Early Childhood Australia

The latest early childhood news!

In this issue, we tell you about a new position available at ECA for a Professional Learning Executive Manager. The Jobs for Families Child Care Package has been re-introduced to parliament while new funding has been announced for the Building Safe Communities for Women grants. Several reports have been released including the Productivity Commission’s draft report on the Education Evidence Base, the Global Education Monitoring Report 2016, a snapshot of findings that highlight the importance of community in keeping children safe, and the government’s response to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs report. In line with the World Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder (FASD) Awareness Day, the Australian Medical Association called for FASD to be recognised as a disability. We let you know about a new Welcome Book for refugee and migrant families and a new website which aims to inspire educators to deliver programs that reflect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural strengths and perspectives. We also provide a link to free online resources on positive sleep practices and a free webinar recording that discusses how Australians view early childhood.

Jump down to find out what the various ECA teams and projects have been up to and the new resources available for the early childhood sector.

Population growth and increased labour force participation will continue to support the demand for childcare services.

This year’s Bankwest Childcare Industry Overview Report revealed that population growth and increased labour force participation will continue to support the demand for childcare services, and that attracting and retaining staff remains a central issue for business owners and managers. Over the five years to 2015–16, industry revenue is expected to grow at an annualised rate of 11.7%, to $10.6 billion. The key driver behind this growth is increased government expenditure in the sector. Download the full report at bankwest.com.au/childcare.*

*The information contained in this publication is of a general nature and is not intended to be nor should it be considered as professional advice. You should not act on the basis of anything contained in this publication without first obtaining specific professional advice. Based in part on Bankwest Economic Updates, Australian Bureau of Statistics data used pursuant to the Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 Australia license (available online at: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/au/) and the following IBISWorld Industry Report Q8710 Child Care Services in Australia February 2015. Bankwest, a division of Commonwealth Bank of Australia ABN 48 123 123 124 AFSL/Australian credit licence 234945.

Position available: Professional Learning Executive Manager

ECA is seeking a leader in professional learning to join our Executive team. This exciting position will take our ECA Learning Hub to the next level by engaging with current and potential users to grow the hub, expand the range of products and increase sustainable revenue. The role also oversees the Conference and Events team that delivers the ECA National Conference. Click here to find out more.

National Education Evidence Base—draft report

The Productivity Commission has released its draft report on the Education Evidence Base which recognises the need for a national evidence base to allow monitoring of performance, and evaluation of effectiveness of education. ECA made a submission during the initial inquiry phase, and will work with members and experts to prepare a response to the draft report before 7 October.

Jobs for Families Child Care Package

The Turnbull Government has re-introduced the Jobs for Families Child Care Package legislation into parliament. There are some small changes to the previous proposed legislation including delaying the implementation of the Package until 1 July 2018. Click here to read more.

Global Education Monitoring Report 2016

The Global Education Monitoring Report 2016 has been published by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The report demonstrates how education can progress the global goals outlined in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Call for Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder to be recognised as a disability

The Australian Medical Association (AMA) is calling for Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder (FASD) to be included on the list of recognised disabilities. This would enable families to access support services. The full AMA position statement is available here.

Response to the Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs report

The Australian Government response to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs report: From conflict to cooperation—Inquiry into the Child Support Program has been released. The response is available here.

Children’s chance to say welcome

Children now have the chance to provide a welcome message to children of refugee or migrant families. Behind the News (BtN), with Welcome to Australia, will be developing the BtN Welcome Book with pictures and messages from Australian children. Entries for the book will close on Friday 23 September.

New professional development website

A new website is inspiring educators to deliver programs that reflect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural strengths and perspectives. The website expands on the Early Years Learning Framework to place culture at the core of teaching and learning. Click here to visit the website.

Free online resources on positive sleep practices

Online resources are available to assist early childhood educators, service providers and authorised officers to reflect on quality sleep and rest practices for children aged three to five years. Click here to view this series of four short videos, fact sheets and other resources.


	Building Safe Communities for Women grants

	The Australian Government has announced an extra $1.7 million to fund community projects that build connections and help to reduce violence against women and their children. Each successful project will receive up to $75 000 per year. Read more about the Building Safe Communities for Women grants here.


	Stronger communities, safer children

	As part of National Child Protection Week 2016, a summary of recent research has been published which presents a snapshot of findings that highlight the importance of community in keeping children safe. Stronger communities, safer children was developed by the Child Family Community Exchange Australia (CFCA) information exchange at Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) in partnership with the National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN). It is available in full here.


	How does the Australian public understand child development and effective parenting?

	Watch a free webinar recording on the Centre for Community Child Health website that shares insightful research by the FrameWorks Institute to help early childhood professionals gain better understanding of how Australians view early childhood. Find out how you can use these framing tools to communicate the benefits of early learning to parents and other stakeholders on the Early Learning: Everyone Benefits Educator Toolkit page.


	In state and territory news …

	Beginning in 2017, Prep year before Year 1 will be compulsory in Queensland; the Victorian Government announced $2.2 million of funding for 10 Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs); community groups in regional WA can apply for grants of up to $2000 to celebrate Children's Week; a school will be built at the new Monash Children's Hospital in Victoria; the Queensland Government will invest $1.5 million over three years to introduce the First 1000 Days initiative; the $250 million upgrade to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) facilities in SA’s public schools is officially underway; 15 child health research projects will benefit from $4 million in grants from the Telethon-Perth Children's Hospital Research Fund; and ACT Minister for Education, Shane Rattenbury, announced the fourth round of the Preschool Matters Grants Program.

New module

This month, we’ll be releasing 'Environments for learning: Indoor learning spaces', a module about re-energising your indoor spaces. We’re featuring our ‘Partnerships with families’ modules; perfect refresher courses for building and strengthening partnerships. Don’t forget: Start Early, our free modules, close registrations on 30 September 2016.

Don't fudge early learning

The Early Learning: Everyone Benefits campaign is keeping quality early learning on the political agenda by welcoming the 45th parliamentarians with a box of fudge and the message ‘Don't fudge early learning’. You can help us make sure every one of the 226 federal MPs and senators receives one of these colourful fudge boxes. Click here to donate.

Upcoming webinar

‘Children's behaviour: Sharing what we learn with families.’ Take the opportunity to explore what educators can do after identifying concerns for a child’s mental health or wellbeing.

Date: Tuesday 25 October.
Time: 1.30 pm–2.30 pm AEDST.
Presenters: Michelle Scott and Amelia Joyce.
Register here.

Conference webcast package

Get the best of the ECA National Conference 2016 without travelling to Darwin! Our new webcast package offers you live access to six keynote presentations, from the convenience of your own computer. Just $190 for ECA members (or $220 for non-members).
Registrations are now open. To find out more about ECA membership, click here.

New website

ECA is delighted to have launched the new Early Years Connect website which will support early childhood educators in Queensland to build inclusion for children with disability and complex additional needs. Visit the website to access fantastic new resources, including videos, online modules and information sheets. Proudly supported and funded by the Queensland Government.

The ethics of professionalism

‘It will be a wasteland if we don’t recycle’—Sustainability and intentional teaching in early childhood by Susan Edwards explores children's awareness of their impact on the environment and ways to minimise it. Susan discusses a study which highlights how capable young children are in understanding complex concepts. Click here to read the full post.

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Early Childhood Australia disclaimer
The opinions expressed in the articles and external links are those of the authors and not necessarily those of Early Childhood Australia.

ECA WebWatch—Issue 244, September 2016.