Your one-stop guide to early childhood links and resources...

It's been a huge fortnight in the early childhood sector, beginning with the Prime Minister's announcement of his vision for child care at the Australia 2020 summit. In this issue of ECA WebWatch we provide a special response to the proposal from Early Childhood Australia's National President, Margaret Young.

Also in this issue:

• What's in a high-quality program
• ECA Conference news
• Nominate an inspiring teacher
• Understanding emotional development
• New policy paper on transitions to school.

Plus a breakdown of this month's events, new quality-assured books from Early Childhood Australia and much more!

Kevin Rudd's commitment to early childhood

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's proposal to put young children at the centre of his 2020 vision for the nation through universal, high-quality and affordable Parent and Child Centres has been welcomed by Early Childhood Australia.

In response to Rudd's actions, National President of Early Childhood Australia, Margaret Young, stated:

'The leadership provided by the Prime Minster in recognising the importance of early childhood to the long-term future of the nation is a cause for optimism for young children and for all who advocate for them.

'The Prime Minster's vision for universal access to high-quality Parent and Child Centres (versions of which have operated in various ways and locations over many years, have been examined in the research and been promoted by many) should be celebrated.

'We are also encouraged that the Prime Minster acknowledged the large body of research about the significance of early nurturing, care and engagement with learning; recognised the importance of four-year-degree–qualified early childhood educators in the delivery of programs for children from birth to five years; and highlighted the relationship between strengthened national quality standards and better quality programs for children and families.

'We believe that with this thinking we are all in a better and stronger place to go forward – a moment for celebration, and then back to our ongoing work to achieve the vision!'

An overview of the sector's responses to Prime Minister Rudd's proposal is available on the Early Childhood Australia news page.

Read May 2008 - Childcare sector responds to PM's 2020 vision and Early Childhood Australia's earlier media release: 'PM's 2020 vision puts children first', which was featured in ECA WebWatch #50.

Sighting the future: Australia in 2020
View the complete text of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's speech given at the Sydney Institute on 17 April 2008.

Nobel laureate inspired policy
In this interesting article from The Australian, the Prime Minister outlines the reasons behind his 2020 vision for young children.

What's in a high-quality program

The following papers are required reading for all early childhood professionals.

The Effective Provision of Pre-school Education Final Report (PDF) and The Effective Provision of Pre-school Education (EPPE) Project: Summary report (PDF)

The Effective Provision of Pre-school Education (EPPE) is a longitudinal study into the effects of preschool education and care. The study, which was undertaken between 1997 and 2004, spells out the features of high-quality early childhood programs.

The economic benefits of high-quality early childhood programs: What makes the difference? (PDF)

This study is a retrospective analysis of three United States studies which have been the basis for claims of the economic benefits of high-quality early childhood education. The finding of the Galinsky retrospective analysis of these programs – one of which is the Perry Preschool Project (mentioned by the Prime Minister in his speech at the Australia 2020 summit) – are almost identical to those of the much more recent EPPE study.

The fact that the findings from both of these studies are so similar is vitally important because it demonstrates that high-quality early learning programs for children have the same structural and process features regardless of whether the focus is children from low socioeconomic backgrounds (the Perry Preschool Project) or children from differing social backgrounds.

Understanding emotional development

Social and emotional learning (Supporting Best Practice)
You'll find five helpful links in this section of the popular Supporting Best Practice web directory that provide practical support in helping children identify, understand and respond to their own and other children's emotions.

ECA Conference news

New keynote speaker at ECA's 2008 Conference
Robert Gell, an active environmental advocate for sustainable development, has now been confirmed as the environment and sustainability keynote speaker for Early Childhood Australia's 2008 Biennial Conference.

Find out more about Robert Gell at his website.

Robert now joins the other keynote speakers:

• Martha Farrell Erickson (US) – an inspiring leader and expert in uniting research with real-life practice in attachment and children's wellbeing.
• Ferre Laevers and Julia Moons (Belgium) – an expert team dedicated to improving children's learning experiences.
• Chris Sidoti (Aus) – a former Human Rights Commissioner for Australia with a passionate commitment to children's rights.
• Joan Brink (US) – a dynamic practicing teacher, committed to the power of intentional teaching alongside shared control with children.

Joan is an expert on the High/Scope curriculum, which has all of the features of high-quality early childhood programs identified in the EPPE study above.

Early Bird registration is now open – save up to $150 when you register before 31 July 2008.

Conference registration form (PDF)
You can now register for Early Childhood Australia's 2008 Biennial Conference by downloading this form. Online payment will be available soon.

All Early Childhood Australia members are eligible for up to $150 discount on registration fees – visit the Early Childhood Australia conference website for more details on becoming a member and discounted registration.

ECA Doctoral Thesis Award
Nominations have opened for Early Childhood Australia's Doctoral Thesis Award which will be awarded at the conference. The selection criteria and details of how to nominate are available on the conference website.

Nominations close 30 June 2008.

Have your say about AJEC

AJEC Online Survey
Early Childhood Australia wants to hear what you think of the Australian Journal of Early Childhood and how you'd like to access it in the future.

Tell us what you think of AJEC – take part in our quick online survey.

Quote of the month

'This proposal builds on the extensive research which has already been done on the critical impact of a child's early nurturing, care and engagement with learning, on every aspect of their later life.'

—Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, 'Sighting the future: Australia in 2020' speech to the Sydney Institute

What's on this month

Under Eights Week 2008
Our children, Our world, Our future
23–30 May 2008
All over Queensland

Time is running out to register your event for this year's Under Eights Week.

The deadline for events is 12 May 2008.

Register your event now!

Families NSW Conference 2008
Working Together
12–13 May 2008
Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre

The Families NSW Conference will bring together a range of services in networking and sharing solutions. Margaret Sims, a member of the editorial committee of the Australian Journal of Early Childhood, published by Early Childhood Australia is one of the keynote speakers at this conference.

Every Child Matters 2008 Conference
14–15 May 2008
Melbourne Park Function Centre

This inaugural conference on children and young people with a disability and their families will focus on family wellbeing, inclusive communities, policy, practice and priorities, and supporting all voices.

Visit Early Childhood Australia's online calendar – it's the easy way to keep track of important events, conferences and dates.

Nominate now for the Inspirational Teacher Awards

Australian Scholarships Group Inspirational Teacher Awards
The deadline is rapidly approaching to submit your nomination to recognise encouraging and inspiring teachers in the Australian Scholarships Group's NEiTA awards.

The deadline for nominations is 31 July 2008.

Nominate a teacher now.

New quality-assured resources from ECA

We understand that professional development is an important part of early childhood advocacy, and encourage all educators and carers to invest in their growth as professionals by using Early Childhood Australia's high-quality resources – all publications in our online book catalogue are quality-assured by early childhood experts.

The Code of Ethics: A guide for everyday practice is a practical analysis of Early Childhood Australia's Code of Ethics, which explores the Code's importance to children, families, colleagues, communities, students, employers, the conduct of research and the profession itself.

The outdoor playspace naturally: For children birth to five years provides an inspiring and practical challenge to conventional perceptions about early childhood playspaces.

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ECA WebWatch - Issue 51, May 2008. © Early Childhood Australia.