A passionate group of 22 educators from 10 early childhood education and care (ECEC) services across Tasmania’s Northwest Coast have joined forces to form a Community of Practice (CoP). This pilot initiative is part of Tasmania’s Lifting Literacy Project, which aims to improve literacy rates of children and adults across Tasmania. The CoP is being led by the Tasmanian AEDC State and Territory Coordinator in collaboration with the Department for Education, Children and Young People (DECYP) Early Learning Team.
The CoP brings together ECEC services located in communities identified as highly vulnerable, based on AEDC data. All services within the AEDC community of Burnie were invited to participate, and the response was overwhelmingly positive. Educators were keen to strengthen their teaching and learning practices to improve both children’s literacy outcomes and AEDC results.
The goal of the CoP is to support educators in using AEDC data alongside evidence-based literacy practices to deliver developmentally appropriate teaching and learning strategies. This integrated approach provides a solid foundation for enhancing children’s early learning and development.
Facilitated by a qualified teacher, the pilot runs over five months, with educators attending one session each month. Throughout the program, participants complete five literacy training modules (Qualiteach), each supported by guided learning and reflection. Sessions include opportunities to explore new content, reflect on current practices, and learn how to access and interpret AEDC data to help tailor programs to the specific developmental needs of children in their communities.
This CoP is proving to be a valuable partnership between ECEC services and DECYP, enhancing teaching practices, improving children’s early literacy outcomes, and raising the awareness of AEDC data across ECEC services in the community.
For more information, contact the Tasmania Department for Education, Children and Young People.
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