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Frequently Asked Questions
1 GENERAL QUESTIONS
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1.1 When is the 2010 Early Childhood Australia Conference being held?
29 September – 2 October 2010.
1.2 Where is the 2010 conference being held?
Adelaide Convention Centre, South Australia.
1.3 Is it too late to submit an abstract to present at the conference?
The Call for Papers has now closed. We are not accepting anymore abstracts.
For information about the conference you can download our conference registration brochure here or
you can visit our conference website at www.ecaconference.com.au. The website contains the most current information including the conference program, details on social functions, awards and more.
1.5 How do I subscribe for the conference e-newsletter?
By sending an email to conference@earlychildhood.org.au.
ECA Conference News provides you with updates as they happen. They are sent out approximately once per month. For further updates, subscribe to the ECA e-newsletter, WebWatch, by emailing subscribe@earlychildhood.org.au.
2 REGISTRATION
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2.1 How much does it cost to attend the conference?
Conference registration has now opened. Early bird registration closes 31 July.
Fee Type
|
Early bird (closes 31 July 2010) |
Full rate (from 1 August 2010) |
| Full registration |
|
|
| ECA member |
$750.00 |
$900.00 |
| Non-member |
$900.00 |
$1,050.00 |
| Concession registration |
|
|
| ECA member |
$350.00 |
$350.00 |
| Non-member |
$450.00 |
$450.00 |
| Single day |
$250.00 |
$250.00 |
| Single day registration |
|
|
| Single day |
$350.00 |
$350.00 |
2.2 How can I register for the conference?
There are three ways you can register:
- Register by mail.
Payment should be made as a cheque drawn on an Australian bank account and made payable to Early Childhood Australia, or a cheque drawn on an Australian bank account and made payable to Early Childhood Australia, an international bank cheque payable in Australian Dollars (AUD) made payable to Early Childhood Australia, or an Australian money order made payable to Early Childhood Australia, or direct deposit to:
BSB: 062-904
Account number: 00903447
Account name: Early Childhood Australia
Please note: For direct deposits outside of Australia, you must add AU$20 for international transfer fees (all clearance costs are the responsibility of delegate).
- Register by fax.
Fax registration is only available to delegates using credit card payment (Visa or Mastercard).
Fax both sides of the registration form to (02) 6242 1818 (if outside Australia please fax: +61 2 6242 1818).
- Register online.
Excluding money orders, your payment options include all of the above when registering online. Registering online automatically puts you in the running to win a $500 book voucher.
The registration form can be downloaded from the registration page here.
2.4 I am a member of Early Childhood Australia. Do I receive a discount on my conference registration?
Yes. Individual members receive one (1) full discount, service members receive one (1) full discount, organisation members receive two (2) full discounts and concession members receive one (1) concession discount.
Please note: To receive a discount you must be a current member of ECA and your member number must be shown on your registration form.
If you are unsure of the type of membership you hold, please contact the conference secretariat on 02 6242 1800.
2.5 How do I find out if I am a member of ECA?
Contact the ECA National Office on (02) 6242 1800 and request to speak with our Customer Service Officer.
2.6 Do I have to pay for the conference upfront?
Yes. Full payment of conference registration fees must accompany your registration. Registrations cannot be processed without payment.
2.7 I am not a member of ECA, can I still receive a registration discount?
No. The only way to receive a discount is to become a member. To do this you must complete the ‘Become an ECA Member’ section of your (online) registration form or contact the ECA National Office
on 02 6242 1800 to purchase a memberhip over the phone.
2.8 Can you take my registration details over the phone?
No. You must complete and sign the registration form. We cannot accept any verbal registrations.
No. Full payment of conference registration fees must accompany your registration. Registrations cannot be processed without payment.
3 EVENTS
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3.1 How much does it cost to attend the Welcome Reception?
One (1) ticket is included in the Full delegate registration (Concession and Single day registrations excluded). Additional tickets can be purchased for $55 each.
3.2 How much does it cost to attend the Conference Dinner?
Tickets are $100 per person. Ticket cost includes dinner, drinks and entertainment. Places are limited and will be allocated on a ‘first in’ basis. Tickets can be purchased when registering for the conference.
If you would like to book tickets to the Gala Dinner however do not wish to attend the ECA National Conference, you can book tickets securely online here.
3.3 How much does it cost to attend Breakfast with the Stars?
Tickets are $60 per person (breakfast included). Places are limited and will be allocated on a ‘first in’ basis. Tickets can be purchased when registering for the conference.
3.4 How much does it cost to attend a conference tour?
Tours vary in price from $25 to $50. Please see our tours page here for more details on each of the tours. Places are limited and will be allocated on a ‘first in’ basis.
3.5 What’s the difference between a ‘Special Interest Tour’ and a ‘Centre Tour’?
Centre Tours involve visiting early childhood education facilities which compliment the conference’s content and exemplify best practice and innovation in the field. Special Interest Tours explore some of Adelaide’s great cultural assets, such as the Art Gallery of South Australia, The South Australian Museum, an Indigenous Culture tour at the Adelaide Botanic Gardens and the National Wine Centre of Australia.
3.6 How do Centre Tours include both destinations listed on the program?
There are two time slots listed for visits to each of the two locations. On these tours, you will visit one destination during first time slot, and the other during the final time slot.
3.7 What days do the tours fall on and will they run over the conference program?
Special Interest tours are on 29 September and will not run over the conference. Centre Tours run from 3.15-5.15pm on the first day of the conference. They will overlap concurrent sessions 2.1 and 2.2 on this day. For more information please view the full program here.
3.8 How do I sign up for a Tour?
If you’re interested in a tour and have already registered for the conference, please email the Conference Secretariat at conference@earlychildhood.org.au with the details of the tour you would like to attend. We will send you an invoice upon processing. Alternately, you can book your place when you register for the conference.
4 EXHIBITORS
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Exhibition booths have proved extremely popular and have sold out.
5 ECA $200 TRAVEL ASSISTANCE
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5.1 Who is eligible for the ECA $200 Travel Assistance?
The travel assistance is for delegates located in a rural or remote area. Check the eligible postcodes (hyperlink) listed on our website to see if you can apply.
5.2 How do I apply for the Travel Assistance?
Complete the application form (hyperlink) available on our website. Send it in along with a) a copy of your registration confirmation, or b) your conference registration and payment if you have not yet registered for the conference.
5.3 How will I know if I’ve been successful in my application?
We will notify you by email of the outcome of your application and if successful the funds will be deposited into your nominated bank account.
5.4 When do applications for Travel Assistance close?
There is no deadline for submission of applications. However, funding is limited, so it will be paid in the order of applications are received and approved. Priority will be given to those who register for the full 3 days of the conference.
5.5 I’d only like to register for the conference if I can receive the Travel Assistance offered. What is the ECA Conference cancellation and refund policy?
All cancellations must be notified to the secretariat in writing (surface mail, fax or email). Where notice of cancellation is received by the secretariat on or before 31 August 2010, any registration fees paid will be refunded less an administrative charge of 15% of the total refund. No refunds are available for any cancellations on or after 1 September 2010, however you may nominate a replacement delegate at no charge up to 19 September 2010. After 19 September 2010, an additional fee of $50 will apply to transfer a registration to another delegate. The same conditions apply to tickets purchased for social events.
There is a range of sponsorship packages available for the conference. Please call the Conference Secretariat on (02) 6242 1800 or email conference@earlychildhood.org.au.
7 ACCOMMODATION
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7.1 Can I book my accommodation through ECA?
No. However, accommodation has been secured at competitive and flexible rates at a range of hotels in the vicinity of the Convention Centre by the Accommodation Managers, arinex. To view accommodation information and make bookings, please visit the accommodation website.
7.2 How early should I book my accommodation?
The earlier the better. Rooms are being held on behalf of conference attendees until 27 August 2010, so be sure to take advantage of the competitive rates available through arinex and make your booking before then.
7.3 How many people can we fit in one hotel room?
The capacity of the room is stated on the arinex booking site alongside the hotel name. Roll out beds are available for a fee which varies depending on the hotel.
7.4 How do I make changes to my booking?
Changes to bookings must be notified to the Accommodation Managers and not directly to the hotel. Please note that any changes should be made to the Accommodation Managers by 13 September 2010. Changes to bookings incur no charges.
7.5 What happens to my accommodation deposit if I cancel?
If you cancel before 27 August 2010, only one night’s cancellation fee will be charged. From 27 August 2010, the deposit is non-refundable and will be forfeited if you do not arrive on the date for which you have booked or you cancel your accommodation.
7.6 How do I cancel my booking for accommodation?
Cancellation must be made in writing to the arinex Accommodation Managers. Their contact details are as follows:
Early Childhood Australia National Conference Accommodation Managers
c/o arinex
Phone: +61 2 9265 0700
Fax: +61 2 9267 5443
Address: GPO Box 128, Sydney, NSW 2001
Email: eca2010accommodation@arinex.com.au
8 FLIGHT BOOKINGS
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8.1 Can I book my flights through ECA?>
No. However, a number of seats have been secured with Qantas by Corporate Travel Management (CTM). To view flight information and make bookings, please visit the booking website here.
8.2 The flights on the Corporate Travel Management (CTM) website weren’t convenient for me. What should I do now?
Even if you can’t find the flight for you on the website, CTM have access to best fares available with ANY other airline (Jetstar, Regional Express, Virgin Blue, Sky West etc). Therefore, please contact CTM (toll free) for best airfare rates on 1800 630 866 or e-mail at michelle_vanschalkwyk@travelctm.com
8.3 Can I change my flight details once I’ve made a booking?
The name under which a booking has been made cannot be changed under any circumstances. Be careful to write your name as it appears exactly on you identification (i.e. no nicknames). Changes to dates and times are permitted up to 24 hours prior to departure at a fee of $66.50 plus any airfare difference, subject to seat availability.
8.4 I want to cancel my tickets. Can I get a refund on my booking?
Tickets purchased through Corporate Travel Management are non-refundable.
9 AWARDS
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9.1 Early Childhood Australia Doctoral Thesis Award
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9.1.1 How do I nominate someone for an award?
The nomination should include the name, contact details and credentials of the nominee, name, contact details and credentials of the nominator, university details, a hard copy of the thesis and an overview of the thesis (a couple of pages is fine). The nominator does not need to provide details of why they are nomination, just contact details and credentials are fine.
9.1.2 The application says I need two written references and two telephone referees. If someone wrote a reference for me, can they be my referee too? And vice versa?
Absolutely. Reference writers can be referees. Referees can be reference writers too.
9.1.3 When do nominations close?
30 June, 2010.
9.1.4 Who is on the panel of judges?
Unfortunately, we cannot disclose the names of the people on the awards committee judges. However, the panel is made up of three highly qualified academics who have been involved in the selection process for a number of years.
9.1.5 Will my thesis be returned to me?
Hard copies will be returned to unsuccessful applicants.
9.2 ECA/McArthur Management Services Awards
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9.2.1 Who make up the judging panel?
Unfortunately, we cannot disclose the names of the people on the awards committee judges. However, the panel is made up of three highly qualified academics who have been involved in the selection process for a number of years.
The application form and guidelines can be found here.
9.2.3 I have a Diploma in Early Childhood Studies. Am I eligible for the Early Childhood Leadership Development Scholarship?
No. The Early Childhood Leadership Development Scholarship requires that the applicant possess an Early Childhood Degree.
9.3 HESTA Early Childhood Education and Care Awards
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9.3.1 When do nominations for the HESTA Early Childhood Education and Care Awards close?
31 July, 2010.
9.3.2 Who will make up the panel of judges?
Unfortunately, we cannot disclose the names of the people on the awards committee judges.
9.3.3 When are the awards presented?
At the Gala Dinner at The Pavilion, Adelaide Oval on Friday 1 October 2010.
9.3.4 I would like to book tickets to the Gala Dinner however I do not wish to attend the ECA National Conference. Is this a possibility?
Yes. You can book tickets online here.
10 ECA CONFERENCE 2012
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10.1 When is the 2012 Early Childhood Australia Conference being held?
October, 2012.
10.2 Where is the 2012 conference being held?
Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre, Perth.
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