Best Start, Best Life: 2025 Educational Leaders Conference

About the Educational Leaders Conference

Hosted by the Department of Education, the Best Start, Best Life: 2025 Educational Leaders Conference brought together over 1,500 early childhood Educational Leaders, experts and practitioners from across the state. The conference was held on 28 March 2025 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, Melbourne and online via live streaming.

The conference theme, 'Brain development and the criticality of the early years' presented the latest evidence in neuroscience research, showing how the early years of development establish the basic structures of the brain and how teaching teams can capitalise on this limited window of time to positively impact children’s cognitive development.

The conference explored the critical role of quality practice and pedagogy in the $14 billion Best Start, Best Life reform, and supported Educational Leaders to guide the delivery of two years of high-quality play-based learning for Victorian children.

Recordings and resources

Official conference photographs can be accessed and downloaded at: Online Gallery.

You can also watch a short video that highlights key moments from the day.

Recordings from each of the conference speakers are available below.

Keynote 1 – Early experiences shape the brain: Why you matter and how you can help children self-regulate

Speaker: Professor John Spencer, Professor of Psychology, University of East Anglia, United Kingdom

Professor Spencer’s research focuses on visuo-spatial cognition and early brain development using advanced imaging techniques.

This keynote presentation covered the processes of early brain development and how experiences shape brain structure and function. It also discussed how teaching teams can directly enhance children’s self-regulatory skills and provided guidance on how teachers and educators can significantly influence brain development trajectories.

Keynote 2 – Neurons to Neighbourhoods: What the Brain Tells Us About the Criticality of the Early Years

Speaker: Professor Deborah Phillips, Professor of Psychology, Georgetown University and Co-Director, Centre for Research on Children, United States of America

Professor Phillips was the first Executive Director of the Board on Children, Youth at the National Academy of Sciences and has held various significant roles, including President of the Foundation for Child Development.

This keynote presentation on findings from the “From Neurons to Neighbourhoods: The Science of early Childhood Development” report and explored:

• how stress affects young children's brains and behaviour
• the benefits of Victorian children receiving 2 years of funded kindergarten, and
• the importance of play in learning.

Workshop – Leading with Intent: Elevating Language and Literacy Through Intentional Teaching

Speakers: Kirsty Liljegren Consulting and Dr Karyn Carson, The Soundmill Centre

Kirsty is an inspiring education consultant specialising in early childhood and primary education. Her work spans both national and international stages. Drawing from a background as a teacher and leader, Kirsty's love for learning shines through in her constant curiosity and dedication to education for both children and adults.

Karyn is a certified practising speech-language pathologist with over 20 years' experience working with toddlers, preschoolers, school-aged children and young adults with speech, language and literacy difficulties across Australia and New Zealand.

The Department of Education is developing an intentional teaching professional learning program that will be released in late-2025. Karyn and Kirsty co-delivered a workshop based on this forthcoming program. Their workshop focused on:

• unpacking the concept of intentional teaching, addressing common misconceptions and supporting teaching teams to use it in everyday practice
• providing an evidence-based understanding of children’s early language development to support teaching teams to plan purposeful, play-based experiences to foster children’s literacy development, communication, emotional wellbeing, and learning.

Backfill, travel and accommodation subsidy contributions

Applications for backfill, travel and accommodation contributions for the Best Start, Best Life: 2025 Educational Leaders Conference closed on 30 April 2025 with payments being made to eligible Approved Providers at the end of May 2025.

General enquiries

If you have any queries about the conference or registering, please email: earlychildhoodleadersconference@education.vic.gov.au