Early Childhood Education

In reply to Mr GARDNER (Morialta) (28 July 2017). (Estimates Committee A)

The Hon. S.E. CLOSE (Port Adelaide—Minister for Education and Child Development, Minister for Higher Education and Skills): I have been advised of the following:

The professional strategies include:

targeted professional learning for the 18 prototype services;

continuation of the professional learning communities formed by the 18 prototype services;

opportunities for South Australian citizens to engage with international and local perspectives on early childhood; and

sharing the prototype services research widely to highlight and promote the rights of children.

The Department for Education and Child Development is working to establish an evaluation project with a South Australian university of the four prototype services that are committed to researching the Reggio Emilia education principles within the South Australian context.

Evaluation will also consist of feedback from:

the Re-imagining Childhood – a collaboration of local and international perspectives on early childhood conference delegates;

the 18 prototype services; and

citizens that access professional learning.