Editorial

THERE IS SIGNIFICANT INTEREST in Australasia in early childhood workforce development, with many countries making this a focus of current policy development. For example, the outcomes of the framework for the National Early Childhood Development Strategy for Australia (Council of Australian Governments, 2009) envisages an early childhood service system that will empower parents/ families/communities, have high-quality programmes, community outreach, focus on promotion and prevention, and will be responsive to local needs. The Early Years Learning Framework is one of the strategies aimed at working towards this outcome. Sumsion, Barnes, Cheeseman, Harrison, Kennedy and Stonehouse discuss their experiences in developing this framework and help us understand why it was developed the way it is. Another of the key factors influencing our ability to achieve this vision is the early childhood workforce--' ... their qualification levels and ongoing training, their motivation, and their interaction with families and children' (Council of Australian Governments, 2006, p. 20). In addressing workforce issues, the Singapore Workforce Development Agency in consultation with the Ministry of Manpower, National Trades Union congress and the Singapore National Employers Federation offer a financial support scheme for workers to upgrade their skills and resilience. A working party is currently attempting to establish fair work roles and appropriate salaries to match for early childhood staff (see www.seedinstitute.com.sg/). Training programmes for early childhood are now regulated in terms of course content, and the duration of training has increased.