Regional ECE Retreat

18/02/2026

🌿🌿 WHERE HAVE I BEEN? 🌿🌿

2025 for me, was full of work challanges/adventures, finally exploring IVF & falling pregnant after five years if trying. 2025 then quickly became the year I had to slow down and put me first. Stepping down frol my managers role and extra work to put my health, my family and my baby as my main focus.

Two weeks ago on the 3.2.26, my family and I welcomed our little boy Henry James into the world. We are very much in love and our hearts are full.

What does this mean for the Retreat? Will there be one is 2026 or was it a one hit wonder? To be honest I'm not sure. I never intended for it to be a one and done thing. I'd love to continue it a little with smaller professional developments... maybe a PD day at a venue? Maybe some PDs on a weeknight after work? Maybe collaborating with other organisations and sharing the load whilst still allowing educators to grow? Feel free to share some ideas below or send me a message!

I'll be in my newborn bubble bliss for a while yet, but I would love to see another event planned for 2026! I look forward to reading your suggestions and collaborations below!

03/01/2025

🌿 Regional ECE Retreat 2.0? 🌿

Pop a comment or tag below (or send me a message) if you would be interested in attending a 2025 Early Childhood Educators Retreat!

There are no details set in stone yet, so also feel free to reach out if you have any ideas to share... This could be the start of something amazing again!

07/10/2024

🌿🌿 Training+ with BJM 🌿🌿

Our final session at the Regional ECE Retreat was a Personal Development session with Brooke. She discussed all things health, work/life balance, mindset and goals. It's so important that as Educators we focus on ourselves too. Brooke has some upcoming day retreats. I have been twice and loved it both times. Check out her page for more information.

18/09/2024

For those who don't know, I've recently taken on a Centre Manager Position. What does this mean for the Retreat? Nothing. I'm still keen on a 2025 one! Dates are looking good, thinking around May/June. I'll do some announcing early 2025. ♡♡♡

💙💙💙 Meet Katie - Our new Centre Manager at Cobram Bluebird EED 💙💙💙

With her extensive experience in early childhood education and her passion for creating a nurturing and enriching environment for children, she is confident in her ability to make a significant impact in this role.

Katie has 18 years of experience in Early Childhood, and the privilege of being an ECT in the last 8 of them. She excited by the opportunity to bring her knowledge back to Bluebird and contribute to the growth and development of both the children and educators at Cobram Bluebird EED.

Katie is committed to providing a safe and nurturing space for children to explore, learn, and grow. She confident that her strong leadership skills, coupled with her passion for early childhood education, make her an ideal fit for this role.

As well as having lived in Cobram most her life, she has a proven track record of building strong relationships with children, educators, community and families whilst fostering open communication and trust.

Katie is particularly drawn to Bluebird Early Education Cobram’s deep connection with nature and a strong curriculum. She is a big believer that the environment is the third teacher and it’s our role to make sure it is safe and inviting whilst full of strong relationships.

Katie looks forward to getting to know you all more over the next few weeks as she settles into the Centre Manager Position. 🩵🩵

14/09/2024

Jem from create4me_ covered Quality Area 5, and dived deep into how we can make children's time with us amazing. Do yourselves a favour and like her page, and see what she has to offer.

12/09/2024

🌿🌿 Next up was Sharron Johnson. 🌿🌿
She discussed the importance of having crucial conversations but also being able to implement active listening. Early Childhood is a big world with lots of passionate people. It's important that we know how and when to have those important conversations when needed.

02/09/2024

🌿🌿 Tara's Session 🌿🌿
Tara covers the Understanding Children & Trauma in ECEC. This was a topic that most of us could relate to as educators. Tara covered what research is known and what signs to look for. She discussed triggers and appropriate language to use. We then ended with a scenario, a group activity and a reminder on how we as educators can be a hero in someone's world.

"Everything is a bid for connection. Bad behaviour, good behaviour. Toddler antics and teenage eye rolls. Like any of us, kids just want to be seen, heard and loved". Erica Layne

28/08/2024

🌿🌿 Cultural Awareness 🌿🌿
Our second session of the day. With Shanae being unwell, I jumped in and covered the session. To be able to respect and value other peoples culture, we first need to value and respect our own. Using the Cultural Flower allows you to dive deep into what make you who you are. We then placed all our answers together to collect what we all represent as a group! Here are some of the things that are important to us! I did have a giggle over how full the food one was! This concept is great to do with your team at staff meetings!

26/08/2024

🌿🌿 Feedback Winner = Rebecca S 🌿🌿
Thankyou everyone for your very valuable feedback! I'll continue to share some of the day over the next few weeks :)
*Video in Comments

23/08/2024

🌿🌿 Shelby's Session 🌿🌿

"I would love a session from Shelby again, it was great. It would be amazing so see her go into more depth of how important culture is and how we can share this in meaningful ways on a deeper level." - Retreat Attendee.

Shelby covered the following topics.
• Why should services include an Aboriginal perspective and the benefits for educators, children, families and your service.
• Common challenges.
• What does an Aboriginal perspective look like?
• To dot or not to dot?
• RAP.
• Networking.

If you wish to contact Shelby, her email is [email protected]