# Event Details - **Event Name**: ACT ECEC Symposium 2026 - **Event Start and End Date**: Tue, 23 Jun, 2026 at 09:00 am – Tue, 23 Jun, 2026 at 04:00 pm - **Event Description**: Respectful Relationships with Children and Partnerships with FamiliesAbout this EventThis symposium aligns with the intent of Quality Area 5 and Quality Area 6, of the National Quality Standard recognising that responsive relationships with children and respectful, collaborative partnerships with families are fundamental to achieving quality outcomes for children.Participants will explore how responsive and meaningful interactions build secure, trusting relationships with children, supporting them to feel safe, confident, supported and included. The symposium will also highlight the critical role of families, including how strong partnerships with families foster trust, continuity of education and care and enhance early childhood education and care communities.Agenda?: 09:00 AM - 09:05 AMWelcome and Acknowledgement of Country?: 09:05 AM - 09:20 AMOpening AddressHost: Ms Yvette Berry, MLA, Minister for Early Childhood?: 09:20 AM - 10:00 AMRelationships by DesignHost: Leane Townrow, Director, Kirinari Early Childhood CentreInfo: Relationships by Design: How Systems, Culture and Practice Shape Outcomes for Children and Families At Kirinari Early Childhood Centre, relationships are not left to chance—they are intentionally designed through the systems we implement, the culture we build, and the conditions we provide for educators. This session explores how relationships are shaped from first contact with families through to everyday practice, and the critical role leadership plays in supporting educators to be present, responsive, and engaged. Through leadership, educator, and family perspectives, we will share practical examples of how aligning systems and conditions leads to stronger relationships, greater family trust, and improved outcomes for children.?: 10:00 AM - 10:30 AMMorning tea and networking?: 10:30 AM - 12:30 PMRespecting children's perspectives: Inclusive approachesHost: Associate Professor Kathy CologonInfo: This presentation proposes that children’s perspectives are critical to informing the work we do. In the presentation we will explore what young children tell us about inclusion when educators create meaningful opportunities to listen in diverse ways. Drawing on three studies with children, including arts-based, anti-ableist methodologies, the presentation will consider how children communicate their experiences through words, gesture, movement, art, play, storytelling and relationship. Participants will be invited to reflect on what becomes possible when children’s perspectives are gathered through inclusive, multimodal and rights-based approaches, and what this means for teachers committed to creating spaces where all children are recognised, heard and able to influence practice.?: 12:30 PM - 01:15 PMLunch and Networking?: 01:15 PM - 02:00 PMBuilding collaborative relationships with familiesHost: Su Garrett, Provider, Explore & Develop CondeInfo: The National Quality Standard (NQS) positions relationships as the foundation of children’s learning, development and wellbeing. Quality Area 5 emphasises the importance of responsive, respectful relationships with children, where educators are attuned to each child’s cues, interests and ways of being. These secure relationships create the conditions for children to feel safe, confident and ready to engage. Quality Area 6 extends this relational work, recognising that strong partnerships with families deepen educators’ understanding of each child and strengthen continuity between home and the service. Building collaborative relationships with families is therefore inseparable from the relationships educators build with children. When educators truly know the child, they are better able to engage in meaningful, reciprocal partnerships with families. Likewise, when families feel respected and heard, children experience a stronger sense of belonging across both contexts. ?: 02:00 PM - 02:40 PMFor Children, Together: Aligning Strategy, Strengths, People and Practice.Host: Jocelyn Cronin, Executive Director, NBCAInfo: This presentation proposes that families are best supported when early childhood education intentionally aligns strategy, governance and day to day practice to build capability in order to strengthen outcomes for children, particularly those experiencing vulnerability and hardship. You will hear from the organisation’s Executive Director, Flynn ECEC Centre Director, Senior Service Educational Leader and Reconciliation Action Leader, who will guide participants through a practical structure demonstrating how values led governance, strengths based workforce models and a multidisciplinary approach translate into everyday practice in supporting children, families and communities. Through concrete examples and reflective prompts, the session invites participants to consider how they can leverage the people, structures and partnerships they already have to strengthen safety, inclusion and community impact in their own contexts.?: 02:40 PM - 03:00 PMAfternoon tea?: 03:00 PM - 03:20 PMParent perspectives on engagementHost: Veronica Elliiot, Executive Officer, ACT ParentsInfo: When we talk about “parent engagement,” we often picture confident parents who know exactly what to ask for. Drawing on ACT Parents’ work supporting public school families from preschool to college, this session explores what quality engagement looks like in practice, what parents are really looking for and how strong relationships and honest communication help make difficult conversations easier.?: 03:20 PM - 04:00 PMPanel discussionInfo: This interactive panel discussion will support participants to engage in a dialogue about responsive and respectful relationships with children and partnerships with families with guest speakers. - **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/acton/act-ecec-symposium-2026/100001989266703259 - **Event Categories**: art, business, fine-arts, nonprofit, kids, storytelling - **Interested Audience**: - total_interested_count: 0 - **Event Highlights**: - Duration: 7 hours - Location: National Museum of Australia - Languages: English ## Ticket Details - **Ticket Price Range**: min: 0, max: 0, currency: AUD ## Event venue details - **city**: Acton - **state**: CT - **country**: Australia - **location**: National Museum of Australia - **lat**: -35.2929214 - **long**: 149.1205169 - **full address**: National Museum of Australia, Lawson Crescent, Acton, Australia ## Event gallery - **Alt text**: ACT ECEC Symposium 2026 - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events7/banners/ff1f96b09f3e552721d5571c3fd59786d062f074dec32b7359bde86484e7d866-rimg-w1200-h800-dcebf0f5-gmir.jpg?v=1779878318 ## FAQs - **Q**: When and where is ACT ECEC Symposium 2026 being held? - **A:** ACT ECEC Symposium 2026 takes place on Tue, 23 Jun, 2026 at 09:00 am to Tue, 23 Jun, 2026 at 04:00 pm at National Museum of Australia, Lawson Crescent, Acton, Australia. - **Q**: Who is organizing ACT ECEC Symposium 2026? - **A:** ACT ECEC Symposium 2026 is organized by Education and Care Regulation and Support Branch. - **Q**: Who is this event for? Is it right for me? - **A:** ACT ECEC Symposium 2026 is ideal for art lovers, collectors, creatives, and anyone inspired by visual arts, installations, and exhibitions. Whether you're a first-time attendee or a longtime enthusiast in Acton, this event is thoughtfully curated to deliver a standout experience worth every moment. 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