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Welcome to the latest issue of the award winning ECA WebWatch. Our feature item this week is the Federal Election.

In this issue:

• ECA calls on all political parties to respond to ECA’s priorities
• Early Childhood Australia’s position in the election
• coalition back track on national ECEC quality reform agenda
• childcare quality, not price at top of new parents’ minds
• childcare tax rebate developments
• Federal Liberal MP Sharman Stone’s stance on childcare costs
• early childhood development in Indigenous communities
• who’s counting?
• teaching with collections – the Smithsonian approach
• engaging marginalised and vulnerable families
• wild play
• Kidsafe 2010 national playspace design awards.

Plus:

• ECA Greenwatch
• your ECA Conference update
• quality-assured early childhood resources.

ECA WebWatch feature items:

ECA calls on all political parties to respond to national early childhood priorities

Julia Gillard, Sarah Hanson-Young and Sharman Stone were recently invited by ECA to contribute a written response regarding the following issues in light of the imminent election.

Early Childhood Australia’s position in the election

ECA’s position in the coming election firmly advocates for a continued commitment the National Early Childhood Education and Care Quality Reform Agenda implemented by the Rudd Government. This agenda puts children in the forefront of government policy, recognising that high quality services contribute to both children’s well being and the long term economic future of this country. Read the media release.

Coalition turns back the clock with plan to remove childcare national rating system

The coalition has voiced its intention to abandon the National Quality Standard Rating system for early childhood education and review the Early Childhood national reform agenda if it wins power in the next elections. Read the full media release.

Childcare quality, not price at top of new parents’ minds

According to research published in the Australian Journal of Early Childhood, expectant mothers have rated qualified, experienced staff and formal childcare regulations above costs and location when it comes to choosing childcare after they go back to work. Read on for more information.

Childcare rebate developments

Follow recent developments on the Childcare Tax Rebate here. See ECA’s response here.

Liberal MP Sharman Stone’s stance on early childcare costs

MP Sharman Stone, Opposition Spokesperson on Child Care responds to Childcare Tax Rebate changes. See her media release for further details.

Your ECA Conference update

The Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) impacts on everyone in the early childhood profession. The EYLF sessions at the ECA National Conference will focus on Intentional Teaching, Sustained Shared Thinking, Play and the EYLF and What the EYLF means for Early Childhood Leadership. The sessions will be presented by people involved in the development of the EYLF and by those currently working to implement it in their services. Many other workshops at the conference will also focus on the EYLF.

Visit the conference website www.ecaconference.com.au

Early childhood development in Indigenous communities

Attend the National Partnership for Early Childhood conference on ‘Early Childhood Development in Indigenous Communities: integrating services for a healthy start to life’ on 21 & 22 September 2010. Focus will be on progress made so far under the National Partnership for Early Childhood Development and on identifying priority areas for the future improvement of service delivery and community wellbeing.

Who’s counting?

Recent Canadian research revealed that children’s mathematical ability before they start school indicates how they will perform in maths later on. Head to the Canadian Council on Learning (CCL) to get an overview, or read the full report to find out the importance of providing early learners with a solid start in this area.

Teaching with collections – the Smithsonian approach

Children are natural collectors. Go to this link for a superb resource that will help teachers cultivate children’s love of collecting and foster children’s ‘critical thinking’ skills! Visit the Smithsonian Early Enrichment Centre (SEEC) web portal to access other amazing resources for teachers, families and students.

Engaging marginalised and vulnerable families

Policy Brief No.18 looks at what can be done to improve access to community services for marginalised and vulnerable families with young children and how families can best be engaged and supported. This policy brief has been produced by the Centre for Community Child Health, The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne.

Wild play

A group of five and six year old students at the Bold Park Community School in suburban Wembley are fulfilling their wildest dreams by designing their outdoor play area and incorporating features, which authorities say actually encourage the children to learn risk management skills. The full article can be accessed here.

Kidsafe 2010 national playspace design awards

The Kidsafe National Playspace Design Awards recognises excellence and innovation in the provision of safe, creative playspaces Australia wide. The Awards are open to service providers, design professionals, students, landscape contractors and playground providers in all sectors, including Children’s Services. Visit www.kidsafensw.org for more information.

Quality-assured early childhood resources

All of ECA's publications are peer-reviewed 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.

EYLF: Getting started

Written to aid early childhood educators in getting to know, understand and work with the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF).

EYLF: Building confident learners

Explores how educators can help children to be confident and involved learners, focusing on Outcome 4 of the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF).

Every Child Vol.15 No.4

This issue focuses on the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) – with several key articles on key aspects of the EYLF, as well as a 'how to' emphasis, where it is relevant.

ECA Greenwatch

No Junk Mail

Keep Australia Beautiful has partnered with Eco Voice to encourage all Australians to read their catalogues online to reduce waste and litter. Help the cause by putting a "No Junk Mail” sticker on your childcare service’s mailbox! Bundles of stickers are also available for schools, community groups & sporting clubs to use as fundraisers to spread the word and make revenue for your other sustainability programs.

ECA website usability survey

We need your help! We are asking people who use the ECA website for their opinions. Can you please spare a minute and answer our four simple questions? We'll use this information to make a better website. Please help us out with ECA's website usability survey.

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ECA WebWatch - Issue 94, July 2010. © Early Childhood Australia.