EDUCATION UPDATE
SUMMER 2015/2016
Education
News.
INSIDE Lifelong Learning
School Readiness Program
- AIM training - Learning Hub - Quality Profiles - Assessment and Rating
Welcome to the first edition of Education News! The purpose of this newsletter is to keep you informed, so please print a copy or two to leave available for educator’s perusal.
It might be used to spark a conversation, raise a discussion at a staff meeting, or simply provoke educators reflection.
LIFELONG LEARNING: SCHOOL READINESS PROGRAM Through collaboration between Affinity’s education team, a collection of dedicated Area Managers, Centre Managers and Early Childhood Teachers (as well as the magical touch of the marketing team!), a new program has been created to support children aged three years to preschool in their journey of lifelong learning and their transition to school. The Lifelong Learning program is a framework designed to complement the current curriculum that is implemented in your centres and aligns perfectly with the approved learning frameworks nationally.
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Education News - Education Update - SUMMER 2015/2016
After commencing consultations in July, the first centre to trial this initiative in October was Bambini Meridan Plains. Carolyn (CM) and Kerry (ECT), spent time communicating the intentions of the program and collaborating with families on their expectations of the school readiness journey. They have to date received wonderful feedback from families, and have been an amazing support for the 17 other centres nationally that commenced their own trial in November. We would like to personally thank the trial centres in their enthusiasm and willingness to participate in this trial, we truly appreciate your teams taking on and running with it in these early stages.
Frequently asked questions: 1. Do I need to change my program format? No, you can continue using the same processes for documenting the children learning and displaying your program 2. Do I now refer to Lifelong Learning outcomes instead of EYLF outcomes? No, you still must follow the approved learning framework when developing your curriculum (eg EYLF, VEYLDF, QLD Kindergarten Guidelines). The Lifelong Learning intentions align with these frameworks so you can simply add Lifelong Learning intentions alongside your current outcomes. 3. How do I implement this program? In your own unique way. There is not one way to implement any program. Each educator will have their own influences and strategies. Feedback from trial centres suggests communication with families and the children about their own expectations in learning and
From here – we are excited to be in preparation for a National launch of the Lifelong Learning School Readiness program for all centres in your 3 – 5 age groupings, set for February 1st 2016! Educator training has been arranged for January 2016 for a representative from each centre (preferably the Educational Leader or ECT) to attend for support and guidance on the program’s intentions and implementation strategies. This session will include a Coaching and Mentoring workshop with a fabulous facilitator Nick, from the Australian Institute of
materials for the program ready for the launch, so each centre will receive:
●● 1.
Educator handbooks – promoting the educator’s role in implementing the program
not just linking to outcomes. 4. How do I communicate this to families? This may depend on your families’ expectations and your knowledge about early child education and care. It is well known that the first five years is crucial for children’s development in terms of social and emotional competence and brain development.
way for future academic outcomes and educational success. Our goal is to provide these opportunities and relationships via our Lifelong Learning program. 5. What is a transition statement? A transition statement is a document completed in collaboration with the educator, the child and
intentions of the program and information for families
mounted display of the intentions
embedding the relationships, practices and intentions,
supportive relationships in the early years paves the
Our marketing team are working on the supporting
●● 3. In Centre/Room working boards – a wall
remember that the success of this program is about
Opportunities in a play based environment and
Management.
●● 2. Family handbooks – promoting the
being ‘school ready’ might be a place to start. Please
the family and is used to communicate the child’s strengths, interests, needs and any other information that may influence their transition to school. This document is passed onto the school in which the child will attend to support the smooth transition from early childhood to school. A copy of this can be found on the intranet and on the Learning Hub, in the Lifelong Learning folder under the Resources tab. That’s all for now…….but watch this space, you will receive more information on the Educator Training dates for January soon!
Education News - Education Update - SUMMER 2015/2016
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Australian Institute of Management Training Since March 2015, the Centre Managers and Area Managers had the opportunity to complete nationally recognised qualifications Certificate IV in Frontline Management and Diploma of Management respectively through the Australian Institute of Management (AIM). This was a fantastic initiative that has never been seen in any other early childhood organisation before. These qualifications provide managers the opportunity to learn additional skills including, but not limited to, leadership, mentoring, team building and team management, emotional intelligence, customer service and continuous improvement. Recognition and appreciation goes to those managers who showed dedication and commitment by meeting the expectations of this study.
LEARNING HUB Since the launch in July, all educators and managers have had access to Affinity Education’s Learning Hub. This site, available via individual log in, is used to house professional development learning modules, interesting resources and articles, and updated policies. Affinity Education understands the link between the skills and education of its educators and the quality of outcomes for the children. With this in mind Affinity strongly encourages all educators and managers to access the Learning Hub and utilise the resources available. We have secured an agreement with ECA (Early Childhood Australia) and have access to their online learning modules. These, in addition to modules developed within Affinity Education, have been specifically designed to complement educators’ skills and knowledge in areas of compliance, safety and education.
To Access the Learning Hub STEP 1:
Go to http://affinityeducation.e3learning.com.au/
STEP 2:
Enter username: first.surname
STEP 3:
Enter password: training (you will be prompted to change your password)
STEP 4: A certificate will be issued upon successful completion of the modules. These will be a nice addition to educator’s portfolios and evidence of continual improvement necessary for assessment and rating.
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Personal details – you must enter your preferred email address If you or any educators have any trouble logging onto the Learning Hub, please send an email listing affected educator’s names to quality@ affinityeducation.com.au
Education News - Education Update - SUMMER 2015/2016
QUALITY PROFILES We have been receiving some wonderful feedback from centres regarding their monthly quality profiles and the positive responses from their families. These are a great opportunity to truly reflect on your practices in different quality areas and negotiate what you as a team can do to improve. Many centres have been sending through their profiles each month without fail so we very much appreciate your efforts!
Education News - Education Update - SUMMER 2015/2016
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ASSESSMENT AND RATING The assessment and rating process doesn’t need to be an anxious time for Centre Managers and educators. While being watched and assessed on your performance can be nerve-wracking, with careful preparation and ongoing reflection of quality practices, the assessment and rating process can be seen as ‘just another day at the centre’. A major part of the assessment and rating process is how Centre Managers and educators can justify their practices and decisions both in practice and verbally.
ARE YOU AND YOUR EDUCATORS CONFIDENT? Consider using these questions such as these for personal reflection, in a role play situation, randomly with educators throughout the day or discussion in a staff meeting:
●● Explain the QIP and what input you have had in
●● What evidence do you have that demonstrates
●● Explain what NQS 1.1.3 (or any other standard and
●● Explain the ratios and reasons for grouping the
●● Explain the service statement of philosophy.
●● How do you ensure that individual needs are
developing the QIP?
element) looks like in practice?
●● How is the ___________ policy embedded into the practices here?
●● Explain the ___________ policy.
family involvement in your program?
children in the way that you have.
being met?
●● Explain the terms ‘intentional teaching’,
‘scaffolding’, ‘critical reflection’ or ‘pedagogy’?
●● How have you developed your program?
DON’T STOP NOW DEVELOP YOUR OWN LIST OF QUESTIONS!
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Education News - Education Update - SUMMER 2015/2016
Level 14, 100 Creek Street BRISBANE QLD 4000 GPO Box 440 BRISBANE QLD 4000 Telephone: 07 3513 7700 www.affinityeducation.com.au Education News - Education Update - SUMMER 2015/2016
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