Critical reflection is about more than recording what happened.
It involves questioning why it happened, considering different perspectives and using what we discover to make meaningful changes to practice.
This practical online professional development course is facilitated by Janine Kelly, an experienced early childhood teacher, Educational Leader and creator of the
CONNECT – REGULATE – GUIDE – REFLECT Framework.
Through practical examples, guided reflection and an early childhood case study, educators learn how to move beyond surface-level evaluation and use critical reflection to strengthen curriculum decisions, team practice and continuous improvement.
33 Lessons | 6 Learning Modules | Self-Paced | Certificate of Participation
🌿 Learn a practical four-step critical reflection cycle that helps educators move from identifying an issue to planning, acting and reviewing meaningful change.
👥 Designed for early childhood educators, room leaders, Educational Leaders, directors and graduating early childhood teachers who want to strengthen reflective practice across their everyday work.
Critical Reflect in Early Childhood Settings is grounded in real Early Childhood Practice.
Janine brings:
🌿 More than 30 years of early childhood experience across Australia and Canada
🎓 A four-year Bachelor of Early Childhood Teaching degree
📘 Experience as an educator, Educational Leader and Assistant Director
🔄 Extensive experience contributing to Quality Improvement Plans, service self-assessment and Assessment and Rating processes
💬 Practical experience supporting educators and teams to move from reflection into meaningful action
Drawing on decades of early childhood practice, Janine takes critical reflection beyond simply describing what occurred. She helps educators examine the beliefs, decisions, expectations and perspectives influencing practice so reflection can lead to genuine professional growth.
💭 We Often Believe
Completing an evaluation means we have critically reflected.
Critical reflection only needs to happen when something goes wrong.
Writing more documentation demonstrates stronger reflective practice.
🌿 The Truth
Critical reflection is not measured by how much we write.
It is demonstrated through the questions we ask, the perspectives we consider and the changes we make.
Meaningful reflection helps educators understand not only what happened, but why it happened and what could be approached differently.
🔗 Why This Matters
Shift from:
“What happened today?”
to:
“Why did this happen, whose perspectives have we considered and what might we change?”
What Will You Gain From This Course?
✓ Understand Critical Reflection
Explore what makes reflection genuinely critical rather than simply descriptive.
✓ Use a Four-Step Reflection Cycle
Learn how to reflect, plan, act and reflect again to support meaningful improvement.
✓ Connect Reflection With the EYLF and NQS
Understand how reflective practice supports the Early Years Learning Framework, National Quality Standard and continuous improvement.
✓ Strengthen Everyday Practice
Explore how critical reflection can become part of curriculum planning, evaluation, team discussions and professional decision-making.
✓ Consider Multiple Perspectives
Learn to include the voices and experiences of children, families, educators, leaders and the wider community.
✓ Move Reflection Into Action
Use reflection to identify practical changes and review whether those changes have made a meaningful difference.
✓ Build a Reflective Team Culture
Explore how Educational Leaders and service leaders can create safe, constructive opportunities for professional dialogue.
✓ Apply Learning Through a Case Study
Work through a practical early childhood example using the complete critical reflection cycle.
Who Is This Training Designed For?
Early Childhood Educators
Move beyond describing daily experiences and develop greater confidence in questioning and improving practice.Educational & Pedagogical Leaders
SBuild practical strategies for facilitating reflection and supporting professional growth across the team.Centre Directors & Service Leaders
Strengthen reflective culture, continuous improvement and shared professional accountability.Room Leaders
Use reflective conversations to guide curriculum decisions and support consistent team practice.
Early Childhood Students and New Graduates
Develop a strong foundation for reflective practice from the beginning of your professional journey.
Experienced Educators
Revisit familiar practices, challenge assumptions and consider new perspectives.Family Childcare and Family Dayhome Providers
Use critical reflection to review everyday decisions, strengthen relationships with children and families, and create responsive home-based learning environments that support each child’s individual journey.
What Educators Are Saying ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“The Critical Reflection course was meaningful, informative and easy to understand. It strengthened my understanding of reflective practice, frameworks and standards, and how these can guide everyday decisions.
I highly recommend this five-star course to educators, teams, early childhood services and Family Dayhome Providers.”
Daisyline A. - CanadianEarly Childhood Professional and Family Dayhome Provider
Ready to Move Beyond Surface-Level Reflection?
Build the confidence to question practice, consider multiple perspectives and turn professional reflection into meaningful action.
Self-Paced Online Learning | Approximately One Hour of Video Content | Certificate of Participation | Practical Early Childhood Case Study
Build confidence using a practical four-step process to strengthen reflection, professional decision-making and continuous improvement.
Continue learning beyond critical reflection with lifetime access to the Professional Learning Library purchased.
Bring Critical Reflection professional learning directly to your team through a facilitated service-wide session.
Together, educators explore meaningful reflection, examine everyday practice and develop a shared approach to professional dialogue and continuous improvement.
Build shared understanding. Strengthen team culture. Move reflection into action.
Email us today to discuss a service-wide professional learning session.
