Early Edition Spring 2011

CHILDCARE QUEENSLAND NEWS - SPRING 2011

CQ Member takes out top award Don't turn A BLIND eye to the next daniel early childhood educator's day membership matters member profile staffing requirements for the national quality framework kids alive do the five program child protection week Associate Members directory

CHILDCARE QUEENSLAND NEWS - spring 2011

Executive

Committee Members

President Peter Price

Gwynn Bridge

Vice President John Keast

Brent Stokes Helen Baker

Message from Childcare Queensland President

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Treasurer Graham Sagar

Fiona Haber

Message from Childcare Queensland CEO

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Christine Mayer

CQ Member takes out top award

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Secretary Debra North

Kathryn Mason

Message from the Minister

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Kerrie Lada

Upskilling your qualifications

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Childcare Queensland

Don't turn a blind eye to the next Daniel

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Location:11/6 Vanessa Boulevard, Springwood

Early Childhood Educator's Day

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Mailing: PO Box 137, Springwood QLD 4127

Early Childhood Educator's Day - Centre Celebrations

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Telephone: (07) 3808 2366

Early Childhood Educator's Day - Competition Winners

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Toll Free: 1300 365 325 (outside Brisbane)

The 4th Annual QUEDREX Expo

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Web: www.childcareqld.org.au

Membership Matters

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Kids Alive Do The Five Program

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Member Profile - Little Legends

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Is your centre sun-smart?

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Editorial

Staffing Requirements for the NQF

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Editor: Liz Ybanez

Mind the gap - the super gender gap

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Layout & Design: Liz Ybanez & Tracey Harbourne

Child Protection Week Qld 2011

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Excersing the tenant's options

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Associate Member Directory

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Fax: (07) 3808 2466

Email: info@childcarequeensland.com.au CEO: Gwynn Bridge Office Manager: Liz Ybanez

Contributors: Peter Price, Gwynn Bridge, Liz Ybanez Cover Photo: Kris Janson

Disclaimer: Articles published in this magazine are published as a service to readers and should not be substituted for specific advice in relation to any issue. While advertising in this magazine is encouraged, Childcare Queensland accepts no responsibility for the contents of the advertisements. Advertisements are accepted in good faith and liability for advertising content, goods or services supplied is the responsibility of the advertiser.

mESSAGE FROM

childcare queensland president, Peter Price

W

ith the increasing number of Childcare Centres moving away from the old "daycare and childminding" concept and the increase of “early education” services, I was recently asked about my philosophy on the future of childcare.

Below is my personal belief as explained at the time….I believe that this is where we are all heading, and while it may not be an easy path, I do believe that it may help many of you clarify your own direction with your Centre operations.

Please take my thoughts in good faith – even if it does not align with your thinking….

When constructing a building, we often think of all the work that goes into the concrete slab, the walls, and the roof. We should also take account of the most important part of the whole building - the foundations - for without good foundations, the rest of the building will end up very unstable.

It is the foundations which provide the stability and the long life of the building - particularly if the building is placed under any type of stress, such as cyclones, earthquakes, or floods. In short - we get a better building, when it is constructed on good foundations.

Similarly with our education system, early childhood education is the foundation on which our primary base, our secondary walls, and our tertiary roof are built. It must appear very obvious that we will get a better educational process when it is built on good, strong foundations such as the programs offered by Early Childhood Education and Care Centres – formerly known as Childcare or Daycare Centres.

Primary education is often seen as promoting the three R’s . Secondary education continues the development in these areas, while Tertiary education branches out into career specialties.

Early Childhood Education however establishes the foundations of our ‘life skills’ such as developing a positive attitude, teamwork, co-operation & working with others, constructive use of the imagination, perseverance and determination, pride in work, communication, acceptance of diversity and a multi-cultural society, recognising opportunities, setting goals, facing

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challenges, coping with change, and many more. I believe the world would be a very different place today if all of these skills had been previously acquired in an early education atmosphere when all of us were 3 or 4 years old. (After I made this statement the parent said to me that our Federal Leaders should have had the opportunity to attend an Early Education Program and learn these skills !!! My reply was that Early Childhood Educational Programs are for everybody and perhaps it is still not too late for them.) We’ve had to do it the hard way but we can now have the opportunity to give a better start to our children.

In fact, over half of everything that we learn throughout our entire lifetime is learned in the first 5 years, and the ground-rules are set then for much of the remainder. It is critical that our teaching staff (formerly known as Group Leaders and Assistants but now known as Early Childhood Educators) and our parents, as well as other sectors of the community, work together as a team to make these years as rewarding as possible for our children. Please always remember that education is a 24 hour per day process, and we all must contribute to the education process of our young people.

Our parents must have a great deal of pride when they give their children the opportunity to benefit from the Early Childhood Education Programs as offered in a modern and high quality Centre which all the team of teaching staff have put together, under the guidance of the Centre Directors and Centre Owners jointly. (Yes – there should be teamwork in Centre Management also. How many Centre owners leave everything up to the Centre Director (Manager), with little or no input from themselves ? ) There will always be the demand for Early Childhood Education and Care Centres which promote an active early education program, and parent support will always exist – even though

it becomes increasingly difficult for parents financially as the costs seem to be continually rising due to increased demands by Government and others.

(Now the Union has started their campaign for a 50% wage increase for childcare staff and is asking the Federal Government to pay for it. Any Federal Government support for this is extremely unlikely as they have just frozen the parent’s subsidy for several years to come.)

There will always be those who will manipulate the system and those about them for their own personal greed – or power. This is the reality of life. Our staff was told by the Union representative that only Union members will receive the pay rise (which cannot occur) and that they currently have the opportunity for ‘free’ membership. If I was a paidup union member I would certainly feel exploited that I had paid my union membership but others were being offered at no cost the same benefits that I had paid for !!!

My aim – and the aim of my Early Education Centre team - is to give all of our children the best possible start in life and lead them further into the 21st Century. As one of our parents recently said to us - ‘Our children of today are the adults and leaders of tomorrow.’ No longer is one part-time year prior to beginning Primary School good enough.

We must put everything we can into our children’s first five years of ‘foundation’ building to ensure a stable and long lasting ‘structure’ of a citizen in the years to come. The pursuit of quality costs everybody, but the pursuit of quality has no finish line.

Regards

Peter Price President – Childcare Queensland.

mESSAGE FROM

childcare queensland ceo and australIAN CHILDCARE ALLIANCE PRESIDENT, gwynn bridge

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t this end of the year we are all so busy with confirming our bookings for next year, preparing end of year documentation on all of our children, Christmas parties and doing the necessary day to day functions to continue to operate a quality, successful early education and care service in our communities.

Childcare Queensland was excited with the take up of our first celebration of Early Childhood Educator’s Day. We received extraordinary reports, photos and stories of what actually took place in so many of our services. Congratulations to all of those who embraced the day as we believe that it is vital for our educators who work tirelessly for Queensland children, to be recognised for the valuable work that they do. Whilst we understand their input into the lives of children, it is so important for the community to at least spend one day each year to acknowledge their dedication and significance.

Early Childhood Educator’s Day will be celebrated in 2012 and all future years, on the first Wednesday in September of that year so start planning now for what you can do to make this day a special one for all of your educators and to ensure that your local community is also supportive.

With the New Year will be many challenges for the sector and our families but thankfully, because of the extensive consultation and negotiation processes that Childcare Queensland has undertaken with our Office of Early Childhood Education and Care, the impact for Queensland whilst still a challenge, will be staggered over the term of implementation.

There appears to be some confusion about ratio changes and how they will impact on Queensland and please see Table below.

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Queensland already has 1:4 staff child ratios in babies so there will be no change for services that operate a 15month to 2 year age grouping that were licensed to operate this age group prior to 1/1/2012 until 1/1/2018. (an application to continue this grouping may be required) The second huge savings that we have effectively gained for Queensland is for Staffing arrangement during rest periods, rest pauses and short absences. This applies to those services that have a former approval with a declared rest period condition prior to 1/1/2012.

This condition will generally apply until 1/1/2020. Please read Regulations 308 to 317 for finer details.

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Service approval and Provider approval: Existing services that are licensed or have approval to operate do not need to apply for approval. We understand that in November forms will be sent to each service from the State Government to complete on the transition to the new standards for Licensees, Services, Directors and Educators.

This will be an automatic process for services licensed prior

to 1/1/2012. Services will need to complete these forms and return them to the Department as soon as possible.

Each service must have a Nominated Supervisor and services will need to have Certified Supervisors. A Certified Supervisor certificate allows a person to consent to be the Nominated Supervisor and a Certified Supervisor who can be a Responsible Person. A Responsible Person is an Approved Provider, a Nominated Supervisor or a Certified Supervisor placed in day to day charge of the approved service.

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Ratio changes for the 2-3 age groups and 3 – 5 age groups will commence on 1/1/2016.

There is much information that you will need to understand on the National Regulations and I urge you to read both the National Law document and the National Regulations.

The Harmonisation of the Workplace Health and Safety regulations (i.e. bringing all States under the new Federal legislation) is also commencing on 1/1/2012. This will impact on the workload and liability of each service and we strongly recommend that you make yourselves aware of the requirements under this legislation.

Childcare Queensland is concerned that this is just too much for our sector to absorb in such a short time. CQ has provided some Workshops on the new WHS legislation and also on current Modern Award requirements and we will disburse information on both of these in the very near future.

General meetings are commencing on 21st November and we anticipate that they will conclude in Cairns on Friday 2nd December, 2011.

I urge you to come along to these meetings as it will be a time of instruction and discussion that will be valuable for all involved to gain information to move into 2012 with confidence.

Regards

Gwynn Bridge CEO– Childcare Queensland.

CHILDCARE QUEENSLAND NEWS - sprING 2011

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mESSAGE FROM

childcare queensland ceo and australIAN CHILDCARE ALLIANCE PRESIDENT, gwynn bridge

Applicable to Qld Services with Existing Licence Approvals (i.e. Approval for for both Licence and, where applicable, Rest Period condition existed prior to 01/01/2012):

CQ member takes out top award Prepared by - Liz Ybanez, Office Administrator, Childcare Queensland

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rising young star and at the top of his game, Childcare Queensland’s very own management committee member Jae Fraser has taken out the prestigious Australian Institute of Management ‘Young Managers Award’ for the Gold Coast region.

“I am deeply honoured to have been nominated and then to win this award. Even being nominated for 'Young Manager of the Year' is an incredible honour, particularly given the extraordinary strength of the field this year, but to win against such strong competition is just amazing. I feel humble, but at the same time incredibly proud. It was unexpected. The fantastic early childhood educator’s in our 142 centres and our support staff at G8 Education are an integral part of my success – without such a great team working with me towards providing high quality, developmental and educational child care services this would not have been possible.” Jae said on his award.

“Our industry is full of such dedicated passionate people who I gain motivation from every single day, when I am working with these people I reflect on the days when I was them doing what they do and never forget where I came from. I’m accepting this award for myself, my team and my company, but I’m also accepting it on behalf of all Early Childhood Educators out there who go above and beyond to develop, educate and nurture our future generations!”

the next level - sometimes unwillingly. This award is as much for them, as it is for me”

of Jae’s engaging, passionate and teamorientated approach.

Beginning his stellar career on the floor within the childcare sector, Jae’s talents, passion and ambition has seen him climb the ranks of the corporate ladder to become the General Manager Operations, G8 Education Limited.

As General Manager, Jae oversees all facets of operational management for 142 Child Care and Education Centres across Australia for G8 Education Limited, the only ASX-listed child care centre operator in Australia.

There are many Awards programs out there in the business world, but the Australian Institute of Management's Management Excellence Awards are in a class of their own.

They celebrate the individual contributions and achievements of outstanding managers, rather than the businesses or organisations they own and run.

Since the inception of the company in 2006, Jae has assisted with the sourcing of acquisitions and managed due diligence

These prestigious Awards have been run in Queensland and the Northern Territory for nearly 20 years. Many past participants say the Awards changed their lives and opened many doors to new networks and opportunities.

The Young Manager of the Year category recognises successful young professionals and entrepreneurs up to the age of 30. This category acknowledges rising stars and aspiring leaders from business, government and industry who are making their mark in their chosen fields and endeavours.

"Our industry is full of such dedicated passionate people..."

Acknowledging the support of his team at G8 Education and the importance of team work in his acceptance speech “very few things in life are entirely the work of just one person – and this is no exception, so I must also pay tribute to the enormous contributions made

by Melanie and Kirsten who are my right and left arms in the day to day Operations of our 140+ Child Care Centres, my partner and my family for supporting me and allowing me to live in airports rather than our home. A very special thanks to all of my Operations Managers across the country and our Management support team without which, none of this would have been possible and I certainly wouldn’t be standing here now.

Thank you to my mentor and CEO Chris Sacre who has encouraged me and pushed me to

for all of the company’s centres across Australia, growing G8 Education to be the nation’s second largest child care company.

This has entailed taking over centres with poor financials, poor levels of quality and negative reputations in their communities, and through the assistance of his team, transforming these into high quality, high performing and in-demand centres.

Having taken the top award for his region Jae is now in the running to win the 2011 Queensland Young Manager of the Year which will be announced in Brisbane on Friday 11 November.

Dedicated to continuing professional development and assisting his staff to reach their full potential Jae has completed a Certificate IV in Workplace Training and Assessment to support and assist various levels of staff through their Certificate III, Diploma, Advanced Diploma and Bachelor qualifications.

“Jae is a natural leader who is innovative and not afraid to think outside the box, whilst knowing his business and his industry inside out. He is aware of all organisational stakeholders and capable of managing in all directions, and uses the people around him to address challenges through a consultative managerial approach” award judges said

CHILDCARE QUEENSLAND NEWS - sprING 2011

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MESSAGE FROM THE MINISTER

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arly Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) is one of the fastest growing industries in Australia.

This growth is being driven by major reform and government investment in the sector.

By 2014, it is anticipated Queensland will need up to 1000 extra early childhood teachers and, by 2016, an additional 2100 educators with other qualifications.

To address these workforce challenges the Queensland Government is working in partnership with the early childhood sector. This is why we have released a $76 million Early Childhood Education and Care Workforce Action Plan 2011-2014.

This plan focuses on: •

attracting quality educators to the ECEC sector;

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developing our existing educators;

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retaining and valuing our ECEC workforce; and

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providing strong governance around policy development, data and sector engagement.

Under this plan, there are a number of opportunities for educators in long day care services to upgrade their skills. They include scholarships for three-year degree and advanced-diploma holders to become qualified early childhood teachers as well as a TAFE fee waiver for diploma and advanced-diploma students.

Initiatives are also in place to draw new educators into the sector, including an Early Childhood Teacher Bridging Program for primary school teachers.

An incentive scheme to attract kindergarten teachers to rural and remote communities will be introduced, along with targeted training for Indigenous educators.

I encourage all existing and potential educators to take advantage of these opportunities to enhance your knowledge and skills and to support your contribution to improved quality across the sector.

For further details on these initiatives, including those to be released over the coming months, please visit

UPSKILLING YOUR QUALIFICATIONS

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eaching fulfills Tammy's lifelong dream

Back in Grade One in Victoria when asked what she wanted to be when she grew up, Tammy Lockyer answered “the school principal”.

Teaching 20 four-year-olds at a Clayfield Early Learning Centre, the 26-year-old may not yet have achieved her ambition, but is advancing her teaching career in a new way in Queensland.

“Working in early childhood education is very satisfying. I am here for the children,” said Tammy, a four-year qualified primary teacher who has made the move into early childhood teaching.

“I signed on for a bridging course by correspondence with Sunshine Coast TAFE, which turned out to take me only a week to complete.”

The 10-module course earned Tammy a Certificate III in Children’s Services and a Diploma of Children’s Services.

These qualifications, combined with her degree, were recognised by the Department of Education and Training, enabling Tammy to teach the new Queensland Kindergarten Learning Guideline in an approved kindergarten program.

“The guideline is a fabulous curriculum,” Tammy said. “I use it as an emergent program, which is where all teachers are headed and where they want to be.”

“This curriculum has a high level of engagement by the children because it is what they want to learn about.”

Acting Associate Director-General, Annette Whitehead, said that while Tammy was one of hundreds of teachers who have had their qualifications recognised by the Department of Education and Training to move into early childhood education, many more teachers were needed.

“The Queensland Government’s commitment to achieving universal access to kindergarten programs has opened new opportunities for teachers to work in early childhood education and care services,” Ms Whitehead said.

“Teachers with an early childhood teaching qualification can apply to have their qualification recognised by the department and start working right now in this rewarding field.

http://www.det.qld.gov.au/earlychildhood/workforce .

“If you have another teaching qualification, like Tammy, a fee-free bridging course could kickstart your kindy career.

CAMERON DICK Minister for Education and Industrial Relations

“Teacher qualification recognition is free, portable, can happen at any time and allows teachers to confidently seek employment in an early childhood education and care service to provide a kindergarten program.

“This process helps long day care and kindergarten services find qualified teachers and helps qualified teachers find jobs.”

Prepared by - Cameron Dick, Minister for Education and Industrial Relations

Teachers can find out more about teaching kindy and how to have their qualification recognised at: www.det.qld.gov.au/earlychildhood

Prepared by - The Office for Early Childhood Education and Care

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Don’t turn a blind eye to the next Daniel Prepared by - Holly Brennan, Chair of the Child Protection Week Queensland Committee.

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his month, all over Australia people are rightly focussed on one of the most high profile cases of the need for child protection; the 2003 disappearance of Daniel Morecombe on the Sunshine Coast, where I live.

People are talking about many aspects of Daniel’s disappearance; the fact that such cruelty exists and that a child on their way to buy presents for his family can be taken forever. Most remarkably, people are talking about the way the Morcombe family is looking beyond their own loss and attempting to change the world for all children and families.

Bruce and Denise Morcombe have done an astounding thing.

They have opened their hearts and minds to learn about the experience of other children who experience abuse.

For many of us, it’s easy to be horrified when our attention is drawn to the terrible things that happen to children in high profile media cases. Perhaps we should be horrified more often because statistics show a child is physically, emotionally or sexually abused every 12 minutes in Australia. Most of these children are not on the media radar. Behind the scenes hundreds of thousands of Australian children are hurting in ways that are not high profile. The National Child Protection Clearinghouse says there were 286,437 suspected cases of child abuse in Australia in 2009-2010.

If this just sounds like numbers to you, let’s break it down to what is actually happening. The Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) reports that physical abuse of children ranges from five to ten per cent. Emotional abuse affects up to 17 per cent of children. Up to 16 per cent of male children and up to 36 per cent of female children report sexual abuse.

In Queensland there were 6,922 substantiated reports of child abuse or neglect in 2009-2010.

Here’s something that’s perhaps more mind blowing: around half the adults who see the signs of abuse do not think it is right to take action to prevent further abuse. A NAPCAN survey of 22,000 adults last year found that less than half would report suspected abuse of children to authorities. Reasons for not taking action included ‘not wanting to upset the parents’, ‘being wrong’ and ‘it’s not my business’.

The theme of Child Protection Week Queensland 2011 is: ‘Protecting Children is Everyone’s Business’. While it is easy to be momentarily horrified at the sensational reports of child abuse it’s harder to be part of the solution and prevent or respond to child abuse that may be happening in your extended family or your community or your region.

Imagine how much harder it is to experience the personal horror of child abuse and then get up and say ‘Protecting children is everyone’s business’. That is what Bruce and Denise Morcombe have done. Even in the daily barrage of interviews regarding the loss of their son they pause and ask us all to think of children affected by abuse, and ask all of us to help keep children safe.

So, as we pause in horror and wish the best for a family touched directly by child abuse, it’s important to understand two things.

One: a child is much more likely to be abused or neglected by someone they know and trust than by a stranger. It is more likely to be a father or mother, step-parent, grand-parent, sports coach, teacher, priest, or fellow student abusing a child than the strange man in the trench-coat.

Secondly, it’s important to understand that if you see signs of possible neglect or abuse, it is your business and there are many things you can do to prevent a child being hurt or respond when the signs are apparent.

We can all look out for children in our lives by taking the time to teach them how to be safe with other people (offline and online). We can all observe the signs that something may be wrong, listen to and believe children when they show or tell us what’s going on. We can all reach out to children in our lives, extended family or community.

If you're worried about a child, don't be silent, do something.

The actions you take include: actively observing a child; having gentle age-appropriate discussions with a child; using evidenced based resources in your child care centre, school or guide hut; seeking expert advice or contacting child safety services. If you suspect a child is being harmed, or at risk of harm, report it. Contact the Child Safety After Hours Service Centre on 1800 177 135 or (07) 3235 9999, any hour, seven days a week. If you believe a child is in immediate danger, call the Queensland Police Service by dialling 000.

We can all make a world of difference if we are all committed to preventing the harm. Child Protection Week is an opportunity to find out how to do this. From 4 to 11 September, thousands of adults, young people and children around Queensland will be involved in Child Protection Week activities which aim to start conversations about keeping children safe.

The grim figures on child abuse are a national disgrace.

The conversation about what we can all do to respond to this appalling situation is one that everyone can join. If the Morcombes can do this, what’s stopping the rest of us?

"Everyone single person in Queensland can do something to help keep children safe", says Child Protection Week Queensland Chair, Holly Brennan.

CHILDCARE QUEENSLAND NEWS - sprING 2011

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EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATOR'S DAY Prepared by - Gwynn Bridge and Liz Ybanez

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riday 9th September saw the state buzzing with excitement as Early Childhood Educator's Day launched.

Excitement buzzed around the state in the lead up to the inaugural Early Childhood Educator’s Day celebrations on Friday 9 th September. ‘Proud to be an Early Childhood Educator’ badges were distributed to all member centres for staff to wear proudly not only on this day but any day. Principle member centres were provided with a brightly coloured pull-up ‘Proud to be an Early Childhood Educator’ banners to display. All over the state we could feel and hear the anticipation and excitement building.

The day was marked with much celebration and cheer attracting media attention across the state as centres and families celebrated and acknowledged the fantastic work our early childhood educators do.

“The launch of the Early Childhood Educator’s Day was a huge success and I look forward to seeing the event become an annual national celebration to bring awareness of the profession and to recognise the efforts and the importance of the work in which they do.”

Childcare Queensland took the step of introducing Early Childhood Educator’s Day for our members. The day was to mark the work

Thank you for your dedication to the children, their families and your position. We appreciate your efforts and the importance of the work that you do. So often we, licensees, parents and communities are so overwhelmed by our own work days that we don’t stop to thank the dedicated educators who provide care and early learning to so many children across our long day care sector.

“It was lovely to see parents and children celebrating on the day and reinforced to early learning educators, just how much they are appreciated and respected for giving children a flying start in life. “ Anne Reddell

The day was officially launched by Anne Reddell, Executive Director, Policy and Performance – Office for Early Childhood Education and Care at Kids at West End. “The Early Childhood Educator’s Day was the perfect opportunity to recognise the valuable contribution early educators make in shaping the personalities and developmental learnings of our young children” Anne said in recognising the dedication of early childhood educators.

of our valuable educators, to be validated and acknowledged by children, employers and families – and any others who wished to say

With enormous change confronting the sector, Childcare Queensland believes that it is time to work together as a cohesive team, educators, families and management to ensure a sustainable early year’s sector long into the future.

We can do this together, as a strong team with strong networks held together by the knowledge and appreciation of what each of us contributes to the team.

In 2012 our plan is to take Early Childhood Educator’s Day national and bring an Australia wide awareness to and acknowledgement of the importance of the profession and each and every educator.

Photography by - Kris Janson

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Thank you for choosing the early years as your profession.”

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATOR'S DAY Centre Celebrations

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ow you celebrated Early Childhood Educator's Day.

" Our educators were acknowledged for all their hard work, dedication and commitment to the Early Years. We had a delicious cake for morning tea – thank you for sharing your very unique cooking talents with us Miss Brooke- she was responsible for the gorgeous Munchkins figurines that sat on top of our celebration cake. Our parents also recognised the importance of what we do. The words of inspiration on our Appreciation Wall were very special thank you. We also thank you for the special drawings, chocolates and flowers that we received today.

Part two of our celebrations saw our team share a meal at a local restaurant - it was great to meet socially and spend the evening together having a lot of laughs!" Munchkins Early Education Centre

“The red carpet event was overseen by Okeedokee's Licensee Mr Lyndon Sanders. As educators walked the red carpet they were each presented with a beautiful arrangement of flowers, a certificate of appreciation and a 'Proud to be an Early Childhood Educator' badge.

Educators were treated to a rich and delectable array of cakes for a high tea party which would send any sweet tooth into a frenzy.

Parents were encouraged to record messages of thanks in a journal at the centre which will be kept for future celebrations of Educators, to signify that Educators contributions are immeasurable.

We say to all Early Childhood Educators - thank you, you are so important to the education of future generations.” Okeedokee Early Learning Centre

Robina Town Childcare Centre ”We started with balloons for all of the staff attached with a Zarraffa’s Voucher and an Early Childhood quote. Inside the balloon was glitter confetti and a small lolly that they had to pop the balloon to get out so by the end of morning tea the room was filled with beautiful colours and lollies. The Directors prepared coffee, fresh pancakes with strawberries and cream and poured fresh juice for the girls on their morning tea break; it was SO yummy! We had so many packages of pancakes all of the girls were stuffed and we even took a video of some of the dancing done by our very own Miss Tracey who was dressed as a muffin man. Overall the girls really enjoyed the day and thanked the directors involved.

Overall it was a fantastic day and the girls at Bonny Babes couldn’t have been more grateful to be an Early Childhood Teacher on this day!" Bonny Babes Child Care Centre

Little Legends Early Learning Centre

Kool Kids - Southport 2 CHILDCARE QUEENSLAND NEWS - SPRING 2011

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EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATOR'S DAY Centre Celebrations "Torquay Kids in Hervey Bay, celebrating Early Childhood Educators Day, the best way we know how....through play. Our showcase to parents displayed how our educators enjoy playing and exploring and are able to co construct learning with the children.

We held a science week and had the grand finale today with Mad scientists day. The staff had a great time dressing up and providing many experiences for children that encouraged higher level thinking processes. The children were involved through wonderful hair day and participated in activities such as lava lamp making, balloon rockets (wow was this a hit with the children) floating and sinking eggs, many sensory experiences and the toddlers even made their own volcanoes. We invited the local energy company to visit to show and discuss how electricity is made. They brought along “Captain Ergon” in a crane and provided the children with circuit balls to which the preschoolers made a circle and created energy. All in all , our week and Early Childhood Educators Day was embraced by parents and children who passed on their many thanks for educating and playing with their children. (even our handyman joined in the fun today)" Torquay Kids Early Learning Centre College Kids "We treated our staff to a sumptuous morning tea of Gateaux and a Fresh Fruit Platter. The received a bunch of flowers each, a box of Favourites Chocolates each, their badges and certificates. We presented these in front of each class and each group of children were able to say “Thank-you”.

Sunshine Daycare Centre

Thanks so much for organising Early Educator’s Day, it was a very special day" Karana Early Education Centre

"Early Childhood Educators Day at Mueller College Early Learning Centre was a wonderful day. Educators felt blessed and appreciated. We had a special morning tea and each educator received a certificate, letter of thanks, poem and chocolate. Some parents brought in cakes and chocolates and one mum made special t-shirts for staff. This was her first attempt at computer generated iron on transfers and we were truly touched by her amazing effort. We concluded the day with a family fun night which was well attended and very successful. Thanks for initiating Early Childhood Educators Day. It was a great idea and we look forward to many more." Mueller College Early

"To celebrate Early Childhood Educators Day, our staff arrived to a red carpet entrance. Our entrance was decorated with candid photos of staff members interacting with the children, all staff had an acrostic poem about them describing their best attributes.

Upon entering the centre each staff member was surprised with either a manicure, pedicure, or shoulder massage.

Morning tea consisted of different foods and served with a glass of sparkling juice. Our management team also visited with gift bags, certificates, and acknowledgement of our hard work. All staff had a fantastic day and felt greatly appreciated." Rochedale Christian Children's Centre Village Kids South Townsville

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EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATOR'S DAY Centre Celebrations We are from Building Futures Montessori at Wavell Heights and we would like to share with everyone how we celebrated Early Childhood Educators day 2011.

Our owners and managers surprised us with these AMAZING educator t-shirts, at our morning tea (which they also supplied) to thank us and recognise the work we do with children!

We invited our parents to join our morning tea. As many of the centres parents work they were also encouraged to share their appreciation via a letter. We were very lucky and received chocolates and cards with wonderful messages of gratitude from many of our families!! "Building Futures Montessori

"Here at Creative Garden Early Learning Centre we are all very excited about our special day on Friday.

Calamvale Early Learning Centre To recognize the dedication, commitment and hard work of our educators we have made a “tree’. This is where parents and team members can write how an educator has touched the The Uniting Church Child Care Centre thanked their Educator’s life of their child. All the educators are very excited and we are by celebrating the day with the children and families. All all eagerly awaiting to how many leaves our tree can grow. " parents took the time to stop and thank each and every Creative Garden Early Learning Centre one of the centre’s Educator’s. Morning tea was provided for everyone at the centre by the parents followed by a sausage sizzle that was enjoyed with all the children. Child Care Queensland’s theme this year is “Hands Up For Play” so the Centre’s Management Committee generously provided each staff member with a manicure. They were pampered by staff from Your Serenity and hand massaged by the eager children at the centre. Mayor Ron Dyne also came to give thanks to the educator’s for their positive commitment to the children and families in our local community who attend the service.

Committee Member Joz came and presented all Educators with a Certificate of Appreciation.

"Fantastic day had by all and hope all of our Educators know how much we appreciate them (and the use of their hands)."

Uniting Church Child Care Centre Gympie

"All the centre dressed up in what they would like to be when they grow up, we had a range of different occupations from hair dressers, fire persons, football players, handy person and chefs.

While outside we had all of the centre prop boxes set up to use to really act out a day in the life of that occupation. It was a very busy morning.

To top things off we all enjoyed a sausage sizzle and ice cream cones as a whole centre." Sunkids Boondall B4Kids Pty Ltd - Amberley Child Care Centre

CHILDCARE QUEENSLAND NEWS - SPRING 2011

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EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATOR'S DAY Competition Winners

C

hildcare Queensland would like to thank all the centre’s who entered the Early Childhood Educator’s Day competition. We received so many wonderful entries. The winner's of the competition are:

$500 resource voucher B4Kids Pty Ltd - Amberley Child Care Centre

1 x Recycled play mats valued at $99 from Global Kids Harbour Town Kindyland

RobinaTown Childcare Centre

Munchkins Early Education Centre

Torquay Kids Early Learning Centre

$50 online voucher from Coles Online

Uniting Church Child Care Centre Gympie

Little Zebra Child Care Centre Rockhampton

Village Kids South Townsville P/L DIY Neon Freak Goo Worms 30 Lab Pack valued at $105 from Professor Jelly Bean Little Zebra Child Care Centre - Mt Louisa Light box and resources kit valued at $399.90 from MTA Okeedokee Early Learning Centre

20x Fleece blankets valued at $335.40 from Jamberry Bulimba Childcare Centre Officeworks gift card from QIEC Super Bush Kidz Daycare Building Futures Montessori Little Legends Early Learning Cent

The winners of the face book competition: Centre: $250 Resource Voucher Little Legends Early Learning Centre Gift pack of professional golf umbrella, stainless steel coffee mug and Australian wine valued at $100 from Bank West Hanna Hughes

The 4th annual Queensland Education Resources Expo Prepared by - Hedy van Hofwegen, Interchange Consultancy Group

The 4th annual Queensland Education Resources Expo (QUEDREX) , staged on 10 & 11 September 2011 at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, attracted a record number of visitors with close to 3,000 education professionals from all over Queensland as well as some parts of NSW attending the two day event.

Throughout the event, visitors had the opportunity to attend a wide range of workshops and seminars and collect information on the latest resources, services and products from around 100 exhibitors.

Teachers from early childhood, prep, primary and high schools as well as school management, learning support staff, pre-service teachers and other education professionals had a wide range of seminars and workshops to choose from including: The Thinking Classroom, Botanical Maths, Growing your super together, SMART technologies in the learning space, Jump Rope for Heart, Dyslexia and Learning Difficulties and many many more.

Exhibitors included out of school activities, fund raising opportunities, learning resources, teaching tools and technologies, government programs,

art supplies, professional development, professional services and support eg : superannuation, salary packaging and health fund, classroom and outdoor furniture and more.

Seminars and workshops were very popular and visitors could engage in hands-on activities and get new ideas for the classroom and workplace. From

With free admission, the event provides a great opportunity for all education professionals to build their professional development portfolio and we received thousands of requests for a Certificate of Attendance! All requests have been processed and everyone should have received their certificate by email.

Feedback received during and after the event was extremely positive and we were very pleased that the event was well received and all our hard work paid of!

We are planning the 2012 event and all registered visitors for 2011 will automatically receive information on next years’ event. If you would like to be included on our mailing list, please visit our website and send us an email.

Website: www.quedrex.com.au

skipping ropes to information sharing, the event offered something for everyone.

A number of great prizes were on offer at the event with one visitor winning the lucky door prize, an iPad2!

A number of exhibitors also had a range of products on offer at special discounts for visitors. Diaries and art supplies were in great demand and many visitors purchased products for use in their classroom over the two days.

CHILDCARE QUEENSLAND NEWS - SPRING 2011

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MEMBERSHIP MATTERS Prepared by - Liz Ybanez, Office Administrator, Childcare Queensland

W

hat an action packed three months we have had...

What an action packed three months we have had and boy does it fly when you’re having fun. I am one of the lucky people who absolutely loves’ my job, the people I work with and the members and centres I interact with. Not a day goes by where I can say I know what is going to happen today – and I love it!

With change approaching us on 1st January 2012 Childcare Queensland has launched a series of workshops and seminars to assist you in your preparation for the implementation of the National Regulations. These workshops are intense and full of information and with all the changes in the sector can you really afford to not attend.

Early Childhood Educator's Day was a great success and it was fantastic to see so many centres get into the spirit of the day. On behalf of Childcare Queensland I would like to thank Kids at West End for allowing us to launch the day at their wonderful centre and Anne Reddell from OECEC for officially launching the day. Over the past month we have circulated to members by email the various local news stories showcasing your celebrations. If your centre has received media coverage for the day or for any other achievement please let us know as we would love to share your achievements with all members.

Conference 2012 planning is underway and we are very pleased to announce that the 2012 National Conference will be held 14-16 September at Jupiters on the Gold Coast. The conference program will be released shortly so be sure to watch our facebook page, website and of course check your inbox for updates.

Childcare Queensland's new website has been launched with many new features. All member centes have been issued with a new username and password. One of the exciting new features is the 'job board' where you can as a member benefit advertise your current employment vacancies at no charge. In the reecent months we have advertised in the employment section of the newspapers to drive potential employees to our website. If you have not tried it give it a go, it's fast, free and easy to use and the CQ office staff are always there to assist you if needed.

Our facebook page is growing stronger and stronger and has fast become a source of information and updates for members and the community at large. If you are on facebook and have not yet 'liked' our page visit us now, hit the 'like' button and gain access to an interactive world of information. We encourage you all to interact with our page, post questions, start discussions - this page is not only for us to share information with you but for you to share with us and each other.

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Kids alive do the five program Introduction It is with great pleasure that Childcare Queensland presents the Kids Alive Program as developed by Laurie Lawrence, as a program to be hopefully included in every room of Childcare Centres, Kindergartens, and all organisations that are working with children under five years of age. – both formally and informally.

Over the past 10 years throughout Australia, 300 children under the age of 5 years have drowned for various reasons. This is a terrible statistic and our aim – and the aim of Laurie Lawrence - is to do whatever it takes to reduce, and hopefully completely eliminate, this terrible statistic.

The program originally developed by Laurie Lawrence has been very successful, and has proven to reduce the risks for children, by making the children and their families more aware of the dangers of water. Water is a fun and wonderful element for children and their families, but there is also a danger attached if young children are not aware of the safety practices required when near water.

We ask all Childcare Centres and Kindergartens to please include this program as an integral part of your Early Childhood Educational Program. The modules which follow have been prepared by Ms. Emma Lawrence and put into a format which meets the requirements of the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) by Ms. Rebecca Bosher, and Ms. Hilary Webb, and we thank them for their assistance.

There are 4 topics.

Beach safety (suggested for summer) Home Safety (suggested for Autumn) Rural safety (suggested for Winter) Pool Safety (suggested for Spring) It is suggested that a topic be incorporated within your program each season over the year, and can be repeated each year with adaption and modification being made as the child develops.

There are strong ties to the aims of the Early Years Learning Framework, and also hopes to promote the creating of quality time between the parent and child.

The aim of the program is not to teach children to swim and no direct water use is necessary. Rather, its aim is to make all children and their parents aware of the necessity for care with water. This may cover everything from the dangers of leaving young children unattended in the bath, to a family visit to the beach during the holidays.

The program outlines are very flexible, for each Early Childhood Educator to adapt to suit their context. Educators are able to use whatever resources and ideas are available to them. We have provided a couple of ideas to get you started but they are by no means comprehensive, and we encourage all Early Childhood Educators to develop and share your great ideas with us so that we can pass these on to others.

As well as these EYLF program outlines, a box of DVD’s of the “Kids alive – do the Five” will be made available for you to use – all you have to do is call the Childcare Queensland office (07)

3808 2366 or Freecall 1 300 365 325 and we will send out the DVD’s to you. Alternately you are welcome to download the DVD from the CQ website links.

The lives of our children are very important, and Childcare Queensland is very proud to promote Laurie Lawrence and his program to every Early Childhood Educator, Parent, and of course, all our children. With your help we can all help achieve Laurie’s goal of zero child drownings throughout Australia.

Peter Price (President – Childcare Queensland).

On 18th June 2011 I was engaged to speak at a Conference held in the Events Center Caloundra, little did I know the ramifications of this presentation.

As soon as I arrived I knew there was something special about this group... firstly, I couldn’t get a car park.

Inside the rooms were buzzing with excitement as Childcare educators scurried from display to display searching for information and equipment that would make their job easier, more exciting and a stimulating for their young charges. These educators were passionate and committed.

During the presentation I mentioned the horrific drowning statistics in the under five age group in Australia. This is the age group these dedicated professionals work with and it struck a chord and sparked enormous interest with participants at the Conference.

Subsequently a plan was hatched and a partnership formed with Childcare Queensland to trial a program that could be rolled out nationally. The plan was to eventually involve every Childcare educator Australia wide to become foot soldiers in preventing preschool drowning.

Queensland Childcare was to be the catalyst, a place where the program was to be trialled.

Peter Price, myself, and my daughter Emma Lawrence, met to nut out what we could do to help reduce these dreadful drowning statistics.

We felt because childcare centres are a place where we can potentially reach every child under five in Australia what an unbelievable opportunity we have in Queensland to lead the way in drowning prevention for under fives.

Childcare Queensland would help iron out all the little bugs before spreading our wings nationally.

Emma drafted a program that Ms. Rebecca Bosher, and Ms. Hilary Webb reshaped it into a format which meets the requirements of the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) ... thank you ladies...

Now let’s take ownership of this program and show Australia how it’s done!

Laurie Lawrence

CHILDCARE QUEENSLAND NEWS - SPRING 2011

15

Kids alive do the five program Suggested activity #1 - to use with the Kids Alive - Do the Five program.

Quiz sheet Resources needed: • Kids Alive DVD • Quiz sheets • Small rewards for children When the DVD’s are given out to the children to take home and view with their parents, a quiz sheet can also be given out with the instructions that it should be completed and returned when the DVD is returned. The Early Childhood Educator can prepare (say) 10 questions which are age appropriate for the children in the Early Childhood Educator’s group. The answers should be easy to provide by the child and their parents watching the DVD. The parents need to also be involved so that they can write down the answers provided by the children, (as most children will not be able to write). This by necessity becomes a parent and child activity. The parent should be instructed not to provide the answers for their child, but have the child provide the answers and the parent records the answer given by the child on the quiz sheet.

while visiting friends in the country, or a horse trough or dam on a farm, etc.

Children can discuss good water safety habits when visiting any of these places.

All these materials created can be included as part of the child’s journal/ portfolio for the year.

This meets the EYLF by allowing children and families to have input into the program, and work in partnership with Early Childhood Educators.

Suggested activity #2 - to use with the Kids Alive - Do the Five program.

DVD and Bear (or other soft toy) Resources needed: • Kids Alive DVD • Bear ( soft toy) • Document wallet type folder Use a bear or a similar soft toy that the children can take home with the DVD. You would also need a folder similar to a document wallet for the stories to be placed inside.

All children should be awarded a small reward by returning the quiz sheet correctly completed.

Each child in the room would take turns in taking these home and make contributions to the “story book” that the children have access to in the classroom, so they can share the experiences with all their friends. This becomes a great teaching tool.

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• Take a photo of the child watching the DVD and/or for the older children they can paint a picture about the special visit.

This would then go into the book to take back to the centre.

• The parents would write a brief story to put into the folder and take back to the children in the room. This activity would explain what Johnny and Fred Bear learned from watching the DVD This is one way that the parents are indirectly answering questions about the DVD and also clarifying its contents with the children.

home.

This ensures that parents hopefully also watch (and benefit) from watching the DVD with their children, and allows the parent to ensure that the child understands the contents of the DVD.

If the family has a backyard pool, (or have friends or neighbours with a pool), perhaps a drawing or some photos of the pool can be taken, showing (say) the pool fence or pool gate, and also perhaps the family playing together in the pool. For other modules of the Five-Alive program, photos or drawings could also be taken of the family at the beach, or a creek

watch the DVD too.

• Watch the DVD with Mum and Dad or other significant Adult, and any other family members.

• The children to have the Bear (soft toy)

As each child takes the book home and brings it back to the centre it builds up a great story book and portfolio about water safety and this then gives parents the opportunity to share all the children’s stories each time the book goes

You could even have a different soft toy for each subject area…

• Beach safety • Home safety • Rural safety • Pool safety Following on from this the children can then also contribute outings and experiences they have had at home on the weekends where they have practiced good water safety habits.

These too can be in the form of learning stories written from home and placed into the same or a different portfolio, for the children to read and enjoy.

By doing this for each group it makes the Kids Alive program relevant to the children in the room and the children will relate much better to this when they see their friends and the room/ mascot taking part in the program.

This meets the EYLF by allowing children and families to have input into the program and work in partnership with Early Childhood Educators.

Kids alive do the five program Kids Alive - Do the Five …..for Under Fives EYLF Program Recommendations NB: The following components might be used altogether or separately.

Context for Early Childhood Educators.

Drowning is the leading cause of accidental death in children under the age of 5 in Australia.

Laurie Lawrence’s drowning prevention program Kids Alive – Do the five, aims to educate children, parents and caregivers to reach their ultimate goal of zero preschool drownings.

Educators may draw on one or more of the components when organising a learning experience for the children.

Of course Early Childhood Educators may need to adjust and adapt the lesson plans to their class’ individual needs, leaving room for children’s prior learning, cultural sensitivities and children’s knowledge and ability levels.

Early Childhood Educators may like to utilise the lesson plans seasonally so that they cover a water safety education element every 3 months within the centres overall curriculum.

For example ….

Spring: Pool Safety

The Kids Alive program educates the community by….

Summer: Beach Safety

1. Free ‘Living with water’ DVD (given to the parents of newborns via the hospital bounty bag)

Winter: Rural Safety

2. Community service television and radio advertising 3. Community education events 4. Community service website Kids Alive now wants the help of early childhood educators - Australia wide, to incorporate a water safety curriculum and educational program into their early learning centre.

Learning Guide: Kids Alive, together with Childcare Queensland, has developed a learning guide which incorporates lesson plan ideas that Early Childhood Educators can utilise within their centres. These lesson plans are consistent with the Early Years Learning Framework and the Queensland Kindergarten Learning Guideline.

The lesson plans are suggested pathways only, and Early Childhood

Autumn: Home Safety

materials Educators – Necessary Knowledge Where to access more information: •

Kids Alive ‘Living with water’ DVD

•

www.kidsalive.com.au

Intentional Teaching Possible questions ….

• Where do we find water?

• Why do we need to be careful around water?

• What do we know about being safe in the pool?

• What do we know about being safe near the pool?

Possible discussion focuses ….

• Pool fences and their importance.

Lesson Plan: Pool safety Objective To develop awareness and understanding about water safety with regard to a pool.

Children – Skills Developed

• Swimming with an adult.

• Toys/furniture/pets in pools (not going in after them).

• Appropriate pool wear/equipment (eg hats with strings attached can get snagged, skipping ropes can get tangled around you).

Cognitive– awareness of water safety and its importance

• Where to get help if needed.

Behavioural – sitting and listening during group time, sharing, taking turns

Relevant songs and finger plays ….

Fine motor skills – colouring, painting, cutting, gluing, tactile stimulation Language – discussion, answering questions

• Three Little Fishies • wimming Swimming Swimming (Adam and the Couch Potatoes) Relevant Books and DVD’s ….

Links to EYLF:

• Kids Alive ‘Living with water’ DVD

Wellbeing - children take increasing responsibility for their own health and physical wellbeing

• Froggy Learns to Swim by Jonathon London

Communicating – children interact verbally and non-verbally for a range of purposes

These might be small group activities with the whole class participating at once or they might be activities provided for the child to choose during the session (Depending on how the service operates).

Confident and involved learners children resource their own learning through connecting with people, place, technologies and natural and processed

Play Based Opportunities

CHILDCARE QUEENSLAND NEWS - SPRING 2011

17

Kids alive do the five program

Experience

Assessment/monitoring

Pool collage with blue paper rectangle and paddle pop fences using magazine cuttings as the swimmers.

Children discuss their collage with Early Childhood Educator/small group or class.

Play dough pools with people, matchsticks for fences.

Photographs of creations and written captions by children.

Role playing the kids alive do the 5 (shut the gate, swimming, watch your mate).

Discuss water safety and pool fences.

Water play days outside with discussions about water safety.

Discuss safety when using water.

Role playing what to do if you see someone go in the pool when they are not allowed to.

Discuss children’s options and choices in this situation.

Role playing calling 000, encourage families to teach children their address and phone number.

Observe.

Pretend play with dolls and pools (small containers of water).

Photograph dolls doing the right things and make display.

Blocks/Lego building pools and fences.

Discuss purpose of fences.

Pictures of safe pools and unsafe pools sort and discuss.

Create chart to display and discuss.

Lesson Plan: Water safety at the beach Objective To develop awareness of water safety at the beach and develop attitudes and cognitive awareness of beach safety.

Children – Skills Developed

Communicating – children interact verbally and non-verbally for a range of purposes Confident and involved learners children resource their own learning through connecting with people, place, technologies and natural and processed materials

Cognitive– awareness of water safety and its importance

Educators – Necessary Knowledge

Behavioural – sitting and listening during group time, sharing, taking turns

• Kids Alive ‘Living with water’ DVD

Fine motor skills– colouring, painting, cutting, gluing, tactile stimulation

• Surf Lifesaving Australia www.sls.com.au

Where to access more information: • www.kidsalive.com.au

Language – discussion, answering questions

Intentional Teaching

Links to EYLF:

• How often do you go to the beach?

Wellbeing - children take increasing responsibility for their own health and physical wellbeing

• Who takes you to the beach?

Possible questions ….

• What activities do you do at the beach?

• Where should you swim when at the

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beach?

• Who can help us when we are at the beach?

Possible discussion focuses ….

• Dangers at the beach.

• How to identify lifesavers – colours and uniforms.

• Following beach rules - Reading signs, swim between the flags etc.

• Surf conditions – waves, rips, tows, sweeps, sand banks, uneven surface.

Relevant songs and finger plays ….

• Kids Alive Music CD • Kids Alive water safety songs on DVD • Wiggles ‘Having fun at the beach’, ‘Swim Henry swim’, ‘Let’s spend a day at the beach’.

• Justine Clarke ‘Great big world under the sea’.

Kids alive do the five program Relevant Books and DVD’s ….

• Kids Alive ‘Living with water’ DVD • Sea, Sand, Me by Patricia Hubbell • Beach day by Maggie Smith • In production Kids Alive Water Safety Book • Magic Beach by Alison Lester Play Based Opportunities ….

These might be small group activities with the whole class participating at once or they might be activities provided for the child to choose during the session (Depending on how the service operates).

Experience

Assessment/monitoring

Tactile play in sandpits eg. making sandcastles

Monitor group and individual play, facilitate discussion around beach safety.

Artistic experience, sand and glue pictures.

Display around classroom.

Dress up and role play as lifesavers.

Discuss lifesavers roles and responsibilities.

Display different flags in classrooms eg. Red and Yellow (swim between), Red (danger).

Display in classroom and discuss daily.

Sing and dance to beach related music.

Class performance.

Collage using crepe paper, material, magazine pictures to create lifesaving cap.

Observe and display artwork.

Role playing distress signals.

Observe and discuss.

Lesson Plan: Water safety in the home Objective To develop awareness of water safety around the home and develop ‘safer’ attitudes towards water.

Children – Skills Developed

Links to EYLF:

Kids Alive ‘Living with water’ DVD

Wellbeing - children take increasing responsibility for their own health and physical wellbeing

www.kidsalive.com.au

Communicating – children interact verbally and non-verbally for a range of purposes

Behavioural – sitting and listening during group time, sharing, taking turns

Confident and involved learners children resource their own learning through connecting with people, place, technologies and natural and processed materials

Fine motor skills – colouring, painting, cutting, gluing, tactile stimulation

Educators – Necessary Knowledge

Cognitive – awareness of water safety and its importance

Language – discussion, answering questions

Intentional Teaching Possible questions ….

• Where do we find water around the home?

• Who uses water around your home?

• What water activities do you do at home?

• How can your family remove and secure water hazards around your home?

Where to access more information:

CHILDCARE QUEENSLAND NEWS - SPRING 2011

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Kids alive do the five program Possible discussion focuses ….

• Kids Alive Music CD

• Parental supervision during bath time.

• Kids Alive water safety songs on DVD

• Danger in dog bowls, buckets, eskies, water features.

Relevant Books and DVD’s ….

• Water hazards outside versus inside.

• Not playing near water unless being supervised by your caregiver.

Relevant songs and finger plays ….

• The Magic School Bus at the Waterworks

by Joanna Cole and Bruce Degen Play Based Opportunities These might be small group activities with the whole class participating at once or they might be activities provided for the child to choose during the session (Depending on how the service operates).

• Kids Alive ‘Living with water’ DVD • The Safer Kids Water Safety Book By Jim Reiser • In production Kids Alive Water Safety Book

Experience

Assessment/monitoring

Sorting pictures of inside and outside water hazards.

Group discussion on categories.

Scrapbooking on water activities in the home.

Display around classroom.

Pretend play with dolls re: family and water activities at home.

Discuss importance.

Role play supervision in the bath.

Class performance.

Sing and dance to Kids Alive music.

Class performance.

Painting – blue represents water, red represents hazards.

Observe and display artwork.

Drawing and colouring – water activities and family time.

Discuss and reiterate the importance of water safety at home.

Water around the home play scape inclusive of hazards for children to find and correct.

Photographs of before and after including written comments.

Posters to promote water safety children do drawings or paintings Encourage families to display posters at home. and copy words.

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Kids alive do the five program Lesson Plan: Rural water safety Objective To develop awareness of water safety around dams, creeks and rivers and rural areas.

technologies and natural and processed materials

• Water storage devices on farms eg, water troughs, tanks, dams.

Educators – Necessary Knowledge

• Personal floatation devices in water craft.

Where to access more information:

• How to enter the water safely eg no diving.

• Kids Alive ‘Living with water’ DVD • www.kidsalive.com.au

Children – Skills Developed

• Farm safe Australia www.farmsafe.org.au

Cognitive– awareness of water safety and its importance Behavioural – sitting and listening during group time, sharing, taking turns

Possible questions ….

• Where would you find water in the country?

Language – discussion, answering questions

• What water hazards would you find on a farm?

Links to EYLF:

• What are some water activities you do in rivers and creeks?

• Have you ever swum other than in a swimming pool?

Communicating – children interact verbally and non-verbally for a range of purposes

• What families activities do you do near water?

Confident and involved learners children resource their own learning through connecting with people, place,

• Differences between dams, creeks, rivers and lakes.

Possible discussion focuses ….

Experience

Relevant songs and finger plays ….

• Old MacDonald farm using bodies of water

Intentional Teaching

Fine motor skills – colouring, painting, cutting, gluing, tactile stimulation

Wellbeing - children take increasing responsibility for their own health and physical wellbeing

• Adult supervision at all times.

• Row row your boat Relevant Books and DVD’s ….

• Kids Alive ‘Living with water’ DVD • Who Sank the Boat by Pamela Allen • “In the Small Small Pond” by Denise Flemming Play Based Opportunities These might be small group activities with the whole class participating at once or they might be activities provided for the child to choose during the session (Depending on how the service operates).

Assessment/monitoring

Sorting pictures of different types of water eg creeks, rivers, dams. Group discussion on water bodies.

Role play safe entry into water bodies eg no diving.

Discuss why diving is dangerous.

Scrapbooking on places you swim.

Discuss safe swimming practices.

Pretend play putting on life jackets and going for a boat ride.

Observation of group play.

Building a fence around a farm house using paddle pop sticks, play dough and house picture/prop.

Display crafts around the classroom.

Water play – using small containers create murky water, adding sticks, leaves and dirt.

Discuss how murky water is dangerous.

Ripping different shades of blue paper and glue to create Discuss safe practices around rivers. a picture of a flowing river.

CHILDCARE QUEENSLAND NEWS - SPRING 2011

21

Kids alive do the five program GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS

Home

The following suggestions may be of use in developing seasonal modules. These modules should remain flexible allowing Early Childhood Educators to draw on different elements rather than a week by week approach. In this way, educators can work elements into the program, as children’s natural interests emerge.

• Bath time safety

For example: coming back after Christmas when lots of people have visited the beach and the class is naturally investigating beaches.

• Buckets of water (mops, outside buckets, broken drainpipes that lead to buckets)

Further Learning Focuses ….

• Portable (blow-up) pools

• Hot and cold taps

• Plug holes

• Supervision

• Where to find help/who to call

• Sprinklers and hoses.

• Dog baths

Pool

• Fish ponds

• Not physically aiding pets or friends who are in the pool if they are in trouble

• Pool fences and gates (parental focus) • Pool furniture and its location (parental focus) • Who to ask for help • Running around pool • Pool safe toys (skipping ropes can get tangled around you, hat strings can get caught etc.)

• Diving in vs. sliding in • Pool safety equipment and swimming aides proper use of floaties, goggles, flippers etc.

• Pool covers (parental focus and child elements) not walking across the cover, not swimming underneath the cover Beach • Dangers of digging sand holes which are really deep. Sand holes near surf could be covered by water and children could fall in • What to do in rips

Rural • Storm drains • Flooding • Riverside or creek side erosion (playing too close) • Dangers of climbing trees near creeks (don’t know how firmly rooted) • Mud particularly around mangroves (can get stuck) • Boat ramps and drop offs • Fishing safety • Murky water (roots, rocks, river weeds, water creatures) • Diving in vs. sliding in • Boat safety (lifejackets, boat motors, entering and exiting boats, what to do if you get stuck/in trouble out on the water) • Where to find help • Cultural perspectives: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and children living in rural areas are going to have different understandings and knowledge about water usage.

• Who to trust – lifesavers • Swimming between the flags • Swimming after eating • Stings (jelly fish, blue bottle) • What to do when your caught in a wave • Beach equipment and proper use (boogie boards etc.)

• Diving in vs. sliding in

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Add points relevant to your particular context:

• • •

MEMBER PROFILE - Little Legends Early Learning Prepared by - Liz Ybanez, Childcare Queensland

L

ittle Legends Early Learning Centre is an innovative, creative, unique and high quality centre; succeeding under the Direction of Lynn Afotey-Otu.

Little Legends Early Learning Centre at Dakabin has achieved much to be proud of. Valuing and respecting all families, their children and the community that we work and live in is a philosophy that Director Lynn Afotey-Otu passionately promotes within her centre.

"I would like to encourage other centres to give young adults with special needs a go. A plan can be put into place to support their learning and needs but they have such special qualities to offer. We gain so much from them also. " Lynn Afotey-Otu

A culturally and socially diverse centre the children are encouraged to embrace and respect all areas of diversity. “We have families attending who are from various cultures and all effort is made to ensure they are comfortable and happy” Lynn Afotey-Otu. The centre offers an additional needs program and consults and refers with a network of professionals. Lynn’s passion to creating a difference and providing opportunity to all has seen the centre employ Michaela Tooth, a school based trainee from the Special Needs Education Unit at Dakabin State High School. Michaela is currently a year 12 student and has recently completed her Certificate III.

Michaela is the first school based trainee from a special education unit to complete a Certificate III or to be employed in a childcare centre. To add to her achievement Michaela’s success was acknowledged at the 2010 Excellence in Business Awards for the Caboolture region where she won the ‘Schoolbased Trainee of the Year Award’. The award is part of the Queensland Training Awards and is awarded to a Queensland school-based apprentice or trainee for outstanding achievement. There were 14 finalists completing the award, so it was a wonderful achievement for Michaela to win.

Little Legends ELC further compliment their programs by providing an on-staff, sign language teacher who is hearing impaired. “It is important to us that children are able to communicate on many levels. Ann teaches the children to sign and to sing in sign language.” Lynn Afotey.

In recognition of her dedication and passion Lynn was awarded the “Queensland Director of the Year 2010” in the Australian Family Child Care Awards.

CHILDCARE QUEENSLAND NEWS - SPRING 2011

23

IS YOUR CENTRE SUN-SMART??

Extracted from the Cancer Council Queensland

S

unSmart behaviour should be a habit that starts in childhood and continues throughout life.

Research indicates that childhood sun exposure is an important contributing factor to the development of skin cancer in later life. Therefore, it is important to minimise children’s exposure to direct and reflected sunlight.

with a copy of their sun protection policy, to Cancer Council Queensland to be assessed.

•

The use of SunSmart hats and clothing

Early childhood settings play a major role in minimising children’s exposure to ultraviolet radiation and providing a SunSmart environment which will positively influence long-term behaviours.

•

Shade provision

•

Sunscreen use

•

Role modelling

•

Education about sun protection

•

Minimising outdoor play in the middle of the day

To recognise the important work being done by long day care, occasional care, limited hours care, kindergartens and preschools, the SunSmart Early Childhood Centres Program was launched in October 2000.

Early childhood organisations are asked to complete a questionnaire and send it, along

A centre’s SunSmart status is determined by several factors including:

Centres that meet the SunSmart standard receive a large metal "SunSmart Centre" sign to display on their fence, as well as a sample media release to send to their local newspaper and further promotional material.

Cancer Council Queensland has developed SunSmart Policy Guidelines for early childhood settings which help organisations develop their own SunSmart policy and provide ideas for the implementation of the policy. Developing a formal, written SunSmart policy demonstrates your concern for the health of those in your care.

To download a copy of the Early Childhood Settings SunSmart Policy Guidelines booklet, visit - http://www.cancerqld.org.au/page/ prevention/skin_cancer/national_sunsmart_ schools_and_early_childhood_centres/ To become involved in the SunSmart Early Childhood Centres Program please call the Cancer Council Helpline on 13 11 20 for an application pack.

STAFFING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE NATIONAL QUALITY FRAMEWORK Prepared by - Peta Hagger, KidSoft

U

nderstanding the staffing terminology under the proposed National Quality Framework (NQF) is something that is a little confusing and dare I say, a scary thought for services to comprehend. I base this opinion from feedback I have received during visits to services recently.

From 1 January 2012, there will be requirement for all long day care, family day care, outside school hours care and kindergarten services to appoint an educational leader and Nominated Supervisior for their service under the National Quality Framework. Whilst there may be some provisions approved in each state and territory around these requirements, it would be wise for services to be prepared for what is required of them.

After reviewing the Office of Early Childhood Education and Care website they are providing the following information.

•

Educational leader - A suitably qualified and experienced educator, co-ordinator or other individual that will lead the development and implementation of education programs in the service. Being an early childhood teacher does not mean you are automatically the educational leader of a service.

•

Certified Supervisor - A person granted a supervisor certificate by the Department of Education and Training and therefore deemed capable of being in day-to-day charge of a service, certified as a fit and proper person, and also meets the minimum requirements for age, qualifications, experience and management capabilities.

Persons who are currently the equivalent of Certified Supervisors will transition into the NQF as Certified Supervisors from 1 January 2012.*

•

Nominated Supervisor - A Certified Supervisor that has agreed to oversee the day-to-day operation of a service at all times education and care is being provided. Services may employ several staff who are Certified Supervisors and any one of them could be appointed as the Nominated Supervisor or could act in this role during absences. Only one Nominated Supervisor is required at each service.

From 1 January 2014, all long day care and kindergarten services will be required to either have access to or employ an early childhood teacher.

•

Early childhood teacher - A teacher with a relevant qualification approved by the Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA).* An early childhood teacher may be suitable to fulfill the role of educational leader and Nominated Supervisor, however, services may also choose to allocate other suitably qualified staff to these positions.

Whilst the draft National Quality Framework has clear guidelines of the staffing requirements, services will have some flexibility by appointing 1 staff member to fulfill several roles if this option meets the service needs.

When services are choosing staff to perform these leadership roles, they will need to demonstrate that they are providing effective leadership and service management, as outlined by Quality Area 7 in the National Quality Standard (NQS). This will be a key part of their assessment and rating against the NQS. * review is currently underway to determine the qualification requirements for the educational leader, early childhood teacher and Certified Supervisor roles and outcomes of this work are expected to be provided later in 2011.

Reference: Office for Early Childhood Education and Care - Frequently Asked Questions.

(2011). Retrieved from http://deta.qld.gov.au/earlychildhood/office/national/faq. html

Celebrate the launch of

& Win an iPAD2!

Visit www.ectarc.com.au and complete the registration form to enter the draw to win one of three iPAD2 prizes. Competition closes 12 December 2011 at 5pm. Entry open to all ECTARC students and anyone employed in the early childhood sector. Enter today!

ECTARC23LIVE 2011

OFFICIAL LAUNCH

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ECTARC is taking student support, training and professional development opportunities to a whole new level! For more information visit www.ectarc.com.au

CHILDCARE QUEENSLAND NEWS - SPRING 2011

25

Mind the gap The Super Gender Gap Prepared by Samantha Myers, Independent Fund Administrators & Advisors

W

ith average retirement payouts in the region of $136,000 for men and only $63,000 for women1 it is clear that when it comes to retirement savings, there is a distinct ‘gender gap’.

Throw into the bargain that women have longer life expectancies than men2 and it can be argued that women need more savings than men to fund a comfortable retirement.

Why the gap?

Super was designed for people who have a full working life, not those who take extended periods out of the workforce.

A 2011 study from the Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees (AIST) found that four out of five of the women in the study took a career break during their lives to raise children, the average length of the break being 13 years. The outcome was, that of the women in the survey who had super, only 6 per cent said their money lasted more than 10 years; 43 per cent said it lasted less than one year3.

Let’s look at the numbers: If you leave the workforce at age 35 for 10 years and you’re a professional woman earning $80,000, you’re actually giving up over $380,000 in super, compounded over 30 years, earning just 7.5 per cent investment earnings4.

In addition to career breaks, Australian women (statistically speaking) earn less than Australian men. In August 2010, the Australian gender pay gap was 16.9%5. Plus, women are more likely to undertake parttime or casual work which reduces their ability to earn and contribute to their retirement savings (in 2008/09 85% of men worked full time compared with 55% of women6).

Bridging the gap Salary Sacrifice.

Salary Sacrifice is when your employer pays part of your before-tax salary into your super.

Topping up your superannuation with salary sacrifice contributions may also provide you with tax savings right now by lowering your taxable income level.

You can salary sacrifice as much – or as little – as you like. But there are certain conditions that could affect the amount you choose to salary sacrifice^.

26

Salary sacrifice works best when your marginal income tax rate is more than 15%. If you earn less than $35,000 p.a.*, your income and super tax rates may be the same, so salary sacrifice may not give you an added advantage.

Instead, making after-tax super contributions may be better for you because you may be eligible for a Government Co-contribution of up to $1,000 in 2011/2012.

For more information please visit our website: qiec.com.au, click on Members, then Grow your Super, then Salary Sacrifice.

Government co-contribution.

You may have heard of the Government Co-Contribution but you might not know what it is. It’s really quite simple.

If your gross income* is $31,920 or less in the 2011/12 financial year and you contribute $1,000 (after tax) into your QIEC Super account, the Government will match your contribution by 100%. That’s an additional $1,000 into your super account.

Where your total income* is over $31,920, the co-contribution payable will reduce by 3.333 cents for each dollar your income* is over $31,920.

It will reduce to zero at an income* of $61,920.

Certain requirements do apply for this scheme, so it’s best you read the QIEC Super Co-Contribution Fact Sheet on our website for more information: qiec.com.au, click on Members, then Grow your Super, then Government Co-contribution.

Spouse contributions.

Contributing to your spouse’s super might make sense if your spouse has a low income or does not work at all. By making a spouse contribution, you can receive a tax rebate of up to $540 each financial year.

Conditions apply so please visit our website: qiec.com.au, click on Members, then Grow your Super, then Spouse Contributions.

Contribution Splitting.

Contribution Splitting is where your spouse can transfer up to 85 per cent of his/her past year’s concessional contributions to your account (or vice versa) – this can help to keep yours and your partner’s super accounts even.

Conditions apply so please visit our website: qiec.com.au, click on Members, then Grow your Super, then Contribution Splitting.

1(The Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia Limited, Retirement savings update (2008). www.superannuation.asn.au/ Reports/default.aspx. figures from 2005-06 financial year. 2http://www. aihw.gov.au/life-expectancy-how-australia-compares/ 3http://www.aist. asn.au/media/74552/2011_superpoor_but_surviving_web.pdf Superpoor, but surviving, experiences of Australian women in retirement.

AIST 2011 4 Assumptions: the figures provided assume the member had an opening balance of $50,000 at age 35 and an ongoing salary of $80,000 until age 65. The results do not take any fees, tax or inflation into account. The results allow for an SG contribution rate of 9% employer SG contributions and that no contributions are made during the 10 year break from employment. The results allow for a 7.5% investment return. During the 10 year break the balance of the members

account continues to earn an investment return of 7.5%. http:// www.moneysmart.gov.au/tools-and-resources/calculators-and-tools/ superannuation-calculator .financial year.

5Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency. Pay Equity Statistics. Australian Government, 2010. http://www.eowa.gov.au/ Pay_Equity/Files/PE_STATS.pdf 6Year Book Australia 2009 – 10 “Men were more likely than women to work full time (85% compared with 55%) http://www.abs.gov.au/ AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/Lookup/D1627ABE11C4B12CCA25773700169C6A.” 7 http://www.theage.com.au/money/super-and-funds/unequalopportunity-20110705-1gzif.html *Income is defined as assessable income plus reportable fringe benefits plus reportable employer superannuation contributions (RESC). RESC is generally superannuation contributions which you have asked your employer to make as salary sacrifice (before tax) or additional employer contributions (in addition to Superannuation Guarantee or award contributions) paid on your behalf as part of a remuneration package.

Consult your employer to identify your likely RESC for the ^ Before-tax contributions count towards your concessional contributions cap. Any contributions over the cap may be subject to extra tax.

CHILDCARE QUEENSLAND NEWS - SPRING 2011

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28

Child protection week queensland 2011 a stunning success Prepared by - Vivienne Wynter, media liaision consultant for Child Protection Week Queensland Centre

T

his year's key message' Protecting children is everybody's business' was high profile during Child Protection Week 4-9 September with events around the state including the award winners announcement and ceremony at Parliament House.

The ceremony was well attended by the child protection sector and senior media, government and business supporters including The Minister for Child Safety Phil Reeves, Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson, Kay McGrath and Max Walters from Channel 7, Courier Mail editor David Fagan and Pam Martin from KFC. Child Protection Week Queensland Chair Holly Brennan said the Child Protection Week Awards, along with special events around the state, succeeded in communicating important child protection messages to hundreds of thousands of people.

High profile award winners Bruce and Denise Morcombe and Bravehearts founder Hetty Johnston received excellent media coverage for winning the Education Initiative Award and the Professional (Non-Government) Award respectively.

“The awards recognise the champions who strive daily to make Queensland a safer place for all children,” said Child Protection Week Queensland Chair Holly Brennan.

As well as the launch and awards ceremony, several other major events highlighted Child Protection Week 2011,

including: • a special Remembrance Day event at GOMA to acknowledge people who experienced abuse and neglect in the care of the church and state child protection systems; • the Child Protection Week Function at The Ship Inn themed ‘Acknowledging Child Protection Workers’; • Queensland Theatre Company and young people in Brisbane and Toowoomba presenting Process Drama and theatre performances; and • regional and suburban events including training workshops, forums and family fun days highlighting Child Protection Week Child Protection Week Queensland is run by a committee including representatives from the public, private and community sectors. Ms Brennan thanked the members of the Child Protection Week Queensland Committee and its working committees who worked hard to deliver Child Protection Week Queensland 2011.

“The Queensland Child Protection Committee are proud in our 25th year of child protection week activities to be able to provide even more grants,

activities and functions celebrating children’s rights to be safe.

“The importance of the week continues to be recognised by more and more families, community groups, government organisations and corporate groups, really demonstrating that child protection is indeed everyone’s business.”

The winners of the Child Protection Week Queensland Awards: Professional (Government) Award – Corelle Davies, Child Safety Director Queensland Health Professional (Non-Government) Award – Hetty Johnston, Bravehearts Volunteer Award – Jill Wesche, Child Witness Support Volunteer with Protect All Children Today (PACT) Regional Program Award – Thursday Night Live Initiative - Mount Isa Youth Services Collaborative and the MT ISA PCYC Education Initiative Award – Daniel Morcombe Foundation Youth Participation Award – Legal Aid Queensland Child Protection Unit and Youth Advocate Child Protection Week Queensland is supported by the Department of Communities.

Child Protection Week Queensland Award Winners L-R Back Row Hetty Johnston, Nigel Miller, Sergeant Gina Scott, Bruce Morcombe, Corelle Davies, Melissa Britton, Belinda Wilkie, L-R Front Row Alvin Fava, Denise Morcombe, Jill Wesche, Jen Glover

CHILDCARE QUEENSLAND NEWS - SPRING 2011

29

EXERCISING THE TENANT'S OPTIONS Prepared by - Daniel Armfield, Porta Lawyers

W

hat is an option?

The Option in the Lease (if present) is the Further Term of the Lease as a number of years or months commencing from the Expiry Date of the current Lease term. In Queensland the Option details are found at Item 6 of the Form 7 first page of the Lease. In Western Australia the Options are found on the Form L1 “Term” first page of the Lease.

Does an Option automatically re-new the Lease?

Queensland Strictly speaking, it does not. Most Leases contain an Option Exercise Period during which time the Tenant must notify the Landlord in writing to the Landlord’s address for notices of their intention to exercise the Option. In Queensland there are no specific statutory requirements for commercial leases. However, the Retail Shop Leases Act 1994 (Qld) provides that Landlords must notify the Tenant at least 2 months, but not longer than 6 months, before the Option Date. The Option Date is the last date of the Option Exercise Period in the Lease. The Option Exercise Period will be set out under Definitions or in the Item Schedule of the Lease.

General Lease Clauses In addition to what has been discussed most Leases, Retail or Commercial will also have Clauses under a specific Part governing the Exercise of Options. It is well advised that these are read carefully and if not understood the Tenant should contact his/her solicitor.

Finally, one note of caution before exercising an Option is that a Tenant may not be able to retract the exercise of the Option if he/she does not agree with the Landlord’s market rent for the Further Term. It is prudent for a Tenant to gain the Landlord’s agreement on the market rent for the Further Term before committing to the exercise of the Option. If the lease is unclear Tenants should speak to their solicitor who can advise them further on the exercise of the Option. 

Western Australia Retail Lease Retail Leases in Western Australia are guaranteed a term of no less than five years if a Tenant chooses to enforce it. The Commercial Tenancy (Retail Shops) Agreements Act 1985 (WA) (“the ACT”) provides that if a Retail Lease is for a term of less than 5 years the Tenant may be granted an Option to extend it for a period of no more than 5 years including the current term.

Further, where a Retail Lease does not provide for an Option the Tenant may in writing twelve months prior to the Expiry of the Lease, request the Landlord to provide his/her intentions on granting any further Option to the Tenant. The Act also provides that if a Landlord fails to respond after thirty days to the Tenant’s requests, then the Lease is extended by the amount of time that the Landlord fails to respond.

Western Australia Lease Non Retail Commercial Leases in Western Australia do not have strict statutory mechanisms for the exercise of the Option pursuant to Property Law Act 1969 (WA) (“the Act”). The Act provides protection more for Tenants who’s Landlords fail to exercise the Option on the basis of a purported default by the Tenant.

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CHILDCARE QUEENSLAND NEWS - SPRING 2011

31

Associate Members

directory Associate Members may offer CQ members special rates, discounts or incentives for utilising their products/ service. CQ recommends that members contact each Associate Member first before making your decision.

Ensure you state that you are a current CQ member.

Company

Contact

Location

Contact No

Website address

Acer Architects

Tommy Baxter

Brisbane

07 3366 4256

www.acerarchitects.com.au

Jardine Architects

Greg Jardine

Brisbane

07 3229 9322

www.jardinearchitects.com.au

Daniel Armfield

Geebung

07 3265 3888

www.portalawyers.com.au

ANZ Bank

Lyn Lange

Queensland

07 3228 3157

www.anz.com

Bankwest

Paul Barbagallo

Queensland

07 3623 5002

www.bankwest.com.au

Numeropro

Peta Hagger

Robina

07 5592 5800

www.numeropro.com

QK Technologies (Qikkids)

Michael Hovey

Brisbane

07 3907 1500

www.qikkids.com.au

Altiora

Marian Sheffield

Brisbane

07 3237 8666

www.altiorachildcare.com.au

The Guild Group

Peter Jarrett

Spring Hill

07 3230 8500

www.guildgroup.com.au

GD Trivett & Associates Pty Ltd

Darren Trivett

Fortitude Valley

07 3216 1011

www.trivett.net.au

Herron Todd White

Simon Fox

Brisbane

07 3002 0900

www.htw.com.au

Child’s Play Consultancy Services

Pam Maclean

Queensland

0412 525 426

www.childsplayconsultancy.com.au

Childcare By Design

Brenda Abbey

Queensland

07 5444 5660

www.childcarebydesign.com.au

Kids and Adults Learning

Annette Cunado

Northgate

1300 783 880

www.kal.net.au

Tailored Childcare Management

Vicki Ward

Forest Lake

07 3723 7722

www.atcm.com.au

Impressions Childcare Management

Jeanine Scull

Carindale

07 3393 9185

www.icmanagement.com.au

Quality Child Care Management

Katrina Pridmore

Gold Coast

07 5563 8048

www.qualityccm.com.au

Guardian Childcare Alliance

Anthony Smith

Brisbane

07 3832 7933

www.guardianchildcare.com.au

Total Childcare Solutions

John Wall

Brisbane

07 3632 1127

www.totalchildcaresolutions.com.au

Giggletree Pty Ltd

Samantha Ahern

Brisbane

07 3204 7767

www.giggletree.com.au

Australian Child Care Career Options

Narelle Cossettini

Queensland

07 3257 1972

www.accco.com.au

Australian Institute of Early Childhood Studies

Tara Kuczynski

Brisbane

07 3801 3962

www.aiecs.com.au

Charlton Brown

Trevor Ganley

Brisbane

07 3221 3855

www.charltonbrown.com.au

King's International College

Paula Brand

Gold Coast

07 5593 4386

www.education.kings.net.au

Architects/Engineers

Legal Services Porta Lawyers Banking Services

Child Care Software / it support

Insurance Services

Valuers

Consultancy Services/Management

Training Providers

32

Company

Contact

Location

Contact No

Website address

Dinah Pherous

Red Hill

07 3217 6649

www.littletummytucker.com.au

Matthew Ware

Rocklea

07 3277 0914

www.sureplay.com.au

Jeffrey Jones

Milton

07 3124 5500

www.ezidebit.com.au

Benchmark

Lincoln Bridge

Gold Coast

07 5562 2711

www.childcare4sale.com.au

Weyman Jones Business Brokers & Valuers

Gary England

Noosa Heads

07 5447 2788

www.wjbusinessbrokers.com.au

Harcourts Surfers Paradise

Graeme Pettit

Surfers Paradise

07 5539 0066

www.harcourts.com.au

Expect A Star

Ben Bullock

Brisbane

1300 669 653

www.expectastar.com.au

Randstad Education

Angie Wiegand

Brisbane

07 3337 5230

www.randstad.com.au/education

Child Care Super Fund

Ross Rosenberg

Brisbane

0418 880 724

www.childcaresuper.com.au

QIEC Super

Rita Svensson

Brisbane

07 3238 1207

www.qiec.com.au

Hesta Super Fund

Michael Scanlon

Brisbane

07 3112 2332

www.hesta.com.au

Funtastic Limited

Terry Horner

Rosebury

02 9557 5144

www.funtastic.com.au

Educational Experience

Mary McCafferty

Queensland

0407 693 391

www.edex.com.au

Food Hygiene Australia (Auditing Service)

Peter Landrigan

Victoria

03 9578 4661

www.foodhygieneaustralia.com.au

Physi Kids (Sport and Fitness)

Kayleen Tolley

Brisbane

0412 083 186

www.physikids.com

Learning Foundations

Helena King

Brisbane

1300 799 268

www.learning-foundations.com.au

Gold Coast Inclusion Support Agency

Jo Goodwin

Gold Coast

07 55958999

www.lccq.org.au

Food & Nutrition Little Tummy Tucker Surfacing Sure-Play Payment Solutions Ezidebit Pty Ltd Brokers

Staff Recruitment

Superannuation

Toys & Resources

Other

CHILDCARE QUEENSLAND NEWS - sprING 2011

33