Final Blog Assignment

Over the past seven weeks we have been engaged in numerous in-depth conversations regarding the array of issues that impact the field of early childhood. We began this course with the exciting challenge of trying to make connections with other early childhood professionals from around the world. This gave us the opportunity to see how these issues are impacting  the field of early childhood in different countries. When reading through my colleagues’weekly Blogs, it was interesting to see that some were successful in connecting with international early childhood professionals, while others were not. For those who were not successful, it gave us the chance for us to learn new information concerning the varying podcasts that they listened to. The information from the Blogs gave me the opportunity to learn and grow with regards to the issues our field faces.

Throughout this course, we have learned about unintended consequences that can either be positive or negative. Learning about the international early childhood field has brought forth positive consequences that have helped me grow both personally and professionally. One consequence about the international early childhood field is that the issues that this field is faced with are universal. All families have the same needs which are for their children to have access to quality care so they have the opportunity to develop to their fullest. I have also realized that is important to keep current with what is happening around the world concerning the field of early childhood. Even though we may live half way around the world from some countries, we can learn for one another. We can use the values and beliefs from other countries and integrate them with our own values. When we learn from one another, it enables us to become a stronger network. 

  One goal that I personally and professionally have for the field related to international awareness of issues and trends would be to work toward becoming a profession where early childhood educators are valued, respected, and acknowledged as professionals……world wide!! I hope that one day we can leave the word “babysitter” behind. Once we work towards becoming valued as professionals, we can work towards employing all early programs with educators who are highly qualified so children can have access to the high quality care they deserve. 

Thank you to all of you who have shared a wealth of information regarding the issues that impact the field of early childhood! It is professionals like all of you who make such a positive difference! :)

Cheers,
Stephanie

Getting to Know Your International Contacts - Part 3

Well, I did not have any luck getting a response back from my international contacts this week. When I contacted my contact from Australia, an out of office message was sent back to me, so I decided to do the alternate assignment this week.

       UNESCO which stands for; United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is an organization that I am unfamiliar with, so I found it interesting to spend time navigating through the website to find out what they are all about.  Their mission is to provide international leadership to create learning societies with educational opportunities for all populations, provide expertise and foster partnerships to strengthen national educational leadership and the capacity of countries to offer quality education for all, and work as an intellectual leader, an honest broker and clearing house for ideas, propelling both countries and the international community to accelerate progress towards these goals. Retrieved from http://www.unesco.org/new/en/education/about-us/how-we-work/mission/

One aspect of the UNESCO website that I really liked were the array of themes that they identified that helped to give me a new insight on the issues related to international early childhood education. I took my focus to their themes on; Education for the the 21st Century, Teachers, and Literacy for All.

The UNESCO’s Education for the 21^st Century is trying to put quality education at the heart of development. Their mission has been to aid with the building of peace, poverty, lasting development and intercultural dialogue. They are committed to the reality that everyone has the right to education, and that education plays a significant role in human, social and economic development. (UNESCO, 2014).

“It is not enough to be connected to each other. We also share our solutions, our experiences and dreams in one great community supported by human rights and fundamental freedoms.”

                                                  Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO

One of UNESCO’s top priorities is teachers and their training, recruitment, retention, status and working conditions. “Teachers are the single most influential and powerful force of equity, access an quality in education” says Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO. They find that the main challenge faced by the teaching profession is both of numbers and quality. In other words, the world needs more and better teachers. The quality of an education system cannot exceed the quality of its teachers.  UNESCO works to address this challenge in addition to advocating for teachers and defending their rights. Here is a link to find more information: http://ed.unesco.org/themes/teachers#sthash.zlzkGAMn.dpuf 

UNESCO believes that literacy is a human right and the basis for lifelong learning. Literacy empowers individuals, families, and communities and improves their quality of life. UNESCO is a firm believer that literacy helps to erase poverty, reduce child mortality, curb population growth, achieve gender equality and ensure sustainable development, peace and democracy (UNESCO, 2014). UNESCO has been at the forefront of global literacy efforts since it foundation in 1946. You can find more information at: http://en.unesco.org/themes/literacy-all#sthash.1LvPr01.dpuf

Reference

UNESCO. Retrieved from http://www.unesco.org/new/en/education/themes/strengthening-education-systems/early-childhood/

Sharing Web Resources

The ZERO to THREE website has an array of topics ranging from Behavior and Development, Maltreatment, Care and Education and, Public Policy. Each topic branches off to issues related to the main topics with some leading you to outside links which gives parents and early childhood professionals the opportunity to gain more insight on topics that they are interested in or just may want to investigate.

Over the past few weeks we have been discussing the issue of equity and how all families and children should have equal access to high quality care. The topic of Care and Education in the ZERO to THREE website identifies criteria of what to look for when choosing child care. The website also identifies that a good caregiver is one who is loving and responsive, respects the baby's individuality, and provides a stimulating and child-friendly environment (Zero to Three, 2014).

Many parents who are looking for child care maybe uniformed or at times misled with the wrong information when trying to understand what "quality care" actually entails. This website identifies the criteria of what to look for in a child care program. This information empowers parents to make better decisions as they will be more informed with accurate information needed. Hopefully this information will also help parents find the quality care that they need and deserve.

The website identifies information on licensing issues with regards to licensing requirements for programs and providers. The website provides an outside link called the Child Care Aware of America. Here is the link:  http://www.naccrra.org/?AddInterest=1152   

The website wants parents to be informed with the correct information so parents can have access to excellence. When parents are looking at programs, they want them to ask the question, "Is the child care program licensed by the state or local government? They also want parents to see if the program they are investigating for possible care is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children http://www.naeyc.org/?AddInterest=1152  

The website also provides a link to the Council for Early Childhood Professional Recognition so parents can check to see if the caregivers in the program meet the requirements needed to teach young children. http://www.cdacouncil.org/?AddInterest=1152   The information provided in the ZERO to THREE website helps parents to understand what is quality care and what they should be looking for when accessing care.

The main focus of the ZERO to THREE website is geared to the understanding of early care, so it was interesting to find out that they offer parents with the proper information and the tools to help them with the criteria to look for when trying to access for care for their child. The June 2014 newsletter has not been posted yet, so I was not able to obtain any new information from the newsletter that would add to my understanding of equity and excellence in early care or education. I will post an update once I receive the June newsletter.

Getting to Know Your International Contacts - Part 2

UPDATE!!!!

I did hear back from my contact who is an early childhood professional in England with regards to the issue on poverty. I know that we have begun a new conversation, but I wanted to share the information she sent me with you!

Sue explained that poverty is quite a big issue in England at the moment. In 2010, the government published a report by Frank Field. She explained that the document was named, "The Foundation Years" preventing poor children becoming poor adults and talks about they can break the circle of poor children becoming poor adults. After the publication of this report, the government introduced the two year funding. Children from families who are in the benefit system can access 15 hours free nursery (what we call child care). All children over 3 years have been able to use this funding for about 20 years.

The report also goes on to say that only nurseries that have a good or outstanding status will be able to offer families with the help they need. Children who attend settings that do not have good standards can be more harmful to a child than staying at home.

Sue explained that so far, there has not been a great uptake of this funding in this area, but some intercity areas have had a better uptake.

This was the information that Sue communicated to me regarding the issue of Poverty. I have not been able to connect again to gain any further insight on this issue, but I was pleased to have received a response!!! :)

I was hoping to hear back from both of my contacts regarding this week's assignment about any additional information they have about the issues of equity and excellence, but I have yet to hear back! I will update my Blog once I get a response.