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The latest early childhood news!

In this issue, the Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care (SNAICC) has expressed its concern with ‘watered down’ proposed child protection laws; the government is still insisting on linking childcare changes to the Omnibus Bill cuts; and the Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) has released its 2017 Budget Submission. In other news, a world-first resource is being rolled out in schools to better support students with special needs and the Let Kids Be Kids campaign sends a reminder to parents and carers about kids playing and enjoying sport without the extra pressure. Friday 17 March is National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence; a free, online webinar evaluating the outcomes of a program for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander families or communities will be held on 15 March; you can register now for the 2017 Early Years Expo and PDT Forum; and the next International Society on Early Intervention Conference will be held in Sydney. A new Closing the Gap Clearinghouse resource sheet has become available and webpages are currently in development to be presented on the Pyramid Model Consortium website. In research news, Flinders University invites you to participate in a short survey and you can fill in an application today for the Churchill Fellowship Grant. And finally, we fill you in on the latest state and territory news.

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.

Expressing concern

The Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care (SNAICC) has expressed its concern with ‘watered down’ proposed child protection laws. ‘Overall we are extremely disappointed that limited effort has been made to strengthen Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander decision-making mechanisms—for both individuals and organisations’, said SNAICC Chairperson, and CEO of South Australia’s Aboriginal Family Support Services, Sharron Williams.

New resource sheet

Produced by Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS), Family violence prevention programs in Indigenous communities is a Closing the Gap Clearinghouse resource sheet that investigates the effectiveness of current mainstream, international and Indigenous prevention programs and identifies principles behind successful programs. This resource sheet examines what works, what doesn't and what further research is needed.

Taking a stand

Schools across Australia are getting ready to take action! Friday 17 March is National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence. This National Day of Action is a great opportunity to share anti-bullying policies, strategies and programs with your community. All schools are invited to officially register and say ‘Bullying. No Way!’

Cuts to childcare benefits still a reality

The Turnbull Government will introduce integrity measures expected to prevent $250 million being paid to non-compliant family day care providers. However, even with these savings, the Turnbull Government is still insisting on linking childcare changes to the shopping list of cuts contained in the Omnibus Bill.

New webinar

‘Measuring outcomes in programs for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander families and communities’ is a free, online webinar that will draw on past evaluations, practice wisdom and lessons learnt in the field; it will encourage professionals who are thinking about evaluating the outcomes of a program for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander families or communities to consider evidence in a different light. Date: 15 March 2017, 1.30 pm–2.30 pm (AEDT).

Flinders University survey

If you currently work directly with children in an early childhood service located in South Australia or the Northern Territory, then Flinders University invites you to participate in a short survey exploring your experience of feeling valued as an early childhood educator or carer. This study is part of the ‘Workplace Worth and Wellbeing: Early Education and Care’ project. Click here to access the survey or to find out more information. The survey should take about 15 minutes to complete.

Let Kids Be Kids

The Let Kids Be Kids campaign is all about kids playing and enjoying sport without the need for extra pressure from the sidelines, the grandstands or at home. The campaign sends messages direct from children to their parents about playing with friends, trying their hardest and being active outside.

2017 Early Years Expo

The Early Years Expo and PDT Forum is one of Australia's leading professional development events for early childhood education and care service providers, management and educators. The 2017 Expo will be held from 31 March–2 April in Sydney—registrations are now open!

Upcoming ISEI conference

In conjunction with Early Childhood Intervention Australia (ECIA), the International Society on Early Intervention (ISEI) Conference will be held from 25–29 June 2019 at the International Convention Centre, Sydney.


	ACOSS Budget Submission 2017

	The Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) has released its 2017 Budget Submission, calling on the Turnbull Government to throw out harsh proposals that have repeatedly failed to pass Parliament and adopt budget policies that are fair and sustainable.


	Opportunity to contribute to Pyramid Model resources

	ECIA Victoria, together with Janene Swalwell (Monash University), are developing webpages—to be presented on the Pyramid Model Consortium website—to share Australian resources, developed by Australian practitioners and designed to help educators support young children’s social-emotional and behavioural learning. If you know of or have developed resources that you would like to be considered, email Andrea Day or Janene Swalwell, or call 0432 477 726.


	Leading Learning 4 All

	Leading Learning 4 All is a world-first resource being rolled out in classrooms across Australia to help teachers and principals better support their students with special needs. It will provide teachers with practical advice on effective leadership strategies that are of practical use in schools.


	Churchill Fellowship Grant

	The Churchill Fellowship provides an opportunity for talented Australian citizens to travel overseas in search of new ideas, innovation and excellence. If you’re interested, click here for information or contact Yarrow Andrew from Flinders University to help pull the grant application together.


	In state and territory news ...

	The Northern Territory Labor Government has announced it will deliver an expanded Families as First Teachers program and Nurse Family Partnership program as part of its election commitment to improve the lives of Territory children and make generational change; the second stage of the Palaszczuk Government’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Wellbeing Services will roll out this month in various locations across Queensland; the South Australian State Government has committed $10 million to staff training and development across the Department for Child Protection; new legislation has been passed in Victoria’s Parliament to better protect children from harm; and Ginna Webster has been announced as the new Deputy Secretary for Children and Youth Services in Tasmania.

New module

'Working with the ECA Code of Ethics', is now available on the ECA Learning Hub website. Extending on from the revised ECA Code of Ethics, this module examines the way early childhood educators use the Code to strengthen relationships with children, families, the community and their profession.

Building relationships

Join the Facebook discussion on Building relationships and community in early childhood. It provides tips on supporting children to make friends and how to create strong partnerships between educators and parents. You can access our album of tips on 'starting school and early learning' here.

Upcoming webinar

Through the upcoming webinar, ‘Yarning KidsMatter Ways', take the opportunity to yarn, learn and be inspired by the ongoing process of embracing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of being, knowing and doing to make mental health matter. Click here to register.

Big news!

Early Years Connect released the final three online modules in December 2016. There are now 15 professional development modules available online for educators looking to further strengthen their knowledge about inclusion and disability support. All modules are free for educators residing in Queensland. Register here.

Live Wires magazine

Subscribe to the Every Child magazine before this weekend to receive a complimentary copy of Live Wires! Funded by the Digital Business Kit, this third edition of the Live Wires magazine focuses on the ‘hot topic’ of STEM and looks at ways to activate STEM thinking and skills in early childhood.

Make a difference

Engage in facilitated discussions, reflect on key topics and discover practical tips that can have a lasting impact. Make a difference within your early years settings and communities by attending the 2017 Reconciliation Symposium from 5–6 May 2017. Register now for this interactive two-day event!

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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 254, March 2017.