The second major conference in Sydney: the National Early Childhood Education Summit 2026

Following last year's success, ACA NSW is pleased to announce the upcoming National Early Childhood Education Summit!

Over 2 days during 10-11 November 2026 in Sydney, the conference will feature many significant presenters, including:

• the QLD Minister for Education & the Arts, the Hon John-Paul Langbroek MP;

• the National President of ACA, Paul Mondo;

• the NSW Children's Guardian, Rachael Ward;

• the Public Advocate and Children and Young People Commissioner, ACT Human Righs Commission, Jodie Griffiths-Cook;

• the Commander Human Exploitation; Australian Federal Police, Joanne Cameron AP;

• the CEO of National Voice for Our Children, Catherine Liddle;

• the former National Children's Commissioner, Australian Human Rights Commission, Anne Hollonds;

• the CEO of Early Childhood Australia, Samantha Page;

• the Director, Childlight East Asia & Pacific Hub, University of NSW, Professor Michael Salter;

• the Director, Institute of Child Protection Studies, Australian Catholic University, Professor Daryl Higgins;

• the host of the leading Early Years for the Future Podcast, Early Childhood Australia, Dr Amie Fabry;

• the Executive Director & Co-Founder, Parkville Institute, University of Melbourne, Dr Anne Kennedy;

• the Sydney Law School's Socio-Legal Research & Policy, Professor Judith Cashmore AO;

• the Group Leader in Child Development, Education & Care, University of Queensland, Professor Karen Thorpe;

• ... and many more!

Across the 2 days, the 21 presentations and discussions will encompass:

• governments strengthening child safety, accountability and trust in ECEC reform;

• rethinking quality in early childhood education;

• rethinking oversight when compliance does not guarantee safety;

• how early detection and intervention can strengthen child safety;

• rethinking cultural safety, inclusion and leadership in ECEC;

• the paradox of rising standards in an under-resourced system;

• paying for quality - can the system systain rising standards and expectations;

• the importance of professional identity and respect;

• why quality and safety are ultimately cultureal;

• beyond burnout - why educator wellbeing must become a leadership priority;

• what actually keeps educators in the sector;

• understanding legal exposure in a higher accountability environment;

• through crisis - governance, media and reputation management;

• ... and more!

You can download the conference brochure. And for more information, please contact the conference organiser:

• Aventage

• on 02 8378 4334

• or e-mail to info@aventedge.com.

• tickets are from $1,599 to $2,199 pp. Group discounts are also available.

... or register via here. NOTE: The early bird prices ends on 7 August 2026.

Members can contact the ACA NSW team via 1300 556 330 or nsw@childcarealliance.org.au for any other information/clarification, including discounted rate for ACA NSW members using a particular code.

PUBLISHED: 5 AUGUST 2026