It’s been a busy start to 2025. ECA have been working on contract negotiations to deliver the next iteration of both the Inclusion Support Program and the NDIS Partner in The Community in the NT. With the recommendations coming from both the Productivity Commission Inquiry and the NDIS Independent Panel Review, we now have an opportunity to use our practice insights to contribute to the national policy reform in both these areas of work.

We have been developing up some new work this quarter, growing some innovative early supports work in both Katherine and Alice Springs with our ENVISAGE program (see below).

The last few months have also brought some staff changes in both our teams with people moving on to pursue new adventures, going back home or joining family interstate. As much as we are sad to see people leave, it is also an opportunity to embrace some new recruits that are bringing fresh ideas to our work!

We said goodbye to our fabulous Filomena Lay in January as she moved interstate to join her husband in Queensland. And at the same time, we said hello to the amazing Amanda Reid who has taken up the role of the ISP Program Manager in Darwin.

We also said goodbye to the lovely Harmony Plues from our Admin team last month, feeling both sad and proud as she spreads her wings with Kentish. We were very pleased to welcome Vi Bui into the role of Admin Officer and she has hit the ground running!

We are still recruiting and hope to introduce some more new faces in our next Newsletter.

Earlier this month Trish Wachtel and I had the opportunity to meet with our NT Education Minister Jo Hersey. We had a very productive discussion with the Minister and her early childhood team about all things early childhood. The Minister was keen to hear about our work and has expressed interest in visiting the ENVISAGE program as it grows in her hometown of Katherine.

Janet Williams-Smith
Inclusion and Early Intervention General Manager

Hello and welcome to the first newsletter of 2025!

The ECA Southern Region team has been supporting our services in several ways, with remote service visits, practical support to town services, resource and information sharing and several 'Coaching and Mentoring' sessions to build educator capacity and capability. Some of the subjects we have already visited this year with services include looking at the impact of Environments, Behaviour and Communication, and how educators can support children to have agency in their early learning experiences.

We have also continued our Stakeholder Monthly community of practice, with our first meeting being held on February 26^th. There was a great turnout and a valuable introduction to the Education Department SWIPS team and the process for accessing their support. We also heard from Susan Chambers at the Department of Trade, Business and Asian Relations in the Business and Workforce Branch, regarding funding for professional development opportunities in the region. Susan has secured Yasaman Standfield for our next meeting in March, who will share with us her Professional Development opportunities as an Early Childhood Education Consultant across the Territory.

We do have a bit of movement on the staffing front, with our amazing Inclusion Professional Sarah, finishing her time in Alice and heading off on new adventures. I am pleased to say that we will have a new Inclusion Professional, Emily, beginning with us at the end of March. We look forward to introducing Emily and the support she can offer to services and stakeholders in our region.

Please do reach out to your Inclusion Professional or our ECA team if you have any questions or requests about Inclusion Support here in the Centre!

Catherine Clucas 
NT IA Southern Region Program Manager

In my first three months I have had the privilege of joining this exceptional and knowledgeable team, dedicated to embedding the Early Childhood Australia (ECA) commitment to Inclusion. I am inspired and proud of their efforts, and I remain committed to continuing this journey, supporting my team as they carry on their outstanding work.

We remain dedicated to working alongside our partners at Batchelor Institute, where we have begun in-person classroom support and will continue throughout the year to ensure remote students receive our assistance as often as possible.

A special highlight this month was the Territory Kids Gunn coaching session, led by Angelique and Jacinta, which explored play schemas. Educators appreciated the engaging, hands-on presentation, which was beautifully designed and reinforced our commitment to professional development and inclusive practice.

Looking ahead, I’m excited to guide the team through the coming months as remote travel intensifies with the Mayilema season (speargrass, Magpie Goose egg, and knock ‘em down season). I also look forward to meeting and connecting with as many educators and stakeholders as possible.

Together, we will continue championing ECA’s mission, ensuring every child benefits from inclusive early learning experiences.

Amanda Reid 
NT IA Northern Region Manager

The start of 2025 has been a busy one for our NDIS team! We began the year refreshed and ready for new challenges. In January, our team gathered for a special day focused on Early Supports - activities and programs that help families build confidence, capacity, and capabilities to support their child's development in everyday life. The day featured rich discussions highlighting our team's passion, knowledge and commitment to supporting families across the Darwin region.

One key early support initiative is the ENVISAGE Families program. ECA has partnered with Australian Catholic University to deliver ENVISAGE Families and ENVISAGE First Peoples program throughout the NT. ENVISAGE is a program co-created by Australian and Canadian researchers, clinicians, and most importantly parents of children with developmental concerns and disabilities. Their mission is to empower caregivers to feel confident and competent to navigate the experience of parenting a child or children with developmental concerns by embracing contemporary strengths-based ideas about health, wellbeing, and development. This program is being socialised throughout the NT, so we encourage you to connect with our Facebook and Instagram pages to keep up to date with program dates and times. 

We are also sad to share that we bid farewell to one of our long-term team members, Marlies Coleman who is relocating interstate. Marlies has been with ECA for nearly 4 years working in the NDIS team and is a stalwart of the team. Her presence and contributions to the team will be dearly missed. On a positive note, we are very happy to be welcoming two new team members, Vanessa Burton and Caroline Lamin. We will introduce both team members properly in the next edition.

Trish Wachtel
Area Manager Early Childhood Approach

2025 has seen our gym 4 growth & development (g4gd®) program hosted by the City of Palmerston's Get Active, Palmerston program. We have been inundated with new families and have enjoyed welcoming back families who have attended before with new additions to their families! It has been such a joy to share music, singing, games and fun with everyone on Thursday mornings. This program finishes on the 27th of March and we look forward to bringing g4gd® program to other families in the Top End soon.

Claire Bredhauer,
Media, Events & Program Coordinator 

In the events space ECA started 2025 by attending the Mini Community Fun Day All Abilities Come and Try event hosted by the Clubhouse Project and Integrated disAbility Action. We spent the morning engaging with families at the Gray Community Hall and enjoyed connecting with other services.

In March we celebrated International Women's Day with a sweet treat and sentiment left for all Darwin staff.

In March we also celebrate Harmony Week and we attended a Harmony Day event at Malak Community Centre where ECA partnered with the City of Darwin and Territory Childcare Group to ensure the families of Darwin had the opportunity to participate in a fun and inclusive event for people of all cultures. Families participated in the World Cafe, the Fun Bus, flower weaving, an African drumming workshop and other great activities. It was a hot but fun morning for all.

Claire Bredhauer,
Media, Events & Program Coordinator 

Harmony Day - Malak Community Centre

Mini Community Fun Day - Integrated DisAbility Action

International Women's Day

Get Involved: Join an ECA NT Special Interest Group!

Are you passionate about shaping early childhood education in the NT? ECA NT’s Special Interest Groups (SIGs) offer a platform to collaborate with professionals, share expertise, and drive meaningful change in key areas of our sector.

ECA NT Special Interest Groups for 2025

Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) SIG
Focuses on implementing NT-specific deliverables from the national RAP, embedding culturally responsive practices, and strengthening relationships with First Nations communities.

Workforce Development SIG
Addresses recruitment, retention, and professional pathways to support a sustainable and skilled workforce. Advocates for practical solutions to workforce challenges.

Community of Practice & Professional Development SIG
Develops professional learning opportunities, establishes communities of practice, and supports reflective practice for professionals working alongside children in the NT. 

Political, Policy & Advocacy SIG
Engages in policy analysis, advocacy, and political engagement to ensure early childhood education remains a priority in NT and national agendas.

Communications Strategy SIG
Enhances ECA NT’s visibility through a strategic communications plan, including a 12-month social media strategy, branding, and content creation.

Join the Conversation!

Early Childhood Australia NT acknowledges the traditional owners of country throughout the Northern Territory and pay our respect to Elders past and present for their continuing custodianship of the land and the children of this land, across the generations.