Have you ever considered joining an international organisation with a focus on advancing children’s rights?  

CELA recently spoke with Sandie Wong, President of OMEP Australia (a peak body that defends and promotes the rights of all children to access early childhood education) to find out what they are advocating for and how you can get involved. 

This morning, Australia has sworn in its 31st Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, our first Labor leader since 2013.

We take a look at what this could mean for our sector, what we are advocating for, and what can you do to help ensure that the new government puts education and care issues firmly on its list of priorities.  

The National Reconciliation Week 2022 theme Be Brave. Make Change is simple and to the point.  The theme asks us as individuals and as organisations to be bold and take brave actions in our daily lives to achieve reconciliation.  

But what does this exactly mean for educators? How can we take these four simple words and apply them meaningfully to our practice and our educational settings?  

Will this be the election that finally brings about the changes to the education and care sector that we have long been advocating for? 

For years now, CELA, along with other peaks and campaign alliances, have been raising awareness about the importance of our sector and the critical first five years of life. Finally, the messages are getting through. Political candidates are talking more about education and care this election than ever before.

Find out where the parties stand concerning policies that affect our sector so that you can make the most of your vote on May 21. 

The pandemic has brought up many challenges for building relationships with families, but also new opportunities. Educator Meg Anastasi shares simple strategies for promoting trust when interacting with families in our current environment. 

Have you been looking for ways to champion reconciliation?  

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art murals and incursions are wonderful ways to visibly celebrate culture in your service. They can also facilitate the establishment of connections with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, families, and the broader community.

Deborah Hoger explores how education services can champion reconciliation through murals and incursions.