This week I had the opportunity to
study Early Childhood Australia’s website (http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/). Their mission is to “advocate to ensure quality, social justice and
equity in all issues relating to the education and care of children from birth
to eight years”. Their website is very organized and easy to
navigate. Their ideas and the
information they share is similar to what you would find on the NAEYC website,
except the information is geared toward Australia, rather than the US.
From the home page, you can choose from a variety of topics such as
their code of ethics, membership, early childhood news, research themes, and my
personal favorite, the catalogue. By
clicking on the catalogue tab, you can be redirected to a long list of
categories that offer a wide variety of information. I decided to choose the category of
Preschoolers, as I am a Pre-K teacher at the moment. I ended up finding 61 different resources
that were available to be purchased.
This is a great way to get literature out to parents and teachers.
The Voice, found under the menu tab on the homepage, is a newsletter
intended to update its members on what is going on in the early childhood
field, as well as inform its members of the organizations current advocacy
efforts. The issue I read (Vol 14, No.
2, 2012), shared an interesting article about how the Australian Children’s
Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) is taking the National Quality
Standard one step further by offering and Excellent rating for services that
have achieved a rating of “Exceeding National Quality Standard” and maintained
this rating for at least two consecutive assessments. What an awesome way to acknowledge the hard
work and dedication that has to go into a program that not only exceeds the
National Quality Standard but also maintains it on a day to day basis.
In Early Childhood News this month, was an article urging the support
for quality early education and care. Early
Childhood Australia’s chief executive Samantha Page was quoted saying “every
child deserves access to quality early education and care services” (http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/early_childhood_news/july_2012_media_release_children_deserve_bipartisan_support_for_quality_early_education_and_care.html). It looks like the United States isn’t the
only one pushing for quality care.
Quality care is a reoccurring theme in the news archive, which dates
all the way back to May of 2002. Politics
and government officials were called on to act on behalf of the children and
their best interests. Budgets and
funding were also an important topic in the news.
In addition to the Early Childhood News section, there is
also a section entitled Research in Practice Series. By clicking on the
RIPS index tab, a list of current topics will appear. These topics include partnerships, diversity, portfolios, engaging families, and
storytelling. Once a selection is made,
the resource is shown along with a description of the selection, the published
price, and the option to view a portion of the publication through a pdf
file. Another great resource for
parents, teachers, or anyone who is a part of the early childhood community!
I was not aware that just like in the United States, quality rating standards are currently in the forefront of ECE issues in other countries. I just assumed this topic was a new trend in American politics, but your blog showed me otherwise.
ReplyDeleteHello Melinda,
ReplyDeleteThis week proved that we all think alike. I see that the majority of us chose the same website to explore. Even though I navigated through the other two, this one stood out to me the most. My view of that is probably because it is similar to the NAECY website and I am familiar with that one. The information is organized and put together so it catches of the eyes of those that are reading. I become frustrated easily when trying to search websites and information is all over the place.
I will assume that all places (to include different countries) struggle with issues concerning quality care. We all want to ensure that our children are given the care and attention they need to be successful in life.
This website was quite interesting. I am interested in the books that they offer. The Early years: learning through framework seemed like a very interesting book.Good post!
ReplyDelete