Your source of need-to-know early childhood links, news and resources
This fortnight, ECA WebWatch brings you the latest responses to the federal government's intervention in Northern Territory Indigenous communities, as well as an overview of Early Childhood Australia's exciting High/Scope project.
Also in this huge issue:
- sustainability and safe cleaning methods
- an overview of Canada's Investing in Quality report
- a look ahead to upcoming not-to-be missed conferences.
And, as always, the latest news and quality-assured early childhood resources.
Australian Indigenous issues
Indigenous doctors to present Mal Brough with a statement of Indigenous identity, strength and culture at the Garma Festival (PDF)
This media release from the Australian Indigenous Doctors' Association contains a moving statement about Indigenous cultural strength and knowledge which all of us should read.
Racial Discrimination Act is a vital human rights safeguard
The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission calls on governments to ensure that any action taken in Indigenous communities 'protects basic human rights, including the right to be protected from discrimination purely on the basis of a person's race'.
SNAICC newsletter – July 2007 – 'We would like to believe you, Prime Minister' (PDF)
A special edition of SNAICC's (Secretariat of National Aboriginal & Islander Child Care) newsletter. It looks at the upcoming federal election, and gives SNAICC's response to the federal government's intervention in the NT's Aboriginal communities.
Early Childhood Australia advocacy initiative
High/Scope project
This Early Childhood Australia initiative will see a team of six practitioner-researchers attending a two-week training program presented by High/Scope in the US.
The purpose of the project is to develop a working knowledge of the High/Scope program, and to identify elements which are transferable to Australia.
Following the team's return in September, Early Childhood Australia will dedicate a special area of its website to outline the further steps in the project. Experienced teacher, principal, curriculum manager and author Jenni Connor will deliver a full report in 2008, which will also be supported by an accompanying book in Early Childhood Australia's Research in Practice Series.
High/Scope background material
High/Scope (Supporting Best Practice)
These six links from Early Childhood Australia's acclaimed Supporting Best Practice web directory outline High/Scope's proven holistic approach and how its programs relate to literacy, numeracy, behaviour and wellbeing.
Sustainability in early childhood
A way of travelling: The environment and our Code of Ethics
An inspiring article from the recent Sustainability issue of Every Child magazine, which uses Early Childhood Australia's Code of Ethics to demonstrate why promoting environmental sustainability is everyone's responsibility – especially those in the early childhood sector.
Creating healthier schools and childcare environments
This handy article provides a step-by-step approach to removing toxic chemicals from schools and services.
Safer solutions learning modules
Five learning modules which guide educators, carers and parents in understanding how advertising and marketing influence our cleaning decisions; and using natural cleaning methods.
Early childhood policy and research
Stay up to date on global developments with ECA WebWatch ...
Canadian report on investing in quality
Investing in Quality (PDF – large file)
In March this year, the Province of Ontario, Canada, released the government's framework to ensure exemplary practices in early learning and care settings.
The report is the work of an expert panel on quality and human resources in early learning settings. The panel focused on four points:
- Policies and related issues (e.g. funding, infrastructure).
- Education and professional opportunities.
- Program delivery.
- Parents as partners.
Early childhood events
Put this date in your diary now ...
Early Childhood Australia National Conference
Children: A nation's capital – Investing in our children
3–6 October 2008
National Convention Centre, Canberra
Don't miss Early Childhood Australia's 70th birthday conference in 2008.
Keep an eye out for the upcoming call for papers – to be released in October.
What Works For Children – Bridging the Gaps conference
Effective integration of early childhood services
29–30 August 2007
Rydges Lakeside, Canberra
This conference will focus on successful models of inter-sectoral integration and collaboration in early childhood service delivery systems; and will explore policy, practice and research in an interactive way that focuses on solutions.
SNAICC 2007 National Conference
Ngadluko Ngartunnaitya (For Our Children)
19–21 September 2007
Adelaide Convention Centre
The conference aims to provide local, national and international perspectives on best practice in responding to the diverse needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Early Childhood Australia's online calendar is the quick and easy way to keep track of what's happening in early childhood!
Latest early childhood news
Keep track of what's happening in the sector on the ECA news page.
Children's TV standards review
The Australian Communications and Media Authority have released an issues paper outlining the upcoming review of children's
television standards. Individuals and organisations are invited to comment on relevant issues – such as content,
classification and advertising (particularly in regard to junk food).
Submissions close 31 August 2007
National Awards for Quality Schooling 2008
In 2008 there will be 64 awards in seven categories and more than $1.1 million in prizes open to all teachers, principals,
support staff members and schools at pre-primary, primary and secondary levels.
Nominations close 15 October 2007
Quality-assured resources from Early Childhood Australia
Caring spaces, learning places: Children's environments that work (rev edn) is an excellent source of ideas and inspiration to transform environments to support and enhance learning.
Dreaming Stories: A springboard for learning is a special book and DVD set which provides young children with a unique introduction to the Dreaming Stories – sources for learning and growth in all aspects of children's development.
Let us know what you think ...
We welcome any suggestions or comments you have: webwatch@earlychildhood.org.au.
Past issues of ECA WebWatch are available on the Early Childhood Australia website.
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ECA WebWatch - Issue 34, August 2007. © Early Childhood Australia.
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