Child times summer 2015

Child times Summer/Wet Season Edition 2015

Inside Quality Area 2 What worries you the most about health and safety?

Preparing for Quality Area 2

Australia

Contents

From the CEO’s desk

2

QIP Strategy

3

Quality Area 2

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Showcasing Quality

6

ECEC News

7

CA’s service delivery

8

Events

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Cover Photo: Children at Child Early Learning in Lockridge have been very busy planting a vegetable garden. As part of the learning curriculum at Lockridge children spend time in the vegie garden daily watering and picking the vegies.

Feature Interview 12 Family Day Care Initiative 14 Our Online Learning Centre

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PD Calendars available now

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Contacts

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From the CEO’s desk Welcome to the summer edition of the Child Times. Each Child Times highlights one of the 7 quality areas and this edition has a focus on Quality Area 2, Children’s Health and Safety. Inside you will find a range of interesting and informative articles on the subject of children’s health and safety in addition to stories by Child Australia’s staff about our programs.

We highlight programs and activities in both Western Australia and the Northern Territory.

Child Australia like many organisations and individuals made a submission to the Productivity Commission’s Inquiry into Child Care and Early Childhood Learning. Our submission echoed the concerns voiced by many in the sector, chief among them that there be no watering down of educational standards, for example no lowering of qualifications for staff who work with children under three. This simply looks like a cost cutting exercise.

Most long day care services would have received their Professional Development Program (LDC PDP) funds by the time this newsletter

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arrives which is good news for educators and the ECEC sector more broadly. This was the largest single injection of funding by the federal government for professional development which as we know is an essential factor in high quality early childhood education and care.

Key events in 2015 include the biennial Child Australia WA ECEC conference being held in Perth from August 7th & 8th. This will be the fourth conference Child Australia has hosted since it was established in 2009 to support the ECEC sector and again brings a range of excellent international and national guest speakers and practical workshops.

The conference Research Symposium that had its inauguration in 2013 will be held on August 6th.

This event was very popular and highlights current and recently completed research conducted by PhD and post graduate students.

Enjoy this edition of the Child Times and I hope 2015 will be a fruitful year for you.

Dawson Ruhl Chief Executive Officer

Australia

The challenge The challenge for any service is to have a Quality Improvement Plan (QIP) that accurately reflects the management, practices and environment of the service and identifies any areas that might need improvement (Education and Care Services National Regulations – Regulation 55, 56).

The convention is that families, staff and service management as well as close stakeholders from the local community meet and develop the QIP and then review the QIP at least annually.

Recently at the Lockridge Campus we called for further input into assessing progress of the current QIP and for the next stage of plans to be developed. The problem is – the most consistent response we heard was – ‘But we just did that!’

Time seems to rush by these days as we all get busier – the response we got to our request came because it is true. We have all been so busy this year that we can’t keep our QIP evolving fast enough, and we never seem to get the time to make the notes on progress when we should.

What does it look like?

This month in our QIP we are working on: What we are working on

Our plans for this month (for more information check out the full plan)

Progress notes and Family feedback Post it notes, written notes, suggestions and photos

QIP Strategy

Help! We have no time to keep our QIP up to date!

Curriculum Health and Safe Environment Staff Children Parents Community Management

What I want from my Centre (a place for children to attach drawings, write comments or have a favourite adult write a message for them)

Our QIP has guided our progress 2014 was an intense and incredibly rewarding year!

Who we are has changed.

The Lockridge Campus now includes the two Centres which look very different inside, a range of parent programs and a new program of specific low cost operational education sessions which attract educators from the early and middle childhood sector.

What we do at Lockridge is evolving.

The Lockridge Campus has produced its own curriculum guide to document our policies, procedures, planning tools and processes which support the sustainable implementation of a quality curriculum in our early and middle childhood programs.

Our partners and our local community are working more closely with us, communication is more frequent and they consistently inspire the Lockridge campus.

Our close work with the local schools and the Departments of Education and Health continues.

And our strategy for our 2015 QIP? In

2015 we will be moving from a conventional QIP to a ‘QIP DIARY’. For us it is a new innovation which allows all of us to discuss, develop, record and evaluate our plans together – initially in the foyer but we are working towards going online.

The sections are: • What we are working on – This section gives a clear statement of what we are working on this month. The content is taken from the main QIP but is broken down to only what we are doing this month. If we are not working on an area then it is blank. That makes it current, keeps families interested and going back to it, and provides a real time picture for staff.

• Progress notes and family feedback – People who are in the service often have a different perspective of what progress looks like, how it is impacting on them and what they are expecting.

• What I want from my Centre - this is the place for children to record their feelings, suggestions and thoughts about what is happening in their Centre.

All of this input is great for the time when we need to update our QIP and it will mean fewer meetings as we have collected input along the way.

We know our parents will be happy with that!

In the next Child Times we will let you know how it is going and share any ideas from our families and children. If you have any suggestions or have come up with a solution from your QIP, email us and let us know. We can publish suggestions, photos or scans. We can also work together on an action research project! Contact: SaraH@childaustralia.org.au 3

Quality Area 2

Quality Area 2 What worries you the most about health and safety?

The Education and Care Regulatory Unit Phone: (08) 6551 8333 or free call 1800 199 383

In a phone around of a group of Centre Directors and Coordinators they were asked:

Phone: (08) 9368 9379 for metro callers and 1800 111 546 for country callers.

What worries you the most about health and safety?

Also:

There were very different answers, but there were three main themes:

http://resources.beyondblue.org.au/prism/ file?token=BL/0775 (A great booklet for dads on a range of child development and family info)

• The things that are beyond our control • Directors need to be aware of their local government requirements, Health Department requirements from WA as well as the Australian Government and a range of others.

• The things we need to share with parents • The wide range of things we must share with parents and include in parent education, in a way that is tailored to individuals and families and the local environment.

• The things we need to do aren’t all written anywhere in one place.

• Keeping up to date is time consuming.

The National Quality Framework contains a big portion of the health and safety picture but not all of it. There are ways of making it easier for yourself.

First

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don’t give up – you are not alone and there are people and organisations who can and will support you:

www.communities.wa.gov.au/education-and-care/ ecru/Pages/default.aspxWorksafe Quality Education and Care NT www.education.nt.gov.au/teachers-educators/ quality-education-and-care-nt Dads DadsWA

www.connectingup.org/organisation/lone-fathersassociation-nt-inc Food and food regulation Phone: Contact your Local Government Health Services www.public.health.wa.gov.au/2/1061/2/food.pm Australian Dietary Guidelines: www.nhmrc.gov.au/ guidelines-publications/n55 Healthy eating for children: www.nhmrc.gov. au/_files_nhmrc/file/publications/n55f_children_ brochure_print.pdf Also: www.health.nt.gov.au/environmental_health/ food_safety/ Immunisation Phone: Contact your local Child Health Nurse or Clinic www.immunise.health.gov.au/internet/immunise/ publishing.nsf/Content/Handbook10-home Also: http://health.nt.gov.au/Centre_for_Disease_ Control/Immunisation/index.aspx

Allergies ASCIA: www.allergy.org.au

Infectious illness Phone: Contact your local Child Health Nurse or Clinic

Asthma WA: www.asthmawa.org.au

www.public.health.wa.gov.au/cproot/471/2/2013doh-communicable-disease-guidelines.pdf

NT: www.asthmaaustralia.org.au/NT-About_Us.aspx

Also: http://health.nt.gov.au/Centre_for_Disease_ Control/index.aspx

Child and Adolescent Health Phone: Contact your local Child Health Nurse or Clinic

Mental Health The National Workplace Program:

www.pmh.health.wa.gov.au/services/ (a great list of a range of services, all in one place)

www.beyondblue.org.au/

Also: www.health.nt.gov.au/Womens_Health/ Maternal_and_Infant_Health/index.aspx

http://health.nt.gov.au/Hotlines_and_Helplines/ Mental_Health_Support/index.aspx

Also: www.mentalhealth.wa.gov.au/Homepage.aspx

www.communities.wa.gov.au/communities-infocus/parenting_and_children/parentingwa/Pages/ Parenting-Coordinators.aspx Also: www.beyondblue.org.au/resources/for-me/ pregnancy-and-early-parenthood www.ngala.com.au/course/Parenting-Workshops www.health.nt.gov.au/service_locator/community_ health_and_care_centres/index.aspx childrenandfamilies.nt.gov.au/Families/ Physical activity www.health.gov.au/internet/ main/publishing.nsf/Content/ 2CDB3A000FE57A4ECA257BF0001916EC/$File/ HEPA%20-%20B5%20Book%20-%20Staff%20 and%20Carer%20Book_LR.pdf Also: www.health.nt.gov.au/Nutrition_and_Physical_ Activity/Physical_Activity/index.aspx Worksafe WA Phone: 1300 30 78 77 www.commerce.wa.gov.au/worksafe www.smallbusiness.wa.gov.au/employersobligations/ (a great list of employer obligations and further references) NT Phone: 1800 019 115 Email: ntworksafe@nt.gov.au www.worksafe.nt.gov.au/home.aspx Disaster management Phone: Have a list of emergency phone numbers readily available to your staff www.public.health.wa.gov.au/2/1435/2/community_ advice_bushfires_floods_and_cyclones.pm Also: http://www.pfes.nt.gov.au/resources/ntes/cda/ s1ntcda.html Its not a finite list, but it will get you underway or help you assess your own list.

Second

make sure your references are up to date. Check online to make sure you have the latest edition of the key references that you use. The basic references you should have on your shelf or hard drive include:

• Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (2011), My Time, Our Place: Framework for School Age Care in Australia.

• Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing (2009), Get Up & Grow: Healthy Eating and Physical Activity for Early Childhood—Directors/coordinators book.

• Cancer Council Australia, for information on sun safety, www.cancer.org.au/sunsmart.

Quality Area 2

Parenting education Phone: Contact your local Child Health Nurse or Clinic or Parenting WA

• Food Standards Australia, for information on food safety and food handling, www. foodstandards.gov.au.

• Kids and Traffic for information on road safety, www.kidsandtraffic.mq.edu.au.

• Kidsafe: the Child Accident Prevention Foundation of Australia, for information on preventing childhood accidents in children under the age of 15 years, www.kidsafe.org.au.

• NAPCAN: the National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect, for information on preventing child abuse and neglect, www. napcan.org.au.

• National Health and Medical Research Council (2003), Dietary Guidelines for Children and Adolescents in Australia.

• National Health and Medical Research Council, Staying Healthy 5th edition, for information on hygiene, immunisation and exclusion of children with an illness. http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/ guidelines-publications/ch55 Oberklaid, F (2004), Health in early childhood settings. Pademelon Press, NSW. • SIDSandkids, for information about safe sleeping practices for babies and toddlers, www.sidsandkids.org.

Third

If you need help the Child Australia consultants are available on the telephone advisory service on: WA 1800 783 768 NT 1800 138 662

• Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (2009), Belonging, Being and Becoming: The Early Years Learning Framework.

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Showcasing Quality

Preparing for Quality Area 2 Our quality improvement plan revolved mainly around our outdoor area and we decided it was best for a complete make over to incorporate more physical activity and quiet relaxation areas into our environment. We asked our staff, parents and children to get involved and help make it a wonderful environment which the children are very happy with.

We also updated all of our policies around children’s health and safety and hired cleaners out of hours to ensure our centre was thoroughly cleaned daily while children were not in the centre.

We achieved ‘Exceeding’ when it came to our ratings and assessment and some of the comments that were made during the process were; - all educators within the service have completed a safe food handlers course - an activity in the toddlers room was designed to take in to consideration the health needs of a child with allergies, children were making cupcakes out of playdough as the child has several intolerances and allergies and some cooking is hard to do and this allowed the child to participate without being left out.

- children are able to rest at any time inside or outside and their are cushions available for all children - there is a child with anaphylaxis in the centre, all staff are trained in how to use epipens and health care plans are clearly visible around the centre

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- the outdoor area is inviting and provides promotes physical play Children have choices of bikes, sand play and are able to explore the environment freely - the children have a created a book showing children participating in programmed physical activity within the community such as playing in the park, rainy day play in puddles, walking to the shops, visiting the skate park and exploring the bushlands - the service does regular excursions into the community and educators conduct risk assessments each time, this is then used to inform the families where they are going and when, the purpose of the excursion, any risks involved, what will be taken and who is the responsible person for the excursion - evacuation strategies are regularly practiced, effectively implemented and reviewed, these are also discussed during staff meetings to ensure all educators are aware of them. The service has incursions from the local fire brigade regularly.

- the service actively raises family and community awareness of child protection issues, for example, through newsletters, child protection training that is also offered to families and community members and the centre’s celebrations during child protection week Jodie Buck Nominated Supervisor, Cowtown Kids Cowaramup, WA, 6284 Cowtownkids@live.com.au

The Changing Landscape: Keep Up to Date with ECEC News The Early Childhood Education and Care sector has experienced an unprecedented level of activity, with public consultations, reviews, legislative and regulatory changes. With the government pushing the budget, the New Year promises just as much activity. We look at two of the most influential activities that could transform the way we work and the space we work in, take note of the websites and visit them often for updates.

The Productivity Commission Inquiry (http://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/completed/ childcare#report) The Productivity Commission Inquiry into Child Care and Early Learning submitted its final report to the Government on Friday 31 October and we now await how the Government will respond to the recommendations made in the report.

Under the Commission’s recommended single subsidy the level of support would vary with family income. Other key recommendations from the draft childcare report include:

Following extensive public consultations earlier this year the summary of recommendations can be found in the Consultation Regulation Impact Statement (RIS). Woolcott Research and Engagement has been conducting the work and you will find a summary of their findings on their website http:// www.woolcott.com.au/NQFReview/ NQFreview.html.

The next stage of the process called for public comment on the RIS through written submissions including an online survey. Deloitte Access Economics has been engaged by the Commonwealth Department of Education to assist with reporting on the outcomes of the consultation process. There are a large number of proposed revisoions in the RIS. The table below shows the proposed revision to Quality Area 2.

QA2

Children’s health and safety

2.A

2.1, 2.2, 2.1.1

Health

Each child’s health and physical development is monitored, supported, and promoted.

2.A.i

2.1.2

Wellbeing Each child’s wellbeing and and comfort comfort is provided for, including appropriate opportunities to meet each child’s need for sleep, rest and relaxation.

2.A.ii

2.1.4, 2.1.3

Health practices and procedures

Effective illness and injury management and hygiene practices are promoted and implemented.

2.A.iii 2.2.1, 2.2.2

Healthy lifestyle

Healthy eating and physical activity are promoted and appropriate for each child.

2.B

2.3

Safety

Each child is protected.

2.B.i

2.3.1, 2.3.2

Supervision

At all times, reasonable precautions and adequate supervision ensure children are protected from harm and hazard.

2.B.ii

2.3.3

Incident and emergency

Plans to effectively manage incidents and emergencies are developed in consultation with relevant authorities, practised and implemented.

Child protection

Management, educators and staff are aware of their roles and responsibilities and respond to every child at risk of abuse or neglect.

• Nannies being eligible for child care subsidies subject to appropriate qualifications • Removing restrictions on the number of child care places for occasional care and the hours that centres have to be open in order to receive Government subsidies.

• School Principals being responsible for ensuring schools offer before and after school care, including care for preschoolers.

• A continuation of Government support for access to preschool for all children in the year before starting school.

• Increasing funding and subsidies for children with disabilities and additional needs.

The 2014 Review of the National Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education and Care Services (https://www.education.gov.au/2014-reviewnational-quality-framework) The Australian Government and State and Territory Governments are reviewing the National Quality Standard. The review process already in full swing, is ensuring the goal of improving quality in education and care is progressing in the most efficient and effective way.

Whats Happening In Our Sector

Whats Happening In Our Sector

2.B.iii 2.3.4

Full details can be found at www.deloitteaccesseconomics.com.au/ our+services/nqf+consultation+ris.

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CA’s service delivery

CA’s service delivery Hippy Graduation Geraldton shines for HIPPY Graduation 2014.

Under the shade of the trees amidst a beautifully hand crafted natural playground, Rangeway Primary School hosted our HIPPY Graduation ceremony for 2014. Thirteen participating families, enjoyed a sumptuous afternoon tea, acoustic music by local musician Josh Crothers and fabulous face painting by local artist Fairy Jo, to celebrate a two year commitment to the HIPPY program.

New Butterfly Van for West Pilbara Mobile Children’s Service.

We were one of the lucky BBF services to receive extra funding from the Australian Government Department of Social Security to purchase a new vehicle for our program. So you can imagine our excitement.

Let the research begin!

We looked at lots of different vehicles, but we had the extra task of choosing one that would be appropriate for the conditions and roads of the Pilbara.

With this in mind, we couldn’t go past the Toyota Land Cruiser workmate 76 serious. After the purchase of the Land Cruiser we were lucky enough to have some left over funding money so we were able to deck it out with important accessories like a HF radio for safety and emergencies, a winch, built in air compressor and a high lift jack for recovery purposes, a reversing camera and a wonderful new fridge to keep us cool with cold water.

Everyone living out in our communities have all commented positively on our new vehicle and the children think it’s pretty awesome.

With this new vehicle, we can now feel confident in going out to our remote communities and keep up on the roads with the Road Trains.

Without such a reliable vehicle, it would be very difficult for us to delivery our very valuable program to the remote Indigenous communities, which is a very important resource, within the Pilbara.

Sharon Thompson – Supervisor, Mobile Children’s Services Shelby Ward – Educator, Mobile Children’s Services

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Home Interaction Program for Parents and Youngsters aims to increase a positive early school experience among children and parents. The program empowers parents to understand their crucial role in developing their child’s readiness to learn by engaging the parent and child in a variety of stimulating learning opportunities at home and in the wider community. HIPPY aims to reduce social isolation of parents by fostering parental involvement in school and community life. HIPPY provides a platform for community services to deliver current research and resources. We love it!

Principal and strong advocate of the HIPPY Program, Jacqui Quartermaine acknowledged the strength and positive outcomes of HIPPY, whilst City of Greater Geraldton Councillor Bob Hall applauded families who had taken the initiative to upskill themselves and improve the educational outcomes of their children in the early years through HIPPY. Child Australia’s Senior Manager Sara Hinchley, on behalf of CEO Dawson Ruhl, thanked Rangeway Primary School for their generous support, proudly acknowledging HIPPY Geraldton’s success and the achievement of the graduating families with a certificate/ beautiful sash for each participating parent and child. HIPPY Tutors Sarah Walker, Be Phan, Stephanie Archer and Tabua Cati were commended for their wonderful participation and promotion of HIPPY in the Geraldton community.

HIPPY Geraldton looks forward to 2015, where we welcome thirty new HIPPY families to the start of our four year old program and will continue to enjoy, then celebrate the second year journey with our existing twenty five participating families. I think we will need a bigger cake!

Over the last 6 months, Parent Pathways in Geraldton has had a flood of new referrals. Funded by the Department of Local Government and Communities, Parent Pathways works with parents who have children aged from birth to 8 years of age. It offers parents customised support that meets their individual needs and circumstances with the purpose to improve the confidence and skills of parents, increase their formal and informal support networks in the communities, and to make referrals to specialist services when required.

Parent Pathways strong relationship with the Family Relationship Centre (FRC), run by Centacare, provided the bulk of initial referrals. These parents have given really positive feedback to the FRC, and so new referrals continue to be made. Growth of referrals has also come from other professionals who have been impressed by parent pathways engagement with young aboriginal parents (with whom they are also working), which has also led to more opportunities to discuss the program with organisations and staff. However it is most pleasing that now new referrals are being received after clients have recommended the program to friends and family!

In addition to the increase in individual referrals, Parent Pathways continues to develop partnerships with other key agencies to create and deliver new and innovative programs targeting the most vulnerable families. Parent Pathways is partnering with Centacare to deliver a support group that is founded on the strength based approach. Rather than “teaching” parents, this group will provide a safe place for parents to explore and reflect upon their family and find their own solutions to things they want to change in their parenting. Parent Pathways continues to work with the Aboriginal Medical Service to develop a group for young aboriginal parents, exploring parenting through talk and art. In addition to these, Parent Pathways is exploring other new ideas, such as a dads and kids program, parenting support and education within the education system for teenage parents, and other customised programs.

Parent and Community Engagement Programs: Families for School Attendance and the Walking Bus Child Australia continues to support families and children in the Bagot Aboriginal Community. Our projects, developed in partnership with the Bagot Community Council, extended our Out of School Hours Care Program and were explicitly linked to improving school attendance and relationships between the community and the local primary and secondary schools.

CA’s service delivery

Parent Pathways

The Walking Bus has seen as many as 18 children walking to school with our staff in the mornings. We have seen major improvements throughout the year with children wanting to go on the walk rather than staying in bed and families taking more of an active role in their children’s education.

The Families For School Attendance Program was set up to work directly with the families through the day while children are at school to identify and address issues within the whole family that are having negative impacts on children’s school attendance. Through this work we have been able to build confidence and capacity, whilst also deepening our relationships and trust within the community.

Our programs continue in 2015 as does our partnership with the Community Council to inform change and support each other in growing capacity in the Bagot Community. Our year is best wrapped up in this quote from Bagot Community Council President Helen Fejo-Frith.

“Child Australia continues to make real connections with our families for the kids to grow strong”

Busy times ahead!

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Nightcliff Community ELC

New Community The Nightcliff Primary School Council established the Nightcliff Community Early Learning Centre in 2011 expanding the schools remit to include the 0 – 3 age group. The Early Learning Centre is part of the school campus and co-located with the Nightcliff Preschool.

In July 2014 Child Australia and the Nightcliff School Council joined forces to further develop the Nightcliff Community Early Learning Centre. To this end the first steps in developing a seamless early education and care environment from birth through to the first years of school has begun. This exciting initiative is being implemented by the new Director, Jo Fletcher, in collaboration with the Teacher in Charge of the Preschool, Mary Searle.

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Nightcliff Community Early Learning Center Water Safety Boof the Barra and Lifesaver visited Nightcliff Early Learning Centre with the NT Minister for Sport and Recreation and Laurie Lawrence, to launch Laurie’s new Kids Alive the Five Early Childhood Program and to remind us all to be safe around pools and other aquatic environments.

Lil

do

After reading Boof’s Adventures the children had a great time in the pool with Laurie and the instructors from the Royal Life Saving Society

Boof the Water Safety Barra welcomed her new minister Gary Higgins today at the Nightcliff Early Learning Centre. The Royal Life Saving Society NT has had 1173 registrations for the Northern Territory Water Safety Awareness program in the last 6 months & 790 learn to swim vouchers have been issued.

Kids Alive Early Childhood Program Drowning is the greatest cause of accidental death in children under five in Australia. Each week, on average, one child drowns. Let’s put an end to childhood drowning for good!

Australia

The Kids Alive Early Childhood Program is a joint initiative by Kids Alive and the Australian Government.

Parents, educators and those with an interest in water safety education can download digital copies through this link. www.kidsalive.com.au/early-childhoodprogram/

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Northern Territory

Education and Care Awards

“The awards publicly acknowledged our team’s ongoing effort to create high quality environments for children. And in the end that is what it is all about, improving outcomes for children.”

Events

Dawson Ruhl. CEO Child Australia The best of the NT’s Early Childhood Education and Care sector were recognised at the 2014 NT Education and Care Awards held at Parliament House. The Awards were presented by the Northern Territory Minster for Education and recognised the outstanding achievement of both services and individual educators.

Winners of the Northern Territory Education and Care Awards Emerging Professional Educator: Cherry Valenzuela Outstanding Achievement in Leadership: Zoe Davis Outstanding Achievement in Community Engagement: Bagot Community OSHC Outstanding Achievement in Sustainable Practice: NT Explorers Early Education Outstanding Education and Care in Long Day and Three Year Old Kindergarten: Farrar Early Learning Centre Outstanding Education and Care Service in Preschool: Berry Springs Preschool Outstanding Education and Care Service in Family Day Care: Territory Child Care Group Outstanding Education and Care Service in Budget Based Funded Services: Bagot Community OSHC Child Australia received four of the 8 awards presented.

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The eight award recipients participated in a funded study tour visiting a range of exemplary services in Victoria. The study tour is designed to build capacity in both the individuals and the NT Sector.

Northern Territory Education and Care Awards Melbourne Study Tour – 1st – 5th December 2014

A key element of the tour was the reflective The best ofevening the NT’sfacilitated Early Childhood Education conversations

by Heather and Care sector were recognised at the Barnes. Heather guided the participants to 2014 NT Education and Care held at Parliament consider what their ‘take Awards away’ learnings were and House.

The Awards were presented by the Northern how their study tour experience would influence Territory Minster for Education and recognised the future practice. outstanding achievement of both services and Comments from Participants individual educators.

“OurWinners Study Tour an amazing opportunity that I and of was the Northern Territory Education am glad was able to participate in. It was amazing CareI Awards to experience and see the different services Emerging Professional Educator: Cherry available to a range of different families.

I gained Valenzuela lots of different ideas that I can start implementing in myOutstanding own service.”

Rachael Holzberger, NT Zoe Achievement in Leadership: Explorers Davis Early Education “TheOutstanding thing I noticed most was that all these Achievement in Community awesome services with amazing environments Engagement: Bagot Community OSHC and great programs had fantastic educator to child Outstanding Achievement in Sustainable Practice: ratios.” Jo Fletcher, Child Australia NT Explorers Early Education The study tour was extremely successful, so much Outstanding Education and Care in Long Day and so that the Awards Organising Committee plan to Three Year Old Kindergarten: Farrar Early Learning make it an ongoing feature.

Centre

Events

The study tour for the award winners allowed them to observe models of best practice and engage in growth activities through professional conversations and reflection. Their experiences also contribute to a broadened NT knowledge base.

Outstanding Education and Care Service in Preschool: Berry Springs Preschool Outstanding Education and Care Service in Family Day Care: Territory Child Care Group Outstanding Education and Care Service in Budget Based Funded Services: Bagot Community OSHC Child Australia received four of the 8 awards presented.

“The awards publicly acknowledged our team’s ongoing effort to create high quality environments for children. And in the end that is what it is all about, improving outcomes for children.”

Dawson Ruhl. CEO Child Australia The eight award recipients participated in a funded study tour visiting a range of exemplary services in Victoria. The study tour is designed to build capacity in both the individuals and the NT Sector.

Services Visited: Brimbank Family Day Care Bubup Wilam for Early Leaning Children’s Place Connie Benn Centre Westgarth Bush Kinder Collingwood OSHC Gowrie Carlton North The Harbour Family and Children’s Centre (Gowrie)

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Events

Understanding Behaviour: Learning to Respond Conference On Saturday 15th November, Child Australia hosted the Understanding Behaviour: Learning to Respond conference at the Wollaston Conference Centre.

This was the second of the popular one-day conferences that Child Australia holds biannually.

The conference was extremely successful with over 140 attendees from various regional and local early and middle childhood education and care services. Sponsorship from the Department of Local Government and Communities enabled delegates to attend from regional locations, including Geraldton and Broome. Keynote Speakers included Dr Louise Porter, Child Australia’s own Sarah Thomas and Dr Deborah Pino-Pasternak.

Breakout sessions were held by a range of experts in their field including Dr Sue Beltman, Dr Caroline Mansfield, Karen Hulls, Justine Morgan and Sandy Clark. The overarching theme of ‘Understanding Behaviour’ came from consistent feedback of a growing need for information and strategies on this topic from educators supported by Child Australia.

The session topics that were delivered focused on Behaviour Guidance, Self Regulation, Resilience in Educators and the Impact of Trauma and Mental Health. The three streams of Children, Educators and Families were chosen to highlight how educators could best cater for the diverse needs within their settings. Attendees were presented with information to encourage reflections on their practices and to reframe their understandings of why particular behaviours may be occurring. Survey results after the conference indicated that previous understandings had been challenged and that educators are thinking more critically about the responses they are giving to behaviours in light of what they had learnt during they day. Thank you to all of the people who shared their knowledge and skills on the day and for the keen attendees who dedicated their time and shared their experiences with others.

Little People Big Dreams was the first major conference to be held in the NT catering for the educare sector. The conference attracted over 300 delegates from across the NT and interstate working in long day care; family day care; out of school hours care; BBF services; schools and the general community. Participants were provided with a range of international, national and local presentations that highlighted innovation, the latest research and best practice.

Marc Armitage travels the world sharing his knowledge on the importance of children’s play and was one of the keynote speakers “As adults we make a lot of assumptions about children – about what they can do, what they can’t do; about where they spend their free time and what they do there. Very often those assumptions are wrong.”

Comments from participants…..

“Marc and Leanne as the guest speakers they were awesome.”

“Access to a range of High Quality Lecturers and their expertise. Loved the “group interaction” elements of every seminar. Well done!”

“Caroline Fewster’s workshop was great for new and innovative ideas, great for new educators.”

“Networking with likeminded passionate early childhood educators and speaking with guest speakers.”

The 2015 Conference will be even better so watch out for it!

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The diverse nature of early childhood education and the ongoing quality initiative of the Government, necessitate the need for specific professional development in order for educators to support the National Quality Framework. Regional areas are challenged by limited, ongoing access to quality professional services, such as those offered

by Child Australia to support educators’ training and development needs. That is until now.

Wanslea Family and Children Services are working with Child Australia to bridge this gap. With a large network of in-home Family Day Care educators in the Kalgoorlie region, the challenge has been to find times when educators (who look after children all day) can attend quality professional development. With the added difficulty of limited training availability in regional hubs, educators at times feel isolated from their metropolitan based colleagues. Working together with Wanslea, Child Australia has developed a series of unique

professional development workshops, where educators bring the children within their care to a central playgroup at the Sanderson Family Centre.

Together with a team of Child Australia Consultants, children take part in the intentional playgroup, allowing Child Australia’s highly qualified and experienced Quality Inclusion Consultants to model techniques and best practice with educators. Some educators remain with the children to participate, while others engage in professional learning and targeted discussions that are facilitated by Child Australia’s team of Professional Learning Facilitators. Over a series of tailored and specific workshops, educators are able to implement strategies from their learning, while the children come together, building a stronger sense of community.

Family Day Care Initiative

Child Australia’s Family Day Care Initiative in Kalgoorlie

The workshops break down the traditional barriers to professional development within the Kalgoorlie region. The model of delivery is based on the ‘Gradual Release’ method of teaching. The concept was initiated through discussion with Wanslea Family and Children Services, who were committed to their Quality Improvement Plan.

Child Australia, which delivers professional development across Western Australia and the Northern Territory under the Government’s Federally Funded Inclusion and Professional Support Program (IPSP), is excited for the potential of this new initiative, and plans are in place to deliver the concept across other regional areas.

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Feature Interview

Supporting Nutrition for Australian Childcare (SNAC) Ruth Wallace, PhD Candidate, BHSc (Hons), ANutr., Edith Cowan University, School of Health, Engineering and Science Optimal early childhood nutrition is essential for all aspects of development and contributes to health status in later life; and as such the early years’ environment is considered an important setting for the development of positive lifelong food habits in young children.

Stage 1 of the SNAC study established the needs of educators to promote healthy eating environments to the children in their care. Stage 2 saw the development of a

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nutrition specific website to meet these needs.

The online intervention developed during Stage 2 incorporated the Spiral Technology Action Research model to guide the technological development and health promotion aspects of the project, whilst involving early years’ educators at every stage. The SNAC website includes reliable, accurate nutrition resources and online activities, which offer educators information wrapped in support. Discussion boards are a key feature of the website and encourage the building of an online community, enabling educators to offer support, share ideas and seek advice about healthy eating.

The SNAC website was launched on 1st August 2013 and currently has over 1000 users Australia wide, representing around 400 early years’ services, thus reaching more than 35,000

children. There have been more than 14,000 page views and over 550 posts and comments made.

Resources and activities have been well received, the online SNAC community is growing and is reported as valuable: “It was the idea of gaining additional knowledge about nutrition from someone promoting nutrition in children’s services; and about joining a group of fellow educators to share ideas, and learn about how other services work with their children and families to encourage good nutrition”.

Further projects which will extend the scope of SNAC are planned for 2015. If you would like to become part of the SNAC community, please register at www.snacwa.com.au.

Regional Children’s Services Plans Implementation phase set to commence.

Regional Children’s Services plans are occurring in the nine Regional Development Commission areas of Western Australia. Child Australia is responsible for the development and implementation in Midwest and Peel. So get ready for collaborative interagency action of strategies through the Regional Children’s Services Plans during 2015.

These actions are all designed to support sustainable children’s services for 0 to 12 year olds.

Keep up to date with what’s going on! Subscribe to the newsletter by emailing kerrie-annc@childaustralia.org.au (Peel) or elizabethm@childaustralia.org.au (Mid West).

Department of Local Government and Communities Department of Regional Development

Visit the

IPSP Online Library today.

pscalliance.org.au

FREE!

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Australia

We’re thrilled to announce our new “Online Learning Centre”

Our Online Learning Centre offers a wide range of professional development courses.

The learning style is dynamic yet friendly, while the content and delivery is of the highest quality.

Our courses are delivered with engaging activities, forums, webinars and videos .

We make sure you learn effectively, in our friendly, supported system.

• Fun & engaging activities • Forum discussions • Sector themed videos • Interactive Webinars • Tutor-led and self-paced options • Endless support . . . and so much more!

Come and view our “Online Learning Centre”

childaus.moodle.com.au 18

1Voyage

Exploring Excellence in Early Childhood Education & Care

2015 WA Early Childhood Education & Care Conference Crown Perth • 7-8 August 2015

Child Australia is proud to announce the 2015 WA Early Childhood Education and Care Conference.

The 2015 WA Early Childhood Education and Care Conference, 1 Voyage: Exploring Excellence in Early Childhood Education and Care will engage 1 Voyage: Exploring Excellence in Early educators, researchers and policy makers at all Childhood Education and Care will be held on levels in considering ‘excellence’ –the different Friday August 7 and Saturday 8, 2015 at the forms it may take within the context of the National vibrant Crown conference venue.

Quality Framework and the research that deepens 2015 WA Childhood The 2015 conference places WA on the ourEarly understandings about it. The conference does Education & Care Conference international and national stage bringing together this as we strive to provide all children with the high calibre speakersExcellence from aroundinAustralia theConvention excellent Exhibition early childhood care and education they Perth Centre Exploring Early and world to address the conference 23-24 Month 2015 Childhood Educationthemes: & Care deserve.

1Voyage

• Professional Practice in Diverse Settings; • Building and Sustaining Excellence; • Working with Children, Families and Communities: making a collective impact; and • Designing Approaches for Individual Children.

The 2015 WA Early Childhood Education & Care Conference is a not to be missed high standard professional learning opportunity for early childhood educators who work with children in a variety of settings, government, policy makers and stakeholders.

R ww eg w. iste wa r n ec ow ec at .co m

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PD Calendars available now

Child Australia Locations Head Office – WA

5 Carson Road Malaga WA 6090 PO Box 2562 Malaga WA 6944 Phone: (08) 9249 4333 Fax: (08) 9249 4366 Email: admin@childaustralia.org.au

Head Office – NT

13 Bishop Street Woolner NT 0820 PO Box: 37645 Winnellie NT 0821 Phone: (08) 8941 4966 Fax: (08) 8941 6433 Email: darwin@childaustralia.org.au

Geraldton

Home Interaction Program for Parents and Youngsters (HIPPY) Parent Pathways City Hive, 184 Marine Terrace PO Box 2713, Geraldton WA 6530 Tel: 08 9923 2840 Fax: 08 9923 0277

Kalgoorlie

Lotteries House Cnr Wilson & McDonald Street PO Box 10381, Kalgoorlie WA 6433 Tel: 08 9270 6620 Fax: 08 9091 6211

West Pilbara Mobile Children’s Service Lotteries House Unit 10/2 Leake Street PO Box 2491, South Hedland WA 6722 Tel: 08 9172 1722 Fax: 08 9172 3098 Email: wpmcs@childaustralia.org.au

Bagot Community OSHC

Bagot Indigenous Community, Darwin PO Box: 37645 Winnellie NT 0821 Phone: 0450 460 423 Fax: (08) 8941 6433 Email: bagotoshc@childaustralia.org.au

Child Early Learning Centre Lockridge

Child Australia’s January – June 2015 calendars are all available online now!

Go to the PD Calendars page to find the calendar relevant to your service.

Our calendars provide details of our professional learning opportunities, which are available via face-to-face workshops and online delivery.

Making our calendars available online means you: • are always able to access the latest up-to-date information regarding our Professional Learning opportunities

• can print the pages you want - helping us to care for our environment • can easily access the information that is relevant to you Child Australia has introduced an online booking system that caters to your needs. It enables easy registration with payment options, either by credit card, PayPal or EFT transfer. The online system provides instant confirmation of bookings, tax invoices and reminders.

36 Diana Crescent Lockridge WA 6054 Phone: (08) 9377 1676 Fax: (08) 9377 1676 Email: lockridgeelc@childaustralia.org.au

Child Lockridge OSHC

34 Diana Crescent Lockridge WA 6054 Phone: (08) 9377 1676 Fax: (08) 9377 1676 Email: lockridgeoshc@childaustralia.org.au

Farrar Early Learning Centre

3 Gurd St, Farrar NT 0830 Phone: (08) 8932 8472 Email: farrarelc@childaustralia.org.au

Nightcliff Community Early Learning Centre

Cunjevoi Crescent, Nightcliff, NT 0810 Phone: 08 89488480 Email: nelc@childaustralia.org.au

Australia

Comments & feedback We welcome and encourage you to share your thoughts, opinions and feedback in relation to issues or articles addressed in this issue of the Child Times, professional development or comments about the sector in general.

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We would love to hear from you!

Please send your comments to: admin@childaustralia.org.au

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