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ACCS Media Release: Federal Government $300 million Early Years Quality Fund announcement
The Federal Government's announcement regarding $300,000,000 to fund increased wages to children's services staff is a good first step but there is still a long way to go.
New ACCS Research: Trends in Community Children's Services Survey
ACCS is delighted to release the first wave of data from the ACCS Trends In Community Children's Services Survey. Drawing from over 640 services' experiences across Australia, this research shows that after six months of the National Early Years Quality Reforms the community child care sector is embracing the change. The average fee for centre based long day care is $75 per day and with just over a year till the new requirements for higher staff qualifications, only 12 per cent of the workforce is not qualified, with a quarter of the workforce currently studying to obtain their first qualification or up-skilling. For more information read the Media Release and National Report.
ACCS Media Release: Stay the Course for Australia's Children
ACCS is alarmed that the Coalition would consider rolling back crucial aspects of the Early Childhood Education and Care National Quality Framework (NQF). We urge the Coalition to consult more widely with children's services sector before it accepts wild statements about a lack of support for the reforms.
ACCS Calls to Fix Child Care Funding to Protect Children's Rights
National Convenor of ACCS, Prue Warrilow participated in the Child Care Summit called by the Prime Minister on the 7 June 2012 alongside other key stakeholders of the Early Childhood Education and Care sector. High on the agenda was discussions on how to deliver professional wages for educators and ensure affordability and accessibility. ACCS advocated for this to go forward framed around the rights for all children to high quality early childhood education and care.
ACCS Response to ACECQA's Draft Excellent Rating
ACCS welcomes the opportunity to participate in the Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority's (ACECQA) development of the Excellent Rating system.
ACCS has welcomed the aspirational nature of the draft criteria, while also providing advice on making the process accessible and transparent to all; the use of clear and concise language; accompanying the rating system with a robust communications strategy to educate the sector and families; and, addressing potential inequity issues that could rise from the system. Read more information from ACECQA here, and the full ACCS submission here.
Attention all ACCS members!
Take a look at your exclusive member discussion board!
Environmental Scan 2012 Community Services and Health Industry Skills Council
ACCS provided advice and analysis of our sector to the Community Services and Health Industry Skills Council. We highlighted issues around quality of current qualifications and some educational institutions; workforce retention and recruitment; and, celebrated the achievements and challenges facing the sector in light of the National Quality Reforms. Please read the full submission here.
ACCS Media Release - Community children's services celebrate the National Quality Reforms with Minister Peter Garrett
At the ACCS NQS Celebration over 140 educators, experts and leaders in our sector gathered to celebrate what the 1 January 2012 will signify for our sector; especially in the context of decades of advocating for high quality early childhood education and care for Australian children. Minister Garret discussed the reforms and the government's commitment to quality early childhood education. Read more here in the ACCS Media Release Community children's services celebrate the National Quality Reforms with Minister Peter Garrett
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