Before and After School Care
NSW Before and After School Care Fund Infrastructure Fund 2019
The NSW Government has begun to deliver on its $120 million commitment to expand access to before and after school care (BASC) for public primary school children across NSW through access to the Before and After School Care Infrastructure Fund and other initiatives via the SmartyGrants application process.
Currently eligibility to apply for these grants is restricted to services providing BASC care for government primary school children.
Catholic Schools NSW continues to work with the State government to explore the possibility of re-establishing access to SmartyGrants for services providing BASC for NSW Catholic schools students and their families.
Regulation and Policy Environment
The Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA), through the National Quality Framework (NQF), quality assures early childhood education in prior-to school services.
National Quality Framework (NQF)
Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Assurance (ACECQA)
Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF)
Lifting our Game Report
National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) for families and carers – The Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI) approach is available to all children aged under 7 with a developmental delay or disability.
Australian Early Development Census (AEDC)
The Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) data helps schools plan for the needs of children arriving at school. It assists schools identify areas where children and families in the community need additional support to achieve positive outcomes in the areas of:
- physical health and wellbeing
- social competence
- emotional maturity
- language and cognitive skills
- communication skills and general knowledge
Public data can be found here: https://www.aedc.gov.au/data/data-explorer
2021 Data Collection
Schools with kindergarten students participate in the census. Kindergarten teachers in all school sectors across NSW will be completing a research tool in term 2, 2021 based on observations of the children in their class.
A list of key dates for the 2021 data collection can be found here.
Find out more at www.aedc.gov.au or contact the AEDC Helpdesk
Phone: 1800 092 548 (free call)
Email: helpdesk@aedc.gov.au
Early Years Teacher Accreditation
For information about Early Years Teacher Accreditation please contact NESA.
Early Years Foundations for Learning Project
The Early Years Foundations for Learning project has been established in response to the Non-Government Reform Support Fund and NSW Bilateral Agreement focus area – Supporting students, student learning and achievement and in particular, boosting early achievement in literacy and numeracy.
The project has been established to engage families in early literacy and numeracy development by targeting home/school learning.
The project has been developed for families and educators and aims to
build the understanding that foundational literacy and numeracy skills happen through ‘everyday’ activities
The project is premised on:
- Valuing families as the first educators of their child
Reinforcing that what parents are already doing matters - Using evidence-based advice and key messages to encourage learning opportunities in everyday experiences
- Building the home/school learning partnership
You can visit our Early Years Foundations for Learning resources here: www.csnsw.catholic.edu.au/foundationsforlearning
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