Registrations Closed

Tuesday 17 - Wednesday 18 June 2025

Join Australia’s early years leaders at the National Early Years Policy Summit at the Queensland Performing Art Centre’s Out of the Box Festival and be part of the next wave of change.

Brought to you via a partnership between the Queensland Performing Arts Centre and a group of philanthropic foundations grouped together into an initiative called the Investment Dialogue for Australia’s Children.

Jarjum Life Museum

TOGETHER FOR OUR CHILDREN

A gathering of Australian and international leaders, thinkers, practitioners, artists, parents, caregivers, Elders and community leaders to discuss childhood in Australia and make big plans for the future of our kids.

The Lost Lending Library By Punchdrunk Enrichment

WHY NOW?

What better time - a month after a Federal election - to build momentum and galvanise support for an ambitious early years agenda. What an even better place to hold this Summit focused on Australian children, at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre's Out of the Box festival for children eight years and under.

QUESTIONS BIG & SMALL

  1. Where are we going with our childcare system?
  2. How do we de-pressurise childhood?
  3. What are the big shifts we must make for our First Nations kids?
  4. How do we get our kids active, outdoors & in touch with the physical world?
  5. How do we harness the power of the arts to transform and enrich childhood ?
  6. Should we reorganise Government responsibilities for early education and child health?
  7. Who’s got the world’s best child development system and how can we get there too?
  8. How do we move place-based approaches into the centre of policy design and investment?



SUMMIT AGENDA

Explore the full agenda for the National Early Years Policy Summit at QPAC’s Out of the Box Festival, where leaders, thinkers, practitioners, artists, parents, caregivers, Elders and community leaders will come together to discuss childhood in Australia and make big plans for the future of our kids.

VIEW AGENDA

SPEAKERS

The National Early Years Policy Summit at QPAC’s Out of the Box Festival brings together a dynamic line-up of voices shaping the future of early childhood policy and practice. From government leaders to researchers, educators and advocates, each speaker offers unique insight and expertise. Discover the people driving change and join the conversation as they share bold ideas, practical strategies and new perspectives.

EXPLORE

GALLERY

Explore the gallery to relive some of the moments and celebrate the collective energy that’s driving the next wave of change.

FIND OUT MORE


SUMMIT SPONSORS

ARACY and the Thriving Queensland Kids Partnership (TQKP) are proud to support the National Early Years Policy Summit — bringing together leaders, experts, and communities to help every child and young person in Australia thrive.

Partnerships for Local Action and Community Empowerment (PLACE) is a new national organisation that champions and supports community-led approaches to social and economic challenges.

The State Library of Queensland through their collections, exhibitions and programs plays a vital role in fulfilling their vision as a library of influence, inspiring and connecting people through knowledge, storytelling and creativity.

FUNDING PARTNERS

SUMMIT PARTNERS



National Early Years Policy Summit
at the
Queensland Performing Art Centre’s Out of the Box Festival 
Tuesday 17 - Wednesday 18 June 2025

outofthebox@qpac.com.au