--- title: "Better Together: building connections from the very beginning" description: ECMS reflects on the Playgroup Victoria Conference and why early connection helps children and families feel safe, welcome and connected. image: https://blogs.ecms.org.au/hubfs/IMG_6737%20Epping%20Preschool%201220%20(29).jpg --- ![ECMS\_Logo\_Teal\_22 1](https://blogs.ecms.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/EMCS%20Logos/ECMS_Logo_Teal_22%201.png?width=112&height=88&name=ECMS_Logo_Teal_22%201.png) [Careers](https://www.ecms.org.au/careers/) [Blog](https://www.ecms.org.au/blog/) [Contact](https://www.ecms.org.au/contact-us/) [Search](https://www.ecms.org.au/search-results/) [Kindergarten](https://www.ecms.org.au/kindergarten/) [Childcare](https://www.ecms.org.au/childcare/) [Find a centre](https://www.ecms.org.au/find-a-centre/) About About Overview [Who we are](https://www.ecms.org.au/about-us/) [Leadership team](https://www.ecms.org.au/partnerships/) [Partnerships](https://www.ecms.org.au/partnerships/) [ECMS policies](https://www.ecms.org.au/policies-page/) [Child safety commitment](https://www.ecms.org.au/child-safety-commitment/) [Book a tour](https://www.ecms.org.au/contact-us/) ![logo-combined](https://blogs.ecms.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/logo-combined.png?width=98&height=32&name=logo-combined.png) ![logo-combined](https://blogs.ecms.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/logo-combined.png?width=98&height=32&name=logo-combined.png) [Book a tour](https://www.ecms.org.au/contact-us/) (03) 8481 1100 [Kindergarten](https://www.ecms.org.au/kindergarten/) [Childcare](https://www.ecms.org.au/childcare/) [Find a centre](https://www.ecms.org.au/find-a-centre/) About [Who we are](https://www.ecms.org.au/about-us/) [Leadership team](https://www.ecms.org.au/partnerships/) [Partnerships](https://www.ecms.org.au/partnerships/) [ECMS policies](https://www.ecms.org.au/policies-page/) [Child safety commitment](https://www.ecms.org.au/child-safety-commitment/) [Careers](https://www.ecms.org.au/careers/) [Blog](https://www.ecms.org.au/blog/) [Contact](https://www.ecms.org.au/contact-us/) [Search](https://www.ecms.org.au/search-results/) ###### Share on [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://blogs.ecms.org.au/blog/better-together-building-connections-from-the-very-beginning) [Follow us on LinkedIn](http://twitter.com/share?url=https://blogs.ecms.org.au/blog/better-together-building-connections-from-the-very-beginning) [Follow us on Twitter](mailto:?subject=ECMS&body=https://blogs.ecms.org.au/blog/better-together-building-connections-from-the-very-beginning) [Home](https://www.ecms.org.au/) [Blog](https://www.ecms.org.au/blog/) Better Together: building connections from the very beginning # Better Together! #### Building connections from the very beginning. Apr 1, 2026, 12:59:59 PM By Liz Jensen Share Last week, ECMS was proud to exhibit at the Playgroup Victoria Conference, where the theme was **Better Together: Cultivating Connections**. It is a theme that strongly reflects our work. At ECMS, relationships are at the heart of early learning. We know that children learn best when they feel safe, welcome and connected. We also know that families feel more confident when they feel supported and included from the beginning. That is why early connections matter so much. Playgroups can be an important first step into early learning. They offer children and families a warm, welcoming place to play, meet others and become part of a community. For many families, playgroup is a gentle introduction to group experiences before kindergarten starts. It can help children build confidence, get used to new routines and begin forming positive relationships with other children and adults. Playgroups also support families. They can help reduce isolation, create opportunities for friendship and strengthen links to local services and support. These early experiences can make a big difference, especially when families are new to an area or do not have family nearby. There is also an important child safety benefit in building connection early. When children and families are known, welcomed and supported in community from the beginning, it is easier to notice needs early, respond with care and work together to support wellbeing and safety. We also see great value in partnerships with local organisations and community groups. Working together can create stronger pathways for families and deeper local connections for children. The conference theme, Better Together, was a timely reminder that connection is not something extra. It is central to children’s learning, wellbeing and sense of belonging. That is why early connection matters. When we build strong relationships from the beginning, we help create joyful, safe and connected communities where children and families can thrive. ## Read On [![](https://blogs.ecms.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Cambrian%20Way%20Nov%202025%20(20)-1.jpg?width=352&name=Cambrian%20Way%20Nov%202025%20(20)-1.jpg)](https://blogs.ecms.org.au/blog/the-extraordinary-in-the-everyday) ### [The extraordinary in the everyday](https://blogs.ecms.org.au/blog/the-extraordinary-in-the-everyday) At ECMS, we know that some of the most meaningful learning happens in the everyday moments of a... [![](https://blogs.ecms.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/0A5A5151.jpg?width=352&name=0A5A5151.jpg)](https://blogs.ecms.org.au/blog/ecms-conference-2026) ### [ECMS Conference 2026](https://blogs.ecms.org.au/blog/ecms-conference-2026) What helps children and families feel that they truly belong? [![](https://blogs.ecms.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/2024.05.27_ECM_LOWRES_@MAXROUX__-45-1.jpg?width=352&name=2024.05.27_ECM_LOWRES_@MAXROUX__-45-1.jpg)](https://blogs.ecms.org.au/blog/growing-together-relationships-at-the-heart-of-learning) ### [Relationships at the heart of learning](https://blogs.ecms.org.au/blog/growing-together-relationships-at-the-heart-of-learning) A group gathers around a shared discovery.  Two children work together to solve a problem. Children... 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Northcote VIC 3070 ![ECMS\_Logo\_Teal\_22 1](https://blogs.ecms.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/ECMS_Logo_Teal_22%201.png?width=112&height=88&name=ECMS_Logo_Teal_22%201.png) [Privacy Policy](https://www.ecms.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Privacy-Policy.pdf) © Copyright 2024 ECMS ABN: 13 012 989 761 [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/ecmschildren) [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/early-childhood-management-services/) [Follow us on Twitter](https://www.instagram.com/ecms_childhood/) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Liz Jensen", "url" : "https://blogs.ecms.org.au/blog/author/liz-jensen" }, "dateModified" : "2026-04-01T10:09:44.024Z", "datePublished" : "2026-04-01T01:59:59.000Z", "headline" : "Better Together: building connections from the very beginning", "image" : [ "https://blogs.ecms.org.au/hubfs/IMG_6737%20Epping%20Preschool%201220%20(29).jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blogs.ecms.org.au/blog/better-together-building-connections-from-the-very-beginning", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blogs.ecms.org.au/hubfs/Primary_Logo_Teal_Sml.jpg" }, "name" : "ECMS" } } ```