Professional standards guide practice, interactions and relationships in an early childhood service. What are these professional standards and what does being a professional really mean?

Links to APST  Engagement  6.1, 6.3, 7.1, 7.4

Links to NQS  QA4  QA7

In this highly feminised profession, we need to change community perception. We don’t just “wipe noses” (Leyonhjelm, 2017) and “we are not just nice ladies” (Stonehouse, 1994).  A paradigm shift is required in every aspect of our work; our language, our attitude, our relationships, our communications on social media and our advocacy for early childhood education.

This session will:

• embody the highest standards of professionalism underpinned by the Code of Ethics
• increase your confidence to have those difficult conversations – this can be challenging when “we are all friends”
• gain strategies to stay fresh and inspired and look after your wellbeing whilst juggling a multitude of tasks.
• and finally, you will leave this session feeling inspired and motivated to make a difference to the early childhood profession

Presenter: Louise Dorrat

ABOUT THE PRESENTER

Louise Dorrat has extensive experience in managing early year’s services including inclusion support, kindergartens, family day care and outside school hours care.  She assisted in the set-up of the first Victorian bush kinder and has taught the Bachelor of Education at a number of Universities, including the Institute of Koorie Education (IKE) at Deakin University. She is contracted by organisations such as Federal and State Governments, Children’s Ground, ELAA, Semann & Slattery and CCC to deliver professional development across Australia and New Zealand. Louise holds a Masters of Education, a B. Teach and a Dip. in Social Science. Louise’s background in theatre provides sessions that are at once engaging and entertaining.