The Australian Childcare Alliance (ACA) NSW reintroduced Network Meetings in early 2017 across Greater Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong where service provider members and non-members and their fellow owners and business decision-making directors can come together and discuss sector issues that impact on their childcare services, building collegial local communities of like-minded service providers.

Depending on demand, ACA NSW can conduct more Network Meetings in other cities, suburbs and towns or on-line, subject to the Executive Committee’s approval.

What would be discussed at Network Meetings:
The main issues that will be discussed is the introduction of the Federal Government's new Child Care Subsidies (beginning 2 July 2018). In particular:

     1. Post Child Care Subsidy (CSS):
         (a) How to set fees to under CCS
         (b) Absences during the CCS transition period
         (c) 36 subsidised preschool hours
         (d) Understanding all available exemptions
         (e) Update on software providers

Other topics that will also be covered Network meetings typically include:

     2. Changes to the Payroll tax.
     3. NSW's future workforce strategy for educators/teachers
     4. Unions' application to FWC to increase wages by 59%.

There may also be limited presentations by ACA NSW’s sponsors.

Who will normally be presenting:

• Lyn Connolly, President, Australian Childcare Alliance NSW
• Chiang Lim, CEO, Australian Childcare Alliance NSW

Ticket Prices (to cover costs)

• ACA NSW Members: Free
• Non-Members: $20 inc GST per person

Scheduled Network Meetings:

In 2016, for the first time, we are offering combined workshops and bus tours, allowing owners, directors and educators to benefit from a formal professional development workshop, as well as a networking opportunity whilst visiting fellow providers' services to gain inspiration and ideas that can readily be applied in your service. 

Read more: Bus Tours

ACA NSW offers webinars as an affordable alternative (or complement) to face-to-face methods for professional development, particularly for those in regional areas. Webinars provide the same opportunities as attending a workshop without having to leave your service or home. Webinars can be attended live, or can be purchased after the event. ACA NSW has webinars available for purchase on topics such as:

• School Transition: Ready Schools, Ready Children, Ready Families;
• The Rewards and Challenges of an Educational Leader;
• Meaningful Documentation and Effective Planning for Learning - Part 1;
• Meaningful Documentation and Effective Planning for Learning - Part 2;
• and many more (see below)!

In addition, there are a number of free webinars available from organisations and government agencies on topics of interest to early childhood education and care. For example:

• KidsMatter Early Childhood, who aims to help improve the mental health and wellbeing of children from birth to school-age; reduce mental health problems in children; and achieve greater support for children with mental health problems and their families has a range of webinars on supporting children's mental health in early childhood education and care services. Click here for further information on their excellent webinars.
• NSW Industrial Relations has a number of pre-recorded webinars available on the national workplace relations system and some key modern awards - critically important information for early childhood employers. Topics range from HR issues in the workplace to parental leave to unfair dismissal. Click here for further information on their important webinars.

Webinars Available for Purchase

The two-hour webinar is provided as a video file with presenter and participant audio, along with workshop notes (provided in pdf format). Recorded webinars can be purchased for just $55 for members, and $85 for non-members.

The Rewards and Challenges of an Educational Leader

Being an Educational Leader in not about a having fancy title.  As the name suggests a leader is a person who is given the responsibility to lead others, therefore must demonstrate the skills and knowledge to do this effectively.  This workshop will explore the realities of this role and the impact of the assumed responsibility on the implementation of educational programs centre wide.  Throughout the workshop participants will be given many examples to support their understanding and help increase their confidence.

CLICK HERE to purchase the webinar.

Meaningful Documentation and Effective Planning for Learning 1

This two-hour webinar, delivered by Early Childhood Consultant Katarzyna Wieczorek-Ghisso, was recorded 21st May 2014.  The webinar unpacks effective methods of documentation in a way that showcases children's learning in an efficient manner.  Using the Early Years Learning Framework as a reference point, participants are immersed in practical examples they can easily adapt and implement immediately in their setting.  Focal to the workshop is exploring strategies to support educators developing skilful languange that maintains links throughout their work in a way that is meaningful and transparent.

CLICK HERE to purchase the webinar. 

Meaningful Documentation and Effective Planning for Learning 2

This two-hour webinar, delivered by Early Childhood Consultant Katarzyna Wieczorek-Ghisso, was recorded 15th September 2014.  This webinar is designed to follow up on content covered in Meaningful Documentation and Effective Planning 1. The purpose is to look deeper into documentation in  a way that leads educators to make good decisions about planning for learning. The use of transparent language will again be explored as a reflective strategy supporting educators implementing and participating in learning that is relevant to children without compromising the room routine. Participants will also be provided with many examples to support their programs and evaluations.

CLICK HERE to purchase the webinar.

School Transition: Ready Schools, Ready Children, Ready Families - Recorded Webinar

This workshop will look deeper at the concept of readiness with a focus on smooth transition. Participants will be immersed in content that positively explores readiness and offers practical ways to not only implement meaningful learning leading up to school, but ensure that when documented, programs clearly communicate to families how children are being prepared. Holistic insights will also be explored looking specifically at ways to develop and maintain long term relationships with stakeholders that all impact on sucessful transition.

CLICK HERE to purchase the webinar.

Cancellation and Refund Policy

Please note that these webinars are non-refundable and non-transferable.  Certificates of completion can be provided for live webinars but will not be provided for pre-recorded webinars as we have no means of verifying actual participation.

The 2017 Annual General Meeting of the Australian Childcare Alliance (ACA) New South Wales will be held at 7.00 pm AEST on Wednesday, 15 November 2017, at the office of the Australian Childcare Alliance (ACA) NSW, 19 Fennell Street, Parramatta NSW 2150. Light dinner and refreshments will be available from 6.00 pm onwards.

Members can download the formal notice of the 2017 Annual General Meeting here. The notice includes the agenda, a nomination form for candidates seeking election onto the ACA NSW Executive Committee, a proxy form, as well as information about the nomination process, the election process and the returning officer.

Please note that nominations for the ACA NSW Executive Committee are to be received no later than 5 pm (AEST) on Tuesday, 24 October 2017.

The proposed agenda is as follows:

1. Welcome
2. Apologies and Proxies
3. Confirmation of Quorum
4. Adoption of Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on 23 November 2016
5. President’s Report
6. Financial Report
7. Auditor’s Report
8. Declaration of Elected Office Bearers and Members of the Executive Committee
9. Appointment of Auditor
10. Proposed Constitutional Amendments
11. Close of Meeting

Members are asked to RSVP their attendance via e-mail to nsw@childcarealliance.org.au or call 1300 556 330 no later than 5.00 pm on Friday, 10 November 2017.