Useful Links to assist and get you started
Your first step into early childhood education & care
Starting Blocks is a starting point to:
- learn about children’s developmental milestones
- understand what to expect from an early childhood education and care service
- find services and learn about their quality ratings
- get tips on starting child care or preschool, and what can be done at home to encourage your child’s learning and development.
Munch and Move
Munch & Move is NSW Health initiative that supports the healthy development of children birth to 5 years by promoting physical activity, healthy eating and reduced small screen time (e.g. watching TV or DVDs, playing on computers and small hand-held games devices).
Healthy Kids
With more than one in five kids in NSW overweight or obese, this joint initiative between the NSW Ministry of Health, NSW Department of Education, Office of Sport and the Heart Foundation (NSW Division) is an important resource for parents and kids alike. See Healthy Kids Here
Early Childhood Australia
Early Childhood Australia (ECA) has been a voice for young children since 1938. They are the peak early childhood advocacy organisation, acting in the interests of young children, their families and those in the early childhood field. ECA advocates to ensure quality, social justice and equity in all issues relating to the education and care of children aged birth to eight years.
Early Childhood Australia’s Code of Ethics
The Code of Ethics is a set of statements about appropriate and expected behaviour of early childhood professionals. It reflects current pedagogical research and practice, providing a framework for reflection about the ethical responsibilities of early childhood professionals
Kidsafe NSW
Kidsafe New South Wales Inc. is located at Kidsafe House, in the grounds of The Children’s Hospital at Westmead. Kidsafe House is a child safety demonstration house and playspace and provides a great opportunity for parents, carers, students, health and industry professionals to gain a better understanding of safety in and around the home.
Kidsafe Website
The Family Day Care Safety Guidelines (7th Ed.) is an excellent resource to assist in maintaining a safe environment for children. Click here to download and view the Family Day Care Safety Guidelines.
Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority
ACECQA – Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority – their focus is on improving the quality of early children’s education and care services across Australia. They will be monitoring and promoting the consistent application of the Education and Care Services National Law across all states and territories and will also oversee how the National Quality Standard is applied across the country and ensure that services are meeting the new requirements.
ACECQA has a range of resources available to assist educators, approved providers and Regulatory Authorities.
National Law – The National law sets a national standard for children’s education and care across Australia. National Regulations – The National Regulations support the National Law by providing detail on a range of operational requirements for an education and care service.National Quality Standard – The National Quality Standard (NQS) sets a high national benchmark for early childhood education and care and outside school hours care services in Australia.The NQS includes 7 quality areas that are important outcomes for children. Services are assessed and rated by their regulatory authority against the NQS, and given a rating for each of the 7 quality areas and an overall rating based on these results.ACECQA NQF Resources
Family Day Care Peak Body
With more than one in five kids in NSW overweight or obese, this joint initiative between the NSW Ministry of Health, NSW Department of Education, Office of Sport and the Heart Foundation (NSW Division) is an important resource for parents and kids alike. See Healthy Kids Here
Government Regulations and Resources
Working with Children’s Check – NSW Office of the Children’s Guardian – A Working With Children Check is a requirement for people who work or volunteer in child-related work. It involves a national criminal history check and a review of findings of workplace misconduct.
National Crimincal History Check – Commonly known as the ‘Police Check’ provided by FDCA
Department of Human Services – Mygov, Childcare Subsidy, Entitlements
Family Assistance MyChild – Find local Childcare aervices and much more