Introducing the concept underpinning the 2012 conference

The conference title, Consulting the Compass-Defining Directions is a timely reflection of the changes taking place in the Australian early childhood sector to define our future directions and re-shape our professional identity.

New frameworks and curriculum documents are at the forefront of this change. The National Quality Framework incorporates a new, combined compliance and quality-assurance system underpinned by a principle of continuous improvement. The Early Years Learning Framework, the Australian Curriculum and the Framework for School Age Care all challenge early childhood educators to set their sights on securing the best outcomes for children.

At the centre of our compass are children and this conference is a great opportunity to come together and reflect on how far we have progressed in recognising children as competent, engaged learners and in supporting them to flourish. It is also a time to get our bearings and define future directions together as we build capacity across the sector.

The conference title will be addressed through the conference themes, arranged around the four points of the compass. The points of the compass provide a structure for rethinking our practice, generating change in the best interests of children and mapping our journey together across the diverse contexts in which we work.

Networking
This stream will explore the strengths and complexities of networking on individual, setting and system levels. Networking is an essential function in learning communities that creates occasions for individuals-or groups-to come together to share, reflect, and relate with others to create new opportunities beyond our usual horizons and build on existing opportunities.

Sustainability
Sustainable practices and relationships are two ways in which sustainability can be explored. The notion of sustainable practices within our environments and in our work is not new. Our role of assisting children to become global citizens raises challenges and demands our attention, as do the issues of sustaining educators in times of change.

Engagement
At this exciting time in early childhood it is essential that educators are fully engaged with the new frameworks and curriculum documents. These offer wonderful opportunities to engage in ongoing debate and discussion around the latest research in early childhood as educators strive to implement these approaches in their practice. Promoting children's engagement with learning is paramount to these approaches. The challenges of engaging and partnering with children, families and others-both within and across disciplines-offers amazing opportunities for the sector.

Wellbeing
The wellbeing of children, families, communities and those that work with them is paramount to the security of our future, both nationally and globally. As the challenges associated with the changes taking place in the sector unfold, it is vital that the wellbeing of those working in the sector-and of the sector as a whole-is taken into serious consideration.