Let’s Talk Pedagogy from Gowrie NSW Education Hub! Tune in to explore our history, vision, and Charter of Rights, and hear the latest news and happenings across our organisation.
Episode 14: Introducing the Gowrie NSW Education Hub
In this episode, Michelle Richardson is joined by Victoria McDowell who manages the Education Hub at Gowrie NSW. Together they explore how flexible, tailored and high-quality professional learning supports and uplifts the practice of educators, teachers and teams in strengthening pedagogy and practice.
15 Sept 2026
Episode 13: You’ve Got Mail! An Infant Inquiry into Connection, Communication and Community
In this episode Gowrie NSW Pedagogical Coach Fiona Veld-Brown chats with Susy Fuller from Gowrie NSW Lithgow about her inquiry work with children from birth to two years of age.
Susy shares the story behind You’ve Got Mail, an inquiry that began with a simple yet powerful practice, noticing. Through ongoing conversations and observations of the local Postie delivering mail across the street, educators and children developed a shared curiosity about communication, connection and the important role the Postman, a male figure in this particular situation, plays within the community.
What began as an everyday moment soon evolved into a much deeper learning journey. Susy reflects on how this experience revealed young children’s rights to communication, meaningful relationships and a genuine sense of belonging within their community. Susy highlights the rich possibilities that emerged when educators followed children’s interests and curiosities, providing provocations and rich environments for learning for our youngest citizens.
28 Aug 2026
Episode 12: A Pedagogy of Democracy at Mealtimes: Creating Opportunities for Agency and Child Voice
Sometimes the biggest changes begin with the smallest moments.
In this episode, Christa reflects on mealtimes and the journey she and her colleagues undertook to rethink this everyday routine through critical reflection and practitioner inquiry. Together, they explored how intentional changes can transform children's experiences, strengthen relationships and create rich opportunities for learning.
Join Christa and Fiona as they unpack children's agency, routines and rituals, and the role of a pedagogy of democracy in everyday practice. We discuss how thoughtfully designed environments, predictable routines and meaningful participation can empower children, build their confidence and support children’s growing independence.
Hosts: Michelle Richardson & Fiona Veld-Brown
Guest: Christa Fuda
Recommended audience: Aimed at educators and teachers working with children from birth to two years who are at any stage of their professional career, or who are looking for inspiring and innovative stories of practice change about mealtime routines and rituals in the youngest years.
Links:
Education Hub Gowrie NSW Education Hub
Professional Learning Calendar 2026 Online Flipbook
Thought Leadership Blog: Democracy Begins in the Early Years Democracy begins in the early years
Subscribe:
Newsletter Get in Touch!
Instagram: @GowrieNSW.EducationHub
Facebook: Gowrie NSW Education Hub
Email: educationhub@gowriensw.com.au
14 Aug 2026
Episode 11: Distributed Leadership in OSHC
Join Stelle Lee from Gowrie NSW ash she explores distributed leadership through an OSHC lens.
31 Jul 2026
Episode 10: Transforming Infant Room Practice - Reimagining Infant Care Through Respectful Relationships
In this episode, our Pedagogical Coach Fiona Veld-Brown is joined by educator Shaila Martinez of Gowrie NSW Erskineville who shares new perspectives on infant education and what it means to truly see babies as capable, competent and active participants in their own learning.
6 Jul 2026
Episode 9: Truth-Telling In Practice (OSHC)
In this episode, Belinda Rouhan chats with Ash Phthalo, an OSHC educator at Erskineville, about embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives into everyday practice.
24 Jun 2026
Episode 7: Intentional Play-Based Learning in OSHC 5-12 Years Part 1
In Part 1 of this episode, we explore intentional play-based learning in middle childhood, highlighting what play and play-based learning is and what play isn’t, how environments, resources and the educator mindset shape meaningful learning experiences. Intentional play-based learning is positioned as a child-centred approach where curiosity, creativity and exploration drive learning, moving away from directive, adult-led practices.
We discuss the role of educators as facilitators and co-learners who create inviting spaces, observe children and young people’s interests and support learning without ‘taking over’. We think about how educators' attunement of children informs the teaching strategies used in creating responsive environments and practices. Educational leaders further strengthen this approach by guiding reflective practice, mentoring educators, and embedding play-based pedagogy across their OSHC service.
In Part 2, we continue our conversation with Belinda and unpack the distinction between Playwork and intentional play-based learning, encouraging a balance between supporting outcomes and respecting a child’s right to freely choose their play.
Finally, we reflect on inclusion and environmental design, emphasising welcoming, flexible spaces which include open-ended resources that support all children to feel a sense of belonging, ownership and engagement.
Host: Michelle Richardson & Victoria McDowell
Guest: Belinda Rouhan
Recommended audience: Aimed at educators and teachers working in outside school hours care service settings with children and young people aged between 5 and 12 years, at any stage of their professional career who are interested in intentional teaching through the lens of play-based learning.
Links:
Education Hub Gowrie NSW Education Hub
Professional Learning Calendar 2026 Online Flipbook
OSHC Professional Learning Calendar 2026 Online Flipbook OSHC
Thought Leadership Article: What is Play Based Learning? - Gowrie NSW
Subscribe:
Newsletter Get in Touch!
Instagram: @GowrieNSW.EducationHub
Facebook: Gowrie NSW Education Hub
24 Jun 2026
Episode 8: Intentional Play-Based Learning in OSHC 5-12 Years Part 2
In Part 1 of this episode, we explored intentional play-based learning in middle childhood, highlighting what play and play-based learning is and what it isn’t. Play-based learning was positioned as a child-centred approach in which curiosity, creativity and exploration drive learning and intentionally moving away from directive, adult-led practices.
The episode described educators as facilitators and co-learners who created inviting spaces, observe children and young people’s interests and support learning without ‘taking over’. Belinda emphasised how educators’ attunement to children should inform the teaching strategies adopted to create responsive environments and practice. We also discussed how educational leaders can strengthen this approach by guiding reflective practice, mentoring educators and embedding play-based pedagogy across their OSHC service.
In this episode, Part 2, we unpack the distinction between Playwork and intentional play-based learning and how to encourage a balance between supporting child outcomes and respecting a child’s right to freely choose their play.
Finally, we reflect together on inclusion and environmental design, emphasising welcoming, flexible spaces which include open-ended resources that support all children to feel a sense of belonging, ownership and engagement.
Host: Michelle Richardson & Victoria McDowell
Guest: Belinda Rouhan
Recommended audience: Aimed at educators and teachers working in outside school hours care service settings with children and young people aged between 5 and 12 years, at any stage of their professional career who are interested in intentional teaching through the lens of play-based learning.
Links:
Education Hub Gowrie NSW Education Hub
Professional Learning Calendar 2026 Online Flipbook
OSHC Professional Learning Calendar 2026 Online Flipbook OSHC
Thought Leadership Article: What is Play Based Learning? - Gowrie NSW
Subscribe:
Newsletter Get in Touch!
Instagram: @GowrieNSW.EducationHub
Facebook: Gowrie NSW Education Hub
15 May 2026
Episode 6: Intentional Play-Based Learning with Preschoolers
In this episode, we explore child-led and inquiry-based learning in the preschool years, where children’s ideas, questions and interests shape the curriculum.
30 Apr 2026
Episode 5: Intentional Play-Based Learning with Infants and Toddlers
When infants and toddlers feel safe, they play, and when they play, they learn.
12 Apr 2026
Episode 4: Elevating Practitioner Inquiry
Practitioner inquiry is often misunderstood; seen as complex, academic or something extra to fit into already busy days. In this episode, we gently reframe what inquiry really is and why it matters so deeply across all age groups.
30 Mar 2026
Episode 3: Children's Rights and Empowerment
In this episode, we explore what children’s rights and empowerment look like at Gowrie NSW for our children aged birth through to 12 years.
16 Mar 2026
Episode 2: Playwork in OSHC
In this episode, we explore Playwork and what it means for Outside School Hours Care (OSHC). Belinda reflects on how discovering Playwork challenged her thinking and prompted deeper reflection on her image of the child and the role of educators in children’s play.
Together, we unpack the origins of Playwork and its connection to children’s rights, and consider how slowing down, observing with intention and trusting children’s play can transform practice in OSHC. This episode invites educators to reflect on their role in protecting and advocating for every child’s right to play.
In this episode, we explore Primary Educator Relationships through the lens of respectful relationships, and why they are essential for creating emotional safety for infants and toddlers. We unpack the importance of the first 1000 days, the power of small, consistent groupings, and how everyday care moments - nappy changes, meals, rest and transitions - are deeply relational spaces where trust, security and learning are built.
2 Mar 2026
An Introduction to Gowrie NSW’s Let’s Talk Pedagogy Podcast
Gowrie NSW Education Hub introduces Let’s Talk Pedagogy! This introductory episode explores the purpose behind the series, what pedagogy truly means in early childhood education, and why creating space for deep, reflective conversation matters now more than ever.
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