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The latest in early childhood news

In this issue… The declaration of disaster areas across a swathe of NSW unlocks federal emergency assistance; the Morrison government passes a new bill on early education and care; and Early Learning Matters Week is back for 2021. View new resources on race and racism; watch a virtual conference series on educator health and wellbeing; and the Australian Education Union launches a new school funding campaign, ‘Every School. Every Child.’. Tune into a seminar on neoliberalism and early education; explore Indigenous language with the AMEB's Online Orchestra; and have your say on the 2019 NQF Review. 

Find the latest in state and territory news and jump down to read what ECA teams have been doing.
Flood-affected ECEC 
The NSW Government has declared 63 new natural disaster areas across the state since 20 March due to storms and floods. The federal Department of Education, Skills and Employment encourages services in affected areas to apply for the Community Child Care Fund Special Circumstances Grant and details the general support provided by the federal government in emergencies. 
Emergency support
Federal parliament has passed the Family Assistance Legislation Amendment (Early Childhood Education and Care Coronavirus Response and Other Measures) Bill 2021. The legislation gives the federal government more scope to provide emergency support to the sector, as it did during COVID-19, and ensures similar support can be provided in future disasters or emergencies.
Early Learning Matters Week   
From 26 to 30 July 2021, educators, parents, carers and community leaders around Australia will come together to raise awareness and understanding of the importance of our sector during Early Learning Matters Week. Explore how you and your early education service can get involved here.
Coming together  
Sesame Workshop, the creators behind Sesame Street, has released new resources to provide educators and families with language and parenting strategies to discuss identity, race and racism. View the resources here. 

Professional learning on safety, health and wellbeing 

Goodstart Early Learning is bringing experts on safety, health and wellbeing from all around Australia together for a free virtual conference series focusing on issues such as educator injury and risk management. Click here to learn more and register.
Every School. Every Child. 
The Australian Education Union has launched a new campaign calling for federal politicians to provide every school with the resources it needs to ensure every child gets the best education, regardless of their background or circumstances. Learn more about the 'Every School. Every Child.' campaign and pledge your support here.

Neoliberalism and early education

‘Why should we bother with neoliberalism when we have to learn how to teach children?’ ask Dr Guy Roberts-Holmes and Professor Peter Moss, who are hosting a free seminar based on their new book Neoliberalism and Early Childhood Education on May 4. Register here.

AMEB Online Orchestra

Help children explore Indigenous language and culture with the Australian Music Examinations Board Online Orchestra’s learning resources. This year, participants in the online orchestra are encouraged to learn and record a new song written in the Yugambeh language of south-east Queensland, Morning Star and Evening Star. Get involved here.

NQF Review

Have your say on the 2019 NQF Review and help inform government decision-making on the regulation of quality early education and care in Australia. Visit the NQF website to provide your feedback via a survey or written submission. 
 
In state and territory news...

The Victorian Government is rolling out a series of information-sharing and family violence reforms to improve the wellbeing and safety of Victorian children. 

Victorian Minister for Early Childhood Ingrid Stitt has launched a new ‘tailored and accelerated’ Initial Teacher Education program at Deakin University, giving 90 early childhood educators the chance to complete a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education in only 18 months, while still working. 

In NSW, teachers, parents and the broader community are being asked to help shape the new English and Maths syllabuses for Kindergarten to Year 2.  

Also in NSW, the government has launched the Early Childhood Education Finder to provide parents with clear information about the quality of early childhood education services across the state.
New publication about intergenerational programs 
ECA’s latest publication, Intergenerational Programs, showcases the practical aspects of intergenerational programs and highlights why it’s important for children to have a say in their involvement. To purchase your copy, click here.
Be You events 
Engage with and learn from educators across Australia with interactive Be You events, webinars and implementation support sessions. They provide opportunities to connect and learn with others. Book here, it’s free.
New on The Spoke 
With Easter around the corner, this piece on The Spoke will help you reflect on how best to mark celebrations in an early childhood setting. And we highlight five reasons your service should support a trainee early childhood educator.
ECA Shop: I'm Calm 
New from our most popular picture book author, Jayneen Sanders, this resource can help children to find a place of calm and peace through mindfulness techniques.
ECA National Conference 
Attend the ECA National Conference from $175.00 without the travel, with a virtual delegate pass! Join the Q&A discussions in real time, share and learn all the latest in early childhood practice along with your team. Book now.
www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au
ECA WebWatch—Issue 352, March 2021.