Day of Action for Quality Early Childhood Services

Tuesday 1st December - "Day of Action"
On Tuesday ring the Prime Minister ( 02 6277 7700) and tell him that Option 3 is a starting point but that Option 4 is where we need to set the goal posts! Quality early years services are not negotiable.

"Hands Up for Quality" Early Childhood Australia

 Hi All

Early Childhood Australia is currently running a “Hands Up for Quality” campaign.
On 7 December 2009 COAG will decide the future for quality in Australia's early childhood education and care services. ECA currently have a campaign running to tell the governments to stand firm and make a national commitment for:

• improved regulated staff-to-child ratios in centres
• all services to have well-trained and qualified staff
• an accreditation system that requires these standards.

Evidence says that these standards will lead to better quality outcomes for children and short and long term productivity gains for the nation.

I am asking for your support in this matter. You can support this campaign by sending an ecard to your states government and an email to the Prime Minister. Simply click on the link below.

Send this to all those you think want the best for Australia’s children.

Thanks for your support

Stephanie

http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/handsupforquality/send_an_ecard_for_quality.html

Early Childhood Australia

I have just returned from the Early Childhood Australia Council Meeting held in Sydney. It looks like an exciting year ahead for the organisation. I met some really dedicated Early Childhood Education and Child Care professionals from across Australia. These people displayed a strong level of committment to advocating for the best outcomes for all children. I am looking forward to the year ahead for Early Childhood Australia.

Early Childhood Education and Child Care in 2009 (Australia)

There is a great deal happening in the field of early childhood education and child care in Australia at present. It is hard to keep track of everything that is going on. To date this year we have seen the national "Early Years Learning Framework"  released, this is now followed up with a teacher's guide. Whilst the "Early Years Learning Framework" is a national committment, Western Australia also has the "WA Curriculum K -7" which must also be followed. This requires educators to merge these two documents in thier practice.

In Western Australia there has been a new "Office for Early Childhood Development and Learning" established within the "Department of Education and Training". This office is responsible for early childhood education, early childhood development and child care. However, the licencing of child care services currently remains within the "Department for Communities". The amalgamation of care and education in the early years is a challenge we are all confronting in Australia at present.

In order for this amalgamation to be successful and a positive experience for all, particularly the children, all involved must respect one anothers knowledge, skills, qualifications and experience. These should be combined to the greater benefit of the children.