Making news this fortnight...

 

Roundtable to tackle teacher shortages; national educators’ strike announced; home interaction program gets funding boost; the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) provisionally approves COVID-19 vaccine for young children; new report supporting the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children released; international study links sleep to better preschool outcomes; celebrate National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Day; and a single license to use creative content in early childhood education and care (ECEC) settings.

 

Scroll down to read more, find the latest in state and territory news, and discover what ECA teams have been doing.

SPONSORED ADVERTORIAL

Monash University's Conceptual PlayLab has produced a new play-based model to teach STEM to young children. Based on more than 10 years of research by Laureate Professor Marilyn Fleer, the Conceptual PlayWorld model helps children form ideas in STEM and increase girls' participation. Register here for the free professional development.
Image of child playing with train

Tackling teacher shortage

 

The Education Ministers’ in-person meeting on 12 August 2022 will include a Teacher Workforce Roundtable, involving principals, teachers and education experts, focused on tackling the nationwide teacher shortage.
Image of children jumping

Educators strike announced

 

United Workers Union members have voted for a national strike by early childhood educators on Early Childhood Educators’ Day, 7 September 2022, to demand better pay and working conditions.
Image of child playing with train

HIPPY gets Commonwealth funding

 

The Home Interaction Program for Parents and Youngsters (HIPPY) will receive an investment of $30 million per year over the next five years from the Australian Government to support continuity and program reforms. These include shifting the focus of the program to children aged three and four and delivery in Indigenous languages.
Image of children jumping

TGA gives nod to COVID-19 vaccine for young children

 

The TGA has provisionally approved the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine (SPIKEVAX) for use in children from six months to five years. This article by Dr Margie Danchin and Dr Daryl Cheng in The Conversation, addressed to families, underlines some top-of-mind questions on what this approval means for young children, the next steps and more.
Image of child playing with train

Stakeholder consultation report released

 

The Australian Government has released the National Plan Stakeholder Consultation Report to support and inform the development and implementation of the next National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022–32.
Image of children jumping

New report: Sleep and preschool outcomes

 

A new study published in the American journal Pediatrics suggests that children who regularly sleep for at least 10 hours during the night demonstrate better emotional development, learning engagement, and academic performance across the kindergarten year.
Image of child playing with train

National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day

 

Celebrate National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Day on 4 August and the 2022 theme, ‘My Dreaming, My Future’. For ideas on how to participate and to explore the resources and events, visit the official website.
Image of children jumping

Licence to use creative content

 

The OneMusic Child Care Services licence gives Australian early childhood services the permission required to legally use their creator’s content in a non-domestic setting. OneMusic brings creators of songs, books and visual arts together under one simple licence.

State and territory news

 

NSW

The NSW Government has announced 439 scholarships of up to $25,000 each to attract and retain staff in the early childhood education and care sector.

 

The NSW Government has also announced that 44 new outside of school hours care (OSHC) hubs will be rolled out in schools across the state over the next 12 months.

 

All NSW public schools have now transitioned from satellite to fibre optic cable ensuring access to high-speed internet for all students irrespective of where they live.

 

VIC

As part of the state’s Best Start, Best Life early childhood education reforms, early childhood teachers and educators will be eligible for financial incentives to work in kindergarten programs in areas of Melbourne and rural/regional Victoria, where it’s hard to find qualified educators and teachers.

 

WA

The Western Australian Government has launched free online training to improve safety at family day care services operating with swimming pools, spas or other water features.

Set your calendar for three days of learning and engaging with thought leaders who will challenge and inspire you and your practice at the upcoming 2022 ECA National Conference in Canberra (5–8 Oct). Applications for conference scholarships as well as earlybird tickets both close this Friday 29 July. 
ECA Box of feelings

ECA Shop: Resource to support social–emotional development

 

A box full of feelings helps children recognise and name their emotions. This interactive box contains creative material to engage children in more than 20 activities. Buy here.
ECA logo - Learning Hub

Professional Learning: ‘The value of play’

 

To celebrate ECA’s Year of Play, ECA members can get the Learning Hub module ‘The value of play’ free until the end of July. Explore here.
ECA Logo - The Spoke

New on The Spoke

 

This blog explains the Child Information Sharing Scheme (CISS), how services—known as Information Sharing Entities (ISEs)—can utilise the scheme and why sharing information matters. It also includes a case study and recommended resources. Read more.
Front cover Planning with and for children

Starting school: Support children and families

 

Starting school can be challenging for children and parents. Add ECA’s First year at school guidebook to your toolbox to break down those challenges and expectations of starting school and start the year feeling prepared. Shop now.
Be You and Beyond Blue logo

Be You Story

 

For a diverse team like the one at Victoria’s Bright Sun Family Day Care, the wellbeing of educators is paramount. That’s why Be You has proved to be such invaluable support. 

Read their story.

© Early Childhood Australia 2022
ABN: 44 950 767 752


www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au

 

If you have questions about our products or services please contact us at marketing@earlychildhood.org.au

 

Unsubscribe or Manage Preferences
Footer divider