Early Childhood news delivered straight to you!

Welcome to this edition of the award winning ECA WebWatch. This fortnight, our feature item invites you to acquaint yourself with the progress towards the 'Millenium Goals' of education for all, and think about how education is the key to beating poverty.

Also in this issue:

• Research on needs of child care, education and training sectors
• Survey on children's transition to school
• Indigenous centres join KidsMatter Early Childhood
• National Quality Framework Information Forums

Plus:

• ECA calendar
• Quality-assured early childhood resources
• ECA Greenwatch

ECA WebWatch feature item

Global Action Week – Education beats poverty
April 19–25 was 'Global Action Week', as this year marks a decade since the 'Education for all' objectives and Millennium Goals were adopted. Evidence shows that progress is not currently fast enough to achieve the goals by the target date of 2015. Activists involved in this campaign will be applying pressure on world leaders to help provide funds to educate the 72 million children who currently don't attend school.

The theme of the campaign is 'Financing quality public education: a right for all', and will closely tie in with the '1GOAL: Education for all' campaign which is organised around the soccer world cup to be held in South Africa in June/July 2010.

Research commencing on child care sector needs

Australia to research the needs of child care education and training sectors
The Productivity Commission is starting to research the factors impacting on the early childhood, schooling and vocational training workforces. This research aims to investigate current and future supply and demand within these sectors, and look at ways to structure and develop their workforces.

The study of the Early Childhood Development sector will commence in detail in October 2010 and report in October 2011. By registering your interest now, you will be informed of when studies of your sector/s of interest commence. You can also register to receive emails and updates about the progress of the study on the Productivity Commission website.

National Quality Framework Information Forums

Darwin, Alice Springs, Perth and Adelaide still to go!
The purpose of the National Quality Framework Information Forums is:

• To report on progress to date
• To provide an explanation of how the work will progress and outline the timeline for ongoing work
• To provide explanations of the key concepts
• To develop an inventory of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) which could inform the FAQ's on the DEEWR website

People working in Long Day Care, Family Day Care, Outside School Hours Care and Preschool are particularly encouraged to attend the Information forums.

Guidelines for challenging racism

12 tips for challenging oppression
Change Works Consulting have released a sheet of helpful hints for helping you challenge racism and other forms of oppression. Change Works Consulting aims to help people 'embrace the gifts and challenges of a multicultural world'.

Leadership is a quality essential

Effective leadership in the early years study
Leaders in early years settings have a great responsibility in terms of managing children when they are in the centre, and this also extends into the related fields of care, health and family support. They also need to effectively manage staff. This study aims to help provide leaders with accessible, high-quality evidence that will help them develop appropriate levels of expertise, knowledge and skills for meeting new challenges.

Kids who walk to school on track for better health

New study reveals benefits of children walking to school
'Children who walk to school are more physically active in their day-to-day activities around their neighbourhood than those children who are driven to school, a new study finds. The study, undertaken for VicHealth by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER), also suggests that children who walk to school are significantly more connected with their local community.'

Survey on children’s transition to school (Vic)

'Transition: A positive start to school'
In August 2009 the Transition: A positive start to school initiative was launched by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (Victoria). The initiative aims to improve experiences of starting school by strengthening the development and delivery of transition programs. A state-wide evaluation of the intiative is now underway, and early childhood educators, primary school principals, prep teachers, children and families are encouraged to take part in the feedback process. A survey will take approximately 10-15 minutes to complete.

Complete the survey for parents and guardians.

Complete the survey for teachers and workers.

Complete the survey for principals/managers.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander centres join KidsMatter Early Childhood

Improving the social and emotional wellbeing of Indigenous children
'This one-year pilot project will assist and train early childhood workers in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisations in four pilot sites to support the social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. The resources produced will aim to support early childhood workers, trainers and others in their work with children from birth to five years and their families.'

ECA Greenwatch

'Climbing the little green steps'
Download this valuable teaching tool, full of ideas about developing and utilising sustainability resources. Developed by the Gosford and Wyong councils, it is part of the 'Little Green Steps' program which promotes sustainability among Central Coast preschools and early childhood centres.

Quality-assured early childhood resources

All of ECA's publications are peer-r eviewed by early childhood experts, so you can be assured that all our publications are of the highest quality, and relevant to you and your work.

Australasian Journal of Early Childhood Vol. 35 No. 1
The first issue of the Australasian Journal of Early Childhood for 2010 brings together authors from Australia, New Zealand and the United States to help highlight the topic of sexuality in early childhood through a diverse range of theories, voices and international understandings.

Hot tips for cool kids: Practical ways to guide young children’s behaviour
This book will provide you with practical, effective responses that you can use when faced with challenging behaviour from children, so you can guide children towards becoming emotionally and socially competent adults.

ECA Calendar

Understanding and working with Autism/Asperger syndrome
30 April 2010
Virginia Palms International
Boondal
North Brisbane

Autism Focus will be presenting this program which will help increase your understanding of and insights into this condition.

Kodaly Music Education Institute of Australia workshop
30 April 2010
1:30–3:30pm
Music Works Magic
263 Glenhuntly Rd
Elsternwick

The Kodaly Music Education Institute of Australia (KMEIA) present this workshop with guest presenters Anna Mlynek-Kalman and Laura Uhe, who will will present Nila Nila – Magic Moon and other songs of make-believe for children.

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

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ECA WebWatch - Issue 91, April #2 2010. © Early Childhood Australia.