KU Conference 2025- Kaleidoscope of Perspectives - Embracing the Diversity of Early Childhood Education

The KU Conference offers delegates the opportunity to consider the dynamic world of Early Childhood Education (ECE), with the view that no single perspective can capture the full complexity of our Early Learning environments.

Participants will gain insight and strategies from various speaker to embrace diverse perspectives, enhance educational settings, build inclusive relationships and challenge and refresh pedagogical approaches.

Keynote Speaker and Seminar - Dr Billy Garvey

Guiding Growing Minds founder, Dr Billy Garvey is a dad, podcaster, author and a developmental paediatrician with over 20 years’ experience working with children and families in a number of settings. He is passionate about helping those who care for kids – parents, educators, sports coaches, clinicians, family support workers – by advancing their ability to guide healthy child development and mental health

Workshops

Karen Hope “Halfway down the stairs is a stair where I sit.” Pedagogical documentation, Do you suspend action or move to action?

This workshop explores an evolving approach to pedagogical documentation with young children. Inspired by A.A. Milne’s metaphor of the stair as a place to pause and reflect, it emphasizes pausing to observe and document children’s learning journeys. Using the kaleidoscope metaphor, participants will see how shifting perspectives can reveal new insights, highlighting the balance between reflection and action

Catherine Lee Moving and changing – the beauty and challenge of the kaleidoscope

“In my kaleidoscope, I see many beautiful things I want to do in my life. I want to move and change like the patterns.” (Maddie, 4yrs) Change is challenging. It requires bravery, stepping outside your comfort zone, and reflecting deeply. It’s about listening, doing things differently, and sometimes taking a leap of faith. This presentation shares stories of bravery, risk-taking, shifting energy, and embracing the journey and growth along the way.

Kirsty Liljegren and Kelly Goodsir An Intersection of Possibilities: Reimagining Teaching and Learning Through the Arts

This workshop invites educators to explore multimodal learning to uncover the richness of children’s expressions and meaning-making. Through the arts, we can highlight and expand the diverse ways children think, create, and communicate. Reflective dialogue and interactive activities will inspire educators to embrace creativity, enriching practice, fostering inclusion, and honouring the multiplicity of children’s ideas and stories.

Clare Comedoy A considered curious lens – Professional wondering as a tool for transforming practice and perspectives of children under three

This workshop invites educators to expand their views and think about how asking questions and working together can shift their practice. We will explore how an inquiry-based approach to caring for and teaching children under three can transform learning spaces, materials, and conversations within a curious learning community.

Beth Macgregor From Surviving to Thriving: Shifting the Focus to Unlock the Potential of a High-Performing Team

Imagine viewing your role through a new lens—one that transforms how you contribute to a team. A strong team helps you not only cope with challenges but excel beyond them. It shifts focus from surviving chaos to thriving, boosting resilience, creativity, and job satisfaction. By adopting simple strategies, you can become a valuable contributor to a high performing team, reframing daily pressures into opportunities for growth and success