Early Childhood Education Council chair announced

23/7/95

Education Minister Norman Moore today named the chair of the Early Childhood Education Council which will advise him on early childhood education announced last week.

Mr Moore said he was delighted to announce the appointment of Notre Dame University's Dean of Education and Professor of Developmental Psychology, Ann Zubrick, to the position.

"The council will act as a sounding board for the new initiatives, such as multi-age classes, and will provide on going advice to the Government on early childhood education issues and Good Start in particular," Mr Moore said.

"Professor Zubrick is a respected educator with impeccable credentials.  She has extensive and impressive experience in child development locally, nationally and internationally.

"Her credits include foundation head at Curtin and Hong Kong Universities' Departments of Speech and Hearing and teaching language and learning at the University of Michigan.  Currently, she is also the chair of the Policy and Planning Committee of the Meerilinga Young Children's Foundation."

Mr Moore said the council would comprise about nine people, consisting of educators and community members.   An advertisement calling for nominations to the council would be published in about two weeks' time.

"Its broadly-based membership will ensure that the council's advice reflects the experience, knowledge and skills of the providers and users of early childhood education services," Mr Moore said.

"The council will be independent from the Government."

Preliminary terms of reference include:

·   identifying effective strategies for ensuring that the provisions for kindergarten and pre-primary education are co-ordinated with other government-funded services for young children;

·   advising on early intervention strategies which take into account the need for family support; early identification of health problems or developmental delay, continuity of support from home to pre-school; and a coordinated approach by all service providers;

·   advising the Minister, and through him the service providers, on current research findings in the early childhood area and the issues which will require local research;

·   advising on the educational outcomes that might be expected from early education programs, taking into account the non-compulsory nature of kindergarten and pre-primary, the current curriculum provision and the possible phased introduction of older entry ages;

·   advising on the teaching and learning methodologies appropriate to program outcomes, taking into account current practices and resources in early childhood education and the junior primary years;

·   providing advice on the pre-service and in-service needs of staff involved in early childhood programs;

·   promoting the benefits of early childhood programs in the community; and -

·   consulting with the community on issues referred to the council by the Minister.

Mr Moore said he expected the council to be up and running just as soon as the appointments were finalised.

Media contact: Anabel Gomez 321 1444

(Please note: Mr Moore and Professor Zubrick are available for interviews today)