The Sector Connect + ECEC Workforce and Wellbeing Forum 2027

Where are we now, what is changing, and what will it take to build a resilient ECEC sector? As Australia's early childhood education and care sector looks towards 2027, providers and decision-makers face an evolving landscape of policy reform, operating pressures, workforce challenges and changing expectations around quality, wellbeing and professional recognition. This opening keynote will provide a high-level assessment of the state of the ECEC sector, examining the forces shaping its commercial sustainability, workforce resilience and long-term direction. Drawing on sector insights and industry experience, Jason Roberts will examine where the sector stands following the 2026 Workforce & Wellbeing Forum, the opportunities and risks emerging in 2027, and the strategic decisions providers and owners should be considering over the next 12–24 months. Key themes: The state of the sector: What has changed since the 2026 Workforce & Wellbeing Forum, and what do these changes tell us about the direction of ECEC? The operating environment: Is the market becoming easier or harder to operate in, and what are the implications for providers, owners and their workforce? Growth and opportunity: Where does sustainable growth remain possible, and how can providers pursue it without compromising quality, culture or educator wellbeing? The risks ahead: What are the biggest commercial, regulatory, operational and workforce risks facing ECEC owners? Resilience and leadership: What separates resilient operators from vulnerable ones, and how do leadership, workplace culture and workforce stability contribute to long-term success? The people factor: How do workforce capability, professional recognition, retention and wellbeing influence the sustainability of ECEC businesses? Looking ahead: What should owners and decision-makers be watching over the next 12–24 months, and which strategic decisions deserve attention now? Speaker:
Jason Roberts, Founder & CEO - Sector Publishing.

The policy settings shaping the people, conditions and future of ECEC. Australia's early childhood education and care (ECEC) workforce is central to the quality, sustainability and future of the sector. Yet workforce discussions are often framed around participation rates, staffing shortages, qualification requirements, retention figures and service capacity. While these measures are important, they only tell part of the story. Policy decisions influence every aspect of this experience. Funding models, regulatory requirements, workforce strategies, qualification pathways and employment settings shape not only the way services operate, but also the conditions in which educators work and build their careers. This panel will explore whether Australia's current policy settings adequately recognise the people behind the profession. It will examine the relationship between policy ambition and workforce experience, challenge whether existing approaches are delivering the right outcomes, and consider what needs to change to create a more sustainable, supportive and rewarding profession. Panelists to be announced soon.

Educators are at the heart of early childhood education and care, yet the realities of their working lives can be difficult to see from outside the room. Behind the relationships, learning experiences and care they provide every day are people navigating emotional demands, competing expectations, time pressures, team dynamics and the responsibility of supporting young children during some of their most formative years. For providers, the challenge is not simply to attract educators into the sector, but to create workplaces where people feel respected, supported, connected and able to build a meaningful career. This panel brings the lived experience of educators to the centre of the workforce conversation. Through the lens of service providers and leaders, it will explore what it genuinely means to care for the people who care for children. From the emotional labour of the role and the influence of workplace culture to recognition, belonging, leadership and the everyday experiences that shape job satisfaction. Moving beyond wellbeing initiatives and recruitment strategies, the discussion will examine the practical realities of creating workplaces where educators feel heard, their professional judgement is trusted, their contributions are recognised and their wellbeing is treated as part of quality practice. The panel will explore: The emotional reality of the work Feeling valued beyond words Workplace culture, belonging and psychological safety Leadership when the pressure is on Why educators stay and why they leave Turning good intentions into everyday practice Attendees should leave with a clearer understanding that workforce wellbeing is shaped not only by individual resilience or external conditions, but also by the everyday experience of working within a service. They should be challenged to reflect on how leadership, culture, recognition and workplace practices influence whether educators feel they belong, can thrive and see a future in the profession and identify practical opportunities to make that experience better. Panelists to be announced soon.

For many educators, ECEC is meaningful, skilled and deeply rewarding work. Yet questions remain about how the profession is perceived, how educators understand their own professional value, whether their expertise is recognised and what opportunities exist to grow, progress and build a sustainable career. As expectations around work, leadership, flexibility, development and purpose continue to evolve, the sector must consider what the next generation of professionals will be looking for and whether the profession is ready to meet those expectations. This panel brings together experts who speak clearly on behalf of educators across research, education, workforce development and professional advocacy to explore the identity and future of the ECEC profession. It will examine how professional recognition, educator voice, career pathways, training and workplace expectations influence the way people enter, experience and remain in the sector. The challenge is not simply to attract the next generation into ECEC. It is to build a profession in which they can imagine themselves growing, contributing and staying. Our panel will explore: What does it mean to be an ECEC professional? Recognition, respect and professional value Belonging, voice and having a stake in the future What does the next generation want from a career? Building visible and meaningful career pathways Education, training and the transition into practice From workforce pipeline to professional future Attendees should leave thinking beyond immediate workforce shortages and considering the long-term identity and strength of the ECEC profession. They should gain a clearer understanding of how professional recognition, educator voice, belonging, education and career opportunities shape the future workforce and what the sector can do to make ECEC a profession people can envision a future in, not simply a job they enter. The ultimate challenge is to move from asking how we attract more people into ECEC to asking what kind of profession we need to create for them. Panelists to be announced soon.

A personal conversation about the people who inspired the champion, the realities educators face, the importance of recognition and the legacy we want to leave for the next generation. What would change if we valued educators as much as we value the work they do? Fireside Chat guest to be announced soon.