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

Welcome to another big issue of ECA WebWatch. This fortnight's main feature is an opportunity for early childhood practitioners to help develop Advanced Teaching Standards for early childhood.

Also in this issue:

• ABC Learning and CFK Childcare news
• update on the Early Years Learning Framework
• applications open for KidsMatter National Coordinator
• suggestions for the festival season
• supporting children's emotional development.

Plus:

• ECA calendar
• quality-assured early childhood resources
• ECA GreenWatch.

ECA WebWatch feature item

Advanced Teaching Standards for early childhood

Advanced Teaching Standards for teachers of three to eight year olds
Early Childhood Australia has been contracted by Teaching Australia to develop Advanced Teaching Standards for three- to eight-year-old children.

Early Childhood Australia is calling for expressions of interest from early childhood degree-qualified teachers to take part in this exciting opportunity.

Download the application form and email or post it to:

Brooke Cowling
Advanced Teaching Standards, Early Childhood Australia
e: bcowling@earlychildhood.org.au
p: Early Childhood Australia, PO Box 7105, Watson ACT 2602

Applications are due by close of business (5.00pm), 16 January 2009.

Launch of Southern Cross University's Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) course

SCU launch – speaking notes (PDF)
Last month, Early Childhood Australia's CEO Pam Cahir spoke at the opening of Southern Cross University's new Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) course, about the work of early childhood practitioners following the Prime Minister's apology to the Stolen Generations, and the outcomes that all children are entitled to.

ABC Learning and CFK Childcare news

Update on ABC Learning and CFK
This news item from Early Childhood Australia examines the current status of the centres owned by ABC Learning and CFK Childcare which also went into receivership recently.

Interview with Julia Gillard
Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard discusses the Government's response to ABC Learning and CFK Childcare.

Update on the Early Years Learning Framework

Early Years Learning Framework: Public forums
In the last issue of ECA WebWatch, we mentioned that the second draft of the Early Years Learning Framework had been released. Although only one of the state forums is still to happen – in Melbourne on 12 December – you will be able to submit a written submission up until COB 10 December 2008. This link provides directions on how to do so.

Applications open for KidsMatter National Coordinator

KidsMatter (Early Childhood) National Coordinator
The Australian Psychological Society (APS) is seeking applications for the position of National Coordinator for KidsMatter, a national mental health initiative for the early childhood sector.

Applications are due by 9.00am, 15 December 2008.

Suggestions for the festival season

ECA's best picture books of 2008
Once again, Early Childhood Australia Publications Committee member Jenni Connor reviews the best picture books released in the year – for babies, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children.

Christmas celebration
This link from South Australia's Parenting and Child Health service provides excellent advice on making all celebrations during the 'silly season' as stress-free as possible.

World religions – glossary
The Shap Working Party on World Religions in Education is a UK group who works to promote knowledge and understanding of the world's beliefs and traditions. In addition to the audio glossary of religious events and terms, this site also has a collection of frequently asked questions about specific religions.

Advice on junk food (PDF)
During Christmas and other end-of-year celebrations, children are often around unhealthy food. The NSW Cancer Council's Junk Food Injunction newsletter provides advice on promoting healthy alternatives.

Supporting children's emotional development

Feeling safe and in control (Supporting Best Practice)
Five links from Early Childhood Australia's Supporting Best Practice web directory exploring practical ways to support children's emotional development, including self-control and self-discipline.

ECA GreenWatch

Early Childhood Australia is committed towards working to reducing harmful climate change, and many of its publications focus on how young children can learn about sustainable development through practical and inspiring experiences.

Everyday learning about being green – sample chapter (PDF)
This chapter from Everyday learning about being green provides a helpful overview of how everyone who cares for children can make a real difference to our impact on the planet – as well as some great tips on saving energy and money.

Greening services: Practical sustainability – sample chapter (PDF)
A chapter from Greening services: Practical sustainability containing useful suggestions on what early childhood services can do to establish a management plan for sustainable development.

Professional reading is an important part of early childhood advocacy and professional growth. Experienced early childhood practitioners quality assure every book sold by Early Childhood Australia.

Protecting children's eyesight

Parents' guide to good vision (PDF)
The Optometrists Association Australia has prepared this guide for parents to help them detect if their child may be having problems with vision.

ECA calendar

National Summit of Non-profit Providers of Children's Services
10 December 2009
Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Training Room
Melbourne

A forum for organisations interested in a community response to ensuring provision of children's services following the collapse of ABC Learning and CFK Childcare.

2008 New Zealand Early Childhood Research Conference
22–23 January 2009
Massey University
Wellington, New Zealand

A conference for anyone who has an interest in research relating to the care, health, learning and teaching of young children in the family, early childhood services and community.

Leading Australia's Schools 2009
Course 1: 26 April – 1 May and 29 July – 31 July 2009
Course 2: 17 May – 22 May and 30 August – 1 September 2009
Melbourne Business School

A leadership development program for principals run by the Hay Group and the University of Melbourne in partnership with Teaching Australia.

Applications close Monday 15 December 2008.

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

Call for abstracts

Application details (PDF)
Early childhood practitioners are invited to submit abstracts for the 2009 Asia Pacific Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect, which will take place 15–18 November 2009 in Perth.

The closing date for submissions is 31 March 2009.

Help us expand the ECA WebWatch community
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ECA WebWatch - Issue 63, December 2008. © Early Childhood Australia.