What a fabulous opportunity for an Early childhood Teacher in NSW. Be sure to apply. An outstanding opportunity.

Applications close on Friday 6^th of May 2016 for all 2016 NSW Premier’s Teacher Scholarships including the 2016 Premier’s Early Childhood Education Scholarship.

As a result of the generous support of KU Children’s Services, Early Childhood Australia (NSW Branch) and the NSW Government, applications are invited for the Premier’s Early Childhood Education Scholarship.

All teachers currently teaching in a long day care service, pre-school, primary school or a TAFE NSW Institute are eligible to apply.

The award is for a study in early childhood education. It is anticipated that successful applicants would spend up to five weeks involved in a study program. Teachers from NSW government schools/pre-schools and TAFE NSW Institutes will be entitled to leave and the school/institute will be entitled to relief. Teachers from non-government NSW schools, independent early childhood institutions will need to negotiate relief with their employing authority. The recipient’s itinerary must be organised to complete their travel by 30 June 2017.

Time need not be spent in formal study, but may involve a program of visits to sites, schools and institutions to conduct interviews, observe exemplary practices and collect resources for the preparation of teaching materials related to early childhood education.

One scholarship of $10,000 will be awarded in 2016.

Information attached. Premier_Scholarships_2016_FlyerEarly Childhood Education Scholarship

NEVER BEFORE HAS THIS SCHOLARSHIP BE WON BY AN EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHER WORKING IN EC……. IT COULD BE YOU !!!!

Far North Coast Conference was another success. There were 283 delegates on Saturday. The Master Classes with Ann Pelo and Jen Piercy were attanded by 73 people. Jen’s powerpoint for the conference is attached ECA-Conference-March-2016-Developmental-Delay- or can be found on the ECA NSW website.

On Friday evening ,the ECA Far North Coast region hosted a reception for Minister Leslie Williams. This proved to be a relaxed event with ECA members having the opportunity to discuss Early Childhood issues with the Minister. Minister Williams addressed the conference the following morning. 

Ann Pelo was well received as the keynote. Ann’s tour is almost completed having a very successful function in Wagga on Saturday. Her last function for ECA NSW will be in Young on Saturday 16th . RSVP 12th April. Ann Pelo – Flyer v1

Hurry – Three spaces are left in the Wagga Ann Pelo seminar to be held on Saturday 9th April. RSVP Wednesday 5th April. 

Young is being held on Saturday 16th April. RSVP 12th April. 15 places left.

Information on how to book is available on the flyer below. 

Ann Pelo – Flyer v1

Sharing our Practice – Challenges and Strengths Topic: Children’s Choice – Routines and Transitions.

This ECA gathering will focus on the topic of ‘children’s choice’ and what this means within the early childhood education and care setting for teachers, educators, children, families and the environments we work in.

We will explore the concept of ‘children’s choice’ and critically reflect on what this means in relation to routines and transitions for children and for our own pedgagocial practices. In the spirit of professional growth and advocacy, come prepared to share your practice and experiences, as well as thoughts and questions on the topic!

When: Thursday 7th April 2016 @ 6.00pm – 8.00pm

Where: Lake Macquarie City Council Level 1, 126 Main Road, Speers Point. (Come in the front doors of Council building and up the staircase)

Light refreshments will be provided For more information and RSVP, please contact: huntereca@nsw.earlychildhood.org.au

ECA NSW has come up with three different ways you can hear and be inspired by Ann Pelo on her Australian tour (sponsored by KU services)

1. Far North Coast Conference. 18-19th March , Kingscliff SALT resorts. Friday master class – have a day with Ann or listen to her key note at the conference day. Bookings: Far North Coast Regional ECA Conference RSVP 11th March. ( Filling very fast!!) FNC conf brochure 2016
2. Wagga Wagga – Saturday 9th April. Wagga Wagga Wine and Food Industry Training Centre, CSU. Cost $157.40 RSVP: 6th April. Ann Pelo – Wagga Wagga Information Ann Pelo – Flyer v1
3. Young – Saturday 16th April. Young Services Club. Cost $155. RSVP 12th April.Ann Pelo – Young Information Ann Pelo – Flyer v1

It’s on again!!!

The Annual ECA (NSW) Far North Coast Regional Conference will be held at the Salt Beach Resorts, Kingscliff NSW on Friday 18th and Saturday 19th March.

The conference features:

Friday Masterclass – full day intensive workshops.

• A Thinking Lens for Learning Together with Children. Facilitated by Ann Pelo

or

• Trauma and Young children facilitated by clinical psychologist , Jen Piercy.

This will be followed buy a fabulous networking opportunity. Reception by the pool at Peppers Resort on Friday evening 5.30-8pm

Saturday 19th March features the full day conference 8am-5pm. Ann Pelo is the keynote speaker. Choice of 11 workshops over three 90 minutes workshop session times.

Bookings : ECA (NSW) Far North Coast regional Conference

Read all about the conference in the attached brochure.FNC conf brochure 2016

On Thursday 4th February, ECA NSW is holding an issues night.

The topic is Intentional Teaching.

Four experienced practitioners who currently work with young children will share their experiences and stories about Intentional teaching in practice.

Venue: Dougherty Centre

7 Victor St,

Chatswood.

6.30-8.30 pm

This event is sponsored by ECA NSW. There is no charge but ask people to register for catering purposes. Please register by 2nd Feb.

Booking can be made at ECA NSW Issues night

There will be a light supper provided.

For further information : 0418 893 830

Early Childhood Australia , NSW Branch, sends best wishes  for a very successful 2016.

ECA NSW is holding an issues night for members and interested guests. Topic:

Intentional Teaching Practices 

There will be a panel of experienced Early Childhood Teachers discussing their intentional teaching practice. It will be a collaborative evening encouraging discussion from the audience.

Venue:  Dougherty Community Cntre

7 Victor St,

Chatswood.

Thursday 4th February, 2016.

 6.30 – 8.30pm.

Light supper provided.

More information and booking form will be published next week – Save the date. 

Thanks to KU Children’s Services, Ann Pelo will be visiting Australia for a three month period.

ECA NSW has secured three professional development opportunities with Ann. These can be accessed by members and educators.

Far North Coast Region ECA NSW Conference Friday 18th and Saturday 19th March – Kingscliff SALT resort

Wagga Wagga Early Childhood Network Group and   Riverina ECA NSW Regional Branch will host Ann on Saturday 9th April. Venue to be confirmed. Approx cost $150

Young Preschool and Riverina ECA NSW Regional Branch will host Ann on Saturday 16th April. Venue to be confirmed. Approx cost $150.

Biography: Ann Pelo is a teacher educator, program consultant, and author whose primary work focuses on reflective pedagogical practice, social justice and ecological teaching and learning, and the art of mentoring. She worked as a teacher and teacher mentor for sixteen years at a full-day, not-for-profit childcare center in Seattle, Washington. Currently, Ann works with early childhood educators and administrators in North America,  Australia, and New Zealand, thinking with them about inquiry-based teaching and learning, pedagogical leadership, and the necessary place of ecological identity in children’s—and adults’— lives. Her work is anchored by a commitment to the right of educators to be intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually engaged by their work.   Ann is the author of five books: The Goodness of Rain: Cultivating an Ecological Identity in Young Children (2013); Season by Season the Year Unfolds: A Guidebook for Developing an Intentional Culture in Early Childhood Programs (2010), Rethinking Early Childhood Education (2008), The Language of Art: Inquiry-based Studio Practices in Early Childhood Settings (2007), and, with Fran Davidson, That’s Not Fair: A Teacher’s Guide to Activism with Young Children (2000).