In April, the Centre of Excellence team travelled to beautiful Wonnarua Country in the Hunter Valley for the Early Childhood Australia Regional, Rural and Remote Forum. Over two days, we had the privilege of connecting with educators from towns and communities across Australia, to hear about the opportunities and challenges shaping early childhood education in diverse regional settings.

A keynote delivered by Professor Cathrine Neilsen-Hewett provided a deep dive into research on behaviours that challenge. This focus was timely as the Centre will soon commence an initiative to develop stackable training courses and resources to build understanding and skills to navigate the ‘behaviour language’ used by children.  

Attending the forum was great exposure for the Centre of Excellence team to the lived realities of remote sector professionals, not only on behaviours that challenge but also in the value of partnering with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, leadership challenges, and innovated partnerships with allied health services in tight knit communities.