Professional Learning and Consultancy

At Lady Gowrie Qld we are committed to research that informs and guides our pedagogies and practices and contributes to high quality outcomes for educators, children, families and our broader communities. Generating new knowledge to support our work ensures that as an organisation we are investing in evidence-based policies and practices.

Lady Gowrie Qld is a willing collaborator in research that is ethical, impactful and seeks to advance knowledge in local, national and international contexts. Through research, we believe in creating better outcomes for children and families. We encourage research partners to contact us to discuss their research proposal. High quality research proposals that benefit our organisation, educators, children, families and communities and that apply and adhere to ethical research practices are welcomed. Proposals, where appropriate, should demonstrate approval for their research project from their organisation’s Human Research Ethics Committee or equivalent body.

Lady Gowrie Qld has a dedicated research and evaluation role that supports educators to be researchers of their own practice in their own contexts. Collaboratively designing research around areas of interest in their own sites supports research that is meaningful and has benefits for advancing our work with children and families. meaningful participation in research and evaluation by our educators and organisational team enriches all of our work. Sharing research findings across our organisation and beyond, contributes to building a research rich culture or inquiry across Lady Gowrie Qld.

If you would like to contact us to discuss a research proposal, please email our Research and Evaluation Manager, Dr Amanda McFadden at amanda.mcfadden@ladygowrie.com.au .

Professional Development 

Webinar with Dr Red Ruby – 12st July 2020

Anti-Bias Approaches in Relationships, Planning and Documenting

At the heart of the EYLF and the NQS are the anti-bias goals. In this workshop we will explore where they are in our national frameworks and how to put them into practice through relationships, planning and documenting beginning with places and spaces.

Evening With Philip butler – 28th July 2020

A framework for cultivating innovation and quality for teams: Unpacking the three themes of excellence

So, we have the teams, we know what our roles and responsibilities are, and we are all able to make it through the day alive. How do we now keep the momentum going for continuous improvements, for creating space for innovation and new thinking, and how do we support each other and build on our combined strengths to achieve excellence (whatever that may look like)? Excellence in Early Childhood Education and Care is not a science…it’s an art. This sessions content will allow you to explore your connection with continuous improvements (both professionally and personally), reflective practices, and each other, in order to achieve the aspirational outcomes and goals we need to be setting as both individuals and as teams.

Webinar With Catharine Hydon – 10th August 2020

Professionalism: Knowing our Impact: Professionalism Early Childhood Education

“My role, as [educator], is to evaluate the effect I have…” John A.C. Hattie

Being a early years professional in the twenty first century is full of possibilities and paradoxes. Simultaneously we strive to be knowledgeable yet responsive, skilled yet inclusive, decisive yet collaborative.  The landscape of professional practice in the early years has shifted significantly.  From a bunch of nice ladies who simply cared for others to highly skilled professionals whose knowledge and practice skills deliver outcomes to children and their families.  So what does 2019 have in store for us?  What are the ideas that will shape our work and how can we be proactive?

This collaborative learning opportunity will explore our professional landscape with particular emphasis on ethics, advocacy, contemporary practice, quality and innovation combined with our own sense of professional identity.

Participants will be invited to exploring practice possibilities make connections with their everyday work with children and their families.  When we choose to act this way we define professional in new ways, help our communities to understand our roles and deliver more effective outcomes.

Webinar with Anthony Semann – 18th August 2020

Working positively with behaviours that challenge: More than a behaviour management plan

We can all agree and appreciate that there are some behaviours which are challenging. It would be misplaced to suggest all behaviours are welcomed. However, it is how we work with these behaviours, how we approach them and how we understand them that will make a difference. Working with behaviours which challenge requires us to keep some values in mind including fairness, equity and social justice. What this looks like when working with behaviours will look difference. In this session, Anthony will explore what it means to work positively with challenging behaviours and will challenge the idea that a behaviour management plan is what is needed.

Webinar with Janet Robertson – 9th September 2020

Planning for Learning Outdoors

Consider the amount of time children and educators spend outdoors? Now consider the educational program and the documentation which has a focus on learning? Is there a balance here? Learning outdoors can provide ample opportunities for children to learn beyond physical development, however we ad educators need to shift our focus on planning outdoors and celebrate the amazing learning opportunities that await. In this online session we will explore how to plan and assess learning which takes place in the great outdoors.

Event Flyer

Webinar with Greg Dean – 14th October 2020

Leading by Design at all Levels

Leadership goes beyond a title. The mindful and deliberate leadership behaviours displayed by all of us in an organisation help our staff and colleagues feel connected to the broader purpose. They are a big predictor of whether our people stay, engage and deliver. In the face of information overload, constant change, and doing more with less however, many of us can fall into a default mode – one of “keep doing what got me where I am, to get me where I need to go”. Good people leadership practices and the important conversations (if they happen at all) occur ‘on the fly’. Often the result is frustration, disengagement and ultimately poor performance at both individual and organisational levels. During this interactive session we will examine what’s missing from the modern employment (psychological) contract and explore how to develop a clearer sense of purpose. We will look at practical, deliberate and mindful leadership behaviours that make the biggest difference. You will have the opportunity to reflect on and discuss your own leadership challenges and develop a brief action plan for generating some quick leadership wins.

Event Flyer

Webinar with Anthony Semann – 20th October

There’s more to group learning than group time: Unleashing the power of shared thinking with young children

Ever feel like when you are doing group time you spend more time supporting children’s behaviour than focussing on the content for the lesson. Do you spend vast amounts of time preparing intentional group experiences only to be side-tracked at the last minute by children or other educators? Well, now is the time to stop doing group experiences TO the children and start doing them WITH the children. This webinar will invite to re-imagine your group experiences with children, and the opportunities for shared conversations and reflective discussions these group experiences can offer us. We invite you to join us as we discuss a variety of teaching techniques and pedagogical understandings.

Event Flyer

TO REGISTER: https://ladygowrieqld.arlo.co/