ACECQA Newsletter Issue 2 2024

Welcome to our second edition which coincides with slightly cooler Autumn weather and the start of the Easter holiday period. How quickly this year is flying.

This issue covers some important information to support your critical role in ensuring children’s safety, health and wellbeing. In the lead up to World Health Day on 7 April (the anniversary of the founding of World Health Organisation in 1948), we spoke to the National Allergy Council about its best practice guidelines. The Council had some great tips to build awareness and knowledge about, and confidence in managing, allergies in education and care services.

We also include reminders of upcoming Regulation changes for family day care educator qualifications and first aid currency periods. Family Day Care is a critically essential service type for so many families and it is timely to acknowledge and celebrate all FDC educators and services during the National Family Day Care week (2 to 7 May).

If you are thinking about the costs and benefits of applying for the Excellent rating, this month, we share reflections of the process from our first Excellent rated service for 2024. Congratulations to Renee and her staff, families and children.

Australia’s early education and care sector is a relatively close knit professional community so you will understand that we are very sad to share the news of the passing of Professor Manjula Waniganayake, Honorary Professor, Macquarie School of Education. Manjula was a friend, mentor and colleague to so many teachers and educators both in Australia and internationally. Her contribution to the sector was enormous including her work on educational leadership and the professional learning, mentoring and career development of early childhood personnel. A recent article (January 2024) which Manjula co-authored reflects her significant contribution to the important journey of continuous quality improvement: The quest for continuous quality improvement in Australian long day care services: getting the most out of the Assessment and Rating process. Manjula’s work is also cited in our The Educational Leader Resource. To Manjula’s family, colleagues and all who had the good fortune to know her, our sincere condolence. 

To you, your children, young people and families, all of us at ACECQA send our best wishes for a safe and enjoyable time over the Easter break.

Gabrielle Sinclair
ACECQA CEO