In this powerful episode of Learn Play Thrive, we are joined by Dr Red Ruby Scarlet—an activist, teacher-researcher, and academic who has spent over three decades championing quality early childhood education and care.

Red is a driving force behind the Early Childhood Education Summit 2026, a national movement born out of the exclusion of early childhood educators from the very political decisions that shape their daily practice. We explore why this summit is a critical turning point for the sector, shifting the narrative to educators as the primary resource for child safety policy in Australia.

Red breaks down the mechanics of the upcoming summit, explaining how a unique collaboration between frontline educators and researchers is turning lived experience into a set of evidence-based demands for the Australian government. We discuss the importance of raising the voices of those on the ground and how this event—held both online and in Sydney—serves as a vital platform for educators to claim their power. This conversation is a call to action for anyone committed to the future of early childhood education and care.

Tune in to learn how you can participate in this important initiative and help lead the professional debate.

Register to attend here:
https://redrubyscarlet.com.au/the-early-childhood-education-summit-2026/
https://events.humanitix.com/the-early-childhood-education-summit/tickets

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