NSW NEWS

Be a part of history

The IEU is seeking the assistance of early childhood teachers with our Equal Renumeration Claim before the Fair Work Commission.

We need IEU members who are willing and able to describe the nature of their work to assist the Union's argument that the wages of early childhood teachers are inequitable with the wages paid to teachers in schools.

We would also like to hear from directors and teachers who have worked in multiple settings, such as schools and early childhood services or both preschool and long day care settings.

If you would like to assist the IEU to achieve pay parity for early childhood teachers or for further information about how you can help, email Verena at verena@ieu.asn.au or call on 8202 8900.

Inquiry submission

High quality early childhood education is an investment in the future, says a submission by the IEU to the Productivity Commission’s Inquiry into Early Childhood Education and Care. Main points included:

1. High quality early childhood education and care:

  • is an investment in the future as studies have shown this leads to savings in grade retention, special education classes, welfare, juvenile justice etc.
  • improves performance at school — children that attend quality early education programs demonstrate higher NAPLAN and international testing results in later years at school
  • is an important form of intervention for children most at risk of developmental delay — those with additional needs, those from low income families, those living in rural and remote areas and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.

2. There should be no watering down of the National Quality Framework or delay in its implementation.

3. Governments at all levels need to increase investment in early childhood education and care by funding wages parity for early childhood teachers.

To view the IEU’s submission go to http://bit.ly/1iMVjlN

Distance and disadvantage

Children growing up in regional Australia have poorer cognitive development than their city counterparts but not social-emotional and physical wellbeing outcomes, says Dr Ben Edwards, Executive Manager, Longitudinal Studies of The Tyrannies of Distance and Disadvantage research report by the Australian Institute of Family Studies.

The tyranny of distance impacts “on the ability of children in regional areas to understand, process information, and communicate," says Dr Edwards.

But there are positives for children in regional areas.

"It's important to understand that while high levels of achievement may be important for children in regional areas seeking to go to university, teenagers in regional areas learn independence and leadership working on farms and in community groups and these skills are often transferable to jobs that may be more available in regional areas."

Approved qualifications

Need more information about what qualifications are approved under the NQF? ACECQA has put together a list of approved qualification and information about how to have non-approved qualifications assessed.

Details: www.acecqa.gov.au/educators-and-providers1/qualifications

Wealth of information
If you're curious about how children in your community are tracking, the Australian Early Development Index puts a wealth of information at your fingertips. You can explore differences in outcomes between 2009 and 2012 to see how children are faring on indicators which include: Emotional maturity; Physical Health and Wellbeing; Developmental Vulnerability and Language and Cognitive Skills.
Details: http://bit.ly/M3f5y6