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 truly enjoyed your post. I see we both focused on the same area. I look forward to reading more of your work.
ReplyDeleteI found your post very interesting. I have always wanted to go to Australia, and I look forward to reading more about the Australian education. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great resource! It is nice to know that other countries share the same struggles that we do and we can work together to learn new ways to do things and help each other out. Great post!
ReplyDeleteWow, its amazing how even though we are in different countries, we have the same hardships. I look forward to reading more of your blogs on this website. I am very interested in early childhood education in other countries.
ReplyDeleteArlene,
ReplyDeleteAustralia has always been one of the places on my bucket list to visit. Its always interesting to find out what is or is not working in other countries' education system. It seems that as a whole teachers are overworked and under-appreciated for such a profession that requires such passion. Just like in America, teachers in Australia have found that using social media and websites for teachers is the new and easy way to stay on top of your game, while sharing with others in the profession. I look forward to more information from your posts!
-Alyssa