In preparation for Reconciliation Week, the leadership team has been busy building strong links with the local community as we work towards building a culturally competent and responsive service. These relationships also provide educators with invaluable information and resources. By drawing on community knowledge and expertise, educators are better able to understand the children and families with whom they work, and better able to provide children with learning experiences that are meaningful and relevant to their lives.
- Learning Outcome 2 of the EYLF focuses on children’s connectedness with others and with the wider world (DEEWR, 2009, p. 25)
- Standard 6.3 of the NQS requires services to develop ‘links with relevant community and support agencies’ (NQS Element 6.3.1) and, more generally, to ‘build relationships and engage with the local community’ (NQS Element 6.3.2) (ACECQA, 2011, p. 159).
Our Leadership Team has been intentional in finding ways to effectively engage with the community. Effective community engagement depends on the nature of the community in which we are working with and that our approach is genuine. Tania Spiranovic has met with Carmel Kickett, Program Manager from Moorditj koort, Olman Walley from Boorloo Cultural Experience, and Vicky Stephens from the Youth Involvement Council, all influential in cultural engagement, to gain directional input on how to assist the service to become culturally competent and responsive to our community.
Supporting our Local Agencies
Our Centre is very blessed to have strong relationships with our Local Agencies and support their initiatives. Autism WA is facilitating a Playgroup for First Steps, which support families who have children experiencing delays in communications skills, social shyness, interest limitations or delayed or unusual play skills. See the poster for more information and locations.
The East Waikiki Child and Parent Centre also run seminars that are available to all of our Community. Below are the details of the next sessions.
In house Initiatives
Our Leadership team is pleased to announce that we now have a Referral Incentive Scheme in place for the childcare service, whereby you can have $300 credited to your fee account for each new family that you refer who completes our enrolment process. Forms will be available at the childcare reception. This is our way to say thank you for referring your friends to our childcare community.