STEPPING STONES
Professional Development
for ECEs
Inspiring Learning Environments: The Environment as the Third Teacher
🌿 Explore how the environment can become the third teacher, supporting children's learning through intentional spaces, thoughtful resources and meaningful invitations to play.
💭 We Often Believe
A beautiful setup means a quality environment.
More resources create more learning.
But meaningful environments are about more than how they look.
🌿 The Truth
The environment is a teacher.
Every space, resource and invitation can influence how children play, connect, explore and learn.
🔗 Why This Matters
Shift from:
“How can I make this look inviting?”
to:
“What learning is this environment inviting?”
What Will You Gain From This Course?
Build the confidence to create intentional learning environments that support curiosity, engagement and meaningful learning.
✓ See the Environment as a Teacher
Understand how spaces influence children's play and learning.✓ Connect Theory to Practice
Explore how frameworks and theorists can guide your environment.✓ Embed Learning Naturally
Bring literacy, maths, creativity and project work into everyday spaces.✓ Use Nature with Purpose
Explore natural materials, sustainability and the outdoor environment.✓ Support Regulation & Belonging
Consider how environments influence regulation, culture and connection.✓ Create Meaningful Invitations
Design simple spaces that invite children to explore, investigate and create.
Who Is This Training Designed For?
This course is designed for early childhood professionals who want to create intentional, engaging environments that support children's learning, connection and belonging.
Early Childhood Educators
Create meaningful environments that encourage exploration, curiosity and play.Educational & Pedagogical Leaders
Support teams to think more deeply about the purpose behind their environments.Centre Directors & Service Leaders
Strengthen consistent, intentional approaches to learning environments across the service.Family Dayhome Educators & Early Learning Professionals
Make the most of home-based spaces through thoughtful, purposeful environments.Early Childhood Students & New Graduates
Build confidence understanding the pedagogy behind effective learning environments.Experienced Educators
Refresh your thinking, challenge familiar approaches and bring new intention to your spaces.What Educators Are Saying ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Janine was enthusiastic, knowledgeable and encouraging. This course has renewed my enthusiasm and energy for creating provocations and beautiful spaces for children to learn.”
Carmella - Professional Early Learning Educator | Tolfield Alberta Canada
“This course left me feeling more confident in setting up the environment. Janine was very informative and provided great examples of how the environment can support children's learning and encourage them to engage. I would recommend this course to others.”
Pram - Professional Early Learning | Australia
“As a Nursery Lead Educator, this course gave me some great ideas for bringing natural materials into children's environments. It provided many examples of how to create inviting, natural spaces that welcome children into play, creativity and exploration. Thank you so much.”
Charlotte A. - Lead Educator | Australia
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Choose the learning option that works best for you or your team.
Build your confidence in creating intentional learning environments that support children's curiosity, play, connection and learning.
Want to continue learning beyond learning environments?
Access the Professional Learning Library purchased with lifetime access, giving you the flexibility to learn, revisit and reflect at your own pace.
Go deeper into the power of the learning environment with five connected professional learning courses.
Explore intentional environments, meaningful experiences and practical approaches that help transform everyday spaces into places that invite curiosity, engagement and learning.
Want to transform the way your whole team thinks about the environment?
Bring this professional learning directly to your service and explore how spaces, resources and intentional decisions can support children's play, regulation, connection and learning.
Build shared understanding and inspire your team to see the environment as more than a setup — but as a teacher.
Email us today to discuss a service-wide professional learning session.
