This presentation looks at the trend away from rigid structures and miles of safety surfacing towards well-designed spaces surrounding nature that challenge children and provide loads of child-initiated learning opportunities. We will also discuss the important trend towards incorporating the principle of sustainability in our services.

Having a positive attitude towards the outdoors is vital for those working with young children, Discover why getting outside and in touch with nature is good for your whole self. Participants do not need to be of athletic build....however you must be ready to have some fun, keen to be challenged, engage in problem solving and open to working with others.

The smaller the space the more essential it is to have that space well designed. This workshop reveals 10 different keys to making the most of small outdoor spaces, with heaps of examples of innovative playground design ideas.

Bubbles may seem like a simple activity but it offers so many opportunities to challenge children’s thinking, incorporate science discoveries, language and learning. Explore how to step out of the box in engaging children in learning about their bodies in the centre and the wider community. Discuss how the team handed children’s interest as it lead to cow, duck, fish and lamb dissections!

Whether we are on the inside or outside of the box we live by our own values, so is it possible to develop shared core values for our team and workplace and if so, how? A fun interactive workshop.

Every child, young person and adult was created in the image of God and to be full of confidence, hope and life. Yet, to be indigenous carries a notion of shame for some. This workshop will elaborate more on education that is ‘out of the box”, that celebrates indigeneity, creates an environment of belonging and challenges notions of shame and deficit practice in working with Maori in education

Every child, young person and adult was created in the image of God and to be full of confidence, hope and life. Yet, to be indigenous carries a notion of shame for some. This workshop will elaborate more on education that is ‘out of the box”, that celebrates indigeneity, creates an environment of belonging and challenges notions of shame and deficit practice in working with Maori in education

What box do we have God in and how do we let Him out. This workshop is interactive, with an opportunity to explore our perception of God in an early childhood setting. We will look at questions such as; How do we see God in the centre? how do we show God holistically? How can we be current and yet not compromise the integrity of the gospel? This workshop is not about giving the answers but about exploring what God may look like outside the box.

We work in a predominately female profession. It’s sometimes not easy to include men and be effective in communicating with dads. But it can make a world of difference to children. Involving fathers (or the father figure) benefits the young child, and therefore the child’s whole family. This workshop will give you essential information, tips and practical ideas. Presenter Adam buckingham will discuss strategies and ideas to attract and involve men within the early childhood centre and to consider the role teachers and centres can play in supporting fathers in their parenting. Adam will provide an overview of his experiences of involving fathers and share insights into the challenges men face within any early childhood setting.

This presentation is a pictorial tour of innovative equipment designed and made for young children, predominately made from solid waste materials. It is about transforming someone else’s rubbish into learning experiences for young children. How this has linked people from the wider community to the early childhood environment, knowing that they are contributing their solid waste to be transformed into something useful. This equipment provides an opportunity for young children to manipulate and explore real world objects. Items are incorporated from the home environment and the wider world-to inspire and enrich young children’s learning.

This presentation is a pictorial tour of innovative equipment designed and made for young children, predominately made from solid waste materials. It is about transforming someone else’s rubbish into learning experiences for young children. How this has linked people from the wider community to the early childhood environment, knowing that they are contributing their solid waste to be transformed into something useful. This equipment provides an opportunity for young children to manipulate and explore real world objects. Items are incorporated from the home environment and the wider world-to inspire and enrich young children’s learning.

This workshop will explore taking responsibility for choosing the way we live our lives, including how we can foster a sense of self worth for children that they can be active learners rather than conform to the box we may be creating for them.
 ( This workshop follows on from Saturday afternoon keynote)

Are you struggling with behaviour that challenges you? This presentation will explore what research and theory says that has proven to make a transformative change in children’s behaviour.

Exploring ways to incorporate aspects of papatuanuku into the curriculum, including harakeke, with some projects for beginning weavers. This workshop will be held at Otaki kindergarten. (Transport will be provided from Waikanae). There will be time to explore the Kindergarten Environment.              (Limited to 40 people)

Come and join us for an interactive and practical workshop. We will explore how you can put into practice and make evident, simple and easy songs, books, games, phrases and other resources..

Sowing faith for life in children and families using songs, books, resources and crafts.

Practical use of Lambsongs and Wendy Webster’s CDs. Child development through fun action songs.

This workshops includes sCds, books, resources, activities and craft displays, DVDs and ideas that focus on sharing these celebrations with children.

An opportunity to visit Castle Kids Nursery, Kindy and Pioneers centres. Castle kids was placed by God and nurtured by committed Christians to be a lighthouse in the Waikanae community.   (Transport will be provided) ( limited to 40 people)

This workshop will explore what poor performance looks like and concentrates on applying sound staff management principles to working through either to better performance or employment termination. The  focus will be on the process and skills development for staff managers/employers in this area. ( Participants at this workshop may like to follow up with the clinic on Sunday morning)

What box do we have God in and how do we let Him out. This workshop is interactive, with an opportunity to explore our perception of God in an early childhood setting. We will look at questions such as; How do we see God in the centre? how do we show God holistically? How can we be current and yet not compromise the integrity of the gospel? This workshop is not about giving the answers but about exploring what God may look like outside the box.

An opportunity for a more in-depth interactive conversation outlining the issues, challenges and changes ahead for ECE.

An opportunity for free time, team time, walk to the beach.....

An opportunity to bring a knarly performance issue, table it, discuss it, get feedback, have some debate and grow your HR skills.