By CELA 27 May, 2022

How OMEP Australia is advocating for quality early education

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. 

By CELA 23 May, 2022

Post election summary

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.  

By Deborah Hoger 19 May, 2022

How early educators can be brave and make change during National Reconciliation Week

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?  

By CELA 14 May, 2022

Federal Election 2022 – What the parties are promising for children, families, and education & care

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. 

 

By Meg Anastasi 2 May, 2022

Simple strategies for promoting trust with families

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. 

By Deborah Hoger 2 May, 2022

Championing reconciliation through art

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.  

By CELA 22 Apr, 2022

Why aren't they listening?

When we think of listening, we may envisage someone sitting quietly, paying attention to us and responding appropriately. However, what we experience with young children is often very different and may include wriggling, laughing, facing away from us, or ignoring us totally. It can feel frustrating and overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be this way.

We speak to Narelle Myers, Director of Bermagui Preschool and CELA Regional Early Education Specialist, to find out what is going on developmentally and how we can best respond.

By CELA 8 Apr, 2022

Pre-Election Forum - find out what was discussed

On Tuesday 5 April, Community Early Learning Australia (CELA), Community Child Care Association (CCC) and Early Learning Association Australia (ELAA) came together to host an Education and Care Pre-Election Forum where we shared our 6 Point Plan for the future of the education and care sector.
 
The forum was an opportunity for our members to have their voices heard by politicians, and to unpack what each political party envisions for our sector in the lead up to the federal election.

Find out what the politicians had to say, what our members want to see implemented, and how you can help to amplify our advocacy in the lead up to the election. Watch the full event via a recording. 

By CELA 7 Apr, 2022

New AEDC report highlights pandemic's impact on children's development

Last week the much anticipated Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) 2021 National Results were released. They showed that while COVID-19 and lockdowns have impacted on children’s development, particularly in relation to the language and cognitive skills domain, the overall impact may not be as significant as we may have expected. Of concern is that the report identifies larger increases in developmental vulnerability for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and children living in the most disadvantaged areas of Australia. 

Read our summary, what it means for ECEC, and how you can use the results when planning for the needs of children in your local area.

By CELA 1 Apr, 2022

2022 Federal Budget – a missed opportunity for education and care

The Treasurer, Josh Frydenberg, handed down the Government’s Federal budget last Tuesday. Sadly, The Budget provided little new support to the education and care sector.    

CELA, together with the other education and care peak bodies Community Child Care Association (CCC) and Early Learning Association Australia (ELAA), expressed their disappointment that there were limited new measures, and that education and care was not recognised as a key cost of living driver. 

In this week’s Amplify we analyse what it means for children, families and the education and care sector, and how it aligns with our 6 Point Plan for Education and Care.   

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