Gladstone Region Childhood Builders: Growing a Movement for Thriving Childhoods
- Jan 20
- 2 min read
Updated: Jan 21
Our children’s wellbeing is shaped by the relationships and environments that surround them. When families, services and community are connected and supported, we create the foundation to give every child the best chance to thrive, now and into the future.
In response to community-identified priorities, the Gladstone Region Childhood Builders training series continues to build momentum as a sector capacity building initiative across the region. The training series supports practitioners to strengthen neuro-informed and strength-based practice in their everyday work, supporting more confident wellbeing-focused conversations with parents and carers.
Since the inaugural series in 2024 more than 60 local practitioners have joined the movement. Together, practitioners are developing shared language, deepening understanding, and strengthening collaboration across the local early years system.
The 2025 training expanded opportunities for reflective practice, interactive role plays, and meaningful cross‑sector learning. Practitioners also dedicated a full day to understanding their own brain health and practical strategies to enhance wellbeing. This focus went beyond self‑care and highlighted the role of practitioners in shaping compassionate, regulated and effective engagement with children and families.
“If we can help children understand their brains and get them on the right track that is really deadly. But to do that, us adults have got to understand our brain health as well. We have to be able to pick up when our brain is stressed and make it healthy across our life span,” Sheryl Batchelor - CEO, Yiliyapinya Indigenous Corporation.
Participants described the workshops delivered as transformative. One reflected that the training offered “a different way to view my practice – what I’m doing well and where I can grow.” Another shared that integrating The Nest Wellbeing Framework with their practice had made interactions with families easier: “I feel now like interactions with families don’t have to be complicated.”
Early signs of impact from training are already visible. One participant has begun leading internal change conversations about their organisation’s language, demonstrating the value of small and meaningful shifts in practice. Many participants also highlighted the high value of training together to strengthen cross-sector connections. As one shared, “I really appreciated attending with a diverse group to collaborate perspectives and ideas.” Another said their favourite aspect of the training was “the encouragement of collaborating with other organisations,” while another participant reflected, “mapping and speaking to lots of people helped me to make real connections.”
Through a community-led approach, Childhood Builders is building shared practice, common language, and stronger relationships across Gladstone. With each cohort, our region continues to improve supports to enable practitioners to be better equipped to work in responsive, connected ways that promote children’s wellbeing across their lives.
“This training is life changing and brain changing.”
To learn more about the Sector Capacity Building Initiative and the community partnership with Rio Tinto, Here for Gladstone, read Collective Buying Power and Community Partnership Enabling Improved Outcomes for Families and Children, or contact GRT:
P: 07 4970 7382
