ECEC Conversations | Session 4

AI Ready in ECEC—Mindset, Ethics, Access

6 November 2025 | 11:00 am – 12:00 pm (AEST)

Session 4

AI Ready in ECEC—Mindset, Ethics, Access

AI is increasingly becoming part of our world, and that includes the early childhood education and care sector. Admins, educators and staff need to consider a shift in our thinking, training and support systems to responsibly and equitably embrace AI tools. Together, we’ll unpack how to foster a positive mindset, ensure responsible and ethical use and make AI’s benefits accessible to all services.

Key Topics Covered

The importance of building AI literacy, fostering curiosity and providing ongoing professional development so staff can confidently and critically engage with new technologies.
The need for clear policies, data privacy safeguards and ethical guidelines that protect children’s rights and ensure transparency, fairness, and accountability in all AI applications.
Strategies for bridging the digital divide, supporting diverse needs and ensuring that no educator is left behind as AI becomes part of everyday practice.

Speakers

Sarah Louise Nelson

Founder, Sarah Louise Consultancy

LinkedIn

Sarah Louise is a career early childhood teacher, pedagogical leader, and lifelong learner. She has dedicated her career to the pursuit of kindness in the workplace and to developing leaders at all levels of organisations. Through Sarah Louise Consultancy, she thrives on the challenge of working with highly diverse groups of early childhood professionals across the sector spectrum. With formal qualifications in education, research and leadership, Sarah Louise is a committed advocate for children, social justice, and the early years workforce.

Dr. Hayden Park

Lecturer, Melbourne Polytechnic

LinkedIn

Dr. Hayden Park is a Lecturer in Education whose research interests centre around STEM & science education and the use of technology in learning, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Extended Reality (XR) technologies. Dr. Park also maintains a keen interest in all aspects of behaviour guidance within educational settings. His PhD focused on the use of virtual reality to help pre-service teachers learn about School-Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS), while his current research relates to the integration of generative AI into educational contexts.

Tracy Kilpady

Manager of Education, Xplor Education

LinkedIn

Tracy has years of experience and expertise in education. While studying, she completed extensive placements, totalling over 120 days, across various settings such as daycare centres, kindergartens, primary schools and out-of-school care (OSHC) catering to children from birth to age 12. She also developed and implemented a program designed to support students in their transition to a new setting called “Transition to Prep.”

Recognising her passion for teaching and fostering engaging learning experiences, she was a dedicated prep teacher until 2020. Tracy now serves as Manager of Education at Xplor Education. Tracy revels in collaborating with a team of inspired and enthusiastic individuals dedicated to leaving a lasting, positive impact on the education sector. Their shared goal is to empower those who utilise the software, engage with families and, most importantly, provide the best possible educational experiences for the children in their care.