“It’s our polite nudge in the ribs to help you and your team stay organised and on task.”
This week’s subject is Access and participation.
Element 6.2.2: Effective partnerships support children’s access, inclusion and participation in the program.
What strategies does your service implement to foster effective, reciprocal partnerships that support access, participation and inclusion of all children enrolled at the Service?
Element 6.2.2 highlights the importance of access, inclusion, and participation in early childhood education and care. It calls for partnerships between educators, families, and communities to ensure all children, regardless of their background or abilities, have equitable opportunities to learn and thrive in inclusive environments.
This can be achieved when services actively remove barriers to participation, creating an environment where all children, regardless of background or ability, can thrive and achieve the best possible outcomes. It involves collaboration between educators, families, and communities to ensure every child has the opportunity to access and participate in high-quality education that is tailored to their individual needs.
Access refers to removing barriers to enrolment and participation, such as financial, physical, or cultural challenges. Inclusion goes beyond access by creating a welcoming environment where diversity is celebrated, and every child feels a sense of belonging. Participation focuses on meaningful engagement, ensuring programs are adaptable to each child’s strengths, interests, and developmental needs.
Consider the practices your Service currently implements, and identify any areas of improvement:
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- Establishing and maintaining collaborative partnerships and communication with families to better understand their individual needs and priorities.
- Addressing and removing/reducing barriers to inclusion: physical environment, financial, cultural (e.g., language barriers), effective supervision, behaviour.
- Consistent and effective engagement with the Inclusion Support Program (ISP) to support the inclusion of children with diverse needs. Developing and implementing Strategic Inclusion Plans for children with additional needs, to foster the participation and inclusion of all children.
- Implementation of inclusive teaching practices and resources that reflect diverse cultures, abilities, and family structures.
- Engagement with specialists including speech pathologists, occupational therapists, community health services, early intervention services etc.
- Professional development for educators- fostering inclusion and implementation of inclusive practices.
- Maintaining policies and procedures that support effective partnerships, participation and access for all children and families.
- Regular evaluation and adaptation of the program and routines to meet the diverse needs of enrolled children.
When Services focus on access and participation, they can fulfill their commitment to equity and inclusion, fostering meaningful learning experiences for all children, setting them up for lifelong success. This serves as a key step and foundation for a more equitable and supportive future for all communities and individuals alike.
Resources:
Building partnerships with families
We Hear You- Reflecting on and planning for inclusion
Developing a sense of belonging and identity
Build strong partnerships with families
Within System7 go to Quality Area 6/ Modules 18-24 to submit self-assessment notes and if required, open a QIP issue if you identify any areas of improvement.
The Childcare Centre Desktop has a range of resources to assist services with collaborative partnerships, access and participation. These include Family Communication Policy, Open Door Policy, Anti Bias and Inclusion Policy, Additional Needs Policy, Additional Needs Procedure, Inclusive Audit, Behaviour Guidance Guide, Connecting and Communicating with Families Guide and much more.
Resources, NQS Element, Regulation and System7 links:
Childcare Centre Desktop – Childcare Centre Desktop
National Quality Standard – QA6 / Element: 6.2.2
National Regulations – 73, 74, 76, 157, 168
System7 Module – QA6/ Modules 18-24
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