Educator and Exhibitor Voices: ECA Regional, Rural and Remote Early Childhood Forum

In this special live episode of the Learn Play Thrive podcast, we take you to the heart of the ECA Regional, Rural and Remote Early Childhood Forum in Coffs Harbour. Host Simone Brand explores the vital work being done by professionals who champion quality early education across NSW’s most diverse landscapes. This episode dives deep into the unique challenges and incredible opportunities facing regional services today—from overcoming distance barriers for professional development to building cross-sector partnerships that strengthen local communities. 

Straight from the exhibition floor, we bring you the voices of the educators and exhibiting organisations including:
- Educationall Australia 
- Education Services Australia
- Education National. 

Join us as we celebrate the resilience of our sector and share inspiring stories from the field. Tune in to hear how we can all work together to ensure that quality early childhood education isn't defined by a postcode, but by the passionate changemakers working within our communities.

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Have questions or feedback? Connect with us on social media or email us at info@learnplaythrive.com.au

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- Website: www.learnplaythrive.com.au

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- Email: info@learnplaythrive.com.au

Transcript

SPEAKER_05 0:00

Welcome to Learn Play Thrive the podcast, the ultimate early learning podcast for educators and leaders in the sector. Let's learn, play, and thrive together.

SPEAKER_01 0:11

The Learn Play Thrive podcast was recorded on the land with the Dark and Jung people. We pay our respects to the traditional custodians, past, present, and emerging. Hands up, hands down, clear on dark and jungle land.

SPEAKER_05 0:24

Hello and welcome to a very special episode of Learn Play Thrive the podcast. I'm your host, Simone Brand, and today we're coming to you live from the stunning Gumbingye country at Opal Cove Resort in Coughs Harbour. We are here for the Early Childhood Australia Regional, Rural and Remote Early Childhood Forum, an event that is truly close to my heart. This forum is dedicated space for empowering the incredible professionals whose work within and alongside our regional, rural, and remote communities. As many of you listening know, providing high quality education and care in these areas comes with a unique set of circumstances. And this week is all about exploring those challenges and more importantly, celebrating the innovative solutions and successes that come from them. In this episode, we're sharing the real voices of the forum. You'll hear from educators, sector leaders, and exhibitors from across New South Wales who have gathered here to build long-lasting networks and learn from the best in the field. We are discussing everything from leadership skills and practical strategies to the vital importance of equitable access for all children, no matter their location. We also spend some time on the floor of the Exhibit Hub, chatting with the partners who help make our work possible. Whether you're a rural educator looking for the sense of connection or a leader seeking to strengthen your community partnerships, there is so much inspiration to unpack in these conversations. So let's get into it. Live from Coffs Harbour, this is Learn Play Thrive the podcast. So we've just come out of the first session in the Rural and Remote Forum. And I've got three lovely leaders here that have just come out and would like to share some of the inspiring takeaways from the first session. The last concept or topic that they were talking about was leadership, and they were talking very much about the pillars of trust and the triangle of trust. What would you be your takeaway from that aspect of ensuring that integrity, professional identity, and gossiping stays at bay within the workplace?

SPEAKER_04 2:16

Yeah, so we've been working on that a lot with our new managing director. She's very much about no triangles. And it's been amazing, like when it works, you see everyone thriving and everyone's lewed, and you know, the you can feel it in the culture, how how different it is. But then you know, you do feel yourself and you see others slipping back into it.

SPEAKER_05 2:37

Because you end up building strong relationships and you fall into the friendship zone with your colleagues, but within the workplace, it's important to continue to monitor and practice professionalism.

SPEAKER_04 2:49

Yeah, but it's it's it could be perceived, that's right, yeah, and it's not productive.

SPEAKER_05 2:55

I guess is it is it a helpful conversation or is it a conversation that's just getting it out? Which there's always space for both.

SPEAKER_11 3:01

That's right. I think that naturally you fall back into that that gossiping, it's sort of innate. You have to really work on you know strategies like that with the with the triangle of trust and the no triangles when you're talking.

SPEAKER_02 3:15

Yes when you see it rather than going to someone else to talk about what you see, say it right away to that person because otherwise that's happening.

SPEAKER_11 3:24

Yeah, I think it's yeah, it's they're really good reminders, and I think that's why these sorts of things, and there's a lot of um podcasts or information out there that really just keep you in check, you know, like keep you in check about that's right. That's why that's important.

SPEAKER_04 3:39

So and seeing where we've come from really thick, horrible culture of gossip to coming out the other side and seeing how much lighter it is and how everyone adapted to work, you know. Yeah, really.

SPEAKER_05 3:53

It's almost taking away the blame game and just taking a bit of accountability and wondering does this person need to know this information or is it just me wanting to talk it through with someone to organise it in my own thoughts?

SPEAKER_11 4:05

Yeah, yeah, absolutely. Yes, I agree.

SPEAKER_10 4:09

Hi, I'm Amanda McDonald. I'm the early learning specialist with Education Services Australia. So we're exhibiting all the early childhood resources that we have for teachers Tuesday. Everything is funded by the Australian Government's Department of Education, so they're all free resources and hubs for teachers to access. Primarily, these ones are around language learning and communication. Yes, beautiful books and posters. Resources, online resources that teachers can print and use in really open-ended ways to improve communication skills that she's put.

SPEAKER_02 4:43

It was very insightful. Firstly, it's nice to be in a room full of people that are so like-minded. It's very inspiring, I think, given what's going on in our sector at the moment. It's nice to kind of break away from the service to connect with others. I really liked, she spoke a lot about the 2025 Skills Horizon and what that looks like for future employees and people coming through our sector and what skills are required and what leaders need to look like. I really like how she delved into the difference between leadership versus management. That's something I'm really in my growth mindset at the moment, looking at what skills leaders need. Um I think the controversial thing at the moment is AI and looking at the guidelines and framework if we use AI, what that looks like in a service.

SPEAKER_03 5:25

We're here talking about the takeaways and things that have been inspiring you so far and also why you're here. So, why are you here today? I'm here. Well, a big reason that I'm here today is because I wanted to support the idea of these kinds of get-togethers happening in regional areas, you know. Sometimes we feel in regional spaces that we miss out on some of the things that the people in the city get. So yeah, I just really love supporting that.

SPEAKER_05 5:48

So many amazing speakers and experts in this room right now being able to share their uh information in a rural space. It is a great thing.

SPEAKER_03 5:57

And I did hear that you came around from just around the corner. Just around the corner, so lucky me. Yeah. What are some things that you're hoping to take away from the Torah? Aside from the obvious opportunity just to connect and to network and um and talk to other people that have experienced similar experiences to myself in the sector. I'm really excited to hear some of the things about the inclusion support work and the access to inclusion support in regional areas. Um, so that's something that's definitely super relevant to our service. And what role do you have in the village? I'm a nominated supervisor for a service here in Cost Harbour. Beautiful. That takes on a lot of different hats. Absolutely. On a stream day. Yeah, okay. So we have 116 places, so we're a relatively large service for um for our town. We have children from six weeks all the way up to preschool age, and my day basically looks like I rock up and I go from room to room, and I touch base with all of our incredible room leaders about what their day is. So I spent a lot of time mentoring. I just finished my master's degree. Thank you very much. So again, our service has a really big uh value for advocating for our sector, both early childhood and um and the continual professional development um of all our educators. So we've got trainees that just finished high school last year and started um in their search free this year, all the way up to uh master's degree. So what was your focus on in your masters? Um leadership. Leadership. Yeah, so I actually really enjoyed the session that we just had with Dr. Valinda. It was amazing. That purposeful leadership and intentional leadership is a real passion for them. So uh and what do you give our leaders listening as a little bit of a talking? I think being purposeful and intentional, I think in our sector we attract nurturers and carers, and so sometimes that the assertiveness that is necessary for purposeful and intentional leadership doesn't come naturally. So um, but it is a skill that can be developed, and I think that encouraging people to in our sector to really take on that mantle of leadership and that part of leadership that is a little bit more direct and encouraging them not to be afraid. And clarity is kindness is what Renee Brown says.

SPEAKER_05 8:17

So yeah, that's I think in her in her in her speech she did touch on the clarity and also being forward and not beating around the bush.

SPEAKER_03 8:26

Exactly. Meaning what you say and being clear with what you say. Just allows for a very succinct way of building a relationship with someone so that they can trust you. It's honest and transparent. And again, I think sometimes people feel uh reticent to be direct because they feel that it might come across as unkind. But again, that idea of clarity being kind when we are clear in what our values are, in what our expectations are, it allows people to then go, oh great, I have a set of goalposts that I can, you know, aim for. And um and people like to feel that they're um succeeding at meeting your expectations. So being clear in what those expectations are is helpful.

SPEAKER_00 9:09

Yeah, hi, so I'm Kim Rowland, and um I live in Sydney, but I am currently in a role with Gaira Preschool and World Daycare Centre as uh well, we laugh about a FIFO fly and fly out early childhood teacher because you know the shortage of trying to get qualified staff in rural and regional areas is quite evident. Um so I took on this role and so basic yeah, well, it's it's it's it's a 10 and a half hours a week, part-time, flexible role. So every four or five weeks I drive or flight to Armadale and then go half an hour up the hill, as they say, to Gaira, to this beautiful little service, and I spend time there with the team. I'm in the role of early childhood teacher and joint education leader. So working with the team and and the children, and then I come back and do the rest remotely. So it's you know, we we do try and always have relationships with our families, but I think in those smaller rural communities, it's an even closer relationship. I can leave a service in Sydney and not see the educators or the children till the next time I'm back at the service. Whereas, you know, I think Ira has 2,000 people. You are running into people all the time, you know, and they're at they're at they work at the bakery, they're at the football field. So the it's even more of part of the community, which is good pros and cons, you know. I mean, it's so fabulous, but everyone knows everyone and is related to everyone. So that confidentiality is really important. The lines can be blurred sometimes, and so I think that it's really important to have those boundaries on that professionalism and confidentiality, but it also brings about this community of these educators and nurturers because they are sometimes, you know, taking care of their niece or their daughter-in-law's child, or you know, all these sorts of things. So it's it's it's a beautiful energy. I I I work in energy as well, you know, and and the the energy of this service is just fabulous. I'm lucky to have found this incredible opportunity. And I I think what I want to learn from this forum is of course all the amazing workshops, but just meeting other educators from smaller regional, rural, and remote community services and seeing are they all the same? You know, what are the differences? What can I learn? Because I'm very much, you know, I've been round round the sun quite a few times. Um I'll be 60 at the end of this year, so I've I've had lots of experience, but also always learning. I think if you if you stop learning, you're not a a good educator anymore. So I'm really enjoying the learning that I'm getting from this opportunity.

SPEAKER_09 12:16

I am here with Jenny Fay from Educational National. So, Jenny, could you tell us a little bit about Education National?

SPEAKER_06 12:24

Education National was started by my boss when he was 14. He started painting, loves his artwork, and he wanted to make a job out of his artwork. So he had his first collection together by the age of 16. He made them in his dad's garage, uh, went out, sold some, came back, made some more, etc. etc. And now we've got books, puzzles, games, rugs, uh, a wide variety of furniture, and our indigenous products will come with a certificate of authenticity from our Aboriginal artists. And I'm always looking for Aboriginal artists, always. My dream is to have them all over Australia.

SPEAKER_09 13:10

Fantastic. Well, I've been looking at some of your beautiful setup here at your exhibit at the forum. And can you share for our listeners who are not here some of the play-based resources that you're showcasing for educators?

SPEAKER_06 13:25

What I've got here at the moment, I've got some carpet rugs, lots and lots of books. I've got puzzles, puppets of all different price range, too. In regards to our puzzles, which is a big one, they're all Australian-made, Australian-owned. We try and do everything here in our factory in Sydney, and we ship Australia-wide. With our puzzles, if a child loses a piece, takes a bit home appearing, posts the puzzle back to us in the tray, we take that puzzle out, we put a brand new one back in the into the tray and give it back to you for absolutely nothing. That goes on for one year from date of purchase only when you buy direct through us, as we're the makers. If you buy it through somebody else, you're on your own.

SPEAKER_09 14:17

Yes.

SPEAKER_06 14:18

Because we've got quite a lot of wholesalers too.

SPEAKER_09 14:20

Yeah.

SPEAKER_06 14:21

So come direct, support Australian made, Australian-owned.

SPEAKER_09 14:27

And your resources, uh, you've got a lot of uh wooden resources, which are beautiful. And I saw your lovely dreamtime games table. Can you tell us a little bit about how that one works?

SPEAKER_06 14:37

The games table is brand new. That's one of our newest things out. All made out of wood. Within the games table, they all slide in together. It's got a bush tucker game, a serpents and ladders game, a tic-tic-tac-toe with indigenous symbols, and a yarning circle story game. You can buy the table by itself, or you can buy with the four stores. Once again, Australian-made, Australian-owned, and they will come with a certificate of authenticity from our Aboriginal artist. We've also got a boomerang celebrity rainbow wall serpent game. All of our furniture will come with a certificate of authenticity. Once again, wide variety of products.

SPEAKER_09 15:30

And it's a wonderful way for early childhood services across the country to help share the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture through using these resources and trying to embed it in their curriculum in that way. And it's a great starting point for some educators who might not know where to start.

SPEAKER_06 15:53

Also, if you have an idea, let us know. Because I will draw like a little sketch on what you you are trying to tell me. Yes. And then I take it back to my boss and he'll give me a quote. Scary thing for the customer, you're buying off my crappy little drawing. But you will get something absolutely beautiful, amazing, and most of all Australian-made, Australian-owned.

SPEAKER_09 16:18

Yes, and so just sorry, because it suits your individual service.

SPEAKER_06 16:24

So if anyone wants to contact me, it's uh jenny at educationnational.com.au. So jenny at educationnational.com.au. I'm the national sales rep. I do all the conferences. I go Australia wide. You do quite a bit of travel then. I do a lot of travel. A lot of travel. But I love my job. I've been with my with the owner, Matthew Ingram, for 16 years. And I love my job.

SPEAKER_09 16:59

I'm here with Tanya and Shannon at the Regional Rural and Remote Early Childhood Forum. And they're from St. Joseph's Family Services. So tell us a little bit about what are you excited to do at the conference? Networking or excited to listen to a particular speaker.

SPEAKER_07 17:16

Yeah, really excited to just network, get out into the community, meet new people, take back some hopefully some really great ideas to our services. I'm really looking forward to meeting Emma. I follow her on Instagram, so yeah, pretty exciting.

SPEAKER_13 17:31

Yeah, I'm really excited. There's amazing resources around that I'm gonna have to purchase some things to take into my team. Um, and really excited to just share some new ideas for our teams to reflect on and get them more excited about um working with children and putting them first.

SPEAKER_09 17:46

Uh it's fantastic because I think regional, rural, and remote services, you know, they are unique early learning environments. So it's great that everyone in those early learning services can get together and kind of brainstorm and share ideas, isn't it? About quality early childhood.

SPEAKER_12 18:02

Yeah, it's really exciting, it's so close to us. Yeah.

SPEAKER_07 18:04

Yeah, definitely having come from Sydney, you get so much opportunity there, you know, such big like cities that you get constant support and services where coming to rural, regional, you don't have that as much. So it's really good to get back in and to be able to make those connections and yeah, take them back to the team and share the ideas and hopefully start to find some more spark and motivation.

SPEAKER_09 18:29

Oh, wonderful. Thanks for sharing.

SPEAKER_08 18:32

It's been awesome two days. Um biggest one has certainly been our plus plus range, which is our educational plus plus resource with 600 pieces that the educators have been playing with, uh, quite open-ended and enabling the child to build and construct to their imagination. The favourites again would be the dinosaurs as well. So they're brand new. They're huge, aren't they? They are our giant dinosaurs, T-Rex. Um very yeah, first time that they've actually come to a regional conference, but been a great hit as well. Um music seems to be playing a fair bit of enjoyment within the with the directors and the delegates being here. So the tongue drum has been a huge success. And we had a couple of them playing the little star. So that was amazing. That was really, really good.

SPEAKER_09 19:21

And can you tell us a little bit about the small world phase setup ideas that you've got with some of those different resources?

SPEAKER_08 19:28

We did this when we've got the new twin house, um, sorry, the little gold houses, and that's all about sustainability within the oceans and keeping our oceans and waterways clean, collecting all the rubbish. So from there, we've used the little traits and just created some graphics out of belts and sea animals that we have. Um, there's turtles, little whales, and stingrays. Using some blocks and our pretty cute blocks and do that extension of learning for the children, let them use their imagination and continuing that conversation on our waterways.

SPEAKER_09 20:02

Thank you so much for sharing on the podcast. Thank you.

SPEAKER_05 20:05

Thank you for joining us on this episode of Learn Playthrive the podcast. We hope you found inspiration and valuable insights to fuel your journey in early childhood education. Remember the key to fostering learning, promoting play, and empowering young minds lies with your dedication and creativity. Stay connected between episodes by following us on Instagram at learnplaythrive underscore. And join the conversation on Facebook at LearnPlaythrive Australia. If you've enjoyed today's episode, please like, subscribe, rate or review our podcast on your favourite platform. Your feedback helps us to continue to deliver content that resonates with you. And don't forget to visit us at our website at learnplaythrive.com.au for additional resources, blog posts, and professional development opportunities. Until next time, keep learning, keep playing, and keep thriving. We'll see you in the next episode of LearnPlaythrive the podcast.