Did you miss last week's Being Informed news update?  Click here to read. 

Contents of this weekly update:

1. Early Learning Information System
2. Oppositional Defiant Disorder
3. Professor Anne Smith's Early Life and Career
4. Early Childhood Management National Forum (warning to people intending to register that places are going fast)
5. Online Capability in Early Childhood Services
6. Children's Puppet of the Week - Parrot Macaw
7. Selected International News Headlines

1. Early Learning Information System 

The “Early Learning Information System” (ELIS) announced in last year’s Government Budget (2011) is to go ahead and more details have been released.

The ELIS will enable political needs to be better met for monitoring services more closely, tracking children’s attendance, and identifying and reducing the incidence of incorrect or fraudulent funding claims. The title of the data management system “Early Learning Information” suggests that it is for collecting and providing information on children’s learning and their learning outcomes.

* READ MORE:  What this New System is About and Potential Issues for Early Childhood Services and Families

2. Oppositional Defiant Disorder

This disorder is being diagnosed in more children.  Have you heard about it and do you know what it is? Arwen Hann has prepared a helpful article for us which explains the signs and what to look for when identifying the disorder and ways to help a child. 

* READ MORE:  Oppositional Defiant Disorder

3. Professor Anne Smith's Early Life and Career 

Professor Anne Smith has been involved in research, advocacy, and policy-making on childhood issues in New Zealand for almost 40 years.  She has worked as an academic at the University of Otago, first in the Education Department and later as Director of the Children’s Issues Centre.

* READ MORE:   Biography of Anne B Smith

4. Early Childhood Management National Forum

This unique annual one-day national event is extraordinary in its usefulness for centre and home-based service managers, owners, administrators, leaders and supervisors.  It will be held in the capital city, Wellington, on Thursday 6th September this year.  Come and hear the Minister of Education, experts and speakers from the sector.  This is your opportunity to ask questions, gain new information, and share ideas for how best to meet current and future challenges and build on the success of your ECE service.  

Registrations are now open and places are going very fast so register now if you wish to attend.  For details of the programme and to register online click here.  Or to print a copy of the registration form click here.

5. Online Capability in Early Childhood Services

As many as 11% of early childhood services report no access to the Internet either on the premises or at the home of someone working in, managing or owning the service according to Ministry of Education data.  An admin management system such as APT and Info-care is reported to be used in approximately 74% of licensed ECE services. 

6. Children's Puppet of the Week:  Parrot Macaw 

Teach this brightly coloured parrot how to talk!  This finger puppet is two and a half inches long and is sure to be a hit with younger fans of Barefoot Books pirate themed books (also available).  

 

Only $11.90  (less discount if you are ChildForum member).

Barefoot Books NZ is running a special promotion from June 12 to July 11th - giving ChildForum members 15% discount on all children's books, puzzles, etc (the usual discount is 10%).

*  BOOK VOUCHER CODE FOR 15% DISCOUNT:   Click Here for Details