Early Childhood Conference 2026
Educating with Innovation and Purpose — Empowering Minds, Honouring Cultures, and Inspiring Connected Futures.
Program at a glance
Thursday 13 – Friday 14 August 2026 – Register now at Eventbrite!
The CEWA Early Childhood Conference theme focuses on the various aspects of a child’s life during the early years.
Through the exploration of early childhood development and pedagogy, educators build an understanding of the significance of each child’s story. The conference will empower educators to recognise the pivotal role this plays in optimising learning, development, and lifelong success.
Oogly Octopus Artwork created by Jahliah Mandijalu, Sacred Heart School, Beagle Bay.
The octopus, a master of adaptation and ingenuity, mirrors the boundless potential of our little learners. Join us at the Early Childhood Conference, where the symbolism of the octopus comes to life, inspiring educators to cultivate a vibrant, nurturing environment where every child can thrive and explore the wonders of their own ocean of possibilities.
Our Conference Speakers
Delve deeper into the wealth of expertise and inspiration awaiting you by taking a closer look at the profiles of our distinguished speakers.
Each speaker brings a unique perspective, rich experiences, and a genuine passion for early childhood development. From seasoned educators to innovative researchers, our speakers diverse backgrounds converge to offer a comprehensive and engaging spectrum of knowledge.
Explore their individual profiles to uncover the wealth of insights they bring, providing you with valuable perspectives and strategies to enhance your understanding of the dynamic world of early childhood education.
Prepare to be inspired, enlightened, and equipped with the tools necessary to make a profound impact on the lives of the young learners you nurture.
Launch Function Information
Join us at our conference launch function to hear Dr Jane Merewether (PhD), a Senior Lecturer in Early Childhood and Indigenous/Cultural Studies in the School of Education at Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, deliver the keynote.
Her research and teaching explore children’s common world relations with materials, places, and nonhuman others, and is published in Australian and international journals and books. She has also presented her research both nationally and internationally. Dr Merewether is particularly interested in generating liveable, sustainable, and ethical pedagogies in the context of climate and ecological change. She works with participatory methodologies and theoretical perspectives that help her to pay attention to entangled human and more-than-human relations and ways of cultivating thinking collectively with the world. Dr Merewether also draws on her many years of experience as an early childhood teacher in Australia, and a long-term engagement the educational project of Reggio Emilia in Italy.
6 March Launch Function
- 4:30pm Refreshments upon arrival
- 5:00- 5:30pm
- Delegate Welcome – CEWA Executive Director Wayne Bull
- Prayer and Welcome to Country
- 5.30 pm Welcome Address – Hon Sabine Winton MLA
- 6.00pm Keynote Presentation – Dr Jane Merewether
- 6:40pm Networking and Refreshments
Conference Online Registration
Through the exploration of early childhood development and pedagogy, educators build an understanding of the significance of each child’s story. The conference will empower educators to recognise the pivotal role this plays in optimising learning, development, and lifelong success.
- 7 March Conference Day 1 8.30am – 4.30 pm
- 8 March Conference Day 2 8.30am – 4.30 pm
- 9 March Conference Day 3 8.30am – 12.30 pm
A partial relief reimbursement will be provided to a limited number of CEWA kindergarten teachers who attend the conference. To be eligible to receive the funding, principals must complete this form for each kindergarten teacher attending. (Limit 3 per school).