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Making news this fortnight...
Release of ACCC early childhood education and care (ECEC) pricing interim report; help available for the ECEC workforce; early childhood education pay and conditions survey; changes to provider approval process; milk bank for premature babies expanded; Early Learning Matters Week: Learning through connection; and upcoming calendar days.
Scroll down to read more, find the latest in state and territory news, and discover what ECA teams have been up to.
Release of ACCC ECEC pricing interim report
The ACCC has released its first interim report for the inquiry into ECEC, with a focus on pricing as well as supply and demand. The inquiry was commissioned to gain greater insight into the factors driving fee increases, and to ensure fees are being closely monitored following the introduction of the Cheaper Child Care reforms. Read the report.
Help available for the ECEC workforce
With the aim of building a sustainable ECEC workforce, the government is providing opportunities for educators to improve their skills and access training. The $72.4 million workforce support program will ensure educators have clear career pathways, and will focus on regional and remote services and First Nations organisations. Learn more.
Early childhood education pay and conditions survey
The Centre for Research in Early Childhood Education (CRECE) from Macquarie University has been contracted under the terms of the National Workforce Strategy to investigate how rates of pay and employment conditions impact the recruitment and retention of ECEC staff. Complete the survey here.
Changes to provider approval process
As of 1 July 2023, prospective providers can apply for approval from the Australian Government and state and territory governments in one place—the National Quality Agenda IT System (NQA ITS). Registered users can view and update their provider and service details, lodge applications and notifications, and pay invoices. Explore more.
Milk bank for premature babies expanded
The government has committed $6 million over the next two years to extend vital support to thousands of babies. The funding will expand the Australian Red Cross Lifeblood’s 'on demand' milk service and will deliver a nationally consistent and sustainable supply of donor human milk for the medical care of premature babies. Read more.
Early Learning Matters Week: Learning through connection
Calling all educators, parents, carers and community leaders! Early Learning Matters Week is back for its sixth year from 24 to 28 July 2023. This year's theme is 'Learning through connection.' Join us in celebrating the importance of early learning and the difference it makes in children’s lives. Learn more and get involved here.
Upcoming calendar days
Explore relevant upcoming calendar dates to consider acknowledging in your service: Early Learning Matters Week (24–28 July); National Out of School Hour Care Educators Day (26 July); International Day of Friendship (30 July); National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day (4 August); Red Nose Day (11 August).
State and territory news
SA
The South Australian Government has launched its Strong Families Strong Communities early intervention program. Families can self-refer into the new $8.4 million program which will provide early intervention services and is expected to support around 500 families each year. Learn more.
WA
The WA Government has provided $301,703 in funding to implement initiatives to support the community services sector to keep children safe. The Western Australian Council of Social Service (WACOSS), which is the peak body for the community services sector, will manage the project in partnership with the Department of Communities and other key stakeholders. Read more.
After significant investment from the state government, free and low-fee training for WA’s early childhood education workforce has almost doubled the number of ECEC traineeships completed in the past year. Read more here.
QLD
More children in out of home care are being placed with kin carers, encouraging their connection to Country and culture. Based on the latest child safety data as of March 2023, there are 6,069 foster and kinship carer families caring for children throughout the state, with 47.1% of children in care (5,481) living with kinship carers. Explore more.
NSW
Young families in Griffith and surrounding areas will have increased access to parenting support with the official opening of Tresillian in the Griffith Family Care Centre. It is one of seven Tresillian Family Care Centres (including five mobile vans) that have been allocated an additional $12.2 million in funding over two years from July 2023. More information here.
VIC
Agnes Farrance Conference Award
This award provides financial support for an early childhood educator to attend a conference at a value of up to $1,000. This could be the National Early Childhood Conference or another significant conference. For further information, click here. Closing date for applications is 28 July 2023.
Diane Chandler Memorial Award
The Diane Chandler Memorial Award enables someone from within the sector to participate in their choice of a professional development opportunity that would improve outcomes for young children and their families. The award provides financial support to an early childhood educator to undertake professional development of their choosing at the value of $1500. Application closing date is 28 July 2023. Click here to apply.
Rose Kelly Recognition Award
The Rose Kelly Recognition Award aims to acknowledge well-recognised and respected early childhood professionals who have engaged in effective advocacy for social justice and equity on behalf of young children and the early childhood sector. This award provides financial support to attend an ECA event in the year awarded. The successful recipient will also receive a 12-month subscription to the ECA Learning Hub. Application closing date is 28 July 2023. Click here to apply.
Earlybird rate extended
In response to your requests regarding purchasing registrations in the new financial year, ECA is happy to extend the deadline for the earlybird rate to Friday 28 July 2023. Don't miss out on your chance to attend the ECA National Conference—register now!
Provoke deeper thinking
Embed sustainable practice into your early learning setting with ECA’s Box of Provocations for Our Earth. Written by experts on sustainability and nature pedagogy, these easy-to-use and thought-provoking cards will enable you to teach children to restore, preserve and nurture the natural world. Shop now.
Reflecting on a child’s experiences
Be You has a template for gathering and documenting information and observations about a child or young person’s behaviour, emotions, thoughts, learning and social relationships. Explore the BETLS Observation Tool.
New on The Spoke
In the most recent Spoke blog post, The Conversation explores a new study of Warlpiri language and how it shows that ‘baby talk’ helps children learn to speak. Warlpiri is spoken in Central Australia by more than 3,000 people. Read here.
ECA Podcast
In the latest ECA Podcast episode of the Talking Pedagogies series, Dr Sandra Cheeseman and Catharine Hydon explore relationships with children, families and community. Together, they unpack what makes this commitment uniquely Australian and how relationships with families and communities cultivate active citizenship.
Emotion Coaching: A transformational tool
This webcast discusses effective ways of guiding children with feelings and behaviours. It explores the five steps of emotion coaching—emotional awareness, connecting, listening, naming emotions and finding good solutions—and how these can be used by early childhood professionals. Enrol now.
Forest School and Outdoor Learning in the Early Years
Outdoor learning continues to play an essential role in early years education. This new edition of a bestselling book explores how the Forest School approach can be easily and effectively incorporated into early years practice. Buy now.
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