Early Years Forum

Exploring innovative strategies and practices to keep children engaged in early childhood education.

Last updated: 19 Sep 2025

Coming together for better early years outcomes

Our Early Years Forums provide a platform to promote effective practices in meaningfully engaging children and families experiencing vulnerability in early childhood services. By bringing together professionals and experts, we highlight innovative approaches that foster inclusive, supportive, and responsive environments for young children and their families.

We collaborate with sector leaders to showcase successful cross-sectoral partnerships, child-centred practices, and engagement strategies. Our forums help drive continuous improvement by sharing real-world examples of effective collaboration, ensuring children and families receive the support they need during the critical early years.

2024 Early Years Forum - Children’s Voices in Family Violence

During this year’s forum, Children’s Voice’s in Family Violence, our presenters explored collaborative approaches, demonstrating how child and family services and early childhood educators can unite to share insights, support advocacy, and enhance care for children.

Speakers included Sigi Hyett, CEO, and Paul Kenna, Principal of Belle Vue Park Primary School, from the Northern Schools Early Years Cluster (NSEYC), Liz Washington, Diversity Leader at Glen Education (representing Rachael Gemmil, 2023 Victorian Early Childhood Teacher of the Year), and representatives from Melton Montessori Early Learning.

The Early Years Forum highlights the power of shared expertise in creating supportive environments for children.

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2024 Early Years Forum - Collaboration in Early Childhood Education, Child, Family and Allied Sectors

Early Years Forum, Collaboration in Early Childhood Education, Child, Family and Allied Sectors, celebrated the integration of knowledge and expertise across child and family services and early years education, promoting a unified approach to supporting and advocating for children.

Attendees heard from inspiring leaders such as Sigi Hyett, CEO, and Paul Kenna, Principal at Belle Vue Park Primary School from the Northern Schools Early Years Cluster (NSEYC), as well as Liz Washington, Diversity Leader at Glen Education, representing the 2023 Early Childhood Teacher of the Year, Rachael Gemmil. This event exemplified the strength of partnerships in advancing children’s wellbeing and development.

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“Thank you all for such an enlightening, helpful session. I could have listened for another 2 hours. An amazing, relevant conversation and so much more to be had. Thank you.”

– Early Years Forum attendee

Children’s Voices in Family Violence

“There was a great cross section of speakers including practitioners and educational leaders, not just management”

– Early Years Forum attendee

Collaboration in Early Childhood Education, Child, Family and Allied Sectors

“Such great content, so accessible and the presenters were perfectly selected!”

– Early Years Forum attendee

Children’s Voices in Family Violence

463
Attendees at our 2024 events
98%
Forum attendees found the content useful for their work

Early Start, Bright Future

Early Start, Bright Future supports professionals in understanding and navigating early years services. Confident, well-informed professionals are better equipped to connect children and families with the most suitable services.

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Latest early years news
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Minister for Children, Hon. Lizzie Blandthorn

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22 Aug 2025

A key acknowledgment from the Education Ministers meeting today has been an acknowledgment of a national commitment to priorities the best interest of children
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The Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare – Victoria’s peak body for child and family services – welcomes the release of the Rapid Child Safety Review and the Victorian Government’s commitment to urgently implement its 22 recommendations.
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NAPLAN results show some improvements, but work to be done

01 Aug 2025

Results from this year’s NAPLAN testing show improvements for some students, but highlight areas that need targeted support.
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Our work
As the peak body for child and family services in Victoria and Tasmania, we strengthen and guide the sector, building resilience, collaboration and shared success.
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Upcoming Early Years events
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Collaborative approaches to supporting positive behaviour

February 26 @ 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm

Join the Early Start, Bright Future team for a free webinar as we explore collaborative approaches to supporting positive behaviour.

  • Early Start, Bright Future
Become a member
The Centre’s membership benefits build collaboration, advocacy, and capacity within the child and family services sector, ensuring a more resilient and supportive environment that provides better outcomes for children and families.
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