For over 12 months, our EEC Centre Directors have been working closely with Early Childhood Leadership expert, Barbara Watson, and the journey has been transformative! Recently, our OSHC Program Managers and Early Learning Centre Coordinators have also joined this leadership development initiative, expanding the impact across Gowrie NSW.
Barbara’s expertise has been delivered through a series of engaging face-to-face sessions, which are further explored and reflected upon during small group online meetings, insightful conversations, and valuable mentoring opportunities.
What makes these sessions truly special? It’s Barbara’s deep understanding of the early childhood education sector. The feedback from our leaders has been overwhelmingly positive, with everyone agreeing that the sector-specific nature of the training makes it incredibly relatable and applicable to their daily roles.
Our Centre Directors and Program Managers are thriving under Barbara’s mentorship, and the in-centre focus has allowed them to put theory into practice immediately, making tangible differences in their teams and classrooms.
The changes we’re seeing in leadership styles across our centres are inspiring. Leaders are embracing new strategies with confidence, and the positive impact is being felt not just by the leaders themselves, but also by their teams. Stories of enhanced collaboration, more open communication, and a renewed sense of purpose are flooding in from across Gowrie NSW.
It’s one thing to introduce new leadership strategies, but hearing directly from our leaders about the way these strategies are being applied—and the noticeable improvements they’re seeing in their centres—has been incredibly rewarding. As one Program Manager put it, this training "creates hope and optimism for the future." What a fantastic sentiment to carry forward!
An ongoing highlight of this program is the mentoring component. Barbara has created a space for leaders to learn from one another and share their experiences in a supportive environment. The regular online meetings allow leaders to discuss challenges, celebrate successes, and offer insights on how to tackle common issues.
This constant cycle of reflection and action is what sets this leadership program apart. It’s not just a ‘one and done’ type of training—it’s an ongoing journey of growth and development. As a result, our leaders are equipped with the tools and confidence to guide their teams and centres with clarity and vision.
The impact of this leadership program has been profound, and it’s clear that our centres and programs are in very capable hands. The combination of Barbara Watson’s expertise and the commitment of our Centre Directors, Program Managers, and Early Learning Coordinators to continued learning ensures that the future of Gowrie NSW is bright.
Together, we are fostering a culture of leadership that doesn’t just manage but inspires—and that’s something worth celebrating!