Umair Tariq’s Post

We knew well before the Royal Commission into early childhood education handed down its report that we need more early childhood educators. That’s why we brought back early childhood courses that the former government cut to TAFE SA. And it’s why we put early childhood on the fee-free TAFE list. The results have been incredible - a 185% increase in enrolments. That’s 507 South Australians getting the skills they need to work in preschools and childcare centres. Up from 178 enrolments in 2022. The first 1,000 days of a child’s life is crucial. And that’s why we’re investing in the workforce - who will make a big difference to the lives of children every day.

Few things are more powerful than an ideas whose time has come... and it is time for... Always Growing You! For many years we have been talking about, developing ideas for and getting excited about offering training and education to the early years community and now Always Growing Early Education and Childcare are. We plan to offer a mix of sessions run with professional partners, like our launch focus on Makaton, and in-house offering that is professional development for the sector, by the sector. Initially this will be in person workshops with a plan to refine our offer and take it online down the line. Exciting times ahead... #professionaldevelopment #earlyyears #CPD

👩🎓 Progressing your childcare career 👩🎓   Obtaining Early Years qualifications typically involves completing relevant education and training programs that prepare you to work with children. 👀 How do you do this? 👀 There are various qualification paths you can pursue, Common Early Years qualifications include: 💡 Childcare and Early Years Educator (Level 2 and 3): These qualifications are typically offered by colleges and training providers. Level 3 is often required for positions that involve leading a classroom or team. 💡 Continuing Professional Development (CPD): Stay current in the field by engaging in ongoing professional development. Many Early Years professionals attend workshops, conferences, or additional training courses to enhance their skills and knowledge. 💡 Gain Experience: Many qualifications include mandatory practical experience components, but you can also gain experience through volunteering or part-time jobs in childcare settings. Early Years qualifications are important for several reasons, primarily related to nursery ratios, development, and education of young children. ⭐ Make the difference ⭐ #earlyyears #qualifications #childcare

👩🎓👩🏫 Stable and supportive schooling and childcare can greatly alleviate the stress and uncertainty families experience during relocation. 😮💨 DFA has been advocating for children of current serving Defence members to be recognised as a priority cohort by state and territory education departments. We would like to see schools accept a Defence Posting Order as proof of address for zoning and enrolment purposes, prior to families securing housing in their new location. 😃 Recently, we successfully advocated for Defence to provide a letter to schools for families facing challenges with enrolments. The letter, signed by the former CDF, General Campbell, requested that schools consider Defence families' applications for enrolment with "compassion and flexibility" and brings attention to the unique circumstances faced by Defence families during their relocation. These include: 👨👩👧👦 challenges in accessing timely schooling/childcare for children due to frequent moves. 👨👩👧👦 inability to provide proof of address or identify designated school/centre catchment due to short notice of home address, and temporary accommodation requirements. DFA hopes Defence and DMFS will continue engaging with governments and education departments to ensure this letter is effective in bringing about ongoing positive changes for Defence children. 👉📄For a copy of the letter, or assistance with school and childcare enrolments, you can contact the DMFS hotline on 1800624608 or speak with your local Education Liaison Officer. 📷: Meta AI

A recent Procare Solutions survey found that 31% of respondents rely on paper-based curriculum, which becomes outdated quickly and often is cumbersome to understand — especially for #ece teachers with little experience. That number is similar for those creating their own curriculum! Check out this blog to learn what a digital curriculum can do for your #childcare program!: https://lnkd.in/gAA5-eai

Parents, are you looking for the right preschool for your child? Remember to use your "head, heart, and gut" when making this important decision. Luckily, we have a great resource that summarizes all factors to consider when picking a nursery/preschool for your child. By following these steps and carefully considering your options, you can select a nursery that meets your child's needs and provides a positive and enriching early learning experience. #parentingtips #earlylearning #preschoolselection #nurseries #preschool #parents #earlylearning Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS)

At a time when cost savings rank as the biggest concern for #childcare and #ece programs, an all-digital curriculum that includes automatic updates typically is more affordable and easier to navigate than continually re-ordering sets of books and binders. Learn more reasons how your center could benefit from a digital curriculum: https://lnkd.in/gtNd4KHG

Building a Canada-wide early learning and child care system isn’t child’s play. It’s no secret there’s a shortage of early childhood educators across Canada, which is why we’re working with provinces, territories and Indigenous partners to: 💸 implement wage grids and increase wages 🍎 offer tuition bursaries 📚 support ongoing professional development 🎉 and more! We know you value your child’s early education, and we need to better support the professionals giving them that education. #EarlyChildhoodEducators #EarlyChildhoodEducation #EarlyLearning #ChildCare #ECEAppreciation

I had the privilege of visiting some Community Based Childcare Centres (CBCCs) in Rumphi. That’s Lunyina CBCC, about 10 kilometers away from Bolero, Rumphi district. One of the most interesting aspects that I noted besides my ECD data collection quality control checks was the level of investment that has been made specifically by ActionAid In upgrading of CBCCs. Atleast our children have the minimum level of structures for learning planted across the district. Second is the fact that these centres are always less than 300 metres away from primary school. I think it drives the acceleration of Early Childhood Education agenda. One of the priorities in Malawi Implentation plan. I now hve first hand evidence to push for financing and acceleration of Early Childhood Education policies that currently under review. We will push for more progress in Early Childhood Development 💪🏽.

Why do we provide childcare vouchers alongside our vocational training courses? In Kenya almost 2 in 10 girls aged 15-19 years old become pregnant*, with even higher rates associated with poverty and lack of education. This presents major challenges for individual futures and for socioeconomic development in depriving girls the opportunity to further their education and attain their career goals. By providing our courses for free with a comprehensive package of support to set every student up for success, we are changing the narrative! Young mothers need support with childcare to remove barriers to learning. Since we increased this support through our Seed of Hope vocational and business skills training programme in 2021, we’ve seen more young mothers enrol, complete their courses, and go on to run successful small businesses. We provide these as cash for young mothers to use to pay for childcare for their under 3’s and support with their young children’s basic needs, which ensures dignity and choice in their decision-making. "As a young mother, being at Seed of Hope has been the best dream ever. This opportunity has been my only chance to get where I would like to be. The skills I have gained at Seed of Hope, along with the menstrual hygiene pack, child care voucher, and counselling I have received here, have played a significant role in my life. I look forward to starting my business after graduation, confident that this course will enable me to reach my dreams. Thank you." - Lucy (name changed), Hairdressing & Beauty graduate, Seed of Hope Kariti 2023 *Data from The Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS) 2022 key indicators report released by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics #seedofhope #vocationaleducation #kenya #youngmothers #mumpreneurs #womeninbusiness