About

The Early Childhood Australia Western Australia Branch offers support, information and forums to early childhood organisations, services, professionals, parents and policy makers about relevant and current issues regarding children, their families and their place in the community.

The branch has a broad membership from children’s services, early childhood organisations and education and interested people, all of whom share a common desire to provide leadership and advocacy on behalf of children and those that work with children.
WA Play Strategy—Scroll down or click the Quick links bar at the side to find out more about the WA Play Strategy

Our Business

Early Childhood Australia WA has three organisational imperatives which give direction to and focuses its work to achieve its mission.

1. Advocacy

To promote the interests and well being of young children and the people who work with them as broadly and effectively as possible.

2. Leadership

To promote high standards of professionalism that supports and encourages people in leadership roles at all levels.

3. A progressive organisation

To ensure that the organisation has strong directional leadership to enhance the ability to work to achieve the vision and mission and continue to be a leader in the early childhood field and the broader community. As a branch we will take a leadership role in addressing current issues.

Branch Executive

President (Position description) Doreen Blyth
Vice President  (Position description) Sally Whitaker
National Director (Position description) Wendy Gorman
Treasurer (Position description) Claire Wylie
Secretary (Position description) Stephanie Jackiewicz
Administration Officer Ralph Southall

Committee Members (Position description)

Anna Targowska
Ralph Southall
Sandra Hesterman
Jayne Kaiko
Sandy Clark
Kate Pitt
Ruth Wallace
Hayley Cann
Isabelle Adams
Marcelle Saratsis
Denise Clarke
Margaret Owens

Contact

ECA WA has an administrative officer, Ralph Southall, who is available Tuesdays 10am-2pm. At other times, you can contact us on the below details:

e: ecawa@earlychildhood.org.au

ECA WA Branch
PO Box 786
Mount Lawley
WA 6929

Facebook

ECA WA Branch is now on Facebook. Click here to follow us.

WA Play Strategy

The research is comprehensive and conclusive—play is essential for children’s healthy development across all domains and is also their fundamental right.

Play-based learning enables children to engage in real-life and imaginary play experiences that challenge thinking, promote communication, inspire creativity and nurture socio-emotional well-being.

However, there is a growing concern that opportunities for children to learn through play is diminishing, particularly in the early years of schooling.

Early Childhood Australia (WA), the key advocacy organisation for children from birth to eight years of age in Western Australia, is leading a campaign to raise public awareness on the importance of play and is advocating for a State government-led  WA Play Strategy to reinstate young children’s right to learn through play at school and in the community.

Find out more, and explore what you can to do support this vital work, follow the link here: waplaystrategy.com

Reconciliation Action Plan

To view the ECA WA branch Reconciliation Action Plan click here.

Reports and Papers

1. 2014 Discussion Paper: A call for high quality early childhood education in the early years of school in Western Australia.

2. 2016 ECA WA Discussion Paper: A Call for a WA Play Strategy in Early Childhood Education and Care

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