“It’s our polite nudge in the ribs to help you and your team stay organised and on task.”
This week’s subject is Dignity and rights of the child – Service program.
Element 5.1.2: The dignity and rights of every child are maintained.
How does your educational program, routines and practices provide evidence of fostering the dignity and rights of every child?
The educational program should provide evidence of how educators create learning spaces, routines and manage the use of resources that minimise times when children are likely to experience stress, frustration or made to wait unnecessarily and for extended periods of time. Ensure that your written program also documents evidence of adjustments and accommodations made to the educational program and environment to ensure the inclusion of all children, i.e. the use of ramps, left-handed scissors, supported swings, large print books.
Are you implementing the following?
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- The United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child is displayed at the Service & staff read/review and unpack the articles periodically
- Reflection on and documenting how the articles of the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child are mirrored through the educational program, practices, physical environment, service operations and routines
- Information about diverse family backgrounds is kept on record and the information is used to guide program planning
- Educators receive a copy of the ECA Code of ethics and review it periodically
- Creating and arranging learning spaces, routines and manage the use of resources that minimise times when children are likely to experience stress or frustration or made to wait unnecessarily and for extended periods of time
- Children are consistently supported to make informed decisions and choices that allow them to experience consequence of actions in a safe and controlled way
- Educators consistently acknowledge and encourage children’s positive behaviours and choices
- The dignity and rights of children is promoted through the service’s relevant policies/procedures i.e., Sleep and Rest, Toileting, Behaviour Guidance Policies
- Educators pre-empt potential conflicts when monitoring children’s play and intervening where appropriate
- Educators consistently respond to children positively with their language, tone, body language and facial expressions
- The Service uses a range of diverse resources to celebrate different cultures and backgrounds
- Educators planning a range of diverse learning experiences to showcase, celebrate and increase awareness of different cultures and backgrounds
- Educators fostering each child’s sense of identity and belonging
- Educators encouraging children to reflect on and consider the impact of their actions
Provide evidence of how educators support and guide children to make positive choices managing their own behaviour and to develop the skills to negotiate and resolve conflicts or disagreements with others- self-regulation, acknowledgement of children making positive choices, educators modelling how people relate respectfully in their daily interactions with children, colleagues, and families.
Keep documentation of educator’s reflections about how the Service maintains the dignity and rights of all children and how the articles from the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child are reflected within your Service and include these in your self-assessment. Identify strategies for improvement as part of your continual improvement and document these in your Service’s Quality Improvement Plan.
Resources:
QA5-Relationships with Children
Gender Equity in the Early Years
Respectful Relationships and Consent in the Early Years
UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
Exploring Celebrations in Children’s Services
Proactively Promoting Inclusion
ECA Code of Ethics Publications
Within System7 go to Quality Area 5/Modules 3 & 4 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 element 5.1.2. These include Anti-bias and Inclusion Policy, Gender Equity Policy, Interactions with Children, Staff and Families Policy, Educational Program and Practice Procedure, Toileting Policy, Behaviour Guidance Policy, Critical Reflection Template, and much more.
Resources, NQS Element, Regulation and System7 links:
Childcare Centre Desktop – Childcare Centre Desktop
National Quality Standard – QA 5/ 5.1.2- Dignity and rights of the child
National Regulations – 73, 115, 155, 156, 168
System7 Module – QA5/ Modules 3 & 4
If you have any questions send us a note via the Contact page here!
