Meerilinga was proud to present at the 2025 Early Childhood Australia (ECA) National Conference with posters that explored what makes Meerilinga a positive environment for children to learn and play.
Our Educational Leader, Jade, spoke on the importance of placing children’s feelings, voices and rights at the centre of our care with a practical reflection on a 16-week professional learning and action research project that we held in 2024, funded by the Preschool Reform Agreement. Jade introduced how we have worked to implement elements from Hand in Hand, including:
- Stay Listening – the practice of sitting with a child as they express strong emotions, without interrupting, distracting, or rushing them to move on.
- Special Time – leaning into short, intentional moments of child-led connection
- Play Listening – supporting emotional release through silly, boisterous games where children take the lead
- Listening Partnerships – making a dedicated time for educators to reflect and feel heard without judgment or advice.
Members of our Woodvale team also presented at the Conference, sharing their efforts for sustainability at their Centre, including their embrace of permaculture, the offering of a food diversion program with the help of Woolworths, and their work alongside the local community to provide a drop off point for difficult to recycle items and a space for events that promote a circular economy.
By introducing these collaborative efforts in a Centre where children come to play and learn, the team are embedding sustainability in their curriculum and the considerations of families and children who attend Playgroups and Early Learning Programs.
While taking the opportunity to speak to a national audience of Educators was fantastic, our team also made sure to attend the other workshops and presentations at the Conference, learning from experts from across the sector. We’re sure that what they’ve learnt is already informing their practice across Meerilinga!
Explore the two posters used as part of our presentation below.
