Empowering Leaders Programme
Empowering Leaders is a high-impact professional learning programme designed to strengthen the leadership capability of centre managers, team leaders, and teachers/kaiako in early learning settings. Fully funded for services in the Waikato region, this programme offers a rare and highly valuable opportunity, with limited places available through an application process.
This programme focuses on practical, relational leadership that supports strong, well-governed early learning environments where children, whānau, and teams thrive.
Structure & Dates
Session 1. Governance, Regulatory and Health & Safety Foundations
25th March 5-8pm ONLINE
Strengthen your leadership practice while building confidence in key governance, management, and safety responsibilities. In this practical session, leaders will explore regulatory expectations, share insights, and identify priority areas for strengthening practice within their own services. Participants will also receive useful resources and templates to support implementation back in their centres.
Session 2. Embedding Systems, Evidence and Ongoing Assurance
9th April 5-8pm ONLINE
Build confidence in showing how your service keeps children safe and systems strong. In this focused session, leaders will explore how to strengthen governance visibility, review emergency planning and drills, use accident and incident data to address hazards, and clearly evidence effective practice. Participants will refine their action plans and clarify what strong, compliant practice looks like in their own service context.
In-Centre Support
DATE SCHEDULED WITH CENTRE
Each participating centre will receive a dedicated 3-hour in-centre support session to put leadership learning into action. Together we will review key documentation, safety systems, and regulatory requirements while refining a centre-specific action plan. This tailored support helps leaders confidently translate compliance expectations into practical, effective systems within their own service.
Follow-Up Coaching Session
ONLINE HUI SCHEDULED WITH CENTRE
Each service will receive a 1-hour online follow-up coaching session with Gabby Dyet to support continued progress after the in-centre visit. This session provides space to review action plans, address challenges, strengthen documentation, and confirm next steps—helping leaders maintain momentum and embed sustainable improvements.
About the programme
Through engaging workshops, collaborative learning, and real-world application, participants will build the knowledge and confidence to:
Strengthen effective governance and management practices aligned with regulatory requirements.
Develop robust human resource systems, including recruitment, induction, role clarity, appraisal, professional growth, and supportive accountability.
Ensure Children’s Act requirements are confidently implemented and well documented.
Lead teams in maintaining safe, responsive environments where child wellbeing is prioritised.
Implement and review effective emergency procedures, including meaningful drills that inform ongoing improvement.
Build clear systems for identifying and managing hazards, ensuring risks are eliminated, isolated, or minimised.
Grounded in Coactive Education’s relational approach, Empowering Leaders supports leaders to move beyond compliance toward confident, values-driven leadership that strengthens both team culture and service quality.
This programme is ideal for new and emerging leaders ready to deepen their leadership practice while ensuring their service meets—and confidently demonstrates—key regulatory expectations.
Places are limited, and interested centres are encouraged to apply early to be considered for this exceptional fully funded opportunity.