Early Childhood Excellence Conference 2026
Description
Join us for our 2026 Early Childhood Excellence Conference | Future Ready Begins with Play: At the Heart of Early Childhood
How play provides the foundation for children to thrive in a rapidly changing world while remaining grounded in evidence, policy, and practice.
Following a huge demand and the resounding success of our conferences since 2012, Network Teach and Murdoch University are proud to host the return to our much loved Early Childhood Excellence Conference.
This outstanding value conference will showcase the very best in early childhood education across WA as we celebrate best practices, strategies and approaches being adopted to afford schools and child care settings with evidence based, high quality teaching and learning opportunities.
This event is recommended for all teachers, child care workers, preservice/trainee teachers, education assistants and school leaders!
Event Schedule:
This is currently being confirmed and will cover a wide range of subjects including:
Play as the Foundation for Future Readiness
Why play is essential for lifelong learning.
The relationship between play, curiosity, creativity, and innovation.
Building the capabilities children need for an uncertain future.
Children's Agency and Voice
Empowering children as active participants in their learning.
Children's rights, participation, and decision-making.
Listening to children's perspectives and co-constructing learning.
Wellbeing as the Basis for Learning
Social and emotional wellbeing through play.
Mental health, resilience, and belonging.
Creating emotionally safe and inclusive learning environments.
Contemporary Research on Play
Current neuroscience and developmental research.
The impact of play on executive functioning, self-regulation, and language.
Evidence supporting play-based pedagogies.
Leadership for Play
Leading cultures that value play.
Advocating for play within schools and early childhood services.
Influencing policy and community understanding.
Future-Focused Curriculum and Pedagogy
Integrating STEM, sustainability, creativity, and digital technologies through play.
Inquiry-based and project-based learning.
Assessment that values learning through play.
Inclusion, Equity and Belonging
Play for children of all abilities and backgrounds.
Cultural responsiveness and Indigenous perspectives.
Supporting neurodiverse learners through play.
Nature, Sustainability and Outdoor Play
Nature pedagogy and environmental stewardship.
Risky play and adventurous learning.
Connecting children with Country and place.
Families and Communities
Strengthening partnerships with families.
Building play-friendly communities.
Community initiatives that promote children's right to play.
Policy and Advocacy
Implementing the WA Play Strategy.
Children's right to play under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
The role of educators in advocating for play at local, state, and national levels.
How much are tickets? Tickets start from as little as $60 (early bird ticket for month of August). Our ticket prices are heavily discounted for an event of this calibre as we are proudly a not for profit organisation committed to high quality, low cost events for WA's educators.
What's included in the SUPER LOW ticket price?
Conference Attendance at one of the most impressive venues in the state.
Event Pack.
Barista made coffee upon arrival.
Morning Tea and Lunch Gold Plate Catering (gluten free and vegetarian options available).
AITSL Aligned Certification for all attendees.
Free Day Parking.
Access to Education Stands.
Why are tickets to this event so cheap?
This event is not designed to make a profit. As a not for profit organisation, we simply seek to provide high quality access to education based Professional learning opportunities.
We have also heavily subsidised this event in thanks to our sponsors who contribute to the overall event costs.
What are my transport/parking options getting to the event?
We strongly recommend catching public transport to this event with a nearby train station (Murdoch station) and bus interchange which is a short distance from the university site. Alternatively, car pooling is a highly recommended option.
PARKING OPTION:
Parking is available on all sides of the university campus with main parking accessed to the rear of the University via Discovery Way. Car parks 8 is closest to the event location with free parking available on the event date in all red and green parking zones (no parking permit required).
What should I bring to the event?
We strongly recommend that you wear comfortable clothing and bring your wallet/purse. Access to Wifi is also available to use on site if you wish to bring your laptop.
Where can I contact the organiser with any questions?
Simply email us at admin@networkteach.com with any query you may have and we will provide a response within 24 hours.
Is my registration/ticket transferrable?
Absolutely, simply contact us with the new name and email address of the attendee via our Facebook page or via email at: admin@networkteach.com.
Is the venue friendly to those in a wheelchair?
The grounds of Murdoch are unfortunately very hilly however the venue itself has a standard elevation and is readily accessible with lifts to the venue location.
Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?
A printed ticket is NOT REQUIRED for this event as we will simply check you in upon arrival.
What is the refund policy?
Due to the heavily discounted cost of this event, REFUNDS ARE NOT PROVIDED FOR THIS EVENT. We do however offer you the opportunity to on-sell your ticket. We simply need the details of the new ticket holder (full name and email address). THERE IS NO NEED TO CONTACT US IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO ATTEND ON THE DAY!
WHERE IS THE EVENT?
The event is located at the Murdoch University (South Street Campus), Boola Katitjin (building 360) located on the map below.
Please access via Discovery Way which is closest to event site for your convenience.
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity
