Perfect Beginnings Conference
About this Event
The Perfect Beginnings Conference brings together early education visionaries, hands-on specialists, and passionate practitioners for an unforgettable, immersive professional development experience. This year, we dive deep into the essential pillars of modern early childhood education: embedding rich Indigenous Culture, mastering the healing power of Play Therapy, and successfully Supporting Additional Needs in inclusive environments.
Designed to empower your pedagogy and refill your creative cup, this event equips you with the practical tools and fresh insights needed to build classrooms where every single child feels seen, safe, and supported.
🎤 Meet Your Expert PresentersWe are thrilled to present an elite lineup of leading industry consultants, therapists, and education advocates:
- Black Cockatoo Education: Led by specialised consultants, they will unpack cultural protocols and share powerful pedagogical toolkits to help you confidently embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives, specifically the 8 Aboriginal Ways of Learning.
- Curious Me: Playwork practitioners who will explore how to facilitate low-demand, child-led and neurodiversity-affirming play through nature, loose parts and environments that give children greater freedom, autonomy and choice.
- Laura McNab: Renowned Occupational Therapist at Fleur OT, and creator of the RISE Nervous System Literacy Framework, teaching you how to read a child's stress state and build relational safety before behaviours escalate.
- Erin Edwards: Highly regarded early childhood specialist, Erin is the founder and creator of The Playful Life and a certified Play Therapist, delivering an accessible introduction to children's brain development, before shifting into hands-on practice, focusing on tracking — a core skill for building connection and attunement with children.
- SPELD: Preeminent learning difficulties association offering evidence-based strategies, literacy supports- specifically visual aids and signs, and practical tools to effectively support all children's communication and literacy.
Agenda
🕑: 08:15 AM - 08:30 AM
Registration Desk Opens!
🕑: 08:30 AM - 08:40 AM
Opening Address: Jessica Lomas, Perfect Beginnings
🕑: 08:40 AM - 09:00 AM
Welcome to Country
🕑: 09:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Opening Key Note: Gavin MacCormack, Upschool
Host: Gavin MacCormack
Info: Gavin McCormack is an internationally recognised teacher, school leader, university lecturer, best-selling author, filmmaker and keynote speaker. From building schools and teacher-training centres in Nepal to co-founding Upschool, his work turns child-centred ideas into practical change around the world. Gavin is currently the principal at Farmhouse Montessori School in Sydney and is passionate about teaching and pedagogy. He has taught for over 20 years in several countries across the world and conducted hundreds of teacher training workshops in schools across the globe including the U.K. France, Australia, and Nepal, where I am Honorary principal at Kathmandu Montessori training centre.
🕑: 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Morning Tea and Stalls
🕑: 10:30 AM - 12:15 PM
Plenary Session: Black Cockatoo
Host: Sally Lawrence
Info: Join Sally to deconstruct the 8 Aboriginal ways of Learning developed by Dr Tyson Yunkaporta and the communities of Western NSW.
8 ways of Aboriginal Learning is a Knowledge system or Pedagogical approach that will enable you to observe non-Indigenous content through an Aboriginal framework. Using 8 ways enables Educators to work with the community to localise their approach to knowledge and knowledge sharing. Driven by story sharing, this framework will ensure that you are providing holistic learning experiences grounded in great pedagogy. Learn how to embed an Indigenous perspective even when the content is not Indigenous.
🕑: 12:15 PM - 01:00 PM
Lunch
🕑: 01:00 PM - 02:45 AM
Key Note Presentation: Curious Me
Host: Angie
Info: Curious Me supports early learning services to build play environments and educator
practice that naturally support regulation, inclusion and belonging.
Our work sits at the intersection of Playwork, outdoor play, loose parts, neuroaffirming
practice and meaningful environmental change; without behaviour charts, reward
systems or compliance-based approaches.
🕑: 02:45 PM - 03:15 PM
Afternoon Tea
🕑: 03:15 PM - 04:15 PM
Breakout Workshops
Info: Breakout Sessions Include one of the 3 following workshop sessions: Room 1- Erin Edwards- The Playful Life- Play Therapy Session, Room 2- SPELD- Melissa- Visual Communication and Sign Language, Room 3- Laura McNab- Fleur OT- OT Specialist workshop
🕑: 03:15 PM - 04:15 PM
Room 1: Understanding the Developing Brain: An Introduction to Tracking
Host: Erin Edwards, Play Therapist, The Playful Life
Info: This session begins with an accessible introduction to children's brain development, giving participants a solid theoretical foundation for the work that follows. The second half shifts into hands-on practice, focusing on tracking — a core skill for building connection and attunement with children. Participants will have the opportunity to practice this technique together, leaving with a tool they can apply immediately in their own work.
🕑: 03:15 PM - 04:15 PM
Room 2: SPELD, Enhancing Communication Through Visual Supports
Host: Melissa
Info: This practical workshop explores how using visual aids (including Key Word Sign and picture-based tools) can support children’s communication. Visuals are such a powerful tool for building understanding, reducing frustration, and supporting all children in their language development. Through fun, hands-on activities, you will explore using visuals in play and everyday routines to create inclusive, language-rich environments that support every child’s communication.
🕑: 03:15 PM - 04:00 PM
Room 3: Laura McNab, Fleur OT,
Host: Laura McNab
🕑: 04:15 PM - 04:30 PM
Closing Address: Liz Pennings, Perfect Beginnings
Host: Liz Pennings
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
AUD 149.55
