I visited the Early Childhood Australia website. This website had many interesting topics.
The issue of childcare funding was a topic that seems to be international. The information focused on low and middle income families being in need. Although more funding is needed it was noted that there is an "investment of already more than $20 billion that is already being made in early childhood education and care services" (Early Childhood Australia). The amount of money being spent in early childhood is an issue that many countries are re-evaluating. The importance of early education is becoming more popular and necessary across the world. Childcare is expensive and there needs to be more assistance for the low income.
Quality care is also an issue that was discussed on this website. Across the world it is known that the type and quality of care that children receive is important. This in not only a subject that is highly researched, it is being developed across the world. Finding this information is inspirational. I am happy to see that people across the world are beginning the understand that without quality care, our children suffer.
Sometimes it is easy to forget that early childhood is a topic that has become important across the world. Visiting websites from different parts of the world are important to understanding that everyone is recognizing the importance of early childhood care.
References
Early Childhood Australia, retrieved from www.earlychildhoodaustralia.au/
Lisa,
ReplyDeleteYou make a good point that early childhood is of great interest internationally. I looked at the European perspective and they, too, are focused on quality care. Specifically, their conference this year focused on the needs of children pre-birth to through age 3.
Lisa,
ReplyDeleteI do too realized that more countries are paying attention to the amount of money spent in early childhood. This is a good sign that they want to make it more accessible to almost every one because its benefits are being recognized.
Lisa,
ReplyDeleteI, too reviewed the Early Childhood Australia websight. I found it most interesting reading about the Aboriginal and Tosse Strait Islander people and how currently ECA is supporting them.
Crystal
Thank you for such an informative blog post. I agree with the statement that quality care is essential to any early childhood program. I reviewed the Australian early childhood network and their various research endeavors. It is very encouraging that most establishments no matter what the country all basically are saying the same things. It gives me hope that one day early childhood programs will be universally designed and a mandatory part of formal education.
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