Balnarring Pre-School

Karen and the teaching team at Balnarring Pre-School have been leaders in implementing a nature program which involves learning in and with natural environments.

They teach towards embedding First Nations Peoples' knowledge and cultures, to ensure First Nations Peoples' teachings are part of everyday practice.

The team has strengthened relationships with Boon Wurrung Elders N’arwee’t Dr. Carolyn Briggs and Fay Stewart-Muir who have, through these respectful relationships, granted permission for them to share Boon Wurrung language and cultures within their pedagogical practices.

A Reconciliation Action Plan and Reconciliation Policy have been developed by the team to express the commitments required by all who are part of the preschool.

The esteemed Elders have also taught the centre language pronunciation, with the team creating a book to revisit the learnings.

In future, Karen and the team would like to complete further cultural awareness training, facilitate and financially support the Bundjill Nest conference which provides learning opportunities for teachers across the education sector, and run a Little Long walk later this year.

KU Craigieburn Children's Centre

KU Craigieburn is recognised for its dedication to embracing cultural diversity, helping foster a sense of belonging for children, bilingualism, and cultural understanding.

They have worked to address language barriers and increase the participation of refugee families, incorporating home languages into the program. The service also worked with a local Aboriginal Elder, Aunty Jo, to learn about Indigenous culture and include new perspectives into children’s programs.

KU Craigieburn Children's Centre recognises the importance of inclusion and support for children with different needs. They have joined forces with organisations to overcome language barriers, creating accessible materials.

Upon recognising a lack of participation in community health checks, leading to undisclosed learning support needs, the service collaborated with maternal and child health services to implement comprehensive health assessments, including free dental checks, to foster inclusivity and provide timely support for children.

KU Craigieburn Children's Centre aims to provide further professional development for the team. They want to learn about different ways of educating children and how to include all children, regardless of their background.