We believe professional growth isn’t a one-off experience; it’s a continuous, shared journey. For the past three years, we’ve had the privilege of partnering with Kelly Goodsir, an early childhood education consultant and thought leader. Her philosophy of slow pedagogy and deep respect for children has inspired our teams to think with intention, reflect more deeply, and strengthen our community of lifelong learners.
Growing together: a three-year journey
Our collaboration with Kelly began with a shared philosophy and a clear commitment: to stretch our thinking, nurture curiosity, and create meaningful connections with children.
Through a multimodal approach, Kelly guided both our Leadership Teams and Teaching Teams. She facilitated four professional learning days in Brisbane, bringing our educators together on Saturday mornings to connect, collaborate, and grow. These sessions were followed by ongoing support—monthly Zoom check-ins, additions to Quality Improvement Plans, and tailored mentoring.
Kelly also spent time in our centres, meeting with individual teams and joining classrooms. These moments of in-situ reflection created powerful opportunities for growth and sparked lasting change in our practice.
What we focused on
Over three years, our professional learning explored key areas of pedagogy and practice, including:
Responsive Practice – embedding rituals and respectful transitions that nurture children’s agency and create calm, peaceful spaces.
The Environment as Teacher – reimagining how spaces are organised and experienced, seeing the environment as a partner in learning.
Documenting with Children – capturing children’s voices through inquiry-led documentation that informs, inspires, and honours their perspectives.
Leadership Growth – empowering Centre Directors, Educational Leaders, and Teaching Teams to lead reflective conversations and align pedagogy with Sanctuary’s values.
A new chapter: Outdoor environments
At the end of our second year, our Operations Manager, Michelle Tuffley, turned our attention outdoors—recognising that our playgrounds and gardens are as vital as our classrooms.
Every educator completed Kelly’s short course Reimagining the Outdoors before setting centre-specific goals within their Quality Improvement Plans. Kelly and outdoor pedagogical consultant, Caitlin Mulroyan, then visited each centre for team meetings and full-day sessions, sparking rich dialogue and shared celebrations.
Together, we explored:
The Role of Nature – creating inspiring play spaces that invite exploration and calm.
Intentional Outdoor Design – balancing risk, challenge, and safety in thoughtful ways.
Sustainability in Action – embedding eco-conscious practices so children learn to care for their world.
Spaces for Belonging – ensuring our outdoor settings foster inclusion, collaboration, and respect.
Transforming how we see play and learning
This partnership has redefined how our teams think about outdoor play. What was once seen as “free play” is now recognised as a rich, dynamic space for inquiry and discovery.
Children are climbing, balancing, and assessing risks with growing resilience. They are building creativity with loose parts and natural materials. They are developing stewardship through gardening and caring for living things.
Educators, too, feel renewed—realising how intentional design, even in small ways, can transform children’s engagement and wellbeing. Families notice the difference, too: children are more confident, curious, and deeply connected to nature.
Carrying the lessons forward
Our partnership with Kelly Goodsir continues to shape Sanctuary’s pedagogical identity. By investing in long-term collaboration, we ensure our educators are supported, our environments have meaning, and our children are offered the very best opportunities to thrive.
As we move forward, the lessons from our outdoor focus ripple through all aspects of our practice—reminding us that every space, every interaction, every moment holds the power to nurture learning, connection, and joy.
