Industry Specific Terms and Resources

Submitted by coleen.yan@edd… on Tue, 08/27/2024 - 15:30

As you progress through the course, you will be exposed to industry-specific terms. These terms will become the language that you will use every day, so it is important to learn and understand what they mean. In addition to the glossary, there are various resources you can touch on for inspiration or simply use if you would like to know more.

Let’s take a look at the glossary and some (of many) videos related to Early Childhood.

Sub Topics

The following table identifies and defines common and typical industry terms you will hear working within the Early Childhood sector. It is important you familiarise yourself with them to support your learning and expand on the common vocabulary you will regularly use within the industry.

Term	Definition
Accommodation	This provides children with equal access to education by working with the child's specific individual learning needs. Educators may adapt learning experiences or forms of communication to support the learning and development of the child
Adult child ratio	Refers to the number of qualified adult Educators to the number of children within their supervision and care. Click here to find the current legal educator-to-child ratio within an Early Learning service and Family Daycare.
Assessment and Rating process	Early Childhood services are assessed and rated by their state and territory regulatory authority. They are assessed against the seven (7) quality areas. Follow the link to ACECQA to read more about the steps that take place when services are assessed.
Best practice	This sets the standard for delivering services and providing support to children and their families. By following best practices, you can ensure you are achieving desired outcomes.
Child developmental areas	These relate to the areas of child development. These include: Physical Cognitive Emotional/Social Language
Child-focused	This refers to keeping the child in focus when making decisions by allowing them to take control of their learning. By following their lead you are able to provide experiences and learning opportunities that cater to their interests and curiosities.
Child-led Curriculum	Curriculum that focuses on the interests and needs of the children. It allows the opportunity for children to make choices about how and what they chose to play with. This approach enables children to initiate and direct their own play with the support of interested and responsive adults. Click here if you are interested in knowing more about child-led curriculums.
Childcare Subsidy	A subsidy reduces childcare costs for families with children attending care.
Critical reflection	Critical thinking focuses on reflecting on current practices to support continual improvement. For more information click here to be directed to the ACECQA website.
Cultural competence	is the ability to interact and develop meaningful relationships with various cultural backgrounds within the service. It is also the ability to incorporate their beliefs, values and cultural practices in a respectful manner.
Developmental milestones	Is a checklist that supports educators in understanding the milestones children should be achieving per their age. Educators will use this to observe and continue to support the learning and development of children. Follow the link to ACECQA to learn more about the developmental milestones according to each developmental area and age group.
Early Intervention	is the process of providing specialised support and services for infants and young children with developmental delays
Early Years Learning Framework “belonging, being and becoming”	The Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) forms the foundation for ensuring that children in all Early Childhood Education and care settings experience quality teaching and learning. It has a specific emphasis on play-based learning. For more information regarding the EYLF click here.
Inclusion	Every child has access to participate in experiences and use the service in the same way as other kids, regardless of their abilities, socioeconomic situation, or cultural background. For more information regarding inclusion and how this can be embedded within a service, click here.
Mandatory reporter	Is a legal requirement for individuals who work with young or vulnerable people to report suspected child abuse or neglect to government authorities. Not all states have the same mandatory reporting requirements, to see how this applies to you follow this link to the 100 respect organisation
Motor Development	Gross motor and fine motor skills are the two main categories used to classify motor development. Large muscle movements are a part of gross motor skills, which include autonomous sitting, crawling, walking, and running. The use of smaller muscles is required for fine motor activities like gripping, manipulating objects, and sketching.
National Quality Framework (NQF)	Is a framework that provides a consistent national approach to the standards provided at services. These include adhering to laws and regulations, providing quality care for children and families and continual improvement. For more information on the NQF click here.
National Quality Standard	Sets a standard benchmark for all approved providers in terms of meeting appropriate outcomes of care for children. These are set out within 7 Quality areas that services are assessed through which will result in an overall rating of working towards, meeting or exceeding expectations. To see the 7 Quality areas in more detail, follow the link to take you to the ACECQA website.
Pedagogy	Pedagogy refers to educators' practice, it influences the way we teach, interact and provide learning experiences for children. It is the philosophy that creates the foundation for curriculum-making, teaching and learning.
Portfolios	Children's portfolios are made up of a variety of observations and other records that show their learning and development within a service. These are individual reflections that capture their interests, developments, personalities and activities they have been involved in throughout their time in care.
Scaffolding learning	Scaffolding is inspired by the theorist Lev Vygotsky who spoke about the Zone of Proximal Development [ZPD). He explains that ZPD is the difference between what a child can do and learn on their own, compared to what they can do with the help of someone who demonstrates more skills and experience. Educators can implement scaffolding through
Quality Improvement Plan (QIP)	The Quality improvement plan is a document that helps approved providers assess their performance for ongoing and continual improvement. It is based on the seven (7) Quality areas and provides services with the opportunity to reflect on their current practices and implement strategies for further improvement. For more information on how the Quality Improvement Plan is implemented follow the link to the ACECQA website.
Working with children’s Check	is a legal requirement for any individual who works or volunteers within Early Learning Services. It is a screening process to ensure the person does not pose a risk to children. The name and requirements may vary from state to state, following the link to the Australian national Character check to see how this applies to you.

Choosing a career within Early Education may be considered one of the most rewarding professions. Here are some videos that showcase how the lives of children are impacted through consistent positive relationships and genuine connections.

The Role of an Early Childhood Educator

Why does Early Childhood Education matter?

The first 5 years of any child's life are vital to their learning and development. Early Childhood Educators have the responsibility to understand that this is the time where they have the ability to learn faster than at any other point in their lives. The following video will provide an explanation of why Early Years Education matters.