This paper explores a collaborative strengths-based approach to investing in pre-service early childhood teacher education in the area of child protection. The doctoral research of the author, which evaluated a Strengths Approach as a cross-sector tool for implementing change in early-childhood education and in doing so researched a potential investment in improving pre-service preparation, is described and discussed. Findings from the research suggest that using a strengths-based process, involving work-integrated learning, enhanced the ability of the pre-service teachers in the study to protect young children. [Papers included in this "Asia-Pacific Journal of Cooperative Education" ("APJCE") Special Issue stem from selected manuscripts from the Australian Collaborative Education Network Annual Conference 2012.]