Dr Kate Highfield, discussed leading evidence-based practices and provided guidance on understanding the key changes in the EYLF.
Professor Lennie Barblett AM shed light on the purpose, process, and reasons behind the revisions to the Early Years Learning Framework V2.0, offering teachers a deeper understanding of its significance. The conference enabled Goodstart teachers to access leading evidence-based practices and gain valuable insights from sector experts who were directly involved in the EYLF revision process.
In her keynote session Dr Jane Page OAM helped teachers simplify assessments for learning and encouraged them to be more present in the moment. Dr Page explored the importance of assessment for learning and demonstrated how it enriches the learning experiences of children.
Dr Kate Highfield asked conference attendees “Should we be partnering with children in digital worlds?” and provided teachers with practical ideas about how to incorporate more digital technology, including the best apps to use in everyday practice.
With the conference's successful conclusion, Goodstart's pedagogy and practice team is organising a national roadshow from July to October. The roadshow will visit 30 locations including major cities and regional hubs, and aims to connect with Educational Leaders and Centre Directors to support the implementation of the revised Early Years Learning Framework.
By incorporating playful and intentional teaching strategies coupled with its ongoing focus on evidence-based pedagogy and practice, Goodstart’s teachers are well positioned to keep providing engaging and enriching experiences for children .
More than 98% of Goodstart centres are Meeting or Exceeding the National Quality Standard, and three Goodstart centres hold the coveted Excellent rating.
Goodstart invested $19M in professional learning in 2022, and a further $7.6M in early learning programs.
Learn more about what’s great about making at Goodstart as a teacher here including professional development support and non-contact time.
About keynotes:
Sue Robb OBE
Sue is an international thought leader in early childhood pedagogy and OBE (Order of the British Empire). Prior to joining Goodstart, Sue was the Head of Early Learning at Action for Children in the United Kingdom (UK). Read more.
Professor Lennie Barblett AM
Lennie is a Professor of Early Childhood Education for the School of Education at Edith Cowan University. Read more.
Associate Professor Jane Page, OAM 
Dr Jane Page is Associate Professor and Associate Director, REEaCh Centre (Research in Effective Education in Early Childhood), Melbourne Graduate School of Education. Jane has worked in the early childhood field for over thirty years covering a range of roles both as a director and teacher in early childhood services as well as teaching and researching in the University sector. Read more.
Dr Kate Highfield
Dr Kate Highfield is an experienced teacher and researcher with an interest in how technology impacts on learning, pedagogy and play. Prior to moving to Swinburne University of Technology, Kate spent over a decade working as a classroom teacher and then ten years working as a lecturer at Macquarie University in the Institute of Early Childhood and as a research fellow at RIPPLE (Research Institute for Professional Practice, Learning and Education).