International Women’s Day (IWD) 2019 will fall on Friday 8 March, with this year’s campaign theme of #BalanceforBetter being of particular relevance for the early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector, as educators call for greater recognition of the complexity of their roles, and a pay rate which reflects this.

Australian early childhood education and care (ECEC) employers are being encouraged to take advantage of flu vaccinations this year, with absenteeism (being absent from work due to illness) costing $7 billion each year in lost wages, and presenteeism (attending work whilst unwell) costing $34 billion in lost productivity.

A “life changing” program providing seven people with the opportunity to travel the world for six months – on an all expenses paid trip – is on offer to early childhood education and care (ECEC) professionals aged 18-35, through the YourBestLife organisation.

Sheela Edwards, Founder and CEO of Aurora Early Education has made an interesting move from 25 years in the corporate, financial and business advisory sectors to creating a “holistic, hands-on learning environment” in Rowville, Victoria. The Sector Assistant Editor, Freya Lucas, sat down with Sheela to learn more about the elements that sets Aurora apart – the combination of Eastern and Western philosophies and approaches to learning, the high expectations of educators as service leaders – and about Sheela’s move from the world of IBM and Time Warner to early childhood education and care (ECEC).

Research conducted ahead of the 41st Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras shows that almost half a million LGBTQI+ community members in Australia (one in every four) are not comfortable discussing their sexuality and gender identity with their loved ones, friends or coworkers.