The Australian Childcare Alliance (ACA) NSW has accepted an invitation from the NSW Department of Education to be one of its external and independent representatives on its recruitment panels for their future Authorised Officers.

As ACA NSW members would be aware, ACA NSW has overtly concerned about the outcomes of the NSW's assessments and ratings, as well as the handling of alleged/confirmed breaches and non-compliances. These key activities require a significant proportion of input from Authorised Officers (aka Field Officers).

The NSW Department of Education's Early Childhood Education and Care Directorate carries an objective of improving outcomes and its related underlying processes, and as such believes that external and independent input toward the recruitment of Authorised Officers would ultimately benefit the sector.

ACA NSW will continue to be interested in receiving members' views and experiences of their interactions with NSW's Authorised Officers. Such input will be invaluable in the recruitment of future NSW Authorised Officers. ACA NSW members can share their views and experiences with ACA NSW via 1300 556 330 or nsw@childcarealliance.org.au. Confidentiality is assured if requested.

PUBLISHED: 1 SEPTEMBER 2020

What is White Balloon Day? 

White Balloon Day is a symbol of support for survivors of child sexual abuse. It first began after a public meeting in Belgium in October 1996, when 300,000 people gathered with white balloons to show public sympathy and support for the parents of girls who were sexually assaulted of a previously convicted and then released paedophile.

White Balloon Day is also held annually during National Child Protection Week in Australia. Its aim is to raise awareness of child sexual assault within the community.

When is White Balloon Day?

Friday, 10 September 

Activities to be embedded: 

• Display White Balloon Day 2020 A3 poster and encourse children to come dressed in white to raise funds for child protection week - https://whiteballoonday.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/WBD-2021-Poster_A3.pdf
• Get Involved in White Balloon Day - https://whiteballoonday.com.au/home/get-involved/get-involved-school/
• Ditto’s 3 Rule for Keeping Safe A3 poster for your home or classroom – ideal for ages 3 to 8 - https://whiteballoonday.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Ditto-Rules_A3Poster-1.jpg
• A Bravehearts poster for staff rooms to remind educators, childcare workers, staff and volunteers about their role in protecting children - https://whiteballoonday.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Protect-students-staff-poster.jpg
• Teach children their rights:
  • Teach children protective behaviours
  • Let your children plant a tree as a commitment to nurture every generation so that the next generation may be stronger.
• Intentional Teaching - Raise awareness about stranger danger and role play scenarios and who is a dafe person to go to i.e. police
• Empower your staff - Organise child protection training to equip your staff and volunteers to make child protection a priority.
• Update your centres child protection policies

The video of the Australian Childcare Alliance (ACA) NSW Network meeting held on 24 August 2020 is as follows:

The corresponding slides for the above Network Meeting are here.

The topics discussed presented/discussed were:

1. Update: Back to CCS+Transition Payments, but what if there's a second wave/cluster, and what to do if it occurs to your service?
2. Update: The NSW's star rating vs alternate ratings statement beginning 1 July 2020
3. Update: Future of Universal Access Funding/NSW’s Start Strong Funding
4. Update: New Building Code rules for (new) childcare in one first floor/storey as well as high-rise buildings
5. NSW Productivity Commissioner confirms NSW has more costly childcare regulations
6. Yet to be released National Regulatory Amendment for the safe transportation of children in care
7. Potential improvements to NSW's Assessment & Ratings process (LDCs & OSHCs)
8. Proposed changes to the NQAITS to record & track breaches/non-compliances
9. Clarification over NSW Government funding for preschools (not for LDCs) and concern about competitive neutrality
10. Clarification over NSW Enhanced Approved Provider Process - who may be tested and who may not be 
11. Early Connections Live! Opportunity to pose questions about funding and more to the "new" bosses at the NSW Department of Education
12. ACA NSW's Sector Watch
13. Quick Refreshers: New Guide to Child Safe Standards, Annual Wage Increases, Grants Watch ($10k, $200k, uncapped), Future of Universal Access (aka Start Strong funding), Review of the National Quality Framework, and Early Childhood Educators' Day (1 September 2020).

Should ACA NSW members require any further information, please do not hesitate to call the office on 1300 556 330 or e-mail nsw@childcarealliance.org.au. 

PUBLISHED: 25 AUGUST 2020

What is National Child Protection Week?

National Child Protection Week is a campaign held annually across Australia to raise awareness of child abuse prevention. The objectives of the week are to raise the profile of all issues connected with child protection and protecting children from sexual exploitation is a whole of community responsibility.

This year National Child Protection Week will celebrate its 30th year with the theme:
'Where we start matters'
‘Where we start matters’ Every child in every community needs a fair go’ will be complemented.

When is National Child Protection Week?

From Sunday,3 to 9 September 2020

Activities to be embedded: 

• Display child protection posters in your organisation and community to raise awareness for child protection 
  • https://www.napcan.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/NCPW2020_CollagePoster_COLOUR.pdf
  • https://www.napcan.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/NCPW2020_CommitmentPoster_COLOUR_B.pdf
• Teach children their rights:
  • Teach children their rights as outlined by the UN Convention on the Rights of a Child - https://www.unicef.org.au/Upload/UNICEF/Media/Our%20work/childfriendlycrc.pdf
  • Teach children protective behaviours
  • Let your children plant a tree as a commitment to nurture every generation so that the next generation may be stronger.
• Intentional Teaching - Raise awareness about stranger danger and role play scenarios and who is a dafe person to go to i.e. police
• Empower your staff - Organise child protection training to equip your staff and volunteers to make child protection a priority.
• Update your centres child protection policies

2020 Business Portfolio - Adrian Pattra