Early Childhood Australia

Early Childhood Australia
Formation 1938 (1938)
Legal status active
Headquarters Canberra, Australia
National President
 Ros Cornish
Patron
 His Excellency General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd), Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia
Key people
 First President Ada Mary a'Beckett
Website www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au

Early Childhood Australia is the peak early childhood advocacy organisation in Australia, acting in the interests of young children, their families and those in the early childhood education and care field. Early Childhood Australia advocates to ensure quality, social justice and equity in all issues relating to the education and care of children aged birth to eight years. Early Childhood Australia's vision: every young child is thriving and learning.

History

Early Childhood Australia has been a voice for young children since 1938 and in 2018 celebrated 80 years serving the early childhood sector. It began as the Australian Pre-School Association, renamed to the Australian Early Childhood Association and renamed again in 2003 to Early Childhood Australia.

Structure

Early Childhood Australia comprises branches in each state and territory in Australia. Early Childhood Australia members are representatives of the state and territory branches.

The national organisation of Early Childhood Australia is governed by a National Council and a National Board of Directors. The work of the organisation is supported by the National Office.

Early Childhood Australia is a non-profit organisation which is supported by its membership base.

Branches

The organisation identifies its branches as an integral part of the organisation; that help them identify issues and priorities for state and national action, and influence position statements concerning young children.

It is through the branches that Early Childhood Australia members interact for networking opportunities and to provide each other professional support.

Branches also elect members to represent them at a national level, ensuring that the organisation stays informed on issues of national importance. This provides members with the opportunity to inform and influence the direction and focus of the national body of Early Childhood Australia.

Each of the branches publishes a regular member newsletter focusing on local initiatives, as well as issues of national importance.

Australian Capital Territory Branch

New South Wales Branch

Northern Territory Branch

Queensland Branch

South Australia Branch

Tasmania Branch

Victoria Branch

Western Australia Branch

Code of Ethics

A code of ethics is a set of statements about appropriate and expected behaviour of members of a professional group and, as such, reflects its values.

The Early Childhood Australia Code of Ethics was first developed in 1990 by a national working party, with considerable input from the early childhood field. The 2003-06 Code of Ethics Agenda resulted in a new Code of Ethics, which was endorsed at Early Childhood Australia's National Council meeting in September 2006. The ECA Code of Ethics was again revised in consultation with the sector and the latest version updated in 2016. It is available at ECA Code of Ethics

The Code of Ethics is owned by the early childhood field, rather than imposed upon it.

Key issues

As well as promoting the United Nations' Convention on the Rights of the Child, Early Childhood Australia has lobbied governments on many key issues in the care and wellbeing of young children, such as:

  • children's rights
  • children of asylum seekers
  • inclusion and diversity
  • evidence-based standards for children's services
  • leadership and qualifications in early childhood services and schools.

As part of its advocacy work, Early Childhood Australia also develops position statements on a range of early childhood issues, such as:

  • Care of babies and toddlers
  • Children's rights
  • Inclusion of every child in early childhood education and care
  • Young children and digital technology use
  • Cultural diversity
  • Inclusion of children with disabilities in early childhood education and care
  • Language and literacy

Early Childhood Australia national conference

Early Childhood Australia's National Conference is the largest event of its kind in Australia for the early childhood education and care sector. It is for people who work with young children, and for all those who are interested in young children's wellbeing. The next ECA Conference is 'Be the Difference—for children and families' from 19 to 22 September 2018 at the International Convention Centre Sydney, NSW.

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