November 2023 International Study Tour to Reggio Emilia

Date: Sunday 12 November to Friday 17 November 2023

Venue: Loris Malaguzzi International Centre, Reggio Emilia

Category: Study Tour

The cost of the 2023 November Study Tour is:

 Early Bird Price valid until 28 February 2023 – $3,750 AUD. Deposit required is $750 AUD per person.

From 1 March 2023 the price will be $3,950 AUD. Deposit required $950 AUD per person.

Click here for full Terms and Conditions.

Please click here to email the REAIE Office if you would like to discuss payment plan options.

Registrations have now closed

Program Description

The Municipal early childhood programs in Reggio Emilia, Northern Italy, for children aged three months to six years, are internationally acclaimed for the inspirations, challenges, and provocations they provide for all those concerned with the care and education of young children. Founded and developed by educational theorist, Loris Malaguzzi, the schools demonstrate a distinctive and innovative curriculum and pedagogy as well as a method of school organisation which recognises the potential of young children to question, reflect, problem-solve, theorise and experiment.

The schools in Reggio Emilia demonstrate, by making children’s learning visible, that children are capable of devising creative ways of knowing, understanding and making connections and meaning. There is a particular emphasis on the role of the environment, both social and physical, and the cultural, geographic, political, economic and historical experiences of Reggio Emilia are incorporated into learnings. This history, combined with the theories, ideas and practices in the schools are always changing and evolving, meaning that the schools cannot provide a model for practice in Australia. Accordingly, they offer an inspiration for our own thinking and practice.

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The Study Program

The study program will commence on Sunday 12 November with a meeting of the Australian delegation at the Astoria Hotel. The program will then continue on Monday 13 November at the Loris Malaguzzi International Centre, which is within walking distance from the Astoria Hotel. The program concludes on the evening of Friday 17 November.

Lectures will be in either English or Italian. An interpreter will be available whenever the Italian language is to be used.

The study program fee will include:

• • -the organisation of the program by Reggio Children
  • -presentations by and meetings with pedagogistas, teachers, administrators and parents;
  • -visits to Infant Toddler Centres and Preschools of the Municipality of Reggio Emilia only and exclusively if the health conditions in force in Italy at the time of the visit allow it, together with the authorisation decided and issued by the Preschools and Infant-toddler centres – Istituzione of the Municipality of Reggio Emilia;
  • -a folder for each participant with information materials concerning the town of Reggio Emilia, its municipal infant toddler-centre and preschool experience and Reggio Children;
  • -Italian-English consecutive interpreters when required by the program;
  • -private bus transportation from and to the centers in Reggio Emilia if and as required by the program;
  • -coffee breaks;
  • -5 lunches at PAUSE;
  • -Two Study Tour Leaders from REAIE will accompany the group;
  • -Late afternoon ‘get togethers’ will be organised with the Study Tour Leaders and REAIE participants;
  • -Study Tour Leaders are ‘on call’ throughout the study tour to assist REAIE participants.

Full program details will be emailed to participants shortly before departure.

State-wide meetings are held one month before the study tour. We offer meetings or other communications with Study Tour Leaders (Melbourne REAIE office) or Network Conveners/past participants in other states for participants to meet and share their questions and listen to information from others who have been on the study tour with REAIE.

Reading materials are provided to participants prior to departure from Australia to assist with preparation for the Study Tour and to facilitate learning.

General travel advice and tips are given to the group prior to departure from Australia.

REAIE Office staff are available for any questions or concerns in the lead up to the tour’s departure and to answer any queries while you are away.

PLEASE NOTE: Delegates must not photograph and/or videotape inside the infant-toddler centres and preschools of Reggio Emilia. Additionally, photos or videos must not be taken of the presentations as well as of the panels and videos inside the Exhibition area and the Atelier at the International Centre Loris Malaguzzi.

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Travelling to Italy

Delegates are to make their own travel arrangements. The Study Tour Leaders will be traveling with Qantas and Emirates Airlines arranged through DQ International Travel Service. Departure is available from all Australian capital cities on Tuesday 7 November 2023 and travel via Dubai (where delegates can meet up) and then on to Bologna.

If you are travelling independently it is recommended that participants arrive no later than Saturday 11 November 2023. To contact DQ International Travel Service, please call Damian Quirk 03 9614 4588 or click here to email Damian. Damian is also able to organise travel with other airlines and incorporate other travel arrangements and tours. When deciding how best to book your travel, please consider that booking through a travel agent means that any issues that may arise before or during your travel will have the assistance of an agent. Without a travel agent, you are on your own.

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Accommodation

A block booking of accommodation has been made at the Astoria Hotel situated in the centre of the city. To organise accommodation at the conference rate at the Astoria Hotel, bookings must be made through Damian Quirk at DQ International Travel Service. This is regardless of how your flight arrangements have been made. Please contact Damian as soon as your registration has been confirmed if you wish to stay with the Australian delegation. You will be required to supply Damian with a copy of your passport when arranging your booking.

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Insurance

Reggio Children and REAIE require all participants have taken out:

• an individual insurance policy for accidents of any type in which they may occur during the Initiative. Reggio Children will provide for the participants an insurance for damages caused to people or things inside the municipal institutions;
• an individual insurance policy covering medical/hospital and/or hospitalisation expenses, as well as travel, board and accommodation for any additional day spent in Italy, in the event of any general health problems and/or any health emergencies that may arise in situ.

Travel insurance is available from DQ International Travel Service on application.

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