Making news this fortnight...

ECEC services for remote communities

Families in Australia’s most remote locations will benefit from the establishment of new community-run early childhood education and care services. SNAICC has been engaged as the Community Partner for these new sites to support their establishment and ongoing implementation. Read more here.

NDIA to strengthen participant safety

The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) is improving participant safety through the release of a new NDIA Participant Safeguarding Policy. The policy outlines NDIA’s commitment to support people with disability who engage with the NDIS to create or expand safeguards to improve their safety. Learn more.

Baby-EATS program to improve early childhood nutrition

A first-of-its-kind online program will help support parents of infants and toddlers and early childhood educators to improve child nutrition early in life. The program is designed to equip parents and educators with evidence-based advice around healthy feeding, both at home and in ECEC settings. Details here.

ECA Conference program is now live

The ECA Conference program is now live. Get ready to immerse yourself in three days of incredible learning, with a stellar line-up of early childhood and leadership experts. With over 120 sessions to choose from, there is no shortage of knowledge to gain. View the program.

Education policy outlook in Australia

The OECD has released Education Policy Outlook in Australia, profiling Australia’s current education policy landscape. The report notes the solid foundation that ECEC provides for children and their outcomes later in life. Read the policy.

Child maltreatment in Australia

The recently released Australian Child Maltreatment Study reveals the prevalence and harmful impacts of child maltreatment. The report calls for a long-term, nationally coordinated plan for reform to protect and support children who are at risk. Read the report here.    

Interim Report on three-year-old preschool

The South Australian Royal Commission into ECEC released its Interim Report focusing on three-year-old preschool delivery. The Report sets out the findings from public submissions and the work of the Commission to date, along with its recommendations. Read ECA’s full statement here. Read the Royal Commission’s Interim Report here. 

Upcoming calendar days

Explore the following significant calendar dates and consider acknowledging them in your service this month: Earth Day (22 April); ANZAC Day (25 April); and Nature Play Week (17­–30 April).

ECA Code of Ethics

How often do you refer to the ECA Code of Ethics with your team, and how do you use it to inform practice and pedagogy? Explore the Code of Ethics poster, brochure and the practical implementation guide, Ethics in Action. View the ECA Code of Ethics resources here.

Reconciliation Symposium

Looking to attend the upcoming ECA Reconciliation Symposium with your colleagues? Purchase three tickets in one transaction and save! This is a limited-time offer, exclusively available via telephone. Simply call ECA customer service on 02 6242 1800 to access this amazing discount.

ECA Podcast

This week on the ECA Podcast, we look at ways early childhood professionals can build partnerships with their communities by engaging in inclusive practice. Now available on your favourite streaming platform.

Disability Inclusion guide

Inclusion promotes the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people of all abilities. In early learning services and schools, inclusion involves the whole learning community. Use the Disability Inclusion Guide to reflect on practice in your learning community.

My Country

Written by a mother and son duo, My Country is a jubilant journey through a child’s home country. This brightly illustrated picture book celebrates the joys of nature and emphasises forming a connection with place. Shop here. 

New on The Spoke

In this edition of The Spoke, the team from Forrest Out of School Hours Care (FOOSHC) discuss how they have embedded the Playwork Principles into their practice. This initiative has resulted in strong developmental outcomes for children and excellence awards for the service. Read more.

Trauma and big behaviours: Responding to children's needs in a post-pandemic world

Join this online blended learning community to build your understanding of how the needs of children have been impacted in a post-pandemic world. This online community provides the opportunity to unpack the pandemic and other big life events and discover strategies to support the emerging complex needs of children. Enrol here.