A conference for early childhood educators, managers and academics focusing on creating sustainable futures with young children and their families, so together we are active and empowered citizens.

The children we live and learn with are the generations who will inhabit the future we choose.

Join us as we investigate actions to take now through inspiring keynote speakers and workshops.

Keynote speakers

Anna Rose is an author, community organiser and campaigner tackling the climate crisis. She will help us use our time, talent and treasure in the most strategic way possible.

Tracy Young from Swinburne University of Technology with expertise in education theories, environmental education, early childhood education and social justice. She will share her experience of grappling with the complex relations of animal species, people and environments.

Choose one of the workshops below

1. Wild Foods and Medicine

Diego Bonetto known as “The Weedy One” will help to identify plants and forage for wild foods and medicine.

Telling the story of plants is Diego’s passion nurtured in his childhood in northern Italy and blossomed when he discovered the wonder of Australia’s native plants when he arrived here.

2. Stories from the SPROuts Practice Awards Winners

The SPROuts Practice Awards are open yearly for members of ECEEN to showcase and receive recognition for their work in developing sustainable practices in the curriculum and operations of their centre. We are delighted to be able to have the opportunity to share the stories of 3 early childhood services and how they have approached making sustainable living and learning part of the everyday at their centres.

3. Native Bees for Early Childhood Communities

KU Mayfield Preschool have expanded the children’s interest in understanding and supporting their native bees to include their Community.

As children’s knowledge and interest in their bees grew, they discovered an opportunity to extend the bees source of pollen beyond the preschool and into their neighbour’s gardens.

Join us as the Director of KU Mayfield Preschool, Karen Hugo and Deb Watson, Education for Sustainability (EfS) Facilitator share this story and unpack the benefits and care of native bees within early childhood communities.

Further information about the conference is available here