Early Childhood Australia


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The latest early childhood news!

In this issue, the ECA National Conference Program at a Glance is now available; a number of workshops are being presented by Community Connections Solutions Australia; and the 2018 Federal Budget has been released. In other news, the Federal Government has released the latest Gonski report; a new poster has been released for NAIDOC Week; the ALP has released its National Policy Platform; and applications close 20 May for UNICEF Australia's Young Ambassador Program. Helpful resources include: a range of handy tips on the Raising Children Network website for getting children involved in physical activity; and a suite of subject-specific resource guides from the Narragunnawali team. Around the country, it's National Family Day Care Week until 13 May; National Walk Safely to School Day will be held on 18 May; and celebrate families during International Day of Families (15 May) and National Families Week (15–21 May). 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.

Employment Essentials

Community Connections Solutions Australia (CCSA) is presenting workshops that will provide the Industrial Relations and Human Resources knowledge, tools and support you need to help your service meet its obligations as an employer and an Approved Provider. Sessions are being held at locations across New South Wales—click here for more information or to register today.

Family Day Care Week

It's National Family Day Care week! The purpose of this week is to recognise and promote the important role family day care educators and services play in the development and wellbeing of thousands of Australia's children. The 2018 national celebration will run until this Sunday 13 May. All family day care services, educators, children and their families are invited to take part.


	Federal Budget 2018

	As expected, the main component for the early childhood sector in the Federal Budget 2018 is the previously announced Child Care Subsidy (implementation 2 July 2018). There is good news on funding for children's and mothers' health, activity and eating, while concerns remain about missed opportunities to commit to ongoing preschool funding and support for the early childhood education and care sector. Read more about the recent Budget in ECA's Media Release.

Narragunnawali resources

To support future curriculum planning, a suite of free, subject-specific resource guides are available, delivered by the Narragunnawali team. The guides provide a platform for teachers and educators to reflect on, and strengthen their own approach to embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and contributions.

New Gonski report

The Federal Government has released the Gonski Panel's Through Growth to Achievement: Report of the Review to Achieve Educational Excellence in Australian Schools. Well received by many in the education sector, some of the findings and recommendations are highly relevant to early childhood education. Read more about the report here.

A focus on families

Celebrate families during International Day of Families (15 May) and National Families Week (15–21 May). International Day of Families aims to promote awareness of issues relating to families, and to increase knowledge of the social, economic and demographic processes affecting them; National Families Week is a celebration of families in all their diversity, and the vital role they play.

Staying active

Raising Children Network has a range of ideas and handy tips for getting children involved in physical activity. Particularly as the winter months get closer, it's even more important to make sure children are continuing to stay active and healthy. Sometimes it can be as simple as dancing, skipping, running or playing with a ball. Click here to access even more useful ideas.

Because of her, we can!

Under the theme, 'Because of her, we can!' NAIDOC Week 2018 will be held nationally from 8 to 15 July. As pillars of our society, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women have played, and continue to play, active and significant roles at all levels. A new poster has been released for the event—click here to access your copy.

Walk Safely to School Day

On Friday 18 May it is National Walk Safely to School Day—an annual event when all primary school children will be encouraged to walk and commute safely to school. This community event seeks to promote road safety, health, public transport and the environment. Find out more here.

National Policy Platform

The ALP has released its draft National Policy Platform, which includes sections on early childhood education, for public consultation. Submissions are due 18 May—click here to download a copy of the draft Platform and make a submission.


	Nominate a Young Ambassador

	UNICEF Australia's Young Ambassador Program is a unique and exciting opportunity to speak up for children. As a Young Ambassador, you will develop new skills in media and communications, government advocacy and engaging with children and young people. This is a voluntary position from July 2018 to June 2019. Applications close 20 May—don't miss your chance to be involved!


	In state and territory news ...

	The South Australian Government's clinical task group has met to discuss the development of the meningococcal B-strain immunisation program in South Australia; the Australian Capital Territory Government is delivering on its commitment to grow Franklin Early Childhood School by kicking off a staged expansion this year; Victorian children at risk of abuse or neglect will be better protected and supported thanks to an investment in child and family services; nominations are now open for the annual Teaching in the Territory Excellence Awards; Year 1 students across all of South Australia's government schools will undertake a phonics screening check in Term 3 as part of the State Government's comprehensive Literacy Guarantee program; and Victorian children will be supported to develop lifelong healthy eating habits with the launch of the Playground to Plate grants program.

New module

The much anticipated sequel to Documenting and assessing children's learning: Part I by Dr Anne Kennedy is now available on the ECA Learning Hub website! Expanding on ideas and concepts presented in Part I, the focus of Part II is on using this understanding as the foundation of the educational program—for each child's learning and development and for future programming. Learn more here.

Join today!

Our campaign partners are pleased that the Lifting our Game report was tabled at the COAG Education Ministers Council on 4 May, and look forward to action being taken on the key recommendations. Here is an extract from the report on the 'Importance of early learning'. Join our campaign to convince the Federal Government of the benefits of supporting all Australian children to access quality early learning.

Webinars are back!

Free, one hour webinars such as Becoming social—learning how (15 May) and Protective factors that support transition (31 May) will keep your learning on track. More webinars will be available soon. Official KidsMatter participants can use webinar learning and related action to demonstrate professional learning topic completion too. Sign up today!

Early Childhood Australia Reconciliation Symposium

The ECA Leadership Program has been founded on solid expert research and years of sector consultation. The program was specifically created as a strengths-based, self-directed, short-term program for both current and aspiring early childhood leaders in diverse settings. Join the growing number of program participants today—sign up here!

Play outside

'What I wasn't prepared for was how even the youngest Norwegians insist on living and playing outside in weather Australians would normally "sit out" … They took turns on swings, interacted with each other and their educators, dug in the snow.' Click here to continue reading the blog What planet are you on? by Clare McHugh.

New program

The 2018 ECA National Conference Program at a Glance is available now! View the program here and register today for this highly anticipated event. Early bird registration closes 30 June 2018—don't miss out! Be the difference for children and families at the International Convention Centre Sydney from 19–22 September 2018.

Become an ECA Member today: Learn more

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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 283, May 2018.