Lifetime access to a treasure of course resources

  • 9 chapters with 9 presentations

    Each chapter has a 20 - 30 minute presentation that weaves key understandings together, and builds knowledge from the previous chapter.

  • 17 videos to inspire

    We've filmed authentic learning in action with Stephen Gallen and the children at Cawongla Playhouse. Join Andrea Isitt for fresh insights in professional conversations with: Stephen Gallen, Narelle Dawson and Andrew Oberthur

  • Printable resources and 3 workbooks

    Gain access to loads of printable resources to use and to deepen your professsional knowledge. Your three workbooks will become treasures of information. Use these to reflect on and jot down your new ideas as you work through each chapter.

Get the tools for you and children to thrive

Change from the hectic pace and pressure of the Educational Program. Grow in expertise and confidence as an educator to support real and meaningful learning for children. Nurture active, capable learners and see the joy and rewards of your role as an educator.

  • Fresh Purpose

    Focus on building strong foundations for each child's success in life. Support child-led play and agency, in active learning environments.

  • SHIFT PRIORITIES

    Explore your pedagogy, and slow down to nurture authentic interactions in relationships and environments.

  • INSPIRED PRACTICE

    Understand important theories and research to reflect on your approach. Use critical reflection as a meaningful tool to inspire your practice.

"Amazing insight, very helpful and powerful - a must-have for Early Childhood educators"

Watch the Course Overview

and see inside with Andrea Isitt, First Door Company Director

Course curriculum

Your toolkit for ongoing learning & reflection

    1. COURSE INTRO: & how this online course works with course facilitator Andrea Isitt

    2. Course outline: Your action steps (Printable)

    3. Video: Our purpose - to see each child flourish

    4. Online course AGREEMENT OF USE

    5. Before you begin - SHORT SURVEY

    1. PRINTABLE to use: Ideas, mindmap, notes and doodle pages

    2. Belonging, Being & Becoming: The Early Years Learning Framework V2 2022

    3. Educators guide to the EYLF

    4. The CREATE Framework: Learning environments to develop creativity, by Center for Childhood Creativity

    5. Loose Parts Play: A toolkit, by Theresa Casey & Juliet Robertson

    1. Intro for PART 1: Ingredients for authentic learning

    2. PART 1: PURPOSE WORKBOOK (Printable)

    1. Chapter 1 Presentation - CAPABLE LEARNERS: Supporting developmental learning

    2. 1.1: Natural unfolding of development (Dr. Emmi Pikler)

    3. A moving child is a learning child - with Angela Hanscom video link

    4. 1.2: Children's brain and nervous system development: the impact of experiences

    5. 1.3: Three types of learning (Printable)

    6. 1.4: Early Years Learning Framework Practice Based Resources - Developmental Milestones

    1. Chapter 2 Presentation - FUEL FOR LEARNING: Nurturing belonging, 'being', agency and play

    2. 2.1: The swing set up - supporting agency and authentic learning in the everyday

    3. 2.2: The borrow book - a child's idea, listening and agency

    4. 2.3: Child-directed learning and unrushed play, at Bribie Island Community Kindergarten

    5. 2.4: The power of PLAY poster (Printable)

    1. Chapter 3 Presentation - AUTHENTIC LEARNING EXPERIENCES: Providing active learning environments

    2. 3.1: Learning with heart, head and hands (Story telling)

    3. 3.2: 'The Story of Snake' by Leanne Logan

    4. 3.3: Active learning environment at Bribie Island Community Kindergarten

    5. 3.4: Phases of the learning journey (Printable)

    6. 3.5: Growth map for active and competent learners (Printable)

    7. Check your learning for PART 1. Ingredients for authentic learning

About this course

  • $195.00
  • 67 lessons
  • 6 hours of video content
  • Lifetime access

Enjoy lifetime access to the course inspiration, resources and tools

Get started by choosing your preferred payment method:

Review spotlight

"First Door's 'Transforming Pedagogy for Authentic Learning' course is an exceptional, immersive experience in the "how" and "why" of bringing the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) to life in every moment of our everyday practice.

This multimedia learning opportunity provides any early childhood educator and team with ways to reflect on our own pedagogy, the rationale for changing our own beliefs and judgments, and the real possibilities that will nurture each individual child's development and learning.

Additionally, Andrea Isitt and the course contributors share their knowledge in such sensitive and thoughtful ways, inspiring participants to shift their practice in order to nourish and encourage each child's journey toward the EYLF learning outcomes. Early Childhood educators are given the tools to advance their professional practice while creating a learning environment in which each child can flourish."

- Dr. Shelley A. Stravitz

Hear what other educators are saying...

Silioti Fatiaki

Early Childcare Educator

"This beautiful course helps me to understand more about the children's learning and development and change my old way of nurturing and educating children to a much better one. The focus is shifting practice to respecting the children. Everyone is happier with the practice in this course and there is long-term benefits. I enjoyed taking my time to slowly take in and use all of the information in this course. The whole team and all early childhood teams should do this course!"

Katie Samuels

Early Childcare Educator

"I have loved every moment of this learning. The course is so well organised and the layout/delivery is incredibly user friendly. The content is of the highest quality and provides relevant information, ideas, and tools with rich and practical examples in both video and text format that help to really cement learning and understanding. I cannot speak highly enough of the professional learning courses through First Door." | Katie Samuels

Sonya Buchanan

Early Childcare Educator

"Great! I have learnt some valuable information to help me in my practices. I loved learning about the theory side of things."

Jane Bailey

Early Childcare Educator

"This course had so much valuable and informative material which I will now be able to apply in my own work practice. It has equipped me in becoming a better educator inspired to enrich children's learning in a much more authentic and holistic way. It has made much more aware of the importance of critical reflection and my motivations for pursuing a career in this field. The combination of video and text in the course content meant that the information was delivered in a very user friendly fashion and it enabled me to retain the information better. the work books and printable documentation will be valuable tools to look back on and refer to."

Erika Holtzhausen

Early Childcare Educator

"This course totally exceeded my expectations. The content is presented in such a way that you feel you are there, taking part in every aspect and able to apply this in real life. This has changed my thinking of my own pedagogy and the way that I will apply this in future, taking in consideration the different theoretical perspectives and how they link to each other in certain scenarios. Andrea has such a lovely manner conveying the learning material that ignite a certain enthusiasm to want to dig deeper and learn more."

Tamara Gear

Early Childcare Educator

"This course has a lot of valuable information for any teacher or educator in the Early Childhood sector to further their development and gain valuable information to improve their practice."

Course Facilitator and Contributors

Course creator and facilitator Andrea Isitt

Andrea commenced studying early childhood development over 30 years ago, and this started a career focused on achieving best outcomes for children in Early Childhood. After several years working as a qualified educator and leader, Andrea co-founded First Door in 2012. Her passion as Company Director is driven by her desire to promote exceptional education and care for children.

Andrea promotes respectful practice that nurtures emotional security and a natural childhood. She is an avid researcher and shares views from Dr. Emmi Pikler and many leading Early Childhood theorists, play and learning ambassadors, and from current neuroscience research. Andrea has been influenced by her experience of Early Childhood Education in New Zealand, and by visiting Bush Kindys and Forest Kindergartens in Norway, California and Australia.

Course contributor Stephen Gallen

Stephen is a consultant and teacher who has over 30 years of roles and experience in Early Childhood Education and Care, with over 20 years as a contact educator/teacher. During this time, he has experienced all service types including long day care, in home care, school age care, primary school and kindergarten. Stephen has supported educators in their professional development since 1999, delivering a range of programs on behalf of providers including Gowrie, Workforce Council (PSC), TAFE and QUT. Stephen is currently the Director/ECT at Cawongla Play House, and has collaborated with Andrea to share practical examples of authentic learning, agency and social justice in action within the every day curriculum. Throughout this course, Stephen engages in professional conversations with Andrea sharing his inspiration from the Reggio Emilia approach, and his wealth of knowledge in relation to practical and theoretical perspectives.

Course contributor Clare Caro

Clare Caro is the founder of The Pikler Collection, Nature Play® (UK) and Authentic Learning Environment. As an ongoing learner, researcher and writer, her wealth of insightful knowledge is shared through her websites and in workshops. Clare embodies this knowledge and shares practical application through Nature Play groups, and in every day life and pedagogy with her own two daughters.

Andrea and Clare have enjoyed professional collaboration since 2016. Clare is a strong advocate for supporting children to be active learners in authentic learning environments, and for supporting the natural unfolding of development. This knowledge has contributed to the resources provided in this course.

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