Cooktown Terms of Reference
Our Terms of Reference defines the purpose and structure of our meetings. It describes our why, what and how and keeps the group focused and on track.
The Cooktown Early Childhood Community Network is a standing network for the Cooktown Early Childhood Community. Members and participants as follows - refer to Our Community page.
This network provides an open forum for the development of support systems to better assist the transition of children through the continuation of early years education with in the district. As a collaborative and consultative group,Cooktown members we will:
CONTEXT AND RESEARCH:
Based on Research and Readings found within links featured on the FNECN website Useful Information and Links
MEMBERSHIPS AND MEETING GUIDELINES
Your Early Childhood Community Network Membership consists of representation from the following;
Early Childhood Education and Schooling
To ensure new members are updated on the group’s purpose and scope, all new members will be directed to the FNECN website and made aware of the research and information that informs practice, the groups terms of reference, members as listed on the group’s website and the current group goals and activities.
Your Early Childhood Community Network Contacts:
FACILITATOR - Early Years
To be advised
FACILITATOR - Schooling
To be advised
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION - ECEC
Melissa Akmentins - Partnerships and Innovations Officer
Melissaakmentins@qed.qld.gov.au
This network provides an open forum for the development of support systems to better assist the transition of children through the continuation of early years education with in the district. As a collaborative and consultative group,Cooktown members we will:
- Facilitate communication between the various educational, early years facilities, health, allied health and early intervention services;
- Develop best practise models;
- Provide all families with children, the skills and understanding to assist their children to achieve the best outcomes;
- Ensure that all children are supported to achieve their full potential.
CONTEXT AND RESEARCH:
Based on Research and Readings found within links featured on the FNECN website Useful Information and Links
- Why? Early intervention and community engagement recognises and acknowledges the significance of the early years and how we as a community play a vital role in supporting who our children are and are becoming.
- What? We aim to establish a culture of collaboration through community networks - with the intent to effectively address the health, education, and social/emotional wellbeing of children from birth to eight years and their families.
- How? The FNECN advisory committee will help to establish and support FNECN Community Networks to work together to empower and strengthen the capacity of each local community.
MEMBERSHIPS AND MEETING GUIDELINES
Your Early Childhood Community Network Membership consists of representation from the following;
Early Childhood Education and Schooling
- Early childhood teachers, assistants and students
- Organisations that service our community are listed on the Our Community page.
- Child Safety Officer
- Department of Education
- Department of Housing
- Hearing and eye sight specialists (Health Nurse)
- Inclusion Support Services
- Positive parenting program coordinator
- Speech pathologist and other allied health professional
- The network will meet one in terms 1 & 4 and twice in terms 2 & 3
- Meetings will be held from 3:30pm to 5:00pm
- Preferred day is Wednesday
- Extraordinary meetings may be held at the discretion of the facilitator.
- Meetings will be held at various settings, shared amongst the network members.
- Catering of light refreshments water, tea and coffee will be provided ‘in kind’ by the hosting venue.
- ACCOUNTABILITY
- Network Facilitators will be chosen to maintain and administer the network. We encourage a partnership between the early years and schooling, hence two facilitators. The facilitators will decide between themselves how the work will be distributed. E.g. taking and distributing meeting minutes to committee members, meeting reminders, deciding topics, where applicable organising presenters, facilitating the meetings on the day.
- A Department of Education, Early Childhood Education and Care representative with be allocated to each network, their role will be to mentor and coach and collect and collate network data. This data will be used to create a representation of FNQ Early Childhood for further inquiry.
- A FNCEN advisory members representative will be allocated to the network to ensure information and learnings are shared at FNECN meetings
- Network members will be responsible for the completion of agreed actions within the agreed timeframes.
To ensure new members are updated on the group’s purpose and scope, all new members will be directed to the FNECN website and made aware of the research and information that informs practice, the groups terms of reference, members as listed on the group’s website and the current group goals and activities.
Your Early Childhood Community Network Contacts:
FACILITATOR - Early Years
To be advised
FACILITATOR - Schooling
To be advised
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION - ECEC
Melissa Akmentins - Partnerships and Innovations Officer
Melissaakmentins@qed.qld.gov.au