Holding the Uncertain: Ethics, Relationships and Professional Courage

The 2027 ECA National Conference theme invites participants to consider how early childhood education and care (ECEC) professionals can thoughtfully, ethically and courageously navigate the complexity of the challenges the sector is facing. In a time of uncertainty and change in ECEC, it offers practical guidance on how to prioritise the best interests of children while also meeting the evolving ethical expectations surrounding inclusion, the use of emerging technologies and system-level reform. The theme also encourages thoughtful dialogue rather than definitive answers, reflection rather than declaration, and engaging with rather than retreating from challenges.

Conference presentations will be aligned to one or more of the following areas of inquiry:

Children at the core: rights, voice and belonging

This stream focuses on the unchanging priorities for children in a changing sector environment, meeting times of uncertainty with a firm commitment to children’s rights, interests and wellbeing. It invites presentations on children’s agency and voice; their inclusion and sense of belonging; and their participation and decision-making as young citizens. The stream also encourages presentations that demonstrate through practice examples and case studies how educators enact ethical obligations that prioritise children’s interests, support their self-determination, and promote on their behalf rights-based approaches, inclusion and equity.

Place, culture and deep listening

This stream invites participants to focus on the importance of understanding place, history and cultural authority, and the responsibility to listen carefully, respectfully and locally. It asks us to listen responsibly to national conversations involving truth-telling and to build respectful relationships with increasingly diverse communities and stakeholders. Presentations may explore community-led and First Nations partnerships; what cultural authority and accountability look like in practice; place-based approaches to learning; and going beyond mere consultation to building solid local relationships. Particularly encouraged are presentations on the implications of treaty and truth-telling for the sector; experiences of listening, learning and unlearning; and land-based pedagogies that recognise Country as an active teacher shaping curriculum, decision-making and everyday practice.

Courage in practice: leadership, ethics and systems

This stream explores the professional courage required to navigate complex and evolving systems, bringing together leadership, workforce, regulation and reform through an ethical lens. It invites presentations on the practical implementation of the ECA Code of Ethics; ethical leadership in the face of policy reform and compliance pressures; the ethical use of technology, including AI, in early learning; exercising professional judgement in implementing reforms and building trust in regulatory systems; and the solidarity, advocacy, sustainability, morale and wellbeing of the sector workforce.

Practice that holds: pedagogy in uncertain times

This stream focuses on thoughtful, high-quality practice as a stabilising force in times of change, inviting early childhood practitioners to share practical strategies and case studies that conference delegates can take away and implement in their own settings. It invites participants to reflect on pedagogical approaches, relationships and environments that support children’s rights, safety and wellbeing; and educator responsiveness to changing regulatory and policy conditions. Presentation topics may include risky play; relational practice with infants and toddlers; innovation in outside school hours care (OSHC) settings; thoughtful (rather than compliance-driven) documentation; and place-based learning and intentional design of indoor and outdoor environments.