Early Childhood Educator
National Laws, Ethics & Values
As an Early Childhood Educator (Employee, student or volunteer), I must abide by all National Law, Regulations and Acts relevant to working with children. The National Quality Framework has been set out to ensure the quality, outcomes and equality in provision of education, care and services.
In all my interactions, I treat others with dignity and respect. I respect the Rights of the Child, and all children. I will reflect upon my own professional practices, ethics and pedagogy to ensure that I provide quality care and experiences for children and their families. I will collaborate and work to create safe, supportive and inclusive learning environments that stimulate and challenge children’s unique skills, interests and abilities.
I will be guided by strong values and commitment to maintaining best practices and EYLF learning outcomes for all children. My non-negotiable strengths are respect, inclusion and joy in the innocence and potential of all children.
Early Childhood Australia Code of Ethics
Belonging, being and becoming
Belonging, being and becoming—Early Years Learning Framework
The EYLF Learning Outcomes
Children know who they are and where they belong. Indicators include:Children learn, model and grow into their world through their connection and engagement with people, places and things.Children grow in strength, resilience, physicality, emotionally and...
My native winter garden
It’s a winter garden but there is still a lot going on.
Biodiversity in the back yard
A responsibility is given to Early Childhood Educators to ensure children are learning about nature and animals, our interdependence and connection to earth and all living things. We have a role of teaching children to understand, conserve and appreciate nature, so as to become protectors it.
Cultural Sustainability
Cultural sustainability – is it a thing or is it essential? My stories from an aboriginal medicine woman, healer and why sharing and preserving indigenous knowledge is important.
The EARLY YEARS LEARNING FRAMEWORK
Children have a strong sense of identity
Children know who they are and where they belong. Indicators include:
Children are connected and contribute to their world
Children learn, model and grow into their world through their connection and engagement with people, places and things.
Children have a strong sense of WEllbeing
Children grow in strength, resilience, physicality, emotionally and spiritually.
children are confident and involved learners
Children engage with and make meaning from all activities, experiences and challenges both in the real world and through play.
Children are effective communicators
Children communicate using verbal, non-verbal communication to convey their meaning.
Volunteer, Community & Causes
Not for profit projects and charities for children and families that I proudly support.
Day of Difference Foundation - supporting critically injured children and their families.
The Day of Difference Foundation‘s work in supporting critically injured children and their families is World First. Despite many thousands of injuries occurring every year, there is no National Register until now. The Foundation also provides the stepping stones for more support for families, the often unrecognised when trauma has occurred. Read more by visiting http://dayofdifference.org.au
Heartfelt Hope - See the Unseen. Hear the Unheard. Love the Unloved.
I have a very special soft spot for this organisation founded by Helen and Ben Betz and their family. The incredible outreach and missionary program that now extends to impoverished countries to provide education, medical facilities and support for families, many of whom are orphan children who have been affected by AIDS and poverty. The organisation walks the talk – and the faith. “See the unseen. Hear the unheard. Love the unloved” On hearing a story from one of their missionaries in Uganda about a widowed Mother of 9 (4 of whom were orphans) praying for a roof to cover their home, I was able to donate something that meant comfort, protection and shelter in very real terms. Any donation you make to this organisation – 100% of what you donate to this organisation – goes to providing direct support to a family in need. Please visit heartfelthope.org.au to learn more.
Kiva.org - Empower people around the world with a $25 Loan.
Kiva.org is an amazing way to be able to help people who need assistance to support their efforts to create a better life for themselves and their communities. You can view people and projects and for as little as $25, you can join others to ‘group fund’ a project. This loan is then paid back in manageable, trackable amounts. When the loan is completed, you can simply give it back again to another project you choose. I chose to help fund a family in Cambodia who desperately needed a toilet for their health, safety and comfort. This was a gift to myself on Valentine’s Day and one I think I will repeat every year. 
Sunrise Children's Villages Cambodia
I met Sunrise founder, Geraldine Cox at a Business Chicks breakfast in Brisbane. This unforgettable, strong and dedicated woman responded to the tragedy that she found herself surrounded in and has made an immeasurable impact on the people of Cambodia. Her first words when speaking was “I am not going to apologise for the things that I am about to tell you…” and the entire convention was left heartbroken, but inspired by the courage of the children and their remarkable ability to respond and heal when placed in gentle, loving care. The villages comprise of many other little ‘brothers and sisters’ who too, have endured more than any child should bear. I donate to this charity when I can. I have a goal of participating in a service project to support Sunsrise Villages in 2017.