Early Childhood Australia Doctoral Thesis Award

Early Childhood Australia is currently accepting nominations for its Doctoral Thesis Award from all Australian universities with early childhood doctoral students.

Nominations close 30 June 2010

The award was established in by Early Childhood Australia in 1995 to:

• encourage Australian early childhood research
• recognise the excellence of the early childhood research undertaken by doctoral students in Australia.

The award will comprise:

• a citation delivered with the presentation of the award at the ECA Conference, Canberra, 29 September – 2 October 2010
• a return airfare, accommodation and registration to the 2010 ECA Conference
• the engraving of the awardees name on the perpetual trophy, to be held in the ECA National Office
• an invitation to present the findings of the research at the 2010 ECA National Conference.

Selection Criteria for the award:

• the thesis is for a full PhD
• the thesis furthers knowledge of early childhood
• the thesis makes a contribution to the theoretical, empirical and/or methodological knowledge in early childhood – defined as birth to eight years of age
• the thesis contributes to improvements in early childhood practice and/or pioneers innovation in care and education practice
• the thesis demonstrates excellence in early childhood practice
• the thesis is a thorough, original and well-presented piece of research suitable for dissemination among the early childhood profession
• the thesis was awarded after 30 June 2008
• the nominee is an Individual member of Early Childhood Australia.

Nominations must include:

• name, contact details and credentials of the nominee
• name, contact details and credentials of the nominator
• university details
• a copy of the thesis
• an overview of the thesis.

Previous awards

• Joy Goodfellow – 1997
• Susan Danby – 1999
• Louise Porter – 2001
• Kerry Daly – 2003
• Michelle Ortlipp – 2005
• Fay Hadley – 2008

Nominations should be sent to:
Doctoral Thesis Award Committee
PO Box 86
Deakin West ACT 2600

T: 02 6242 1800
F: 02 6242 1818
E: awards@earlychildhood.org.au
W: www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au

Barbara Creaser Awards

The Barbara Creaser Memorial Lecture Fund was established in 1995 to celebrate and acknowledge the contribution made by Barbara Creaser to the lives of young children, early childhood practice and the early childhood profession.

Barbara made a major contribution to the professional development of students, childcare staff and kindergarten teachers in the Australian states and territories in which she worked.

In particular Barbara gave significant support to newer members of the profession. Her books too have been in the forefront of work to support early childhood professionals in their understanding and implementation of an anti-bias curriculum and play-based pedagogy.

Barbara Creaser was born on 9 May 1940 and died in May 1995.

The fund aims to:

• support and promote the work of professional organisations
• honour leaders and potential leaders in the early childhood profession
• improve the quality of programs and experiences for young children and their parents

Barbara Creaser Memorial Lecture

The Barbara Creaser Memorial Lecture is awarded to a well-recognised and respected early childhood person and the awardee will present a 30-minute lecture at the conference.

Barbara Creaser Young Advocates Award

All award winners must be Individual members of Early Childhood Australia. People meeting these criteria are nominated by ECA branches and selected by the ECA Board of Directors.

Previous recipients

Barbara Creaser Memorial Lecture

1999		Sue Dockett
2001		Glenda McNaughton
2003		Pam Linke
2005		Karen Martin
2008		Pam Winter

Barbara Creaser Young Advocates Award

1999		Sue Dockett
2003		Catharine Hydon
2005		Lynne Rutherford

Early Childhood Australia / McArthur Management Services Awards

Please read the following information in conjunction with the application form.

Background

These awards have been funded by McArthur Management Services, who work closely with the early childhood sector to provide both permanent and casual staff.

McArthur actively supports the development of the early childhood profession and the provision of high-quality services to children and their families.

These awards reflect McArthur's commitment to the sector and the belief that the opportunity for leaders to advance their skills is essential to the continued improvement and growth of the sector, with the investment resulting in positive outcomes for children, families and staff.

The awards are offered by McArthur Management Services and Early Childhood Australia under the advice of the Scholarship Committee.

Early Childhood Australia / McArthur Management Services
Early Childhood Leadership Development Scholarship
$8,000

Purpose

The scholarship is available to any person who is a member of Early Childhood Australia (ECA) and meets the following criteria:

• possesses an Early Childhood Degree
• currently working with young children in an early childhood service
• currently working in Australia

The purpose of the scholarship is to support the recipient:

• to study exemplary early childhood services or programs overseas or within Australia and/or
• to attend an early childhood conference or event either overseas or within Australia

Applicants will be required to produce evidence of their ability to undertake the study program/attend the conference within twelve months of being awarded the scholarship.

The amount offered is intended to help with living expenses, study program/conference fees or other expenses associated with the proposed study program/conference attendance.

The cost of attendance (Conference Registration, Airfare from the recipients nearest capital city and Accommodation) at the 2010 ECA conference in Adelaide and the 2012 ECA conference in Perth will be met as part of the Scholarship. This is in addition to the $8,000 scholarship fund.

The cost of presenting a seminar or workshop to the staff and/or board of McArthur Management (Airfare from the recipients nearest capital city and Accommodation) will be met by McArthur Management. This is in addition to the $8,000 scholarship fund.

Closing date for applications is 30 June 2010

For completion of the application form, please note the following points:

• Include page numbers in the footer on the right hand side of each page in the format
  eg: Page XX of XX
• Include your name in the footer on the left hand side of each page
• Arial 11 point font
• 4cm right and left margins

Item 7 of the Application

Stay within the 300 word limit when answering the questions in item 7.

Item 8 of the Application

The scholarship is intended to contribute towards the costs involved in the study program/conference attendance. Costing may include:

• Conference fees
• Travel interstate and/or overseas: a return economy airfare or its equivalent, from the capital city in the state of residence to the national or overseas destination.
• Living allowance

Please note:
The scholarship does not fund capital expenditure e.g. computers and other equipment.

Item 9 of the Application

The applicant is required to provide the names of two (2) referees who must be able to attest to your leadership and commitment to early childhood.

Item 10 of the Application

Awarding of the Scholarship is subject to the provision of documentation from your employer outlining support for and availability of leave in order to undertake the proposed activities. Documentation of this approval must be included with the application.

Please Note:
Past recipients of this scholarship may not reapply.

RECIPIENT RESPONSIBILITIES

1. The recipient of this scholarship is required to provide the Scholarships Committee with two reports. An initial report before the study program/conference which provides finalised details of the study program/conference attendance detailing what is being done and when and a final report within three months of completing their study at exemplary service/s or attendance at their nominated early childhood conference. This final report will detail what was done as a result of the scholarship. Should these requirements not be able to be met, the committee must be informed in advance of this and a new date for the submission of the report negotiated.
2. 50% of the scholarship funds will be paid when the winner of the Scholarship is announced, with the remainder of the scholarship paid on confirmation of expenditure of funds. Recipients are advised to take out travel and other insurance in the event that they are unable to undertake the nominated study or conference participation detailed in their application.
   
   If the recipient of the scholarship is not able to meet their responsibilities (ie, unable to undertake the travel), the full scholarship will be repaid to ECA, less the cost of travel insurance if applicable.
3. The scholarship recipient is required to present a workshop or seminar at the 2010 ECA Conference in Adelaide about how their study program or participation in a conference has affected their approach to their work with young children and their leadership capacity and to write an article for an ECA publication. The purpose of these requirements is to make a contribution to professional knowledge, practice and/or policy as appropriate.
4. The scholarship recipient is required to present a workshop or seminar to the McArthur Management staff and/or board about how their study program or participation in a conference has affected their approach to their work with young children and their leadership capacity and/or to write an article for the McArthur Management newsletter.
5. Any publications/workshops/seminars emanating from the scholarship must acknowledge the support of the scholarship.
6. Any change of name or address during the tenure of the scholarship must be notified to the Scholarships Committee.
7. It is acknowledged that all work completed by the recipient of the scholarship remains their intellectual property.

Download the Early Childhood Leadership Development Scholarship guidelines
Download the Early Childhood Leadership Development Scholarship application form

Early Childhood Australia / McArthur Management Services
Early Childhood Student Encouragement Award
Total Value $3,000

Purpose

The award is available to any person who is a member of Early Childhood Australia (ECA) and meets the following criteria:

• Undertaking tertiary studies towards an early childhood degree.
• Undertaking tertiary studies in Australia.

The purpose of the award is to support the recipient:

• To provide support and encouragement to younger members of the profession undertaking early childhood qualifications
• To promote early childhood leadership and the profession by supporting professional conversation and engagement with early childhood students

This award includes:

• Registration, travel from recipients nearest capital city and accommodation for the Early Childhood Australia conferences in 2010 and 2012.
• One year Individual Gold membership of Early Childhood Australia, and
• A mentor nominated for 12 months following the Award by the Early Childhood Australia Branch in the state/territory where the recipient is studying.

Selection Criteria

• Evidence of commitment to early childhood
• Evidence of academic success
• A reference attesting to your commitment to early childhood
• A reference attesting to your academic success
• Willingness to engage with a mentor from ECA Branch in their state or territory

Closing date for applications is 30 June 2010

For completion of the application form, please note the following points:

• Include page numbers in the footer on the right hand side of each page in the format
  eg: Page XX of XX
• Include your name in the footer on the left hand side of each page
• Arial 11 point font
• 4cm right and left margins

Item 4 of the Application

Stay within the 300 word limit when answering the questions in item 4.

Item 5 of the Application

The applicant is required to provide the names of two (2) referees who must be able to attest to the academic skills, leadership and commitment to early childhood of the applicant.

Item 10 of the Application

The award is subject to the provision of academic transcripts (Certified copies). These transcripts must be included with the application.

Please Note:
Past recipients of this award may not reapply.

RECIPIENT RESPONSIBILITIES

1. The recipient of this award is required to provide the Award Committee with a report including a report from the mentor, mid way through the year and a final report within three months of completion of the mentoring program. Should these requirements not be able to be met, the committee must be informed in advance of this and a new date for the submission of the report negotiated.
2. If the recipient of the award is not able to meet their responsibilities, costs incurred by McArthur Management Services or Early Childhood Australia must be repaid in full.
3. The award recipient is required to present at the 2010 ECA Conference in Adelaide about how their participation in the conference and the mentoring program has affected their approach to their studies and their leadership capacity, and to write an article for an ECA publication.
4. The award recipient is required to present to the McArthur Management Services staff and/or Board about how their participation in the mentoring program has affected their approach to their studies and their leadership capacity and/or to write an article for the McArthur Management newsletter.
5. Any publications/workshops/seminars emanating from the award must acknowledge the support of the award.
6. Any change of name or address during the tenure of the award must be notified to the Awards Committee.
7. It is acknowledged that all work completed by the recipient of the award remains their intellectual property.

Download the Early Childhood Leadership Development Scholarship guidelines
Download the Early Childhood Leadership Development Scholarship application form