The new insight I gained from the ECA Web Watch this week is about the health issues concerning young children. They spoke about the poverty issue in Australia States and Territories. Their findings lead to about the same issue we have in America. Families in low income, poverty level, or poor communities have children that lack in nutrition due to no food in the home. In addition, there is a high mortality rate in infants due to accidents because of families not having the proper education on infant development. It is very shocking to learn that 60% of children have dental decay and 70% are overweight. (AIHA, 2011) This report came from the population of Torres Strait Islander, Aboriginal children and socio-economically disadvantage areas. (AIHA, 2011)
In addition, of having no communication contact, other than Australia weekly web watch. I wanted to share my issues, opportunities, and goals with my readers.
· Issues regarding quality care in Columbus, Ohio
In Columbus, Ohio, the issues regarding quality are not having enough high quality childcare centers and the high cost of care. Ohio Department of job and family services expects quality to be education programs valuing the proven ability to give a child a positive, developmentally appropriate experience and a great start in life. Quality care is essential to high-risk families, where children need it the most. (ODJFS, 2011)
- The opportunities and requirements for professional development in Columbus, Ohio
The opportunities for professional development exist throughout many agencies. Action for children offer trainings in the evening and on weekends to meet staff required training hours for the year. It is an expectation, that early childhood workers who work directly with children be required to have a CDA (Child Development Credential Associate Certificate) as a teacher assistant or teacher. The director must have a Bachelors’ degree to maintain center operations. In Ohio, it is voluntary for centers to apply for step-up-to-quality programs. This program provides a yearly funding to centers who succeed in the meeting the requirements to become a star rated center.
- My professional goals
My long-term professional goals are to become a professor for early childhood studies and being a part of the community that acknowledges early childhood educators as professionals. My short-term goals are to continue as a center coordinator to ensure that quality is maintain for the center and agency where I work.
- My professional hopes, dreams, and challenges
Professionally I hope to become a professor in a college to teach adult learners how to become professionals in the field of early childhood. Becoming a professor I want to make a change in the childcare centers by teaching the teachers, therefore there can be a change in the outcomes of our children. I dream that one day the young children that are learning now will take America in a new positive direction for all. The challenge I may face in trying to accomplish this is my age as a professor in college. It is very difficult for someone at my age to move from one job to another, however, I am willing to try.
Reference:
AIHA. (2011). Headline indicators for children. Retrieved from http://www.aihw.gov.au/ODJFS. (2011). Licensing Manual. Retrieved from http://emanuals.odjfs.state.oh.us/emanuals/DataImages.srv/emanuals/pdf/pdf_forms/GUIDE.PDF
Hi Gwen. I really enjoyed reading your blog this week. I found it very interesting that many of the same countries in the world experienced the same issues that we do in the field of early childhood. Although it allows us to know that we are not alone,actions must be taken on a global level as well as a local level to address these issues. There has to be some reasons as to why they are so universal.
ReplyDeleteGwen, thanks for an interesting post. I never realized that Australia would have the same issues of poverty as we do. I always envisioned it as a very well to do country. I was shocked to learn that so many children have dental issues and are overweight. I truly feel that it is time for ALL nations to come together and devise a strategy to combat these issues. I'm afraid of what our population and others are going to look like in a few years if we don't do something now.
ReplyDeleteGwen,
ReplyDeleteThanks for a great post to read. You are very focused and passionate in this field. I also want to become a college professional - I feel that this will be the bes way to grow strength in numbers for quality early childhood education.