Terminology Overload:
Hearing all these new words and acronyms and thinking “Ahh, what do they mean?”.
Here is a quick cheat sheet.
Pedagogy: the holistic nature and practice of early childhood educators-
It is described by Mortimore, 1999; Newmann & Associates, 1996) as a synonym for teaching but not instruction
Pedagogies: practices that are intended to promote children’s learning
Pedagogical leader: an educator who looks at and oversees the learning and teachings of children as a whole.
NQF: National Quality Framework – this is similar to the accreditation process.
NQS: National Quality Standard- seven quality areas (similar to accreditation process). Services are to be assessed on:
1. Educational program and practices
2. Children’s health and safety
3. Physical environment
4. Staffing arrangements
5. Relationship with children
6. Collaborative partnerships with families and communities
7. Leadership and service management
NQA: National Quality Agenda- the timeline as to the implementation of changes
Reflexivity: children’s growing awareness of the ways that their experiences, interests and beliefs shape their understanding
EYLF: Early Years Learning Framework- the aim of this is to extend and enrich children’s learning.
5 outcomes: 1. Children have a strong sense of identity
2. Children are connected and contribute to their world
3. Children have a strong sense of wellbeing
4. Children are confident and involved learners
5. Children are effective communicators
Educators: childcare staff
ACECQA: Australia Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority
QIP: Quality Improvement Plan- similar to a self-study, it is intended to set out key strengths and areas of improvement in relation to the National Quality Standards. Updated annually.
Intentional teaching – Intentional teaching is thoughtful, informed and deliberate
Curriculum: ‘all the interactions, experiences, activities, routines, events, planned and unplanned, that occur in an environment to foster children’s learning and development’. Adapted by Te Whariki – quoted from Being, Belonging, Becoming.
My Time, Our Place: framework for school aged care in Australia (similar to EYLF)
OSHCQA: Out of school hours care quality authority
DEEWR: Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations
If you have any more acronyms or words please let us know so we can add them.