Research Around The World

Early Childhood Australia: This is the Australian equivalent to the U.S. based NAEYC. You can access several links to early childhood research from the menu on the left side of the home page.
http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/

1.     What are some of the current international research topics?

New research commissioned by The Early Childhood Australia (ECA) shows that nearly 70 percent of individuals surveyed think affordable early education is more important than Paid Parental Leave (PPL) to young families. The research also shares that across all demographics, regardless of age, location or income, respondents where overwhelmingly supportive of affordable early education as having the biggest difference to families with young children.

2.     What surprisingly facts/insights/new ideas about early childhood did I gain from exploring this international early childhood website?

This year, the Early Childhood Australia celebrated 75 years of continued service to Australian children. Early Childhood Australia was created in 1938. It was originally called ‘The Australian Association of Pre-School Child Development.’ I also learned that educators in Australia receive very low salaries. The teacher education programs that these educators attend cost more than their annual salaries. In year 1955, educators’ annual salaries were equivalent of $7,490.00 and $13,579.00 of U.S. dollars. This demonstrates that the Australian educators were dedicated to their field of education regardless of their annual salaries. The issue pertaining to educator salaries is an on-going issue within the Australian education department.

3.     What other noteworthy information did I find on this website?

ECA has been very involved and instrumental in the establishment of many early childhood groups and initiatives in Australia and internationally. Under the supervision of Kay Kinane, Allan Kendall was responsible for the introduction of the children’s television program Play School (which he adopted to an Australian children’s audience from a British format). Allan Kendall was the first male to be awarded an Alice Creswek Scholarship. Originally a high school teacher, Kendall became, and remained interested in preschool education during his work for the ABC’s Early Childhood Unit of which he eventually became Executive Producer.