Finally, an ongoing commitment to funding preschool. But the conditions are hazy and ill-defined

Finally, an ongoing commitment to funding preschool. But the conditions are hazy and ill-defined

The 2021-22 budget includes funding for 15 hours per week of free preschool education for all children in the year before school. Although in his budget speech, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said there would be $2 billion for preschools, the budget…
Kindergarten funding, time for an ongoing commitment

Kindergarten funding, time for an ongoing commitment

Since 2013 children across Australia have been attending kindergarten for 15 hours each week. For eight years they have been the beneficiaries of a funding partnership between the Commonwealth, State and Territory governments. These children…
An EYLF wish list: What’s on yours?

An EYLF wish list: What’s on yours?

Rolled out more than ten years ago and a key element of the National Quality Framework, the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) has had an enormous positive impact on early childhood education in Australia. The review process, which is…
Why social justice is more important than ever

Why social justice is more important than ever

A commitment to social justice means taking responsibility for working individually and collectively to ensure that everyone has meaningful opportunities to participate in the economic, social, cultural, communal and political life of the nation. The…
ECA’s Federal Budget for early education

ECA’s Federal Budget for early education

Each year ECA prepares a pre-budget submission for the Commonwealth Government to ensure the views of the early childhood education and care sector can be incorporated into the Budget process. In late November 2020, the Assistant Treasurer…
Family trees and belonging walls

Family trees and belonging walls

As educators, we talk about fostering a sense of belonging and identity within our services and communities—one way we do this is through the use of photo displays. Reflecting on this in relation to how we display images of ourselves, our…
Preschool benefits children and the economy. But the budget has left funding uncertain, again

Preschool benefits children and the economy. But the budget has left funding uncertain, again

During the COVID-19 crisis phase, all eyes have been on childcare, but preschool is an equally important driver of well-being and economic security for children and parents—and of economic productivity. Research has found for every dollar…
Facebook reconciliation

Encouraging and courageous; the winners of the Anti-Bias Award

Early Childhood Australia recently had a first row seat to the online 2020 Anti-Bias Awards. The award, now in its fourth year, was created in partnership with MultiVerse, Social Justice In Early Childhood, and Early Childhood Australia.  Congratulations…
Free child care

Where is the child in the debate over free childcare?

This blog brings a practitioner view from the frontline. MEL ANGEL, an Adelaide-based teacher, learner and researcher working in the field of early childhood education writes about what she has seen and what she thinks since ‘free child care’…
We matter - AK blog

‘Early Learning Matters’ in the time of a pandemic

This blog was originally published in 2020 in the lead-up to Early Learning Matters Week, however, it is still a timely piece to think about what early learning means for children who are experiencing the hardships, disruptions and possible…
What lies ahead

What lies ahead

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Early Childhood Australia (ECA) has been working hard to understand the issues for members, families and children and provide effective advocacy and representation. As we face the second half of 2020, it might…
drop-off

The ethics of safety

Early childhood education and care services have shown enormous strength, courage and resourcefulness as the COVID-19 pandemic bites. Many have been forced to swiftly create new protocols for their learning community and ways to keep everyone…