On Thursday, 21st August, ECA NSW held an issues night to discuss the productivity commission report.

The night was  facilitated by Associate Professor Fran Press.

It was a night of robust discussion as thirty participants discussed major points including teacher qualifications, cost, non working partners, NQF, care vs education and nannies being covered by government funding.

 The results of the discussion and issues night will be tabulated to be part of the National Early Childhood Australia submission to the productivity commission.

Our thanks to Fran Press and KU services for their support. . 

On Monday 25-26th August, Australia’s inaugural Children’s Commissioner, Megan Mitchell, will visit Wagga Wagga as a guest of the Riverina ECA NSW Branch.

Megan will spend two days visiting Early Education and Care services, schools and OOSCH services.

Monday evening Megan will be a keynote speaker at a dinner meeting to local educators and stakeholders.

RSVP for the dinner meeting is Thursday 20th August. (flyer attached)

Megan Mitchell – 25th August, 2014

Highly regarded educator from the US , Ann Pelo is coming to Sydney (9th Sept) and Newcastle (11th Sept) from 4.30-8pm. 

From teaching to thinking.

Reigniting our roles as educators.

Open the flyer below for more information.

Ann Pelo – Re-igniting our Role as Educators.

This is an exceptionally good opportunity to see and hear one of the world’s most inspiring early childhood educators.

Copies of her books including  her latest book: “The Goodness of Rain” will be available on the night. 

We are pleased to announce that ECIA NSW’s Transition to School Resource is now available.

This web-based resource has been developed by Early Childhood Intervention Australia (NSW Chapter) Inc. and funded by Ageing, Disability and Home Care in the Department of Family and Community Services, New South Wales, Australia (ADHC) as part of the Focus on Early Childhood Inclusion (FECI) project.

The Resource aims to help children with disabilities and their families make the transition to school as smooth and positive as possible. .

A key focus of this resource is on developing positive collaborative relationships between families, schools and support professionals.

Go to the Transition to School Resource website: http://www.transitiontoschoolresource.org.au<http://www.transitiontoschoolresource.org.au>

Posters, flyers and other promotional material are now available. Please email Emma Pierce:epierce@ecia-nsw.org.au for further information

ECA NSW Branch is holding an issues night to discuss the recently released Productivity Commission Draft Report. 

The issues night is limited in numbers. All members are encouraged to be active in the consultations.

ECA NSW invites you to attend a Forum to discuss the recommendations of the National Draft Productivity Review. Your discussion can inform the ECA National submission or assist you with your own submission.Dr Fran Press will be leading the discussion.

Dr Fran Press will be facilitating the discussion.

When:           Thursday 21^st August 2014,                      6-8pm

Where:           KU Children’s Services Training Room,           129 York St, Sydney.

How to get there:       Train – Town Hall Station,   Parking – QVB Parking Station

We encourage members to engage with this next stage of   consultation.

Initial submissions are due before 5^th September 2014.

RSVP:  by 18.8.2014 as there are limited numbers

Email: office@nsw.earlychildhood.org.au

Enquires mobile:  0418 893 830.  A light snack will be provided.

Information on how to prepare and submit a submission is available from: http://www.pc.gov.au/projects/inquiry/childcare/make-submission

NSW ECA President , Carol Burgess and executive committee member, Chris Legg attended the  Australian Family Early Education and Care Awards last week in Sydney.

It was with great delight they witnessed a NSW ECA member, Julie Occhiuto from Tigger’s Honeypot Child Care Centre win. Congratulations to Julie and all winners.

Australia’s outstanding early education and care professionals were recognised and celebrated at the 2014 Australian Family Early Education and Care Awards .

Assistant Minister for Education Ms Sussan Ley MP presented the national awards and this year’s winners were:

• Early Childhood Director of the Year Bobbi Wheeler (pictured) of Milly Molly Mandy’s (WA)
• Early Childhood Educator of the Year Julie Occhiuto of Tigger’s Honeypot Child Care Centre (NSW)
• Early Childhood Service of the Year Balnarring Preschool (Vic).

These winners join Ellyn Taylor from Avalon Beach House Preschool who has already been announced as the 2014 national Rising Star).

The winners who were selected from a pool of 88 finalists from across Australia.

ECA NSW is delighted that there are four winners of the scholarship of the ECA National conference to be held in Melbourne in September.

Their scholarship includes full registration, dinner plus travel and accommodation.

Winners are:

Renne Smyth

Lynette Funnell

Louise Simpson

Janette Allen-Vie.

Congratulations. We look forward to hearing about  how the conference will help improve practice in your centre.

The Professional Experience Council , PEC, will meet THURSDAY 19th June, 2014
at KU Meeting room,
129 York St, Sydney.
10am – Midday.

The Professional Experience Council

Members of The Early Childhood Professional Experience Council (New South Wales) view professional experience as an integral component of coherent early childhood professional preparation programs. Members are representatives from universities, Department of Education and Communities (including TAFE New South Wales), employing bodies, RTO’s and relevant organisations who are involved in planning and supporting early childhood professional preparation undertaken by students. The PEC works in association with ECA New South Wales Branch for the benefit of all stakeholders in early childhood education. The purpose of the PEC is to bring together members who contribute to discussion about early childhood professional experience from diverse perspectives, and who work in collaboration to generate shared understandings and take appropriate action for the benefit of all those involved in early childhood professional experience.

RSVP to: office@nsw.earlychildhood.org.au

At the ECA NSW AGM on Monday night,  the new executive committee was voted in.

Congratulations to the new committee.

President: Carol Burgess

Vice President: Natalie Grenfell

Secretary: Ruth Newman

Treasurer: Leo Prendergast

Exec members: Rose Todd, Trish Brown, Mel Carmont, Chris Legg, Jan Langtry, Nan Greig, Monique Beange, Ian Alchin, Noeleen Alchin

Thanks you for your commitment to Early Childhood in NSW.

Amanda Holt, Hunter region

Katie Pennant – North Coast Representative

Dr Sandi Wong.