In the Loop Winter 2016

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The cultural conversations and training sessions that we have provided across Queensland have often been the place at which we have witnessed educators’ early steps on a journey toward cultural competence. In these sessions, we have always attempted to provide an environment in which educators would feel safe, free of judgement, supported and inspired to acknowledge their own challenges when it comes to working with diversity and where they could begin to plan the way forward to truly inclusive practices. Thank you to the many educators who have challenged and stretched themselves to grow in cultural competence. Thank you also to those champions in many childcare services and industry bodies who have supported and promoted these sessions. When the elderly ones in a house travel, the younger ones quickly grow in experience. NIGERIAN PROVERB Over the years, our “Multicultural Calendar” proved to be very popular by all our stakeholders. This “just in time” resource for the educators and Inclusion Support Facilitators provided opportunity for the services to celebrate the special days around the world, open the communication lines with the families about special days in their family/community and invite them to the services to participate or/and organise these special events. “One mum, who is originally from China, came to our centre to help us make dumplings as part of Chinese New Year celebrations. She thanked us for making her feel welcome and for supporting their culture” EDUCATOR Social media and online communication were an important strategy for us in terms of providing “just in time” resources to educators and ISFs. In the last few years we have enjoyed establishing a fledging online community. Our ultimate aim was to give general cultural information about building cultural capacity and sustainable practice through all mediums, including virtual platforms. Pinterest, Facebook and YouTube have allowed us to supply a large range of materials including; key word tutorials, bilingual songs, fact sheets, programming guides, information, examples of best practice and exercises to encourage reflection. We have also been awed by the strong leadership and support provided by Inclusion Support Facilitators (ISFs) across the state. The role that ISFs have played in our work with services is crucial. Helping directors to form their “masterplan” for cultural inclusion and being an integral person for getting the right CSW to the service at the right time, sometimes literally picking that CSW up from the bus stop and driving them to the centre. Thank you for being the architect, instigator and the web that has kept educators connected with services like ours. Thank you for supporting and advocating for our program. We thank our partners at the Workforce Council for what has been a highly enjoyable and productive partnership. The many conferences, presentations, cultural conversations and networking events that we have worked on together have been truly supportive and stimulating collaborations. We are so grateful for this opportunity and the journey we shared over the years, witnessing on our way to many changes in practice towards more culturally inclusive service provision and proud to see the movement towards a more accepting, curious and welcoming next generation of Multicultural Australians. We say goodbye with heartfelt thanks for all that you have achieved in embracing our diverse families, children and communities. We say this with conviction that in every end there is a new beginning. In the future there will be new support available to educators as they journey to more inclusive services. However, it is equally important to look to those leaders who are already succeeding in their services and in their diverse communities. Reach out and as for this support and also reach out to these leaders because each and every educator is vital to this change. The real change will start with you, from your own drive and the willingness in your heart to embrace difference. 6 IN THE LOOP
INCLUSION SUPPORT QUEENSLAND A New Government Programme... A key component of the Child Care Safety Net is the Australian Government’s $543 million Inclusion Support Programme (ISP) which will begin on 1 July 2016. The ISP will assist early childhood and child care services to include children with additional needs by providing tailored inclusion advice and support from state-wide Inclusion Agencies, as well as funding to support more challenging inclusion barriers and specialist equipment where required. The Inclusion Agency will replace the current support provided by regional Inclusion Support Agencies (ISAs), however most of the current staff in ISAs will be working in the new Inclusion Agency. WHO ARE WE? KU Children’s Services and Cairns and District Child Care Development Association are proud to have been selected as the Inclusion Agency for Queensland. We are not for profit early childhood education organisations who have been operating Inclusion Support Agencies in multiple locations, from metro to regional, rural and remote areas for the past 10 years. Our vision is to build the capacity and capability of educators to provide and embed quality inclusive practices within daily programmes, address participation barriers, and include children with additional needs alongside their typically developing peers. FURTHER INFORMATION From 1 July Inclusion Support QLD will be providing more information to services on how you can access inclusion support in your local area. Our website inclusionsupportqld.org.au will have lots of information on what types of inclusion support are available and how to access them plus helpful inclusion resources. WE CAN ALSO BE CONTACTED TOLL FREE ON 1800 811 039 www.ku.com.au www.cairnschildcare.com.au WORKFORCE.ORG.AU 7
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In the Loop Winter 2016

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