1. 12th Biennial National Conference Choices that matter: ECI in a new era …
A collaborative project to support early childhood educators to support inclusion
7-9 September, Melbourne, Australia
Rachael Webb (Aspire), Jane Warren (UOW), Zoe Cluff (Shaping Outcomes)

2. BACKGROUND Where idea came from –
Parent – Brochure
Educator – More training and information wanted / needed
Recognition of the importance of collaboration
How did we start?
Collaboration to date…. Slow start, but everyone in agreeance of importance
Excitement about new resource
ECIA 12th Biennial National Conference, Choices that matter: ECI in a new era …

3. INCLUSION SUCCESS A r e s o u r c e f o r E C E C E d u c a t o r s
Zoe Cluff
Shaping Outcomes - Byron

4. CONTACT US Shop www.shapingoutcomes.com.au Shaping Outcomes Byron

5. WHERE ARE WE HEADED?
Mapping between our ideas and Zoe’s resource
Determine overlap
Identify gaps/supports
Collaborate with colleagues
Individual volunteers to work on individual section
Collate information
Develop draft supporting documents
Gain feedback
Work on improvements
ECIA 12th Biennial National Conference, Choices that matter: ECI in a new era …

6. SOME OF OUR IDEAS Educator attitude Inclusion
Transition into ECEC centre
Funding
Advocacy
Families
Embedded interventions / adaptions of resources
Additional supports – working with other professionals
TTS
ECIA 12th Biennial National Conference, Choices that matter: ECI in a new era …

7. Inclusion – educator attitude
Lots of good information included in the ‘Shaping Outcomes’ resource
Can build on attitudes of educators – questions to ask yourself, the difference your attitude can make, etc.
Background paper
Best Practice Guide
Self-reflection tool
Family feedback form
ECIA 12th Biennial National Conference, Choices that matter: ECI in a new era …

8. Transition into the centre
Orientation (build on existing resource)
What is transition? What does it look like? (include academic references)
How to build a culture of honest and open communication
Dos and Don’ts of building relationship
Templates – including welcome book
ECIA 12th Biennial National Conference, Choices that matter: ECI in a new era …

9. Families How families might feel Approaching families
Understanding changing needs of children and families
Introduction of appropriate key worker idea in a centre context
Working collaboratively with other professionals and family
Reassuring/educating/supporting other families in the centre
ECIA 12th Biennial National Conference, Choices that matter: ECI in a new era …

10. Transition to school Overview of why this is a complex process
Importance of working together with families and schools
Link to ECIA Transition to School resource
ECIA 12th Biennial National Conference, Choices that matter: ECI in a new era …

11. Templates Range of IEP templates, including alternate names used
Communication dictionary
Permission forms for accessing information from therapists, etc.
Welcome books
Idea is to have easy to access and complete templates that can be reproduced easily and efficiently
ECIA 12th Biennial National Conference, Choices that matter: ECI in a new era …

12. Short workshop plans
Using existing resource – develop brief (approximately 30 minute one hour) staff development workshops on small modules
These could be used in centres for in-house professional development
Would include links to resource (so more information can be accessed)
Would be clear, concise and include some discussion/workshop task as well as just information
Staff could work through these as part of existing staff meetings
ECIA 12th Biennial National Conference, Choices that matter: ECI in a new era …

13. WHERE ARE WE HEADED? WHAT NEXT?
Further review of links to existing resource – maximising knowledge and skills of educators
Ongoing collaboration and drawing on expertise / Collation of information and decisions on format
Further discussions with ECIA / Shaping Outcomes re electronic resource / Commercial printing for interested centres – possible grant to reduce / remove cost to ECEC centres
Written and electronic templates and staff meeting powerpoints
ECIA 12th Biennial National Conference, Choices that matter: ECI in a new era …

14. For more information, please contact: jwarren@uow.edu.au
ECIA 12th Biennial National Conference, Choices that matter: ECI in a new era …