Tag: Quality Practice
Using the right avenue to engage with vulnerable families
Around three years ago, in an early learning centre, a child was placed under a protection order to attend five days a week because the child’s mum was unable to adequately support his learning and development. This is a scenario that plays out across Australia more than we would like. Many of you reading will be familiar with this type...
Learning in a puddle
One of my clearest childhood memories is of a friend and I walking to school and coming across a gigantic puddle. It was like a magnet that drew us closer and closer. I remember us looking at each other, no words were needed as we both knew what we had to do. We jumped in that puddle, splashing each other,...
100% parent involvement at Killara Park Preschool
KU Killara Park Preschool has embraced innovation. They have worked closely over several years with Dr. Kate Highfield, an early years and technology expert, and they have thought a lot about how technology can fit within their play-based philosophy. “My diverse, multicultural families are loving Storypark because a picture tells a thousand words. The photos really help them understand...
Moving from rostered duties, to a key child approach
To duty roster or not to duty roster, that is the question? During my 14-year teaching career, I have taught in a learning service WITH assigned duty rosters, and am currently working in a learning service WITHOUT duty rosters. When I started in my current learning service and was told there were no rosters I felt a little uneasy. “How...
Electronic portfolios in early childhood education: Parent-teacher communication
By Amanda Higgins A three paper thesis Submitted to the Victoria University of Wellington in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Education Victoria University of Wellington 2015 Abstract Electronic portfolios (ePortfolios) are a new phenomenon in early childhood education (ECE) and there is minimal existing research available on their use and effectiveness as a learning...
Supporting effective transitions to school for children
This blog post is from Zoe Roles, teacher and preschool dean of St Mark’s Church School. It shares her experience using digital tools to support children’s transitions to school and the exciting results she’s seeing. “Transitioning into school has always been an aspect of teaching that I have found really frustrating. Children walk into the classroom having had very few connections...
10 tips to keep your children safe online
Sharon Carlson of CORE Education is an experienced teacher and specialist in the area of cybersafety and digital learning. This blog post written by Sharon draws on her years of experience and the latest practices in ECE. Internet capable devices have become part of our life, assisting us with so many of our daily tasks. Children are born into this world...