Events for service and organisational leaders

Early Learning Leadership Forums and the complementary Best Start, Best Life Evening Leadership Series offer leaders the knowledge they need to lead for impact.

On this page

• Best Start, Best Life Evening Leadership Series

• Who can attend

• Early Learning Leadership Forums

• Who should attend

• To find out more
• Listen to what leaders have to say about the Forums
• Listen to past Leadership Forum conversations with experts

The Best Start, Best Life reforms are the most significant change to Victoria’s early childhood education and care sector in a generation.

It will take exceptional, informed and sustained leadership to confidently bring the sector on the journey ahead. Effective leaders will be equipped to communicate the benefits of the reforms to their teams and their local communities.

Early Learning Leadership Forums and the complementary Best Start, Best Life Evening Leadership Series provide sector leadership with the enriched opportunities they need to harness their diverse expertise, build collective capacity and drive change.

Best Start, Best Life Evening Leadership Series

The Best Start, Best Life (BSBL) Evening Leadership Series are hybrid events designed to provide up to date information and insights on the reforms.

They feature a fresh, accessible program delivered by highly regarded guest speakers, including leaders in early childhood education, researchers and leadership experts. Those who attend can expect to hear:

• insights into the progress of the Best Start Best Life reforms
• valuable expertise and advice on how to prepare your organisations and teams for change; and
• the latest information and updates from the department.

Who can attend

The BSBL Evening Leadership Series is open to any leader who may be seeking easily accessible expertise and information about the reforms within Victoria’s early childhood education sector.

This includes approved providers, service managers and administrators, peak bodies, Early Years Managers (EYMs) and committees of management.

The BSBL Evening Leadership events are free. Whether you are a new or experienced leader, you are welcome to attend.

Early Learning Leadership Forums

Early Learning Leadership Forums bring together the collective energy, expertise and experience of service and organisational leaders currently working to deliver change in the early childhood education sector across Victoria.

They are place-based, collaborative and built around sharing effective leadership strategies.

The events provide opportunities to engage in active participation and discussion with peers and hear from department representatives, sector leaders, and experts.

Leadership Forums offer information and support to:

• strengthen leadership capability
• join together to build a shared vision of the reforms
• mobilise local expertise and build relationships around shared outcomes

They are delivered twice a year in each of the department’s 17 Areas.

Who should attend

Leadership Forums are an important part of the way in which early childhood sector leaders can work together to navigate the important challenges and changes ahead. It is recommended that any professional in leadership or management roles in Victorian long day care and sessional kindergarten settings regularly participate.

Leadership Forums are free. Whether you are a new or experienced leader, you are welcome to attend.

To find out more

To find out more about the events, contact ec.forums.networks@education.vic.gov.au

Listen to what leaders have to say about the Forums

https://player.vimeo.com/video/868575430?autoplay=0

View transcript

Listen to past Leadership Forum conversations with experts

• Sir Kevan Collins: Creating Workplaces that foster professional growth

• Professor Sandie Wong and Dr Tamara Cumming: Building quality by supporting workforce wellbeing

• Emma King in conversation with Catharine Hydon on Leading for improved outcomes across the service system (coming soon)

• Dr Anne Kennedy on Access and equity – facilitating genuine family and community partnerships (coming soon)

• Dr Alex Gunn on Communities of Learners (coming soon)

• Dr Joce Nuttall on Effective leadership in practice (coming soon)

• Dr Jane Page on Leading for learning with a rights-based lens (coming soon)

• Dr Marilyn Fleer on The importance of play-based learning (coming soon)

Early childhood education and care

Updated 31 March 2026

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