The Australian Council of State School Organisations, or ACSSO, is one of Australia’s longest operating peak bodies for education. Formed in 1947, ACSSO represents the families of more than 2.4 million children in government schools around the country. While traditionally focused on primary and secondary school aged children, in the past 18 months ACSSO has […]
Me-time or ‘meh’ time? One thing we know (and research backs it up) is that in so-called caring professions like education, people find it even more difficult to create ‘me-time’ or the kind of self-care that rejuvenates flagging spirits and revives tired bodies. We often find it hard to follow the oxygen mask advice […]
It’s a common enough realisation: you’re standing at the end of year barbeque or concert, chatting to one of the regular parents you see in your service most weeks, while looking at a crowd of unfamiliar adult faces. Grandparents might be there, and aunties, uncles, older siblings… but most of all, there are those parents […]
In brief: NSW services must display new quality ratings graphic from July 2020 Changes motivated by two key research studies showing lack of family understanding and National Quality Review feedback Impact of the graphic to be evaluated with independent parent research NSW RA confirms cultural shift to ‘strength-based’ A&R approach $13 million fund to expand […]
By Amy Pratten, Lara Hernandez and Paul Gordon – Munch & Move State Team NSW Office of Preventive Health National Children’s Week, celebrated each year in October, provides us with a reminder to celebrate the rights of children. This year we focus on the fundamental right of young Australians to good health. We all want […]
It’s a truth universally acknowledged that every December will bring at least one Australian newspaper headline claiming an early learning service has ‘banned’ Santa Claus or ‘cancelled’ Christmas. Behind these stories is often a strong inclusion philosophy (perhaps misunderstood) that aims to create end-of-year celebrations that embrace all families. How can you make that happen […]
It’s a familiar question for preschool teachers – Will my child be able to manage starting school next year? Earlier this year a research study found that NSW has the highest rate of children being ‘held back’ from starting school – 31% compared to 14% nationally. How can educators respond to the widespread concern of […]
First ever international early childhood workforce survey released – Australia is not alone in its challenges! The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development has released its first ever international Teaching and Learning survey focused on the Early Childhood Education and Care workforce. The findings provide interesting parallels for Australian early childhood education and care providers, […]
In Australia, one in 10 children have asthma. This is one of the highest of rates of childhood asthma in the world. With air quality labelled as “hazardous” over many areas of Australia due to recent fires, there has been an increase of asthma related presentations to emergency departments. With this increased risk, Sarah Hunstead, […]
New report reveals that nearly one in five NSW children under 14 are living in poverty The New South Wales Council of Social Service (NCOSS) has released mapping of economic disadvantage in New South Wales. The report, and accompanying maps, provides a high level of insight into how families are tracking across the state. The […]
