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ETHICS IN ACTION: A CONVERSATION ON THE CHOICES THAT SHAPE OUR PRACTICE
Early Childhood Australia is proud to announce the keynote session Ethics in Action: A conversation on the choices that shape our practice at the 2026 ECA National Conference in Melbourne. Join Catharine Hydon as she facilitates a thought-provoking discussion featuring Dr Simon Longstaff AO, Dr Anne Kennedy AM and Leanne Mits.
REGISTER TODAY AND SAVE!
The 2026 ECA National Conference is returning to the east coast! With Melbourne just a short trip away for many, don't miss your chance to attend Australia's premier early childhood education and care (ECEC) conference.
Register today to take advantage of the earlybird savings and join us for three dynamic days of thought-provoking keynotes, engaging professional dialogue and practical learning designed to inform and strengthen your practice.
If you’re unable to attend in person, virtual delegate registrations are also available so you can access the insights and inspiration from wherever you are.
Registrations start from $1,228 per person, with discounted earlybird rates available for a limited time.
CELEBRATE YOUR PEERS—NOMINATE TODAY
ECA’s awards are highly regarded across the early childhood education and care sector. They recognise the important role professional educators play in promoting and enhancing the delivery of early years learning.
Applications and nominations are now open for the following awards:
Left to right: ECA National President Trevor Brown, 2026 Doctoral Thesis Award winner Dr Amie Fabry, Barbara Creaser Memorial Lecture Award winner Kellie Murray and ECA CEO Sam Page
CONFERENCE SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE
ECA is committed to ensuring broad participation in the conference, especially for those facing financial or travel barriers. A limited number of single-rate virtual and in-person scholarships are available to assist individuals and organisations in rural and remote areas. Scholarships can be used to pay for a portion of travel, accommodation or registration costs at the discretion of the individual or their employer. Click the button below to apply today!
Interested in supporting the sector?
By becoming a Conference Scholarship Sponsor you will play a valuable role in promoting participation and reducing barriers for delegates who may otherwise be unable to attend the conference in Melbourne. Virtual scholarships are also available to ensure the widest possible representation at the conference.
PLATINUM SPONSOR
Modern Teaching Aids (MTA) is proud to be the Platinum Sponsor of the 2026 ECA National Conference. This year marks a special milestone as we celebrate 70 years of supporting educators across Australia. We couldn’t be prouder.
In 2026, we’re introducing 830 new early years resources, each designed to support meaningful learning now and for years to come. No matter what your service requires, we bring the expertise, support and resources to bring it to life. In short, we’ve got you.
Prioritising safety and compliance
With increased regulatory oversight across the sector, safety and compliance have never been more critical. Our Product Development team continually reviews and refines our resources to enhance visibility, improve supervision and strengthen structural integrity. From thoughtful design adjustments to material upgrades, every refinement is made with child safety, service compliance and meaningful engagement in mind.
Inclusive and sensory-rich play
Supporting children’s emotional wellbeing and self-regulation is a key focus for MTA. Our ever-expanding sensory range supports services in creating inclusive environments that nurture calm, focus and emotional development.
Our dedicated ‘Sensory Hub’ brings sensory solutions together in one ever-evolving destination, making it easy for educators to design inclusive, sensory-rich spaces where every child feels supported, engaged and ready to learn.
Sustainability and durability
MTA is committed to creating environmentally conscious products that reduce impact and support a more sustainable future. Many of our ranges are FSC certified, and we continue to expand responsibly sourced resources that promote eco-literacy.
Our ‘Indestructibles’ range is tough and rigorously tested for everyday play, resulting in fewer breakages, safer environments and less waste. Our resources are made to last so educators can spend less time replacing and more time creating meaningful learning moments with children.
As we celebrate 70 years in education, our focus remains on partnering with educators to create safe, inspiring and future-focused learning spaces.
We look forward to connecting with the ECA community at this year’s conference. Come and speak to our friendly specialist team to explore what’s new and what’s coming next. Reach out to our team by email at sales@teaching.com.au or phone us on 1800 251 497. We look forward to partnering with you and helping you make the difference.
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
The ECA National Conference is the ideal platform to promote your organisation and its services. At the same time, you will be supporting a major professional event for delegates who play an important role in the ECEC sector.
$10,795
A range of promotional opportunities are available including publication of branding in printed conference materials and on the ECA website, as well as placement at the 2026 ECA National Conference venue. Contact us now to secure the one best suited to your needs.
2026 AJEC RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM - APPLY TODAY
ECA is proud to welcome The University of Melbourne as the hosting partner for the 2026 AJEC Research Symposium, taking place on 30 September 2026 alongside the 2026 ECA National Conference.
Applications to present at the 2026 AJEC Research Symposium Making young children's rights, safety and wellbeing the paramount consideration are now open! To apply, please submit an abstract of your research paper aligned to the symposium theme and one or more of the five streams. Applications must be submitted online no later than 11.59 pm on 8 April 2026.
