14 September 2012
Local childcare educators to learn from national experts
The first of four professional development workshops offered through Rio Tinto Alcan's Here for Childcare initiative will take place at CQUniversity this Saturday.
Delivered by a trio of subject matter experts from across the nation, the first workshop will give local childcare educators an opportunity to broaden their knowledge and develop effective strategies to help children acquire strong literacy and numeracy skills.
A Gladstone-based committee of early childhood educators has developed the suite of four workshops in response to the professional development needs raised by childcare educators across the region.
The professional development arm of the Here for Childcare initiative has funding for four workshops each year for the next three years.
Rio Tinto Alcan Community Fund executive officer Jeremy Hastings said the number of childcare educators investing their own time on the weekend to attend shows the demand for such an opportunity.
"We recognise the importance that quality childcare plays in the early development of our children but also to help support families," Mr Hastings said.
"The childcare industry representatives identified the courses that would deliver the most value in helping educators build on their experience and knowledge. Our Here for Childcare initiative is just one way we can show our support and help ease the pressure on the childcare sector for the betterment of the Gladstone region."
Director of Rainbow Valley Early Learning Centre Marion Hayes said local childcare educators were looking forward to broadening their knowledge and strategies at the workshops.
"The workshop facilitators will not only help educators gain confidence in improving literacy and numeracy outcomes for young children, they will also provide guidance on integrating the newly legislated Early Years Learning Framework into their classrooms," Mrs Hayes said.
"The cost of sending staff to such a high quality, private workshop would normally be prohibitive."
The suite of four workshops in 2012 will cover the following topics:
- Early Literacy Numeracy: Saturday 15 September 2012
- A New Way of looking at Behaviour: Saturday 13 October 2012
- Connecting Children with their Environments: Saturday 10 November 2012
- Philosophy in Early Childhood Education: Saturday 8 December 2012.
All workshops are open to early childhood educators in the Gladstone region and will be held at the Gladstone campus of CQUniversity. Registration for the workshops and information on the Here for Childcare initiative is available at www.hereforgladstone.com.au
About Rio Tinto
Rio Tinto is a leading international mining group headquartered in the UK, combining Rio Tinto plc, a London and New York Stock Exchange listed company, and Rio Tinto Limited, which is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange.
Rio Tinto's business is finding, mining, and processing mineral resources. Major products are aluminium, copper, diamonds, thermal and metallurgical coal, uranium, gold, industrial minerals (borax, titanium dioxide and salt) and iron ore. Activities span the world and are strongly represented in Australia and North America with significant businesses in Asia, Europe, Africa and South America.
For further information, please contact:
Specialist - Community and Aboriginal Relations
Jeremy Hastings
Mobile: +61 (0) 408 417 187
Communication and Media manager
Ian McGoldrick
Office: +61 (0) 7 3625 4445
Mobile: +61 (0) 407 211 900
Website: www.riotintoalcan.com
Twitter: Follow @riotinto on Twitter
High resolution photographs and media pack available at: www.riotinto.com/media
Local childcare educators to learn from national experts [PDF: 35 KB]
