Introduction to Early Childhood Education and Care Practice Flashcards

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering the history, service types, and philosophical foundations of Australian Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC).

Australian Child Care Act 1972

Legislation that formalized government support for child care services and facilitated women’s workforce participation, leading to a significant increase in working women.

Long day care

All day or part day care in a registered location for children typically aged 6 weeks to 6 years old.

Preschool

Focuses on preschool skills with shorter hours that follow school terms, typically for children aged 3-6 years old.

Family day care

All day or part day care provided in a registered carer's home for children from birth to 6 years old, depending on carer preference.

Occasional care

Casual or regular care provided for short periods of time in a registered location.

National Quality Framework (NQF)

Established in 2012 to uphold and advance quality standards in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) across Australia.

National Childcare Accreditation System

Established in the 1990s, making Australia the first country to link ECEC funding to quality standards.

Quality Improvement and Accreditation Scheme (QIAS)

Introduced in 1994 for Long Day Care (LDC) services and conducted by the National Childcare Accreditation Council (NCAC).

Universal Access National Partnership

Established in 2009, it contributed to increasing preschool enrollment for 15 hours from 12% in 2008 to 95% by 2019.

Child Care Subsidy

Introduced in 2019 to provide families with easier access to subsidies through a single model with separate funding streams.

SNAICC

The Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care, established in 1983 to advocate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-controlled services.

Montessori Method

An educational philosophy focusing on independence and self-paced learning through prepared environments.

Reggio Emilia Approach

Founded by Loris Malaguzzi, this approach highlights the role of the environment, community, and child-led exploration.

Constructivism

The theory that children learn best by actively constructing knowledge through experiences, inquiry-based learning, and collaborative projects.

Holistic Development

An approach focusing on the intellectual, emotional, social, physical, and moral growth of a child.

Intrinsic Motivation

Fostering a love of learning for its own sake rather than through external rewards or pressures.

Jean Piaget

A theorist who emphasized stages of cognitive development and learning through active engagement.

Lev Vygotsky

A theorist who stressed the importance of social interaction and scaffolding in learning.

John Dewey

A theorist who advocated for experiential learning and the integration of education with real-world contexts.

Friedrich Froebel (1782-1852)

An individual whose historical work contributed to the philosophy of early childhood education still reflected in teaching today.

National Quality Standard

A standard where the percentage of services meeting or exceeding it rose from 55% in 2013 to 82% in 2020.

Ethic Child Care Development Unit

A unit established in 1980 following a review of post-arrival services for migrants.