Bringing you the latest news, links and resources each and every fortnight...

In this huge issue of ECA WebWatch we take a look at the new federal government's first budget and how it will provide for the early childhood sector. We also have a host of helpful links on:

• making a difference to climate change
• promising practices
• the journey to a national curriculum
• transitions to school
• targeting junk food advertising.

And, as always, we bring you the latest early childhood news, events and resources from Early Childhood Australia.

Young children are winners in federal budget

Earlier this week the new federal government released its first budget, which was welcomed by Early Childhood Australia. ECA National President Margaret Young commented on its provision for the early childhood sector:

'This budget is the first step to implementing the election promises of 15 hours per week universal preschool access and an increase in the child care cash rebate.'

Margaret Young also commented on the importance of a qualified early childhood workforce in order to deliver the government's promises:

'Building a specialist early-childhood-degree–qualified workforce is essential to delivering the high-quality learning outcomes for children that are the goals of the promised 15-hours preschool experience – whether delivered in preschools or long day care centres.

'Achieving this will take a commitment over time, which the government recognises.'

Read the full ECA media release: 'Young children are budget winners'.

Making a difference to climate change

Sustainability, global warming and climate change (ECA Resource Theme)
Early Childhood Australia's climate change resource theme is a one-stop source of free articles, links, resources and ideas on making a difference to climate change through our daily interactions with children and their families.

Rob Gell at ECA Biennial Conference
Early Childhood Australia is proud to announce that environmental and communications consultant Rob Gell will be one of the keynote speakers at Early Childhood Australia's 2008 Biennial Conference.

Rob Gell is a highly sought-after speaker whose approach to sustainable development is respected by government, business, environmental groups and the community.

Early Bird registration is now open!

New Supporting Best Practice category – early learning environments

Early Childhood Australia has created a new category in its popular Supporting Best Practice web directory on early learning environments.

Sand and water play
These five valuable links provide lots of practical ideas and support for using sand and water in children's play and learning.

Be sure to visit the other sections in the new early learning environments category: Learning through play outdoors and Physical environments.

Promising practices

These two links from Wisconsin's Early Childhood Excellence Initiative are helpful snapshots of interactions between children and adults that we can use in everyday practice.

Reasoning and problem-solving skills
Two good examples of how everyday environments and incidents create opportunities for building problem-solving and reasoning skills.

Scaffolding
Three examples of interactions with toddler and preschool-age children demonstrating how we are surrounded by ready-made opportunities for scaffolded learning.

The journey to a national curriculum

Inaugural meeting of the Interim National Curriculum Board
The Interim National Curriculum Board met for the first time in Parliament House on Wednesday 23 April 2008. The Board, made up of representatives from each state and territory, and members of the Catholic and independent sectors, will be responsible for developing an early learning framework for the whole of Australia.

The Early Years Foundation Stage
In light of the National Curriculum Board's work, this site is also a very useful guide across all curriculum areas for early childhood practitioners providing videos and descriptions of high-quality interactions between educators and children.

You can read more about what's happening in the early childhood sector by visiting Early Childhood Australia's news page.

New policy paper on transitions to school

Rethinking school readiness (PDF)
The latest Policy Brief from the Royal Children's Hospital provides a valuable look at why and how we should reconsider school readiness.

Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care Award Program

The Australian Breastfeeding Association is developing a proposal for a national program to support breastfeeding mothers returning to work. The program involves an award system for childcare providers that indicates how services assists mothers breastfeeding.

The Association is seeking feedback from stakeholders on the proposal. Please contact Ros Lording to receive the proposal and supporting information:

Phone (03) 9877 1330 or 0403 861 716 or email bfcc@breastfeeding.asn.au

The deadline for providing feedback is 31 May 2008.

LHMU survey results released

ECA WebWatch readers will remember being invited to ask parents to particulate in the LHMU union's online survey in previous issues of this e-newsletter. Results from the survey have just been released.

Parents in dark over training of carers
The LHMU's survey indicates that most parents overestimate the qualifications of people working in the early childhood sector.

Early childhood conferences and events

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

Visit the Under Eights Week website to find out what's on.

2008 C&K Conference
Surfing the waves of change of a sustainable future
23–25 May 2008
Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre

The 2008 C&K conference will look at all aspects of sustainability and the corresponding roles of early childhood educators, carers and parents.

National Reconciliation Week 2008
27 May – 3 June 2008

National Reconciliation Week is about celebrating the cultures and histories of Australia's Indigenous peoples. Each year, Reconciliation Australia organises events all over Australia and assists individuals and organisations in promoting reconciliation.

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

Early childhood 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.

Special sale prices

For a limited time your will can purchase Music magic: A music teaching resource for ages 3 to 6 years and Music, movement and learning in early childhood and receive a 10% discount – plus, Early Childhood Australia members gain a further 5% discount on both publications.

Both of these books combine high-quality resources with clear instructions suitable for educators, carers and parents at every level of musical experience.

Discount prices available until 20 June 2008.

Discovering letters and sounds is an invaluable guide to supporting young learners in becoming confident users of language, filled with fun activities to tune young children's ears, learn about rhymes, connect letters with sounds and much more.

Targeting junk food advertising

Junk Food Injunction (PDF)
The new edition of the NSW Cancer Council's Junk Food Injunction provides informative news and helpful advice on managing the impact on unhealthy food and marketing aimed at children.

Help us expand the ECA WebWatch community
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Early Childhood Australia's strength is determined by the strength of its members and supporters. It is only through your support that we can advocate for and on behalf of the sector. As a reader of ECA WebWatch you can make a big difference to the sector. By forwarding this newsletter to colleagues and inviting them to subscribe, you extend our advocacy chain – increasing our ability to communicate and work with the sector.

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ECA WebWatch - Issue 52, May#2 2008. © Early Childhood Australia.