Having Difficult Conversations is a practical, evidence-based professional learning program that builds the confidence and skills of early childhood educators and leaders to manage challenging conversations with children, families and colleagues.

The program supports services to strengthen communication culture, build trust with families, respond to concerns early, and create emotionally safe, inclusive learning environments. It is grounded in trauma-informed practice, social and emotional learning, conflict resolution and best-practice communication frameworks.

The program is delivered as 4 x 2-hour interactive group workshops, offered online, in person or through a blended model. Sessions focus on difficult conversations with children, parents and carers, colleagues, and integrated whole-service practice. Educators receive practical conversation frameworks, scripts, checklists, reflection tools and implementation support to help apply learning in everyday ECEC settings.

The program primarily supports the AEDC domain of Social Competence, with secondary benefits for Emotional Maturity and Communication Skills and General Knowledge. It helps educators model respectful communication, support emotional regulation, manage conflict, strengthen family partnerships and respond to sensitive issues with clarity, empathy and confidence.

Find out more: https://www.familyandchildconsultants.com/ecec

Expected outcomes for this program are:

• improved educator confidence to manage sensitive conversations with children, families and colleagues
• improved use of trauma-informed, emotionally safe communication strategies
• stronger family partnerships, team communication and conflict resolution and
• improved whole-service capacity to support children’s social competence, emotional maturity and communication skills.

The program is delivered by Family and Child Consultants as a series of 4 interactive group workshops, each 2 hours in duration.

Sessions are usually delivered fortnightly or monthly, allowing educators time to reflect on the content and apply strategies between sessions. Delivery can be provided live online, in person, or through a blended model depending on service needs and location.

The four workshop areas are:

• difficult conversations with children
• difficult conversations with parents and carers
• difficult conversations with colleagues and
• integrated practice, case discussion and action planning.

Each session includes facilitated teaching, practical communication frameworks, role-play, case examples, reflection activities and discussion linked to real ECEC practice. Participants receive conversation tools, scripts, checklists, reflection journals and templates to support implementation.

The program is delivered by experienced Family and Child Consultants facilitators with expertise in early childhood, trauma-informed practice, cultural responsiveness and evidence-based communication. Ongoing implementation support may include access to resources, reflective prompts, group debriefs, community of practice support and follow-up consultation where agreed.

In-person delivery is available across South Australia. Travel costs may apply for regional or remote locations.

The full program is $4,700 per cohort, excluding GST, for up to 20 participants.

This includes all 4 x 2-hour workshops, resources, feedback and implementation support.

Additional participants are $235 per person, excluding GST.

Total for 21 participants is $4,935 ex GST.

In-person delivery outside metropolitan Adelaide may incur travel costs, quoted before booking.