Document, Interpret and use information about children

A very practical hands on workshop with lots of examples provided, reflects DoCS and NCAC requirements, NSW Curriculum Framework and Emergent Curriculum. It will explore ways to:

• observe and document (record) relevant information about each child
• make this documentation effective
• link your observations to planning
• ensure you have relevant policies and procedures for this area of your work
• create a holistic picture of the child - via journals/portfolios
• share information about each child with their family

Workshop duration : 1 day (6 hours)

Manage a workplace OHS System

Participants can choose the following:

• A nationally recognised Statement of Attainment, which will be issued to those participants who successfully complete all assessment tasks or
• A Statement of Attendance will be issued to participants not seeking a nationally recognised qualification.

This workshop will explore ways to:

• identify hazards and assess risks
• follow procedures and strategies for risk control
• induct staff
• maintain appropriate OHS records 

This workshop also contributes towards your service meeting accreditatin requirements

Workshop duration : 3 hours

Born to Play -- The child's path to learning, creativity and wellbeing

This workshop is interactive and explores the following:

• We will look at play today to see how "play" has been changing over time.
• How are we finding time for children's play?
• What are current playthings? Why do we choose the toys and materials we do?
• Are there health implications for our children as a result of their play habits?
• In this modern and busy world, can we make a place for play?
• Learning with the heart, mind and body - fostering children's growth and wellbeing

Workshop duration : 3 hours

Behaviour - The tip of the iceberg

"Below the water line" your program philosophy sets the stage - for respectful staff and child interactions, nourishing environments, knowledgeable curriculum planning and supportive daily routines. We will look at how positive behaviours are affected by how we recognise and respond to children's physical needs and their requirement to be in a psychologically caring and safe place. Excellent early childhood settings adopt behaviour policies that involve staff in supporting children in a problem-solving approach to work through conflict. We will examine how "under the surface" habitual patterns of staff may stand in the way of creating responsive and respectful settings that are less stressful for all.

Workshop duration : 3 hours

Communication in early childhood services - It's what feelings sound like

Children's behaviour, participation and their abilities to learn are all affected by the communication culture we promote in our children's services - between adults, adults and children and child to child. We feel it in our body, we see it in the faces of others, we hear it in what is being said -- and what is not. This workshop examines the elements of communication that promote positive teamwork and relationships (responsiveness, sensitivity, respect, collaboration, engaging with children) and those that stand in the way. Our aim is to enjoy meaningful moments with the children and to recognise, respond to and reduce the stresses in our everyday environments.

Workshop duration : 3 hours

Indoor & Outdoor Environments

Excellent environments in early childhood settings have a welcoming appearance and are warm, caring, safe, secure and supportive. This is easy to say, but complicated to achieve. This workshop creates a dialogue about how to create warm and inviting places that also engage well with children's learning. It challenges us to offer indoor environments that value cognitive and social development as complimentary. It encourages us to broaden our outdoor environments as places for imagination, creativity and social opportunities - not just a running field.

Workshop duration : 3 hours

Brain Basics - Feed and water me. Protect me from stress.

This workshop examines how children's rapid brain growth must be understood and cared for in our early childhood settings. We discuss how easy it is for children's growth and learning to be affected when we are ignorant of the brain's basic needs. We will examine how perceptions of stress affect children's behaviour, participation and learning. We will see how stress affects children as it ranges from positive, to challenging, to toxic. The purpose of this workshop is for us to become aware in order to create settings that optimise children's health and wellbeing.

Workshop duration : 3 hours

Mathematics in Early Childhood - More than just counting!

The foundations of mathematical thinking occur in the early childhood years. Young children have access to a number of powerful mathematical ideas including argumentation, number sense, spatial and geometric thinking and algebraic reasoning. This workshop explores some of these powerful mathematical ideas and provides participants with pratical ideas for exploring mathematics with young children. Teaching and learning strategies to meet the needs of Indigenous children will be central to this workshop.

Workshop duration: 3 hours

Introducing Science to under 5's

A very hands on, practical and interactive workshop be prepared to get your hands dirty.

This professional development workshop focuses on an Earth and Space science curriculum designed to engage young children in activities that support them in developing scientifically accurate understandings of the world around them. This workshop provides a foundation of science learning which is deemed essential for all young children and especially for Indigenous children whose heritage is the land. The science activities seek to develop understanding about Planet Earth and the part we play in keeping it a home for plants and animals and us. Every time we pick up a rock, we are touching something that is thousands, millions, even billions of years old. If we can help our children discover the beauty and majesty of the Earth, they should grow up aware of the fragile balance that allows life to exist here. By studying how rocks form and change, scientists have built a solid understanding of the Earth we live on and its long history.

Delivered by Camila Gordon - Institute of Early Childhood, Australian Centre for Educational Studies, Macquarie University, Sydney.

Workshop duration : 3 hours