The NSW Department of Education hit the road to meet with more than 105 early childhood education and care teachers and educators from across the state.

‘ECE Connect on the Road’ launched in western Sydney where department leaders connected with around 78 childhood educators, before travelling to Wagga Wagga.

The unique engagement event allows the Department to visit different communities across the state, including regional and rural towns, and hear directly from the early learning sector.

Relieving Deputy Secretary, Early Childhood Outcomes, Jenny Merkley, attended both the western Sydney and Wagga Wagga sessions and welcomed the return of the annual event.

"ECE Connect on the Road gives us the chance to answer any questions in person about reforms and provide updates on policy initiatives, programs, funding and regulatory matters,” Ms Merkley said.

“It’s an opportunity to build on the success of the sector to ensure every child gets the best start in life by working together as a community dedicated to early learning.

"The annual event demonstrates the department’s commitment to listening and learning from teachers and educators and hearing about the issues that are most important to them.”

Presentations included details on Start Strong funding, the Flexible Initiatives Trial, the Workforce Strategy, assessment and ratings and the rollout of the digital Hub, which is a new centralised system for reporting, data collection and administration.

An information session was also held about the 100 new preschools to be established in NSW public schools by 2027.

The NSW Government has committed to building 49 of the public preschools in regional and rural New South Wales, and 51 in western, south-western, and north-western Sydney.

Department leaders heard directly from educators, providers and industry experts in a series of roundtable discussions throughout the day.

Topics up for discussion included workforce, assessment and ratings, local support, transition to school, and quality practice and regulatory support.

The Wagga Wagga and western Sydney sessions follows ECE Connect Online in March, which saw more than 5000 early childhood education and care professionals across NSW attend webinar sessions on a range of topics.  

Visit ECE Connect online for more information.