From its inception in 1895, KU “cherished the idea of training teachers”. This history continues with NESA accrediting five of our bespoke Learning and Development courses.
In 2021, the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) announced that professional development programs for teachers would have to meet new, more rigorous criteria, and focus on priority areas in order to be accredited.
“Teachers should know that the courses they are taking are the best available, helping them to enhance their teaching practice to benefit our students’ education,” Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning, Sarah Mitchell was quoted as saying at the time.
“We are starting with a clean slate so that NESA can guarantee the quality and value of the courses they accredit,” she said.
Four priority areas were identified; Delivery and assessment of NSW Curriculum/Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF); student/child mental health; students/ children with disability; and Aboriginal education and supporting Aboriginal students/children.
Critical reflection on practice
Undaunted by the new, stringent standards, not to mention the 43-page application pack, KU prepared a submission for a three-part series that would support our own teachers and educators at no cost and would be offered externally for a fee.
“In February we were thrilled to announce that our course, Critical Reflection on Practice, had received NESA accreditation under the new guidelines,” says Jan Faulkner, KU Learning and Development Program Manager and Presenter.
Jan has more than 35 years’ experience in the early childhood sector as a teacher, service director, manager of children’s services and as a professional learning consultant. She also has first-hand experience in direct service delivery of quality education and care across several service types including long day care, preschool, outside school hours care and family day care.
“The series touches on the importance of critical reflection as it supports educators to think more deeply about their work and to question the impact of their practices on the lives of children and families,” says Jan.
“Completing the course contributes three hours of NESA accredited professional development in the priority area of Delivery and Assessment of NSW Curriculum/EYLF, and addresses standard descriptor 2.1.2 from the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers towards maintaining Proficient Teacher Accreditation in NSW,” she says.
By the end of 2022, 88 teachers had completed the course, which was offered as a virtual learning experience, receiving positive feedback.
“Great interaction,” said Lisa Stevens, an early childhood educator. “Felt like a community of learners which is hard to do online!”
Success story
Confident in both their professional education content and now the accreditation process, KU’s Learning and Development team submitted four more applications in 2022.
All courses were accredited, with some being identified for Highly Accomplished and Lead Teachers. And as with Critical Reflection on Practice, all are available to teachers and educators within KU as well as externally across the early childhood education and care sector.
See the additional four accredited courses listed below.
Documentation: Find the Story Worth Telling
This workshop provides in-depth exploration of the why, what and how of documentation and its relationships to the National Quality Framework Exceeding themes.
Completing this course contributes five hours of NESA accredited professional development in the priority area of Delivery and Assessment of NSW Curriculum/ EYLF addressing standard descriptor 5.1.2 from the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers towards maintaining Proficient Teacher Accreditation in NSW.
Guiding Children’s Behaviour in Practice: 3-Part Online Series
This series aims to promote and build educators’ knowledge of children’s social and emotional development and develop their capacity to apply this to all children.
Completing this series contributes four and a half hours of NESA accredited professional development in the priority area of student/child mental health addressing standard descriptors 1.1.2 & 4.1.2 from the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers towards maintaining Proficient Teacher Accreditation in NSW.
“I have not only learned some valuable strategies and reasonings behind children’s behaviour, I have also thoroughly enjoyed interacting with your professional facilitators who came from a position of knowledge and experience rather than just having ‘read the book.’ Thank you.” - Early Childhood Educator, Leanne Boatfield.
Who’s Driving the Bus: Educational Leaders Steering Practice
This workshop examines many aspects of educational leadership including: determining a vision, setting the stage for critical reflection and strategies for guiding the practice of new educators.
Completing this workshop contributes five hours of NESA accredited professional development in the priority area of Delivery and Assessment of NSW Curriculum/EYLF addressing standard descriptors 2.1.3 from the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers towards maintaining Proficient Teacher or Highly Accomplished Accreditation in NSW.
Children in Their Community: Place-Based Pedagogy – Online
This workshop examines children’s identity, belonging to place, and enacting citizenship rights and responsibilities.
Completing this workshop contributes three hours of NESA accredited professional development in the priority area of Delivery and Assessment of NSW Curriculum/EYLF addressing standard descriptor 2.1.2 from the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers towards maintaining Proficient Teacher Accreditation in NSW.
“I didn’t realise KU had easy to access professional learning for non-KU teachers. Now that I know the quality of these workshops, I will attend more. Another reason to want to work for KU with its excellent professional development support.” - Early Childhood Educator, Patricia Tattersfield.
It’s important to note that NESA accredited status is valid only for a two-year period, requiring all five courses to be reviewed, updated, and submitted to the authority again in 2024 if they are to remain among KU’s NESA accredited offerings.
KU’s commitment to high quality professional learning and development contributes to KU’s thriving professional workforce while also supporting the broader early childhood education and care sector as we work to ensure all children have the best start in life.