Professor Peter Moss, Early Childhood Provision at the Institute of Education, University of London.

RailCorp CEO Rob Mason hands out the ‘Thomas the Tank Engine’ safety booklet at SDN Waterloo.

All Smiles...CEO Ginie Udy and Director of Early Intervention and Family Support Julie Druce receiving donation from General Manager of Rock Resourcing, Richard Talbot and CEO of Vedior Deb Loveridge.

Protecting Childcare rights...
SDN CEO Ginie Udy recently met with
Parliamentary Secretary for Child Care,
Maxine McKew.

INAUGURAL SDN LADY FAIRFAX VISITING SCHOLAR ANNOUNCED

Monday 25th, August 2008

SDN Children's Services Inc. is pleased to announce Professor Peter Moss from the University of London 's Institute of Education , as the inaugural SDN Lady Fairfax Visiting Scholar.

Professor Moss has been awarded the scholarship in recognition of his groundbreaking contribution to early childhood thinking. Professor Moss will be the keynote speaker at SDN's conference From one stop shops to places of encounter: Rethinking early childhood services, in mid September.

SDN CEO, Ginie Udy, said Professor Moss was recognised as an international authority on parental leave and his ideas are at the cutting edge of the children's services sector.

“As a leading international scholar specialising in early childhood thinking, Professor Moss has helped to forge a new direction for children's services,” Ms Udy said.

“Professor Moss' work challenges us to rethink children's services as ‘places of encounter' a place where children and adults can interact and connect with each other and citizens in a community.

“Professor Moss has had a profound influence on thinking and practice in Australia and this is a fantastic opportunity for policy makers gain an insight into the child care system of the future.

“Children have a right to high quality child care experience - a nurturing environment and the support that allows them to build knowledge, identity and self worth.

“In order to create truly exceptional children's services – the kind of services we can call ‘lighthouses' of innovation - there must be a strong link between key peak organisations, service providers and policy makers.”

Ms Udy said the conference will identify key issues to put be to the Federal Government for the future of early childhood care in Australia .

From one stop shops to places of encounter: Rethinking early childhood services will be held on Friday 12 th September, 2008 at Australia Technology Park .

Further information at www.sdn.org.au/conference08

RAILCORP AND THOMAS THE TANK ENGINE LAUNCH TRAIN SAFETY BOOKLET FOR KIDS AT SDN WATERLOO

Tuesday 22nd, July 2008

RailCorp and Thomas the Tank Engine have teamed up to teach young children about safety around railways with a new booklet to be launched today as part of National Rail Safety Awareness Week 2008, 21-27 July.

Rail Safe with Thomas & Friends' is a fun activity booklet for 3 to 6 year olds and parents/carers that teaches safe behaviour at stations and aboard trains.

RailCorp CEO Rob Mason said the safety booklet was a great way for young children to learn about train safety through the popular Thomas the Tank Engine series.

“Safety is top priority for all passengers, including young children and their parents and carers,” Mr Mason said.

“More young people are travelling on trains as families rely on public transport. There are basic safety messages that everyone should remember, such as stand behind the yellow line, mind the gap and arrive with plenty of time to catch your train.

“Young children can be impressionable so it is important they become familiar with rail safety from an early age. You are never too young, or too old, to learn about rail safety.

“RailCorp is keen to communicate to kids that travelling on CityRail and CountryLink services can be fun, so ‘Rail Safe with Thomas & Friends' is a great way to get the message across,” he said.

‘Rail Safe with Thomas & Friends' will be available at some pre-schools, Just Kidding Jr Magazine, selected Target stores across the state and via www.cityrail.info

The booklet will be launched this morning at SDN Lois Barker Child and Family Learning Centre in Waterloo , Sydney .

CEO of SDN Child and Family Learning Centres, Ginie Udy, welcomed the new safety booklet.

“Many of the children at our centres travel with their families on public transport and it is never too early to teach them about transport safety,” Ms Udy said.

“Children who live in cities like Sydney are more likely to use public transport, so it is very important they know how to keep safe,” she said.

CityRail's spokesperson for National Rail Safety Awareness Week, Jonathan Beninca, said he spends a lot of time trying to change community attitudes towards rail safety and was keen for children to learn the right behaviour from an early age.

“As a father, I appreciate the importance of teaching young children about staying safe around railways but this is an important message for people of all ages – school children, regular customers and even motorists,” Jonathan said.

Jonathan, who suffered serious injuries after being hit by a train when he was 19 years old when he cut across the tracks to take a short cut, fully understands the dangers that many people ignore. His decision to trespass and vandalise a train cost him his entire right arm, his right leg below the knee and two fingers on his left hand.

Now the father of three children under three years of age – the youngest two weeks old – Jonathan is a passionate advocate for safe behaviour around railways. Today he is RailCorp's Youth Outreach Program Coordinator taking his story into schools to tell kids to think before they act.

Jonathan regularly talks to primary and high school children about train safety and anti-social behaviour.

For more information about National Train Safety Awareness Week, Jonathan's story, and a chance to win one year of free travel by testing your rail safety knowledge, visit RailCorp's train safety website www.trainsmart.com.au

BUDGET IGNORES SPECIAL INQUIRY INTO DOCS

Tuesday 3rd, June 2008

Today's budget provides no funding to support any recommendations that result from the Special Commission of Inquiry into the Department of Community Services (DoCS) - calling into question the NSW Government's commitment to child protection reforms.

SDN CEO Ginie Udy said that without funding allocations, the Inquiry currently being chaired by Justice Wood, is mere window dressing.

“The failure of the Iemma Government to allocate funding towards the outcomes of the commission is appalling,” Ms Udy said.

“If this government is serious about keeping children safe, it must provide funds to implement reform.”

“The Inquiry is due to conclude by the end of this financial year - that means there is an opportunity to make some changes over the next 12 months. Without funding, it may be years before we see the implementation of any recommendations.”

Ms Udy said today's budget provides a 7 per cent increase in funding for DoCS in 2008/09, but fails to recognise the DoCS budget overspend of $40 million over the past financial year.

“Factoring in last year's overspend, this year's budget will barely keep pace with the rate of inflation and certainly will not keep pace with the increasing rate of reports which is currently around 7 per cent a year.

“Providing quality family support programs is the key to combating child abuse and the NSWGovernment has already outlined child abuse as a key strategic direction – this budget only goes part the way to providing an effective early intervention program.

“International research consistently shows that investment in early intervention and prevention programs not only helps children and families, it has an economic benefit for the entire community.”

GOVERNMENTS NEXT CHALLENGE IS TO REDEFINE AUSTRALIAN CHILDCARE

Wednesday 14th , May 2008

SDN Children's Services Inc. has welcomed the Federal Government's plans to lift the Child Care Rebate from 30 to 50 percent as announced in yesterday's Budget.

Acting SDN CEO, Kirsten Forrester , said the initiative recognises child care is a crucial part of our economy and that families across Australia are finding it increasingly difficult to make ends meet.

“This increase will help thousands of Australian families meet their weekly child care bill and that is a great first step,” Ms Forrester said.

The next challenge for the Federal Government is to implement key strategies to improve the quality of child care services across Australia .”

Ms Forrester said SDN had presented its vision for Australia 's ‘Education Revolution' when the Prime Minister visited SDN's Erskineville centre in April.

“We fully support the Prime Minister's vision for an ‘Education Revolution' that begins well before a child enters the formal education system,” Ms Forrester said.

We have presented the Government with a quality, education based child care system that is workable and is based on a successful model SDN has been practicing in NSW for more than 75 years.”

The next step is to see the Government adopt some of these initiatives – integrating preschool into long day care and providing a nationally consistent curriculum for example – this will make a real difference to the quality of child care in Australia .”

“We can then move towards a system that not only supports the child, but recognises the opportunities we have to strengthen families too.”

PRIME MINISTER'S VISIT RECOGNISES QUALITY SDN SERVICES

Thursday 17th, April 2008

The Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, paid a special visit to Sydney’s Inner West today dropping in on SDN’s Erskineville Child and Family Learning Centre to take a look at the great facilities and service being offered there.

The Prime Minister took the opportunity to speak about his new vision for child care, where early childhood education, long-day care and other family services are brought together under one roof.

“What we have here at this centre at Erskineville is an effort to bring together two streams of services for our little children. Long day care on the one hand and preschool education on the other and to integrate them within the one location,” Mr Rudd said.

“And as I have been advised by those who run this centre here, it is working very well.”

SDN CEO Ginie Udy said the Prime Minister’s visit was recognition of the great work being done in SDN’s centres to provide not only quality child care, but an educational program for all children.

“Each and every one of SDN’s 21 child care centres provides educational programs for all children– from our youngest at 6 weeks up to five year- olds,” Ms Udy said.

“The Prime Minister’s 2020 vision recognises child care should be more than child minding – it is an invaluable opportunity to educate our children in the most formative years.

“This is something we have been doing here at SDN for more than 70 years and I applaud the Prime Minister for his vision.”

The Prime Minister recognised the long history of SDN’s work in supporting working families.

“SDN is an organisation which has been going since 1905 and it has always had a particular commitment to the needs of kids and littlies in inner city Sydney.”

Ms Udy said SDN would continue to urge the Federal Government to implement the Prime Minister’s proposals.

“The Prime Minister has recognised early childhood education is integral to a child’s capacity to reach their full potential and SDN believes education must be available from the day that child enters care.

“We look forward to seeing this vision becoming the norm.”

SURPRISE CHEQUE KICK STARTS 2008 PARTY IN THE PARK

Friday 28th, March 2008

SDN Children's Services Inc. received a surprise cheque recently with a $1000 donation from recruitment agency, Vedior, to help kick-start the 2008 SDN Brighter Futures Party in the Park.

SDN ran a successful Party in the Park last December where 300 families involved in the Brighter Futures early intervention program, Partnerships with Parents program and Poets Corner met in Centennial Park for a fun-filled day of magic shows, clowns, a mini animal farm and unlimited fairy floss.

SDN CEO Ginie Udy was thrilled to receive a donation towards this year's event and thanked the sponsors for extending their generosity once again.

“The 2007 Party in the Park was a great success for both families and staff, so this cheque is a great way to start fundraising for this year's event”, Ms. Udy said.

“There was something for everyone at last year's event. Children were entertained by characters such as Shrek and Little Red Riding Hood and puppet shows, while parents were treated to unlimited coffees and mini massages.”

Ginie made a special mention of the contribution made by Rock Resourcing General Manager, Richard Talbot for his help in raising funds and providing staff for last year's event.

“SDN is very thankful to Richard who was the brains behind the whole operation-the day would not have been possible without the leadership and organizational skills of this man.”

Ginie also thanked all those involved in the 2007 event and congratulated them on their efforts.

“The success of the day was due to the generosity of our corporate sponsors and their staff who volunteered on the day.

“Our SDN caseworkers worked hard to encourage families to come along - it all helped make a great day.”

Director of SDN's Early Intervention and Family Support program, Julie Druce , expressed her excitement for this year's Party in the Park .

“We're looking forward to planning another great event together this year”, Ms. Druce said.

The $1000 cheque was presented to Ginie during the SDN awards ceremony at Vedior offices in Sydney in late March, organised to thank Vedior, Seek, ITG, Greyhound and Deloittes for their sponsorship of the 2007 Party in Park.

COAG AN OPPPORTUNITY TO EXPAND EDUCATIONAL CHILD CARE

Wednesday 26th March 2008

SDN Children's Services Inc. has today called on the Federal Government to create a national child care system and ensure quality early childhood education is available to all Australian children from the day they enter formal care.

SDN CEO, Ginie Udy, said today's COAG meeting provided an opportunity for the Federal Government to fix the fragmented child care system that exists in Australia today.

“Australia has been internationally critisised for its ‘weak' system of early childhood education and care and we now have the opportunity to make our system stronger,” Ms Udy said.

“Early childhood education must be integrated into our childcare system – we can not afford to leave education until a child is 3 or 4 years old.

“Currently, each State and Territory runs its own race when it comes to childcare with NSW the only state to provide early childhood teachers in childcare centres. We must create a system that integrates education and care across Australia .”

Ms Udy said the only way to ensure all children receive the same opportunity is to implement a national system that oversees the regulation, educational curriculum and staff training.

“In order to provide the best quality, education based childcare for Australian children we must have a centralised system, overseen by the Federal Government, that supports a national curriculum, standardised regulations and centralised training services for child care workers.

“It is well understood that the first three years of a child's life are the most important for educational development and childcare centres are the only environment that can deliver educational programs for ALL children under 5 years old.

“The Federal Government has the opportunity to take the lead in the provision of quality early childhood education and provide expanded opportunities for all children from birth.”

SDN's submission to COAG is available here: Achieving Intergration of Early Childhood Education and Car

GOVERNMENT MUST ACT TO PROTECT CHILD CARE RIGHTS

Wednesday 12 March 2008

Following the collapse of ABC Learning, SDN Children's Services Inc. is calling on the Federal Government to introduce measures that ensure the child care rights of working families are protected from the vulnerabilities of profit based providers.

SDN CEO Ginie Udy, will today meet with Parliamentary Secretary for Child Care, Maxine McKew to express concern about the uncertain future facing thousands of families who use ABC Learning child care centres.

“Many thousands of families across Australia are wondering if they are going to have a child care place next week or next month,” Ms Udy said.

“These parents rely on their child care provider so they can go to work each day and support a family – there must be many parents losing sleep following the demise of ABC Learning.

“We will be raising the issue with the Federal Government today and hope they might look at ways to ensure the rights of families and children are placed before profits in the future.”

Ms Udy said key to protecting families is Government support for the not-for-profit child care sector.

“We welcome the planned increase in the Federal Government’s tax rebate for child care, but there needs to be more measures put in place to help not-for-profit child care providers operate viably.

“There is a great deal of variability in the supply of child care places – while some areas have a severe shortage, there are many areas where there is an enormous over supply – the Government must look at ways to address the imbalance.

“It is concerning that previous child care policies have allowed the business sector to take over more than 30 per cent of the long day care market in Australia.  Business and child care are just not a good fit.”

Ms Udy said the best investment the Government can make for young children in child care is to support the expansion of the not-for-profit sector.

“Not-for-profit child care providers put the educational, emotional and developmental welfare of children first.  There is no profit motive and parents can feel confident their child is important.”

Contact: Julie Smith – SDN Communications Manager (0421 029 353)