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MOVERS Professional Development Program

(MOVERS PD)

The MOVERS Professional Development Program (MOVERS PD) offers an engaging and evidence-based approach to boosting movement, physical development, and physical activity in children aged 2-5 years.

MOVERS PD goes beyond simple activities. We focus on enriching the quality of your early childhood environment and provide practical, easy-to-implement suggestions that can truly shift your teaching practices.

What is the MOVERS PD Program?

  • Interactive, evidence-based PD program which promotes movement, physical development and physical activity for children (2-5 years).
  • Focuses on the quality of the ECE environment
  • Designed specifically for early childhood educators
  • Provides practical suggestions for pedagogical change

Why participate in the MOVERS PD Program?

  • Physical development, movement and physical activity are key aspects of child development
  • Within Australia, there is limited PD options for upskilling in this area
  • Content from MOVERS PD program
    • does not require expensive equipment
    • does not require additional time
    • does not a change of routines
    • can be implemented by all educators
    • can be part of everyday routines
    • can be enjoyed by educators

What does the MOVERS PD program focus on?

The MOVERS PD program is informed by the MOVERS environmental rating scale (Archer & Siraj, 2017) and focuses on:

  • Curriculum, environment and resources for physical development (space, resources, gross and fine motor skills) 
  • Pedagogy for physical development (staff engagement, observation, assessment, and planning) 
  • Supporting physical activity and critical thinking (movement vocabulary, conversations, critical thinking risky play) 
  • Parents/carers and staff. 

Does the MOVERS PD align with the EYLF and the VEYLDF?

Yes, the MOVERS PD program aligns directly with the EYLF and the VEYLDF

How is MOVERS PD delivered?

  • A two-day face-to-face professional development workshop.
  • Maximum of 40 participants.
  • Workshops are generally delivered in Eastern suburbs of Melbourne, although may be delivered in other locations if required.

Scheduled dates for 2025:

  • 19 - 20 May 2025, 9 am - 3 pm on both days 
  • 28 - 29 July 2025, 9 am - 3 pm on both days

Additional workshops can be facilitated later if required.

Online professional development workshops (2 x 2 hours + 1x 1 hour).

  • Workshops are delivered via Zoom
  • Maximum 40 participants

Scheduled dates for 2025:

  • 6 May 2025 (2hrs) 
  • 27 May 2025 (2hrs) 
  • 17 June 2025 (1hr)
  • 5 August 2025 (2 hrs) 
  • 26 August 2025 (2 hrs) 
  • 16 September 2025 (1 hr) 

Additional sessions can be added if required

  • Professional development workshop (2 hours).
  • All educators and staff members are welcome.

Scheduled dates for 2025:

  • As requested

What are educators saying about the program?

It's been really fantastic. It's definitely been a huge success in our kinder. I completed the MOVERS program in 2021 in August, so since then we've been incorporating lots of different physical experiences and activities into our program. It has really opened like a world of possibilities for us. I can't stop going on about it- how beneficial it has been Educator Face-to-face Professional Development program

This has been one of the best PD we've ever attended because what we've gained from it is just continuing on. It's embedded into what we're telling parents, how we're sharing information and how we're planning for children

- Educator 2022, Face-to-face PD

 

Thank you for a truly wonderful and relevant PD series with MOVERS O-PD. It definitely delivered what we were promised

- Educator, 2024, online PD

 

The content was great and made me reflect on my program and the different ways I can offer movement throughout my day

- Educator, 2024, online PD

How much does the MOVERS PD cost? 

The MOVERS PD is currently listed on the School Readiness Menu (Victoria). 

If your early childhood setting is not located in Victoria, please contact Rachel Jones (rachel_jones@uow.edu.au) for further information.

Need more information?

If you have any questions, please contact Rachel Jones. We look forward to hearing from you.

rachel_jones@uow.edu.au