In this issue...
» Professor Fiona Stanley:
» The vital role played by child care workers
» Promoting skills development in the
» child care sector – ISC Forums
» Does our child care system measure up?
» Child Care People:
» Meet Adam Scassa - OOSH Co-ordinator
» Baby sign language – the benefits of sign in
» child care
» Tips for managing kids that just won't nap!
» CareforKids Social
» What are people talking about in child care
» Latest Jobs in Child Care & ChildcareJobs.com.au
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| Best Practice Business |
» Professor Fiona Stanley
» Child Welfare & Child Care |
What does it say about how we value children in our society when often their carers are paid less than parking attendants who look after cars?
The evidence is very clear that what happens in childhood can have a profound impact on how that individual develops into adulthood. Surely then, early childhood warrants significant investment and attention? And that attention cannot be solely the responsibility of their immediate families, but the whole community.
So why isn't that happening and what's the impact on our children and indeed the nation's future?
» Read the article…
This is the first in a series of articles Professor Stanley will be writing exclusively for CareforKids.com.au this year.
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| Professor Stanley is Founding Director of the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, Board Chair of the Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth and former Australian of the Year.
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» Promoting skills development in child care –
» ISC Forums |
 The Community Services and Health Industry Skills Council(ISC) is the national peak body responsible for promoting skills development in the child care sector.
With the acute skills shortage currently facing the child care industry the ISC is working to improve access to training and training standards for child care workers across the country.
In December 2008 the new Community Services Training Package (CHC08) was endorsed by the Minister which will mean significant changes to child care qualifications, competency standards and assessment requirements.
The ISC is working to support child care services as they transition to the new training package by offering a series of implementation forums over coming months.
» Read the full story…
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| » Does our child care system measure up? |
 The CareforKids.com.au Annual Child Care Survey is now in its fourth year and it's really been a great way for us to find out what you really think about the Australian child care system and hear about your experiences.
The annual CareforKids.com.au survey will go out to all our members, colleagues and child care workers in the next month, but in the meantime, we'd like to know if you have any questions you think should be included in this year's survey – after all it's a national study of the child care system and your thoughts on it, so any input into the actual survey itself, not just the answers, is greatly valued.
Over 1500 parents responded in 2008. To see last year's questions, click here.
If you have any questions you'd like to pose please email: enquiries@careforkids.com.au before February 18th 2009.
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| Child Care People |
» Interview with Adam Scassa – OOSH Co-ordinator
» Balmain East After School Care |
 Child care professionals share a commitment to improving society by creating dynamic and nurturing care environments for Australia's youngest learners.
Read this month's Child Care Person in the spotlight Adam Scassa OOSH Co-ordinator at Balmain East After School Care.
» Read the interview…
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| If you or someone you know deserves to be featured in this section drop us a line to editor@careforkids.com.au
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| Children & Child Care |
» Baby Sign Language - the benefits of sign
» in child care - by Jackie Durnin |
 Jackie Durnin is the creator of an Australian system of baby sign language called Australian Baby Hands. For information on how sign language can be used in the child care environment.
» Read the full story…
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| » Tips for managing kids that just won't nap! |
 It’s a fact some children just don’t seem to need as much sleep as others. If you have children in your service who just won’t sleep during the designated rest period consider using nap time boxes as a way of encouraging them to have some quiet time and to prevent them from waking up everyone else.
Nap time boxes are themed activity boxes which should be reserved for designated rest periods. Encourage the child to take their box into a quiet corner or bed before it is opened. Also explain that there is only one nap time box per day to avoid constant requests for another box.
Decide on a range of themes and decorate a number of old shoe boxes, biscuit tins or ice cream containers in line with those themes.
» Read the full story…
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| CareforKids Social |
» What are people talking about on
» CareforKids Social |
CCMS can be very frustrating
Family Day Care – What’s your carer's place like?
Child Care Dramas
Productivity Commission report on maternity leave |
