Your union, the IEU, is now involved in a landmark application for supported multi-enterprise bargaining in the early education and care sector (ECEC).
Under new industrial relations legislation introduced this year, it is easier for employers to join together to bargain with unions and have the funding authority involved in the process.
An application lodged in June with the Fair Work Commission by the IEU, United Workers Union and Australian Education Union is now underway (see article).
The 64 employers included in the application, along with the unions and members, have a common goal to raise standards in ECEC.
This action is long overdue and we hope to bring you further news about the process on these pages as it continues.
Meanwhile, in this issue we look at a study encouraging more culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) preservice teachers to enter the profession (see article).
What do parents really think about nature play? The University of South Australia asked them in a unique study (see article).
Place is so important in ECEC, and on the mid north coast of NSW, Valla Preschool is exploring the beach as well as the surrounding community with their students (see article).
As we do each year, we bring you the winners of the IEUA NSW/ACT Branch Environment Grant and let them tell their story (see article).
We discuss the important issues of assertiveness in the workplace and how to recognise bullying (see article).
How can you measure a teacher’s interactions with a child? In NSW, Macquarie University researchers are examining a model from The Netherlands. We explore it here.
How did you become a teacher? There are now numerous routes to qualification, but are they all equal? We examine this issue here.
For a child to be healthy, it’s about more than just good food and a clean environment. Nurturing care is vital too, and the World Health Organisation has been tracking an issue that needs a lot more focus (see article).
Finally, we have our regular Ask Tina/Monique (Q&A) column full of industrial advice, and there’s a chance for you to win a free book in Giveaways .