Final International Contatct

This week we were asked to make contact with our international conversation partners and discuss the questions listed below.  I found them to be very interesting.  

 

 What issues regarding quality and early childhood professionals are being discussed where you live and work?

The biggest issues are the introduction of 2 major reforms (discussed in our last email).  These are the National Quality Framework and The Early Years Learning Framework.  Changes bought about by the NQF are welcome - for example a new 1:4 ratio for children birth to 24 months and steps to ensure trained staff in early childhood settings. From 1 January all services will also begin to be assessed against the new National Quality Standard, so centres are very busy getting their heads around the new requirements and working towards them as a team.

Another issue that is never far away is the worrying push down effect of the pressure for more academic programs in early childhood settings.  Parents want the best for their children, and if they read in the media alarmist reports that children are arriving at school ill-equipped then they push for more formalised literacy and numeracy programs which is a threat to play based learning and goes against all we know about how children best learn and develop. 

I also see a lot going on with outdoor learning environments.  People seem a lot more aware that outdoor play is more than just blowing off steam and are really working to create stimulating, natural outdoor spaces for children.

 What opportunities and/or requirements for professional development exist?

A lot of professional development at the moment centres around the NQF and the EYLF.  I have been on courses to familiarise myself with both of these, as have several other staff members.  On top of that our administration will pay for 2 additional courses of our own choosing throughout the year.  We also have internal staff development which centres very much around the progressive approach to education.  As one of only two progressive schools in Sydney it is difficult to find courses or like minded people in this area.

We have 2 days per year where we take turns doing a swap at the other progressive preschool, so that we can find inspiration and motivation in another centre with a similar approach.

I'd love the opportunity to network more with other centres, or to have centre tours where we can all be inspired what each other is doing.  Unfortunately this doesn't happen, and you can get quite isolated in your own centre.  That is why I started blogging - I started hunting around on the internet for sites that would give me an insight into other centres and then decided to start one of my own.
What are some of your professional goals?  What are some of your professional hopes, dreams, and challenges?

Hmmm, now you've got me!  You've made me think that I sadly lack in the goal making area!  I would love to do a masters in early childhood education, but none of the courses interest me.  If there was something on outdoor learning or progressive education I would be there in a flash.  I hope to continue learning more through my connections in the blogosphere that will help us to develop an outstanding outdoor learning space. 

I'm at the centre I want to stay in forever now.  It is my dream centre because there is such an emphasis on relationships and unstructured play and we also use our wonderful bushland environment in a way I've never experienced at other centres.  I would love to write about creating outdoor learning spaces and/or being a bush preschool.