STEPPING STONES
Professional Development
for ECEs
Janine Kelly
Founder of STEPPING STONES Professional Development
Author • Early Childhood Teacher • Early Childhood Consultant • Professional Learning Facilitator
For over 30 years, I have had the privilege of walking alongside children, educators, leaders and services across Australia and Canada.
My journey has taken me from the classroom floor to leadership roles, conference stages and writing
The Connected Child. However, at the heart of it all has always been the same belief.
My Journey
From curiosity, connection and 30 years of learning beside children.
My journey in early childhood education has always been guided by curiosity — a desire to look deeper, listen closer and understand the story behind each child.
For more than three decades, I have had the privilege of learning alongside children, educators and teams across Australia and Canada. Every role, every service and every conversation has shaped the way I view relationships, behaviour and learning.
Over time, one belief has continued to guide my practice:
When we understand the person behind the behaviour, we change the way we respond.
This belief became the foundation of my work today — supporting educators and leaders to slow down, reflect, and create practices built on connection, regulation and understanding.
🌿 My Approach
Walking alongside educators
For me, early childhood practice has never been about finding quick fixes or one-size-fits-all strategies.
Every child, educator and team has a story.
My work is grounded in slowing down, looking beneath behaviour and supporting educators to build confidence through reflection, relationships and intentional practice.
The approach:
CONNECT • REGULATE • GUIDE • REFLECT
provides a framework for educators to look beyond behaviour and strengthen relationships, regulation and reflective practice.
I support educators and services to:
CONNECT Build relationships and understand the story behind behaviour.
REGULATE Recognise the role of emotions, stress responses and nervous system safety.
GUIDE Respond with intentional strategies that support growth and learning.
REFLECT Strengthen practice through curiosity, professional conversations and meaningful change.
Where My Journey Has Taken Me
Supporting educators, leaders and services to strengthen early childhood practice
What began as a passion for understanding children’s learning and behaviour has grown into a journey of supporting early childhood educators, leaders and services through professional learning, mentoring and reflective practice.
Across more than 30 years in early childhood education, my work has taken me from educator and leadership roles to becoming an author, early childhood consultant and national conference presenter.
Through STEPPING STONES Professional Development, I now support services through keynote speaking, educator training and service support — focusing on behaviour guidance, regulation, relationships, intentional teaching and meaningful change.
My experience includes supporting educators and leaders to strengthen practice, reflect on the National Quality Standard, prepare for Assessment and Rating, and build environments where both children and educators can thrive.
🎓 Degree in Early Childhood Education
Foundational qualification underpinning 30+ years of practice🌿 30+ Years Early Childhood Experience
Educator • Leader • Consultant📖 Author of The Connected Child
Exploring schemas, multiliteracies and connected practice🎤 ECA National Conference Speaker
Sharing practical approaches to early childhood pedagogy🌐 Curator of the International Online Conference: Connection at the Heart of Practice
Bringing together educators, presenters and reflective practice from around the world🏡 Service Support Consultant
Supporting reflective practice, leadership and continuous improvement🌏 Australia & Canada
Professional learning across international early childhood communities
