Program

Better Together Forum: Central Queensland Region

Monday, 17 October 2016

8:15 AM - 9:00 AMRegistration

Included

9:00 AM - 9:05 AMWelcome

Included

9:05 AM - 9:15 AMWelcome to Country

Speakers: Philip P Kemp

Included

9:15 AM - 9:30 AMOfficial opening and address by Grant Webb

Director, Central Queensland Region, Early Childhood Education and Care

Speakers: Grant Webb

Included

9:30 AM - 10:15 AMKey note presentation - Dr Tim Moore

Speakers: Dr Tim Moore

Included

10:15 AM - 10:45 AMMorning Tea

Included

10:45 AM - 11:30 AMSupporting successful transitions – Creating trusting partnerships

Effective partnerships between schools, early childhood services and the broader community are essential to supporting children to make a successful transition to school. The Department of Education and Training's Supporting successful transitions School decision-making tool includes a focus on trusting partnerships and reciprocal relationships.

In this presentation Tannum Sands State School and a local ECEC will discuss their transitions partnership approach and the collaborative strategies they are implementing in the local community. 

Speakers: Anthony Mann, Heidi Schumacher, Lorette Stebbings

Optional

10:45 AM - 11:30 AMNature Play

Nature Play QLD's mission is to increase the time Queensland kids spend in unstructured play outdoors and in nature. It is founded on the understanding that unstructured play outdoors - nature play - is fundamental to a full and healthy childhood.

Nature play promotes health benefits, including cognitive, social and emotional development, and it builds resilience and creativity as well.
This presentation will share the poignant and timely research about the benefits/challenges of nature playing in today’s modern world and a range of practical strategies for support children’s engagement in nature play. 

Speakers: Hyahno Moser

Optional

10:45 AM - 11:30 AMEnhancing home learning environments

A First 5 Forever library representative will unpack the importance of community partnerships that help to strengthen the foundations of early learning experiences that take place at home for children. Ideas will be shared for creating awareness of the importance of parent's roles in fostering early learning experiences for their children.

Speakers: Katie Roberts

Optional

10:45 AM - 11:30 AMInnovative ECEC program and practice

The Abecedarian Approach empowers families to create effective and developmentally appropriate learning environments with children. This session will feature Rainbow Valley Early Learning Centre from Gladstone. 

Speakers: Marion Hayes

Optional

11:30 AM - 11:45 AMMovement to the next session

Included

11:45 AM - 12:30 PMSupporting successful transitions – Effective pedagogy and practice

Using age-appropriate pedagogies in the early years of schooling plays a lead role in supporting children to be actively engaged, creative and successful learners. This session will unpack the role of effective pedagogy and practice as an important element of the Department of Education and Training's Supporting successful transitions framework. The characteristics of age-appropriate pedagogies and practical classroom examples from Barcaldine Prep-12 State School will be explored. 

Speakers: Mark Cooper, Katrina Egerton

Optional

11:45 AM - 12:30 PMGrowing community partnerships

In this session George Street Neighbourhood Centre will share strategies and approaches to meeting the needs of all children and families in their community. The service provides a rich and holistic environment and a range of innovative programs to support child development and family wellbeing. Ideas for connecting families to these services will be shared. 

Speakers: Nicolette Ffrost

Optional

11:45 AM - 12:30 PMUsing the AEDC to inform ECEC program and practice

The Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) provides evidence to support the critical work of the early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector in providing the best development opportunities for children. Building on resources developed by the Department of Education and Training in partnership with Early Childhood Australia, this presentation will explore the alignment between the AEDC and the National Quality Standards and the Early Years Learning Framework. Practical examples of how Queensland ECEC educators and services have used the AEDC data to inform programming, planning and quality improvement will be shared.

Speakers: Dr Mary Lincoln, Michelle O'Rourke, Kerri Corrigan

Optional

11:45 AM - 12:30 PMGrowing our mob up strong

This presentation will share experiences and strategies for supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander children and families through two different playgroup contexts.

Save the Children in Gladstone have formed strong connections within the community and run Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander focused programs including Playgroup. The programs connect with up to 20 families weekly, and up to 30 families quarterly. 

Speakers: Fiona Craige, Sue Norwood

Optional

12:30 PM - 1:15 PMLunch

Included

1:15 PM - 1:30 PMStatewide transition to school initiatives overview

Speakers: Dr Mary Lincoln

Included

1:30 PM - 2:15 PMKey note presentation - Emeritus Professor Dorothy Scott

Speakers: Emeritus Professor Dorothy Scott

Included

2:15 PM - 2:30 PMFinal comments and close by Kim Fredericks

Regional Director, Central Queensland Region

Speakers: Kim Fredericks

Included