Acton Early Childhood
Centre.
MULTICULTURAL POLICY
AIM
To
provide a program and Centre environment which recognises the diversity of
cultures and lifestyles in Australia and, in particular, those of the children
who attend the Centre, and provides opportunities for all children to learn of
and respect such cultures.
EXPLANATION
á To encourage children to value diversity, to value
their own background and to assist children from all cultures to celebrate the
diversity within the Centre and the wider community.
á The Centre will encourage the development of the
self-esteem of each child through valuing their background.
ACTIONS
Children
and families
á Cultural awareness should be integrated throughout the
program. For example through books, clothing, play equipment, posters, art,
dress, cooking, language and music.
á Books which reflect childrenÕs different life
experience, cultural background and environment will be used.
á Parents will be encouraged to participate in cultural
activities and assist in presenting cultural activities. For example, through reading
books in different languages, singing songs from different cultures and assisting
in presenting activities relevant to cultural events etc.
á Tolerance and respect for the individual will be
actively encouraged.
á Children will be encouraged to speak about different
cultural experiences.
á Special festival and celebration days – in
particular, where relevant to children in the Centre - will be recognised with
associated activities.
á Participation in external multicultural events will be
arranged when possible.
Language
and translation
á Handbooks and newsletters will be translated if
necessary, using translation services available. See Procedures for
Non-English Speaking Families
attached.
á When a child who speaks little English starts at the Centre,
staff will be encouraged to use catch phrases in the first language of the
child, for comforting and routine activities.
á Bilingual support workers will be accessed through ACT
Professional Support Coordinators to assist the staff, child and family in settling
into the Centre.
Staff
á Staffing should be culturally diverse where this is
possible.
á Staff will be encouraged to draw on their own varied
life experiences to enhance childrenÕs awareness of cultural variety.
á Staff will be encouraged to attend in-service training
on multicultural programming.
á A diversity of child-rearing practices should be
recognised by staff.
á Staff will assess the environment on a regular basis
using the checklist attached to ensure that a multicultural setting is being
provided.
Environment.
á Parents and staff are encouraged to bring in food
packages that feature different languages.
á As well as books in English, bilingual books will also
be shown to children.
á Materials and equipment will reflect the cultural
diversity that exists in our society and will avoid stereotyping of any group.
á Utensils commonly used in homes of different cultures
will be used. These could include woks, chopsticks, table clothes etc.
á Staff will be encouraged to hang designs and patterns
representing different cultures including different Aboriginal, Maori, Chinese
art style and designs.
See checklist attached taken from Opening
the Doors. Child Care in a Multicultural Society. Ann Stonehouse. 1991. AECA Publication.
Reviewed by Policy Sub Committee 2-9-03.
Draft prepared 25-8-05. Approved 27-9-05.
Reviewed Policy Review Committee 24-7-07.
Reviewed by Policy Review Committee
4-8-09.
Acton Early Childhood Centre.
PROCEDURES FOR NON-ENGLISH SPEAKING FAMILIES.
The following indicates possible avenues for
assistance in the areas indicated.
If a positive response is
received to the question:-
Please note. If you would
like written information to be provided in a language other than English,
please indicate Yes / No. If ÒyesÓ, please indicate language preferred
_______________________
Contact :-
ANU Student Association.
Enquiries 6125
2444
International Student
Services. 6125
8003
Chinese (Mandarin)
Translation Assistance 6125
5216
(Amy Chen)
Translation and Interpreting
Services 1300
655 080
Translation
Services.
Contact:-
Health Care Interpreters ACT
Health 6205
3333
Translation and Interpreting
Services 131
450
Contact:-
ACT Professional Support
Coordinator 1800228772
Contact:-
Telephone Translating Service
for languages other than English. 131
450.
List developed Jan 2004.
Updated May 2006. Updated July 2007.