Amplify! Blog

The launch of new generative AI (artificial intelligence) tools to support early education documentation has sparked intense debate and reflection amongst some sector professionals.  

What are the ethics around these tools and how should we approach them? 

We interviewed technology expert and teacher/lecturer Dr Kate Highfield and CELA early education specialists Jannelle Gallagher and Meg Anastasi about the topic.

Last week, CELA joined early education employers and unions to lodge the first ever application for a national multi-employer agreement in the Fair Work Commission, with an aim of negotiating better pay and conditions for early childhood educators and teachers.  

Discover what it means for you and what happens next.  

The King's Birthday Honours List recognises Australians who have demonstrated outstanding service or exceptional achievement. 

We are proud to announce that this year, CELA chair Wendy Lindgren received an Order of Australia (OAM) for her service to the community. 

A better paid early education and care workforce could be just around the corner, under a historic pay negotiation plan of unity and cooperation launched today. 

Early education and care peak bodies will embark on a collaborative process with unions to demonstrate how increased workforce professionalism can deliver the best opportunities for Australia’s children and their parents.

“Nothing is more urgent, that’s why CELA and our members are showing leadership by coming to the table under these new laws,” said CELA CEO Michele Carnegie at today’s press conference with Tony Burke, Minister for Employment & Workplace Relations.

Find out what else was said and download the media release.

IPART (Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal) is reviewing the NSW early childhood education and care sector to understand affordability, accessibility, and consumer choice, and make recommendations where necessary to improve them. IPART released an Issues Paper seeking feedback on experiences of access and affordability in the sector.

Read CELA's response to the Issues Paper

During a recent discussion, a CELA member spoke about the benefits of fingerplays and how she was concerned that fingerplays were disappearing from early education spaces. 

We explore what fingerplays are, why they are beneficial, and how you can introduce them in your practice. 

Members: Download our new fingerplays practice tool 

CELA long day care members: Be represented by CELA during upcoming enterprise bargaining process

The Early Education and Care Productivity Commission inquiry examines the early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector. The Commission will consider cost and availability barriers that affect access to ECEC services, and ways to support better outcomes for children and families.  

Read CELA's executive summary and download a copy of our submission.  

Many early education services are enthusiastic about involving children in Indigenous art experiences such as dot painting and body decoration.  

Regular CELA writer and Indigenous early education resource specialist Deborah Hoger shares her thoughts about what we should know, consider and teach children in relation to these experiences.

Volunteer management committees or boards play a unique role in the governance of not for profit early education and care services. In this article, we explain the importance of their role and outline ten important things new volunteer committee/board members should know.