Glen Education Carnegie

Cultural Safety in Early Childhood 

Kavita Khera, Early Childhood Teacher

Supreet Kaur, Early Childhood Educator 

One of the key goals of our organisation has been to ensure that the children are safe in their learning environment. Glen Education has been in compliance with child safe standards requirements for our organisation and has developed policies and procedures to ensure that child safe standards are embedded in daily practice. This article will reflect on Child Safe Standard 1:

Organizations establish a culturally safe environment in which the diverse and unique identities and experiences of Aboriginal children and young people are respected and valued.

The new standards reflect the need for each child’s individual identity to be acknowledged and reflected in their learning environment. At Glen Carnegie Kindergarten we are mindful that this is an everyday ongoing experience. 

At Glen Carnegie kindergarten we ensure:

• All children are given equal opportunity, valued and supported by creating an inclusive environment. The learning environment created by our experienced and committed educators ensures that all children’s learning potential is optimised. We have a family tree in our room for children to see their loved ones and discuss about different types of families.

• One of our key goals is for children to learn about the aboriginal culture .We celebrated the “Reconciliation week “ by reading the story “ Sorry”, children actively participated in discussions. Every morning we start our group time by “Acknowledgement of Country”. Children are also learning Aboriginal songs and we have provided children with resources to connect with the Indigenous culture.

Through our play based learning children get ample opportunity to further develop their understanding about diverse cultures. 

Families and children from various diverse cultures are given opportunity to share their culture, strength and participate actively.