West Australian early childhood practitioners, parents and other stakeholders will have a unique opportunity to have their say on the future of early childhood education in Australia, through public consultations to be held on 20 November.
The Western Australia consultation sessions are part of a series of forums to be held in each capital city.
Perth will host two public consultation sessions on Thursday 20 November 2008 at Perth Convention Centre, Exhibition Centre, 21 Mounts Bay Road, Perth, from 3–5 pm and from 6.30–8.30 pm.
The Commonwealth Government, in partnership with state and territory governments, is developing the Early Years Learning Framework to guide the practice of early childhood educators and ensure quality and national consistency in delivery.
The Early Years Learning Framework is a key component of the National Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education and Care being progressed through the Council of Australian Governments’ productivity reform agenda.
Throughout the year the Rudd Government has conducted a series of symposiums and consultations around the Early Years Learning Framework to hear from early childhood experts, practitioners and parents.
A draft of the Early Years Learning Framework has been developed by a consortium of early childhood experts led by Charles Sturt University.
This framework has been released to inform the consultation process taking place in capital cities throughout November and December.
“The public forums are an integral part of developing the framework,” said Ms McKew.
“They give the early childhood sector and parents the opportunity to review, discuss and refine key components.
“We want a world class, evidence-based framework, accepted by all jurisdictions, early childhood experts and educators,” she said.
On 2 October 2008, the Minister for Education, Julia Gillard, and Ms McKew announced $700 000 in funding to the consortium to develop the framework to improve outcomes and opportunities for children during their critical early years.
“The Early Years Learning Framework is a key component of the Australian Government’s early childhood education reforms which encompass significant investment in the education, development, health and care of our children,” Ms McKew said.
For more information on the forum, please visit www.deewr.gov.au/eylf.
Written submissions can be sent to EYLF@deewr.gov.au.