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The latest in early childhood news!

In this issue … Early Childhood Australia (ECA) responds to a recent Productivity Commission report; current advice for the novel coronavirus; support for children affected by bushfires and drought; reading aloud on World Read Aloud Day; and a creative three-year-old and her father go viral with their song Dinosaurs in Love.

Find the latest in state and territory news, and jump down to read what ECA teams have been doing.

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Productivity Commission report 
Read ECA’s response to the latest child care data released as part of the Productivity Commission’s Report on Government Services. Read the report here. 
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Coronavirus
Stay up-to-date on the latest advice about novel coronavirus. Also, researchers from the University of Sydney examine the impact social stigmatisation and xenophobia has on children during a disease outbreak. 

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Bushfire response
Learn about ‘Journey of Hope’, a new initiative from Save the Children, supported by the Lego Foundation, launching in Australia to provide long-term recovery to children affected by bushfire.
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Read aloud day
Wednesday 5 February marked World Read Aloud Day. LitWorld founded World Read Aloud Day in 2010 as an opportunity for people all around the globe to celebrate the joy of reading aloud, and advocate for literacy as a fundamental human right that belongs to everyone.

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Dinosaur love song
At just a minute long, three-year-old Fenn Rosenthal’s improvised song, Dinosaurs in Love, has been viewed more than five million times online. The song exemplifies children’s creativity and understanding of the world.            

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Drought relief
Funding for schools in communities affected by drought is now available as a part of the $57-million Drought Communities Programme.

In state and territory news ...

In Victoria, Sharing Stories Foundation and Aboriginal groups have animated the Dunggula story as a digital touch book, revitalising the language and story for future generations. Music teachers in South Australia are encouraged to register their interest in professional development packages aimed at increasing their music teaching skills. Registrations close Friday 28 February 2020. In New South Wales, public schools have welcomed the largest cohort of students ever recorded in the state, and the state government is keeping communities up-to-date on school closures in areas affected by bushfires or other emergencies. More than 120 students were welcomed to the Northern Territory’s newest school, Zuccoli Primary School, this year. Approximately 45 000 students started school across the territory.

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See you at AJEC!
We are thrilled to announce the NSW Department of Education will be a sponsor at this year’s AJEC Research Symposium, which will be held on 13–14 February in Sydney. View the program and register here!

ECA's top books
Start your year with inspiration and recommendations from ECA’s top books and resources of 2019. Read AJEC’s Dr Melinda Miller on the hidden power of early childhood educators in research.

What does sustainability mean, and how can educators build sustainability within early childhood services in meaningful ways? Click here to explore further. 

Bushfires Response Resources
Our Bushfires Resource Pack is now available. Find key information and support tools for educators, children and young people who have been affected, directly or indirectly, by the bushfire crisis.

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www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au
ECA WebWatch—Issue 324, February 2020.