Founding Director

Kathy Walker is a renowned Melbourne-based Educational Consultant who conducts a range of professional development sessions throughout Australia for staff working across all sectors of early childhood and primary education as well as a range of government organisations . She also works with parent groups on a range of topics. Kathy is formerly a university lecturer in education and author of the best selling book for parents, What's the Hurry? as well as her latest book for teachers, Play Matters on the Australian Developmental Curriculum. In 2008 Kathy was awarded a Fellowship from the Australian Council For Educational Leaders. For her extensive contributions to the improvement of student outcomes as teacher, lecturer and consultant.

Kathy is a regular contributor to the Education Age, on issues regarding early childhood and primary education. She speaks regularly on ABC radio on parenting and education issues as well as appearing on channel 10 as a parenting expert.
Kathy specialises in a range of topics for both parents and staff. In particular her specialisation with schools and early childhood programs include, school readiness, school transition, children's behaviour resilience, self esteem and developmental curriculum. These are all in popular demand. A major component of Kathy's work with schools is in assisting staff to implement developmental curriculum (play and project based curriculum).

Kathy's commitment to parents extends to the corporate sector and businesses that support family friendly work practices. She conducts presentations on a range of issues for working parents.

Kathy is a highly skilled facilitator of planning days, school council and parent information/discussion sessions.

As an excellent public speaker, Kathy inspires audiences at special events or annual general meetings.

Kathy also works in a number of local government areas in building networks at community level between early childhood, primary and other community services for families and children.

Fellowship Award :

For her work with teachers and parents to develop early-childhood and primary programs, developmental curriculum, effective transition and preparation of children for school entry.

For articulating her passion for children to be given a childhood, learning through play and in multi-age classrooms. For her capacity to share her passion with parents, teachers and the wider community through her writing and presentations. For her commitment to sharing her knowledge and experience in educational media, and family-friendly corporate settings.

For her contributions to the professional learning of parents, teachers and the wider public via her presentations and workshops, her regular articles in the press, her books, and for her regular radio speeches. For her leadership and mentoring of other educators.

For her leadership and commitment as an independent inquirer for the Australian Education Union that sponsored the National Inquiry into Preschool Education across Australia. For her expertise in transition issues and readiness which is an integral part of that inquiry.

For her excellent educational leadership in inspiring others and contributing to the practice of educational leadership at schools, in professional development activities, special events and meetings of professional organizations, national education unions, and local government networks forums and conferences. For upholding the ideals of the Australian Council for Educational Leaders.