Research Projects

Gowrie’s Research Vision

Excellent childcare provision is only one part of the Gowrie picture. A healthy curiosity for theoretical discoveries, finding new and creative ways of improving quality benchmarks in the early childhood sector, pro-actively participating in research projects and partnerships – in short, the constant drive to engage in ongoing research has been the lifeblood of Gowrie NSW and a great source of inspiration both to the organisation as a whole and the wider research community.

Gowrie NSW is of the view that if you are practising in the early childhood education and care sector you owe it to your profession and the families you serve to strive for the highest credentials you can attain. The correlation between rigorous research and quality services is now universally recognised by early childhood practitioners and pedagogues. Gowrie NSW believes that its research projects are also extremely valuable in generating a whole range of connections with affiliate organisations and government bodies that are similarly interested in advancing our understanding of childcare in Australia.

Current Research

Gowrie is known historically for its focus on social justice and its child-centred approach to research projects. 2010 was a year of remarkable success in achieving research funding for innovative project proposals. Gowrie NSW was involved as an industry partner in two Australian Research Council funding grants.

In 2010, Gowrie developed new partnerships and projects to assist children and families, the early childhood education and care sector as well as the professionals working within it. As a result, Gowrie increased its participation in external policy and practice forums and developed new research projects.

Families at the Centre: Negotiating Australia’s Mixed Market in Early Education and Care

Gowrie worked closely with Professor Deborah Brennan from the Social Policy Research Centre at the University of NSW in relation to a national research project titled ‘Families at the Centre: Negotiating Australia’s Mixed Market in Early Education and Care’.

This research project will bring together a range of welfare and early childhood organisations throughout Australia, including Gowrie NSW, Early Childhood Australia, the University of Leeds, UK, Mission Australia and Gowrie Centres in South Australia and Queensland. It will examine the policy levers effecting quality early childhood education and care and the ways these affect the choices families make in accessing childcare. The project has received part-funding from the Australian Research Council and Gowrie will be making a significant financial contribution for the next three years. General research findings for this project will be posted on this website in 2011 as they become available.

Improving numeracy outcomes for young Indigenous children through the Patterns and Early Algebra Preschool (PEAP) Professional Development Program 2011-2013

In partnership with Macquarie University, Gowrie NSW has received funding from the Australian Research Council  Linkage Grant Project to conduct a staff training project titled ‘Improving numeracy outcomes for young Indigenous children through the Patterns and Early Algebra Preschool (PEAP) Professional Development Program 2011-2013’ within the Indigenous Professional Support Unit (IPSU NSW & ACT). The research project will address the issue of improving mathematical outcomes for Indigenous children and will be implemented in 12 Multifunctional Aboriginal Children’s Services (MACS). The program will be undertaken in collaboration with Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal early childhood educators working within the services. As an industry partner, Gowrie IPSU support staff will provide ongoing professional development and support for educators to build pedagogical content knowledge and understanding of mathematical content.

For more information on the work of the Indigenous Professional Support Program, visit www.ipsu.com.au

Significant Tender Success

The Early Childhood Education and Care Workforce Best Practice and Innovation Project

In 2009/2010, Gowrie NSW was successful in receiving much sought after seed funding from Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR). The Early Childhood Education and Care Workforce Best Practice and Innovation Project was developed by Gowrie in its role as provider of the Indigenous Professional Support Unit (IPSU NSW and ACT). The project provided a ‘sister service’ opportunity by partnering a Multifunctional Aboriginal Children’s Service (MACS) with a non-Aboriginal childcare centre in the same locality to create an environment which supports the mutual exchange of ideas and experiences.

The project increased the capacity of Aboriginal childcare educators to work collaboratively with non-Aboriginal services to support engagement with local Aboriginal children and families. It provided a local focus on ‘closing the gap’. The project has also enabled non-Aboriginal childcare services to acknowledge the work with Aboriginal services in an experiential way, prompting them to reflect on their own practice.

Gowrie NSW continues to gain support through the PSC NSW (Children’s Services Central) to deliver this project in a further seven regions in NSW and the ACT until June 2011. For more information on Indigenous Professional Support Unit activities, click on the following link which will take you to the relevant web page within this website or visit www.ipsu.com.au

Aboriginal Child and Family Centre Mt Druitt

Gowrie NSW has been advocating for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people for many decades and is very proud to advise that we have successfully tendered with Link-up NSW and Uniting Care Burnside to deliver the Aboriginal Child and Family Centre at Mt Druitt.

We feel extremely privileged and excited to be undertaking this work through close and ongoing collaboration with the local Aboriginal community.

This innovative program funded through the Australian Government provides the potential for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to establish a service that meets the locally identified needs of families and children in an integrated and holistic way. The centre will be established in the grounds of Mt Druitt Hospital.