In exploring http://www.early-education.org.uk, the publications and resources area has been the most beneficial to me in my career. In this area, numerous leaflets are available for professionals as resources on topics ranging from how to improve outdoor play options to helping children cope with change.
The concept that made me reflect and pause was the fact that all 3 and 4 year old are entitled to 15 hours of nursery school for 38 weeks. While I have yet to find out how this is supported financially, I recognize what a tremendous support this must be for families. In Northern Ireland, approximately 90% of children ages 3-4 may have funded preschool however there is no guarantee that the family will receive funding. In the event that the need surpasses the availability, spaces will be awarded to those families in socio-economical disadvantaged area and four years olds. I wonder why one country is able to fund early learning successfully, while another cannot guarantee placement.
The economists are debating about funding the 15 hour nursery school and what methodology creates the highest return on investment. While the report did not share long-term child outcomes, it did discuss variations in the concept of single funding formula and whether the local regions participated. It appeared that many of the respondents represented in the survey felt this type of funding would be a disaster as they felt their programs were already high quality and located in low income areas.
Based on the information I have reviewed thus far, I believe that England has some of the very same challenges that the US has in promoting quality and retaining highly qualified teachers. Another issue that I feel is prominent in my own facility includes whether or not to incorporate technology into the classroom. Our ERS standards have all but diminished screen time based on the lack of developing relationships and other vital skills. The above site has a leaflet that includes various ways children of all ages (including infants) are exposed to technology and benefits of inclusion. Their stance was that today's children are born into a techno world, why not embrace it?
Friday, September 27, 2013
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Introducing...
I have reached out to two child care organizations and have learned a lot about child care services overseas. While I have not been able to obtain personal names of the people who are posting on either site, I have gained insight into programming.
I am following the Grafton House Day Care Nursery located in England. They have posted various pictures of various foods they use to supplement children's lunches with. Some days the pictures are fruits or rice pudding, but I have also seen they offer a baked potato topped with cheese. The offer free day care for 15 hours for 2 and 3 year olds. I have yet to learn how this is possible. They are in the process of participating in a walk to "Stomp out Hunger" by wearing willies (appear to be rain boats of various colors).
As mentioned in a previous post, I am also following the Australian Early Childhood Network. Again, I have not been able to obtain a specific persons name who runs the page, but have recently read a post that they shared regarding readiness age for formal schooling. They posted an article from England praising their system as well as Finland. The article can be found at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-24058227. It appears to me that we all look to other countries for better ways to meet children's needs. Maybe if we took a little from each other's cultures, we'd have the perfect system!
I have learned that poverty can have far reaching effects beyond the ability to pay the bills. Poverty also effects primary needs of food and housing as well as mental health issues and education. I have also located an agency in my local area that provides funding to assist those who live in poverty. They are a grant agency that manages donations from philanthropists and matches them with worthy projects. I am pleased to see that an agency like this exists in my area.
I am following the Grafton House Day Care Nursery located in England. They have posted various pictures of various foods they use to supplement children's lunches with. Some days the pictures are fruits or rice pudding, but I have also seen they offer a baked potato topped with cheese. The offer free day care for 15 hours for 2 and 3 year olds. I have yet to learn how this is possible. They are in the process of participating in a walk to "Stomp out Hunger" by wearing willies (appear to be rain boats of various colors).
As mentioned in a previous post, I am also following the Australian Early Childhood Network. Again, I have not been able to obtain a specific persons name who runs the page, but have recently read a post that they shared regarding readiness age for formal schooling. They posted an article from England praising their system as well as Finland. The article can be found at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-24058227. It appears to me that we all look to other countries for better ways to meet children's needs. Maybe if we took a little from each other's cultures, we'd have the perfect system!
I have learned that poverty can have far reaching effects beyond the ability to pay the bills. Poverty also effects primary needs of food and housing as well as mental health issues and education. I have also located an agency in my local area that provides funding to assist those who live in poverty. They are a grant agency that manages donations from philanthropists and matches them with worthy projects. I am pleased to see that an agency like this exists in my area.
Friday, September 13, 2013
International Web Resources
Australian Early Childhood Network
I chose to learn more about the Australian Early Childhood Network (https://www.facebook.com/AustralianEarlyChildhoodEducationNetwork). I am currently following them on Facebook and have learned that Australia is facing many of the same issues and inequities that child care centers in the US face such as higher child to staff ratios, lower pay, lack of professional recognition, and endless paperwork. Despite that their government pays salaries of some child care staff, there are still issues with qualifying for funding and meeting paperwork requirements. The teachers also stated that they do not feel they have enough quality time with the children as they are continually completing reports.
Their focus is be "an online community for Early Childhood Educators everywhere to share information, resources, ideas, views on the National Quality Agenda and their own personal passion for early childhood education." I have asked them about how they include families from diverse cultures or if they had a range of diversity in their centers, but have not gotten a response yet.
I chose to learn more about the Australian Early Childhood Network (https://www.facebook.com/AustralianEarlyChildhoodEducationNetwork). I am currently following them on Facebook and have learned that Australia is facing many of the same issues and inequities that child care centers in the US face such as higher child to staff ratios, lower pay, lack of professional recognition, and endless paperwork. Despite that their government pays salaries of some child care staff, there are still issues with qualifying for funding and meeting paperwork requirements. The teachers also stated that they do not feel they have enough quality time with the children as they are continually completing reports.
Their focus is be "an online community for Early Childhood Educators everywhere to share information, resources, ideas, views on the National Quality Agenda and their own personal passion for early childhood education." I have asked them about how they include families from diverse cultures or if they had a range of diversity in their centers, but have not gotten a response yet.
Friday, September 6, 2013
Establishing Professional Contacts
Part #1
I have to admit that this has not been as easy as I had planned to locate professionals outside the US. I was very eager to find professionals from Australia and England and started with the sites in our blog resources. I selected OMEP sites for the 2 countries and emailed both agencies, but to no avail. I did not received responses and decided I did not want to wait much longer. I ended up on Facebook and found the PACCA page (Pennsylvania Child Care Association). PACCA shares articles on a variety of ECE topics and they happen to be covering the Big Steps initiative in Australia. From what I have gathered so far, they are working to bring attention to the professional attributes of child care and calling for increased wages. I reviewed their page and found a link to the Australian Early Childhood Education Network and private messaged them. They are eager to work with me and answer whatever questions I have. As I felt successful with Facebook, I searched for England Child Care and game across a child care named the Grafton House Day Care Nursery. They offer free child care for children ages 2 and 3. I reached out to them as well and they have responded positively. I am looking forward to learning more about each country and what their successes and challenges are.
Part #2
I chose to research http://www.early-education.org.uk/ because I have researched the High Scope program and many of the training materials are based in English Child Cares. I am eager to learn more about their systems.
Questions...
I am interested in learning about their ratios, pay/benefits, training requirements and general working conditions. I am also interested in learning about the perception that parents and government have on child care in these countries and their funding sources as well as QRIS.
I have to admit that this has not been as easy as I had planned to locate professionals outside the US. I was very eager to find professionals from Australia and England and started with the sites in our blog resources. I selected OMEP sites for the 2 countries and emailed both agencies, but to no avail. I did not received responses and decided I did not want to wait much longer. I ended up on Facebook and found the PACCA page (Pennsylvania Child Care Association). PACCA shares articles on a variety of ECE topics and they happen to be covering the Big Steps initiative in Australia. From what I have gathered so far, they are working to bring attention to the professional attributes of child care and calling for increased wages. I reviewed their page and found a link to the Australian Early Childhood Education Network and private messaged them. They are eager to work with me and answer whatever questions I have. As I felt successful with Facebook, I searched for England Child Care and game across a child care named the Grafton House Day Care Nursery. They offer free child care for children ages 2 and 3. I reached out to them as well and they have responded positively. I am looking forward to learning more about each country and what their successes and challenges are.
Part #2
I chose to research http://www.early-education.org.uk/ because I have researched the High Scope program and many of the training materials are based in English Child Cares. I am eager to learn more about their systems.
Questions...
I am interested in learning about their ratios, pay/benefits, training requirements and general working conditions. I am also interested in learning about the perception that parents and government have on child care in these countries and their funding sources as well as QRIS.
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