Breaking the Silence: Connecting and Strengthening the Voices of Christian Early Childhood Professionals in Australia through developing Communities of Practice aligned with the aims of the Australian Early Childhood Christian Educators Association

Abstract

There are many Christian, Early Childhood services in Australia, but minimal professional development support networks. There is a shortage of appropriately trained Christian Early Childhood educators and academics to sustain current employment levels. There is also a gap in research in relation to Christian Early Childhood leadership and practice. A strong compliance and standards based approach to leadership is presenting a critical challenge to the Early Childhood profession within Australia and globally. Prominent Australian Early Childhood leaders have raised the alarm and given the call for Early Childhood educators to pushback against the destructive forces of neoliberalism. I propose that through a Communities of Practice (CoP) model ACECEA can present a united, dynamic approach towards providing authentic solutions to micro and macro, political and social, early childhood concerns. This paper describes the recent initiatives and research directions of Christian Early Childhood leaders who presented a united voice at the inaugural conference of the Australian Christian Early Childhood Educators Association in September 2017. Through ‘Modelling Christ’s Love’, Christian Early Childhood educators and leaders, across Australia and New Zealand are invited to unite their voices through research informed dynamic Communities of Practice in the best interests of young children.