Plan child-centred, inspired environments & curriculum - for more joy and learning

Feel the difference with slow pedagogy, and maximise children's learning and development opportunities.

Create environments, routines, interactions, rituals and events with fresh intention.

Ongoing access to inspiring course resources

to use and revisit as much as you like

  • Learn from the best

    Join Andrea for professional conversations with Carrie Rose and Narelle Dawson, who have both led services rated 'Excellent' by ACECQA.

    See inside slow pedagogy and curriculum at Goodstart Early Learning Red Hill, rated Excellent by ACECQA.

  • 14 Videos & tutorials for inspiration and fresh thinking

    You have freedom to work at your own pace and revisit the key learning in the videos and tutorials with Andrea Isitt & Carrie Rose.

    Our learning checks are designed to support clarity and consolidate your learning.

  • Printable resources and guided reflection topics

    See examples and templates to guide planning child-centred curriculum.

    Use each of the guided reflection topics to examine current practice and consider your next steps for quality improvement.

Course curriculum

  • 1
    Welcome to 'Transforming the planning cycle: Plan inspired environments & curriculum'
    • Online course AGREEMENT OF USE
    • Before you begin - SHORT SURVEY
  • 2
    Course resources
    • Printable: Ideas, mindmap, notes and doodle pages
    • Printable: Pracademic Journal for critical reflection
    • Belonging, Being & Becoming: The Early Years Learning Framework V2.0, 2022 | ACECQA
  • 3
    PART 1: Use information to inform the curriculum and slow pedgagogy
    • Video: Using the EYLF, service philosophy & knowledge of the child to plan for learning | Bribie Island Community Kindy
    • Printable: The apple & Learning Outcomes for children from EYLF - focus to nurture (printable)
    • Printable: Our emerging image of the child template (NQS 1.1.2)
    • Video link: School readiness and what children need | School Principal, Andrew Oberthur with Andrea Isitt
    • Printable: Stages of planning cycle | EYLF, V.2.0, 2022
    • Video: The journey to slow pedagogy | Goodstart Red Hill
    • Video: Why slow pedagogy? | Goodstart Red Hill
    • Time for childhood: Slow pedagogy | Frobel Trust
    • Printable poster: The power of slow pedagogy
    • Check your learning for PART 1: Use information to inform the curriculum
  • 4
    PART 2: Plan the curriculum - Routines, interactions, rituals & events
    • TUTORIAL 1: Curriculum intro and slow pedagogy - Interactions & routines (mealtimes)
    • Printable: Curriculum plan template
    • Video: Slow pedagogy & routines - for self-help skills, autonomy and mastery | 18 - 36 months at Goodstart Red Hill
    • Video: Slow pedagogy and projects with pre-kindergarten children | Goodstart Red Hill
    • Video: Planning daily rhythm and program learning opportunities | Kindergarten at Goodstart Red Hill
    • TUTORIAL 2: Plan the curriculum - rituals and events
    • Video: Community & the Joondoburri walk | Bribie Island Community Kindergarten
    • Check your learning for PART 2: Design and implement the curriculum
  • 5
    PART 3: Plan the active learning environment
    • TUTORIAL 1: Plan the environment intro - Intentionality
    • TUTORIAL 2: Plan the environment - Inclusive participation & equity: space and arrangement
    • TUTORIAL 3: Plan the environment - Diverse materials & loose parts
    • Video: Environment & diverse materials | Kindergarten at Goodstart Red Hill
    • Loose Parts Play: A toolkit, by Theresa Casey & Juliet Robertson
    • TUTORIAL 4: Plan the environment - collaborative learning, safety & challenge
  • 6
    PART 4: Evaluate teaching and learning to plan and refine the curriculum
    • Video: Reflecting on the curriculum: teaching and learning | Bribie Island Community Kindy
    • Video: Tools for project planning and evaluation | Goodstart Red Hill
    • Video: Engaging with children to support learning and co-construct meaning | Mt Gravatt Community Kindergarten
    • Evaluate teaching and curriculum opportunities
    • Collaborative critical reflection process for improvement (rest routine) | Goodstart Red Hill
    • Printable: Critical reflection worksheet
    • Video: Curriculum evaluation and improvements (rituals & mealtime/transitions) | Goodstart Red Hill
    • Check your learning for PART 4. Evaluate teaching and learning to refine the curriculum
  • 7
    Next steps
    • Please provide your course feedback
    • Congrats! Here's where next...

Course reviews

What educators say about this course:

  • Alyce Chang-Chien - Rated ★★★★★

    "I really enjoyed the course with some really inspiring quotes that I will take away with me. I find it sometimes challenging to articulate my reasoning why, but now I have documentation and learning to support this. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and experiences."

  • Jess Beattie - Rated ★★★★★

    It has been wonderful to listen to others perspectives, the passion really does shine from the speakers and ignites new ideas in myself and my colleagues as I reflect and question practice. Thank you."

  • Yvette Viljoen - Rated ★★★★

    "I found this very informative and gave me some wonderful ideas to implement into the centre I work at. These practices are sound and important."

Enjoy unlimited access to course inspiration, resources and tools

Course Facilitators

Andrea Isitt & Carrie Rose

  • Andrea Isitt

    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.

  • Carrie Rose

    Course co-facilitator

    Carrie Rose

    Carrie Rose is a qualified Early Childhood Teacher with over 30 years experience. She previously was the Approved Provider and Pedagogical Leader at Rosie’s Early Learning for almost 15 years (2008 – 2022). Rosie's Early Learning was rated EXCELLENT from ACECQA in 2016 and then a second time in 2019 under Carrie's leadership.

    Professionally Carrie has engaged in 2 study tours to the Schools of Reggio Emilia (Italy) in 2000 & 2012. Carrie has written and published articles and books sharing knowledge and experience of her early childhood journey.

    The ROSE Way planning framework was launched in 2019 and is a guiding framework for inquiry based pedagogy. Carrie is committed to the development of early childhood education in Australia, and is passionate about supporting early learning services and educators to raise the bar in quality, and in turn creating great outcomes for young children in Australia.

Plan and evaluate the curriculum with inspired intention.

Create environments, routines, rituals, events and interactions that support children's active learning and development.

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