Making news this fortnight...

STEM Hub website research survey

Deakin University is inviting teachers, educators and families to participate in their research survey aimed at gathering perceptions of end-users of STEM websites to enable the future construction of an effective STEM Hub. Participate here.

Paediatric Palliative Care National Action Plan

A national action plan has launched which will improve the quality and availability of palliative care for infants and children with a life-limiting illness. The plan aims to ensure that families and carers of these children understand their palliative care options. Read more.

Family day care educator survey

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is asking family day care (FDC) and in home care (IHC) educators to contribute to its price inquiry. Educator feedback will have a direct influence on the ACCC’s understanding of early childhood education and care (ECEC). View the survey. 

Support for regional early learning services

The government wants to ensure that early childhood education and care (ECEC) services receiving funding through the Community Child Care Fund (CCCF) have the business support they need to stay open. Business advisors will support services in addressing barriers to participation in ECEC. Learn more.

Early Learning Matters Week

Early Learning Matters Week 2023 is here! It’s a time to celebrate the profound importance of early learning and the extraordinary work of early childhood educators. Join us in celebrating the impact educators have on shaping the future. Get involved here.

SNAICC webinar

SNAICC are inviting educators to join their informative webinar held on 2 August. The panel discussion, hosted by CEO Catherine Liddle, will discuss SNAICC's position on the Voice to Parliament and why the Voice is a positive movement for change. Register to attend.

Upcoming calendar days

Explore relevant upcoming calendar dates to consider acknowledging in your service: Early Learning Matters Week (24–28 July); International Day of Friendship (30 July); National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day (4 August); International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples (9 August); Red Nose Day (11 August).

Belonging, Being and Becoming: The Early Years Learning Framework (V2.0)

This professional learning course is designed for anyone working in early childhood settings who want to increase or refresh their understanding of the Early Years Learning Framework (V2.0). Find out more.

Latest issue of Every Child

This latest issue of Every Child is filled with interesting sector focused articles curated by us, for you. Read our article by Thomas Mayo as he outlines the importance of voting ‘Yes’ in the Voice referendum along with stories on trauma-informed mindfulness, an innovative school holidays program and more. Purchase here.

Implementing inclusive practices

Inclusive practices are vital for ensuring that everyone feels valued and respected. If you are embedding or developing further inclusive practices, consider how Be You can support your early learning service. Learn more here.

New on The Spoke

ECA CEO Samantha Page strongly refutes the ill-informed and misleading claims made in Aaron Patrick's piece published on 12 July 2023. The suggestion that ECEC staff require fewer qualifications and that ratios should be altered is deeply flawed and fails to grasp the fundamental principles of ECEC. Read here.

ECA Podcast

In this final episode of the Talking Pedagogies series, Dr Sandra Cheeseman and Catharine Hydon explore the last pedagogical landing—Play. In 2022, ECA launched the draft Statement on Play and it is hoped that it will assist educators to articulate the power of play.

Meet our international key note speaker

We are excited to host Associate Professor Dr Angela Pyle from the Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto at this year’s National Conference. Find out more.

Project Monarch

Project Monarch is a visual recount of young Aboriginal children’s learning through a Reggio Emilia inspired early childhood inquiry following the monarch butterfly lifecycle. The book follows the creative progression of a collaborative wall mural created by a cohort of young children from a Port Augusta preschool in South Australia. Purchase here.