Excellence and Equity:
My contact, Trish, described the changes currently facing the early childhood field in Australia and many of those changes have ties to excellence and equity. The push in Australia has been towards nationalizing the regulations and requirements, which previously were like the US in that they were state driven. The changes come in many forms from qualifications for educators, child:staff ratios, and the introduction of the National Early Years Learning Framework, which the program curriculum is to be built on. Trish also stated that there are new National Quality Standards, which are similar to the old standards, but have been merged with the regulations and licensing requirements for all early childhood centers. This standardization of the early childhood field will bring about both equity and excellence.
Within the new standards, there are ratings and assessments based on the standards. The highest rating is a level of excellence. Trish's goal is to attain this standard and achieve this rating for her center. Her idea of attainment is when people walk into her program and say "wow" as it provides a place that is above and beyond what people are expecting. She spoke of her beautiful natural environment which is undergoing a renovation based on the new standards and requirements, and will include an outdoor space where the children can explore and learn. These changes will also promote equity between all early childhood programs.
Below is the link if you want to check out more on the National Early Year Learning Framework:
http://www.deewr.gov.au/earlychildhood/policy_agenda/quality/pages/earlyyearslearningframework.aspx
and
http://www.nationalearlyyearslearningframework.com.au/
Stacy,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing! It is a blessing that you are able to have an international contact. I would love to see what happens from here with the push for the new standards. They sound like they will be very helpful in providing quality care in the field. Please keep me posted of the success of the new standards!
Stacy,
ReplyDeleteI was pleased to explore your links, and listen to one of the Highlighted Videos concerning Australia’s Early Development Index
AEDI Building Better Communities Forum
Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Minister Kate Ellis releasing the results of the Australian Early Development Index in December 2009.
I think this is an awesome way of watching other countries investing in children’s education in some way. I’m excited for your contact’s program and renovation and hope many children have the opportunity to learn there. Thanks for sharing!
Stacy,
ReplyDeleteI am so happy for you that you have been able to remain in touch with your contact. The new standards sounds really great because they promote high quality even more. I think it's fascinating that we are learning about other countries and their educational system because it educates us on a deeper level. It's like when you go to another country to visit and learn about their food, music, culture etc. I feel like we can adopt so many great practices from other places if we remain open minded and are willing to do the research.
Thank you for sharing!!!