Research Around the World

Current International Research Topics are:

• ECA is on the move
• Long  Day Care Professional Development Programs
• Senate Inquiry Public Hearing
• National Regulations to change in June
• Review of the NQF announced

Early Childhood Australia

...voice for young children since 1938

Early Childhood Australia is the peak early childhood advocacy organisation, acting in the interests of young children, their families and those in the early childhood field.
OUR VISION: Every young child is thriving and learning
'Our role in achieving this vision is to be an effective advocate for young children and a champion for quality outcomes in early childhood education and care'
Find out more about Early Childhood Australia's role in the early childhood field by clicking on a topic below.

          

• ECA Reconciliation Action Plan
• About Early Childhood Australia
• Early Childhood Australia Biennial Conference
• ECA Strategic Directions
• Early Childhood Australia structure
• National Council
• National Board of Directors
• Publications Committee
• Design and publishing service
• Early Childhood Australia state branches
• ECA life members
• National Office
• Quality assurance guidelines
• Supporting Best Practice quality assurance
• Annual reports
• Early Childhood Australia Constitution
• National Children's Services Forum

  Background to the flexibility project

  Early Childhood Australia is currently conduct research on flexible practices and patterns across the early childhood sector, funded through the Australian Government’s Child Care Flexibility Fund.
  The intention of the project is to complement the range of Child Care Flexibility Trials which are being funded by the Australian Government and are being evaluated by the Australian Institute of Family Studies.
  The project will identify innovative flexible practices being delivered by the early childhood sector, examine how flexible services operate and function and identify barriers restricting current operators being able to increase flexibility for families.
  The project will also assist the sector to learn from the implementation of flexible practices at other services.
  

  What is flexibility in early childhood services?

  Flexibility in early childhood education and care services refers to anything that meets the needs of families. This may involve a whole range of things including, but not limited to:
  
  •  non-standard hours
  •  flexible sessions and enrolment
  • working in combination with other services
  • flexible location or service delivery

  The interests of children and flexibility

  As ECA progresses with the project we are placing the flexible practices in the context  of the interests of children. We will be asking the question posed by the OECD in Starting strong II: Early childhood education and care, ‘Are services flexible, yet suited to the needs of young children (not merely “slot” services but environments where children are cared for by trained professionals able to offer a sustained developmental program?’ (OECD, 2006, p. 77)

 

 

 

 

Resource:

http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/

 

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