Collaboration for Learning at The Hive: Experiences, Change and Impact

This report examines the impact of the Collaboration for Learning (C4L) professional learning practitioner researcher program at the Hive. The Hive is the backbone organisation of a place-based, collective impact initiative that works to ensure every child in the postcode area 2770 starts school well. C4L was conducted with a cohort of early childhood educators working in early childhood services in the postcode 2770. There were 10 early childhood centres/schools participating between May and November 2018, and 9 between May and November 2019, with over 30 educators in total. As a result of the C4L program, the Early Childhood Educators’ Network (ECEN) was established for those working in early childhood education settings.
The review data comprises one focus group conducted at the conclusion of the program for the 2019 cohort, a survey of participants, and participation and attendance data by centre. Participants found the program beneficial across a number of areas. C4L enabled educators to take an action learning approach to their professional learning, to identify and follow their own research priorities, to transform pedagogy in the centres, and to develop family partnerships through valuing family knowledge and languages. We found that the mean ratings of the childhood services who participated in C4L, against the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACEQA) Quality framework, increased over the period of participation in the program, particularly in the Quality Areas of Educational program and practice (QA1); and Governance and Leadership (QA7).
According to the Australian Early Development Census (AEDC), the proportion of children starting school, in the postcode 2770, who are developmentally vulnerable, increased over the period 2018 to 2021. This increase in developmental vulnerability was also the case for Australia more broadly, possibly as resulting from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic which began in early 2020. Reduced attendance at early childhood programs was widely experienced across the sector and particularly noticeable in areas where families were experiencing precarious conditions. During this period, it was reported that the Hive increased enrolments.