Posts

Cole is a rarity in his chosen field

Cole is a rarity in his chosen field

Cole Oakes is a recent graduate who shares his story as a male, in the early childhood education and care sector (ECEC) and encourages other males who are passionate about early childhood education to be a part of a fulfilling role. Cole also…
A time of change and super diversity in early childhood education

A time of change and ‘super diversity’ in early childhood education

PROFESSOR LESTER-IRABINNA RIGNEY is an expert in Culturally Responsive Pedagogy and presented at the 2019 ECA National Conference as a keynote presenter. ECA caught up with him to ask a few questions about his work on culturally responsive…
Pro-love-2

Is love the same as care?

A growing trend has seen the term ‘love’ used to describe everything from government welfare drug testing to what educators should aim for in their practice and environments for young children. Two blog posts on The Spoke examine the issue…
Whats the story with child care costs

What’s the story with child care costs?

The last week has seen a flurry of media releases and reports on the cost of child care and whether the new Child Care Subsidy (CCS) is achieving its goals of making childcare more affordable and boosting workforce participation. The conclusions…
sustainable practice

Education for sustainability in practice

If we all take the time to care for our environment, we will make a difference together. DR SUE ELLIOTT and Australia-Aotearoa Alliance for Early Childhood Education for Sustainability (The Alliance) share how to implement sustainable ways into…
eleb-blog

How the parties compare on key early childhood policies

Since the beginning of the election year, Early Childhood Australia (ECA) along with other early childhood peak bodies, research organisations, service providers and community groups has been promoting seven key policy areas as the Election…
Wage-rates

The wage rates are too low and turnover is too high

The Australian Labor Party’s election promise to work out with the early childhood sector how they can facilitate a 20 percent wage increase over eight years is a bold and very welcome move that will generate far more economic benefits than…
Reconciliation-blog-AD

Make it personal and meaningful: educators and reconciliation

How can early childhood settings incorporate reconciliation through everyday learning? ECA caught up with preschool teacher and educational leader, ADAM DUNCAN, to hear his views on reconciliation. In the lead up to last year’s ECA Reconciliation…
the spoke budget

Budget 2019: little new for schools and even less for early childhood education experts respond

Frydenberg may claim education is critical to the prosperity of our country, but his budget does not reflect this. In his first budget speech, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said education was the ‘first defence of the nation […] it…
first-nations-children-blog

ECA perspective: Australia’s First Nations children

Two important papers about Australia’s First Nations children were released in the same week in February. Both have implications for young children in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. The joint ECA and SNAICC—Voice for…
Ethics in action

Ethics in action

We are surrounded by ethics every day in every setting, whether it be a decision or situation. But what about applying ethics in early childhood education and care?  ‘I believe children benefit from being around self-respecting adults’—Lilian…
WA-Chrisitine-Legg-blog

Why getting early education right is so critical for children & our future

The future of Australia rests on early education. Early Childhood Australia’s (ECA) National President, Christine Legg talks about children’s early development and why Australia needs to invest in and support a high-quality early childhood…