Amplify! Blog

ACECQA has released Shaping our Future – a ten year strategy to ensure a sustainable, high quality children’s education and care workforce 2022-2031. This report is the culmination of a series of roundtables and consultation with the sector over the past year, initiated by State, Territory and Federal Governments as part of the Alice Springs (Mparntwe) Education Declaration. 

The ACECQA Workforce Strategy Report highlights the workforce challenges the sector faces and proposes 21 actions to address them over the next ten years. We share key takeouts and what we are advocating for as the findings are implemented. 

CELA member Karen Roberts, Manager for Children’s Services at City of Canterbury Bankstown, recently won a HESTA Early Childhood Education & Care award for Individual Leadership. In her 45-year education career she has encountered many challenges, but these have only served to clarify her vision as a leader and a champion for children's rights. 

We find out what drives Karen, what we can learn from her experience, and how she will use the HESTA award money for future initiatives to benefit local children and leave a long-lasting social impact on the community.

With the announcement of a return to early education and care from 18 October, ventilation should be on every service's COVID safe plan. Occupational hygienist Kate Cole and built environments expert Adjunct Professor Geoff Hanmer of high profile science group OzSAGE provide clarity around important questions pertaining to ventilation and air quality in our sector while we await a response to questions we have raised about the matter with government. 
 

During times of crisis, the ability to play becomes more important than ever.  It can be incredibly therapeutic for children to explore their feelings, concerns and worries through play – and can help children to find a sense of joy and normality again. It’s also the best way for young children to learn.

Play is a central part to our Early Years Learning Framework, and is recognised by the United Nations as every child’s right. ECT and preschool Room Leader Niki Moodie reflects on why play is so important in the early years, and the role of the teacher in play. 
 

The NSW government has announced a staggered return to school in NSW starting October 25. There’s currently no guidance on when the government will recommend that all children will return to ECEC settings.

As we head towards vaccination targets and reopening dates (which some news outlets are referring to somewhat recklessly as ‘freedom day’), we need to accept that COVID is not going away. Our new ‘freedom’ will come with many new and heightened responsibilities. 

We explore the latest transmission data, and how services can keep staff and children as safe as possible as children start to return to early education and care.

Pedagogical Leader Karla Wintle reflects on the importance of empowering children to have a voice on pedagogical decisions in an early education setting, and how the consideration of shifting power led to the creation of a children’s council at her service. 

“If we genuinely want to know what children think, feel and wonder, then the balance of power needs to shift. We must believe that children will have things to tell us that we have not heard before; the ability to listen, pause and wait for a surprise or a wonderful new idea.”
Karla Wintle
 

Being more 'hands off' in our teaching can actually enable more learning for children by allowing them to realise the ‘aha’ moments as they learn through play. 

In this article we share ways to facilitate aha moments, some ideas to get you started, and things to consider as you navigate through this concept. 
 

Early years specialists Kate Meek and Annie O'Sullivan believe that during these uncertain and challenging times, we have a great opportunity to think deeply and remind ourselves of the importance of the work we do. Time to pause and ponder!

They share how reflective practice inspires continuous improvement, and three simple ways to integrate reflective practice into your day. 
 

Deputy Premier John Barilaro last week stated that the western region of NSW was on a ‘knife’s edge’ due to increasing cases of COVID. We are increasingly concerned for our members who are located in the area. Many have only just rebuilt their teams after losing them in last year's lockdown, and are being pushed financially, emotionally and physically. 

However, strong community spirit is bringing out the best in people, as they band together to protect vulnerable community members through vaccination, and focus their efforts on finding any positives they can in a challenging situation. CELA's regional early education specialist Narelle Myers and General Manager of Bourke & District Children's Services Prue Ritchie tells us what things are like for ECEC professionals and families in the area. 

Indigenous early education and care resource specialist Deborah Hoger shares how we can provide inclusive programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children with disabilities, delivered in culturally appropriate ways.