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• Early Years Learning Framework consultations
  • The draft Early Years Learning Framework will be the subject of consultations taking place in all states and territories in capital cities, beginning in Brisbane on 18 November 2008. These consultations will provide the early childhood sector with an opportunity to review, discuss and refine key components of the draft Framework. Practitioners, parents and members of the early childhood sector are encouraged to participate in these consultations. DEEWR, 17 November 2008.
• Take young children’s opinions seriously
  • Leading early childhood educators are set to stimulate vigorous debate amongst parents, early childhood educators, academics and policy-makers by challenging the common assumption about young children that they don't know what's good for them, and by suggesting that they can be agents of discrimination based on race or gender. Internationally renowned expert in children's rights, Professor Martin Woodhead, from the UK's Open University, says that young children (from birth to eight years of age) have a right to express opinions about matters affecting them and that adults - especially policy-makers - should take them seriously when they do. The University of Melbourne, 13 November 2008.
• ABC Learning Expression of Interest process
  • An Expression of Interest process has commenced and encouraged parties to register their interest in the future of ABC Learning centres with the receiver. A number of organisations have already contacted the receiver, and others have contacted various arms of Government, with a view to expressing their interest in potentially buying or otherwise operating individual, or several ABC Learning Centres. DEEWR, 11 November 2008.
• Connecting families of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders
  • A national rollout of 150 PlayConnect Playgroups over four years will help families and carers of young children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) or ASD like symptoms. The national network of Playconnect Playgroups is part of the Australian Government's $190 million Helping Children with Autism (HCWA) package. FAHCSIA, 7 November 2008.
• Government delivers $22m to ensure child care centres remain open
  • The Australian Government has committed up to $22m conditional funding to ensure that all ABC Learning child care centres remain open and providing care until 31 December 2008. During this two-month period, the receiver will continue to work closely with the Government's Child Care Industry Taskforce and undertake a thorough review of the ABC Learning's operations. By mid December, it is envisaged that the Australian Government will be in a position to make a further announcement about the future of ABC Learning child care centres. DEEWR, 7 November 2008.
• Children under two 'should live TV free'
  • The director of the Centre on Media and Child Health at the Harvard Medical School, Dr Michael Rich, says there is little benefit in putting a child under the age of two in front of a TV screen. "There is no scientific evidence that children under the age of about 30 months, two-and-a-half years, can learn much of anything other than fairly rote imitation or mimicry from an electronic screen," he told ABC radio's The World Today program. ABC News, 6 November 2008.
• ABC Learning - Administration and receivership
  • The Australian Government has welcomed the receivers of ABC Learning Centres, McGrath Nicol, commitment to keeping the child care centres open and that they would continue to operate as usual. The Government has been in discussions with creditors, particularly the banking syndicate of international and Australian banks who have appointed the receiver, to support continuity of service delivery to provide some comfort to parents and employees. A dedicated information hotline on 180 2003 has been set up to provide basic information to parents and employees about the announcement. DEEWR, 6 November 2008.
• Nominations open for excellence in education
  • Principals, school and kindergarten teachers and staff across Victoria are being encouraged to highlight their commitment to education excellence and innovation by nominating for the 2009 Victorian Education Excellence Awards. Premier of Victoria, 3 November 2008.
• Tasmanian Early Years Foundation Awards announced
  • The winners of the inaugural Tasmanian Early Years Foundation Achievement Awards are: Community Award Presentation - Val Stephens and John Stephens, registered Family Day Carers for 22 years, who have been temporary foster parents and have had active community participation in many children's sporting organisations; Fullers Professional Award Presentation - Clara Baker, who has worked in the early years sector in the George Town community for sixteen years; and the My State Inspirational Champion Award Presentation - Suzanne Purdon, an early years educator who has achieved significant outcomes with communities, families and individuals across Tasmania. Tasmanian Government, 25 October 2008.
• Symposium marks progress towards Early Years Learning Framework
  • Representatives from federal, state and territory governments, peak organisations and early childhood education experts will attend the National Early Years Learning Framework Symposium in Sydney. Attendees will review a draft of the Early Years Learning Framework developed by a consortium of early childhood experts, led by Charles Sturt University. Following the symposium, further consultations will be held through targeted focus groups and public forums to discuss and refine key components of the Framework. DEEWR, 29 October 2008.