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Early Childhood Australia WebWatch
 

The latest early childhood news!
 

This fortnight, Early Childhood Australia reflects on current events, inclusion and support during Harmony Week (17–23 March 2019). ARACY talks about its 2019 policy priorities, ahead of the Federal Election. Around the country, hundreds of schools will celebrate 22 March as Ride2School Day; registrations are open for the ISEI 2019 Conference; a free Autism Summit will be held online from 1—5 April; nominations are open for the 2019 Narragunnawali Awards; the third Infant and Toddler Conference is calling for presentation proposals; and the government is inviting community consultation on the draft terms of reference for the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability. In other news, the Australian Bureau of Statistics released preschool enrolment figures; findings from Canadian research show children’s preferences for peers with the same accent; Community Children’s Services is conducting a survey on service quality; Families Australia is encouraging children and families to share their voice on policy, ahead of the 2019 Child Aware Conference; a study by VicHealth and others found high levels of salt in children’s fast food. Finally, we wrap up state and territory news.

Jump down to see what the ECA teams have been up to and the new resources available for the early childhood sector.

 
 

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Fostering harmony all year
 

Devastating events in Christchurch reverberate during Harmony Week, 17—21 March. This is a chance to reflect on what matters throughout the year, and the ongoing work of educators with young children, building harmony and relationship skills. New Zealand’s Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, and the public affirmed the power of quiet goodness and great leadership. Ordinary gestures have new significance: walking to show that the streets are safe for everyone, a hug, a visit to the local mosque. Maori Kia Kaha—stay strong—and #WeAreThemTheyAreUs join Harmony Day’s theme, Everyone belongs. For information on what you can do, and to access educator resources on inclusion, trauma and early childhood, click here
 
ECA and SNAICC position statement
 

Ride to school
 
What does your typical commute look like? This Friday, 22 March, join hundreds of schools and organisations across Australia for National Ride2School Day. Students, parents and teachers will have the opportunity to walk, ride, scoot or skate to school—if you can’t go all the way, try catching public transport for part of the journey, or park mid-way and ride the rest. For more information and to download a resource pack, click here.
 

Closing the Gap
 

Children’s views on policy
 
In the fortnight where young people have spoken loudly on climate change, Families Australia is inviting children and young adults (up to the age of 25) to step up again and have their say on policy and the future of education, by filming an answer to the question: what do you need right now to be the best person you can be in the future? Selected answers will be broadcast during the 2019 Child Aware Conference. Click here for details on how to submit a video.
 

Your say on wages
 

Call for presenters
 
The third Infant and Toddler Conference is inviting proposals for presentations. The conference, which will be held in Sydney from 19 to 20 July 2019, aims to provide a space for critical debate and reflective discussion on contemporary pedagogical approaches to foster a support network and enhance the professionalism and profile of specialised infant–toddler pedagogies. Apply here by 30 April 2019.
 

Benefits of early learning
 

ARACY policy priorities
 
Ahead of the Federal Election, the Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth (ARACY) has published its policy priorities. Our children: They don’t vote, but they do matter emphasises children’s wellbeing, the need for a more inclusive education system and community-controlled early years services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Read the paper here.
 

 

Understanding autism
 
The Autism Summit, a free online event planned for April 2019, will bring together leading world experts, parents and disability professionals to explore Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) from different angles. It will provide tools and strategies to support children with ASD and help them thrive. To register for the summit, or to view the program, click here
 

 

Sector survey
 
Have your say on the sector’s biggest issues. The Australian Community Children’s Services is conducting a survey on trends in community children’s services to gain insights into quality and other issues facing not-for-profit children’s services. Complete the survey here
 

Ethics in Action Workshops

 
ISEI Conference 2019
 
The International Society on Early Intervention (ISEI) is inviting researchers and practitioners in early childhood and related fields to participate in its international conference. The conference is being organised in conjunction with Early Childhood Intervention Australia, and will be held in Sydney from June 25–28. To register, click here.
 

Lunchboxes re-examined

 
Access to early learning
 
Recently, early childhood and parent groups have been vocal about the need for government funding for preschool-aged children. Figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) confirm high enrolment levels and that 50 per cent of children enrolled in preschool programs are in centre-based long day care centres. See the ABS figures here.
 

 

Salt in children’s food
 

New research from VicHealth, Heart Foundation and The George Institute for Global Health has revealed that some fast food children’s meals contain more than an entire day’s recommended serving for salt. The findings show high levels, and a huge variation, of salt content across children’s meals available from major fast food chains. The Australian Department of Heath recommends a daily maximum of 3.5 mg salt for children between four and eight years. Read the entire report here.
 
 

Where should the inquiry focus?
 

Community consultation is underway for draft terms of reference for a Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability. Members of the public can complete a government survey to have a say on the focus areas and priorities for the commission. Consultation closes Thursday 28 March 2019.
 
 

What's in an accent?
 

In international news, researchers at the University of Toronto Mississauga found that, despite routine exposure to differently accented speakers, five-year-olds displayed a strong social preference for children who spoke with the same locally dominated accent when at play. Read a summary of the report here.
 
 

Nominate for Narragunnawali
 

Nominations are open for the 2019 Narragunnawali Awards, which recognise exceptional commitment to reconciliation in education. Click here to watch the profile on Early Learning 2018 winner, Explore & Develop Penrith South. Nominate for the 2019 awards before Friday 10 May by clicking here.
 
 

In state and territory news ...
 

A new program in Victoria aims to mentor teachers and help them develop music programs within schools; as New South Wales prepares to go to the polls for the state election, view policy summaries on early childhood for the three major political parties (Liberal, Labor, and The Greens); in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), applications are open for the 2019 Nature Play Grants Program to support ‘nature play’ programs within the Canberra community; the Tasmanian government has published the 2019–2022 Department of Education Literacy Framework and Literacy Plan for Action; registrations are now open for the Encountering New Perspectives: A South Australian Collaboration exhibition and symposium to be held in Adelaide on Friday 29 March; in the Northern Territory, community consultation has begun for a Productivity Commission Study on how initiatives supporting families and children are funded; a new report examines the health, wellbeing, learning and development of children and young people in the ACT; and in Western Australia, consultation is underway for finding the most appropriate way of regulating family day care residences with swimming pools, spas and water features, to keep children safe.
 
 
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Early Childhood Australia Learning Hub
 

Learning communities
 
ECA Learning Hub is excited to launch a collection of online Communities of Practice. These facilitated online learning communities give members the opportunity to learn with and from each other. The first Community of Practice focuses on technology use in birth-to-five settings. To learn more and register, click here.
 

ECA Spoke
 

Tools for educators
 
The latest post on The Spoke by Monash University’s Laureate Fellow, Professor Marilyn Fleer outlines five steps for educators to create a Conceptual PlayWorld. Other posts explore tools and reflective questions for planning, as well as resources for building harmony and supporting children. To find all the posts or to join the conversation, visit The Spoke.
 

Be You Early Childhood
 

Registrations are open
 
‘Reconciliation isn’t a single moment or place in time', says Karen Mundine, CEO of Reconciliation Australia. Hear her vision for a reconciled Australia, as well as the views of leading presenters Justin Mohammed and Associate Professor Grace Sarra at the ECA Reconciliation Symposium, 10–11 May, Melbourne. Tickets sell out quickly, so book your spot now!
 

Early Learning campaign
 

Time to act
 
It’s time to make your voice count. Help us make the candidates in the upcoming Federal Election show where they stand on issues that matter for children, families and educators. Use our easy template to invite your local candidates to take our short survey. Share the link with your friends, colleagues and family! Join the campaign to show your support for a cause that will ensure long-term benefits for all Australians.
 

ECA National Conference 2019
 

Looking out for wellbeing
 
To support children’s mental health and wellbeing, you might want to observe and gather information regarding their behaviour, emotions and thoughts. The Be You BETLS observation tool is great for collecting multiple perspectives, considering strengths-based insights into why certain behaviours might be happening, and for collating strategies to support a child or address triggers. Explore the BETLS tool today.
 

ECA Conference 2019
 

Sponsorship opportunities
 
Sponsorship opportunities for the 2019 ECA National Conference are open. Sponsorship is a great way to support the early childhood sector and promote your organisation. It also gives your team the option to be part of the conference and gain from valuable professional development opportunities. View all sponsorship opportunities here.
 

 
To view upcoming early childhood events and professional development opportunities, click here to visit the ECA events page.
 
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www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au
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ECA WebWatch—Issue 303, March 2019.
 
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