At Jacaranda Early Education, children don’t just coexist in a physical space—they create meaningful relationships and experiences through inclusive childcare practices.
What Is Inclusive Childcare?
Inclusive childcare creates an environment where all children can participate in programs that acknowledge their individual strengths and interests. This is important because it fosters diversity and understanding, ensures each child receives quality care and supports development in line with legal standards for early childhood education.
Creating an inclusive environment involves making appropriate adjustments to the physical space and fostering the social and emotional needs of children. Inclusive environments are designed to engage children of all backgrounds, abilities and preferences, which enhances opportunities for learning, increases feelings of belonging and encourages positive relationships.
Benefits Of Inclusive Childcare
Inclusive childcare has many benefits for young children including:
- Diverse Learning Environment: Children in inclusive settings are exposed to a range of abilities, backgrounds and perspectives, leading to a more diverse and culturally rich learning environment.
- Increased Empathy: Children learn to accept and appreciate differences in others, promoting empathy, compassion and understanding.
- Improved Social Skills: Children develop strong social skills through interacting with a diverse group of peers including those with different needs and abilities.
- Increased Tolerance: Children learn to appreciate and respect differences in others, fostering a more tolerant and inclusive society.
- Better Academic Outcomes: Inclusive childcare can improve academic outcomes for all children including those with disabilities, as they are provided with opportunities to learn and grow alongside their peers.
- Preparation for Real-World Diversity: Children in inclusive childcare settings are better prepared for a diverse and inclusive world as they learn to understand and appreciate differences from a young age.
- Wider Range of Activities: Inclusive childcare provides students with exposure to a wider variety of challenging activities.
- Increased Support: Children are given opportunities to learn at their own pace in a supportive environment.
Examples Of Our Activities That Promote Inclusiveness
There are many ways we incorporate inclusiveness into our early education programs. A few examples are:
- Inter-Generational Program: Every month, the residents at Harbour Quays Aged Care Home come to visit and join in on the activities with the children. The program is designed to bridge the gap between generations and spread joy.
- Aboriginal Culture: Every month, we have a visitor from the Jellurgal Aboriginal Culture Centre come to immerse the children within Aboriginal culture. Children participate in dot painting, rock art, weaving and storytelling. This is a great educational program for the children to become aware of their local Aboriginal people.
- Yoga: Once a week, the children start their day with yoga which enhances relaxation and concentration, helps maintain flexibility and strengthens growing bodies.
- Hey Dee Ho: Every week, Hey Dee Ho engage the children in music and dance with fun filled activities that promote fine and gross motor skills, cognitive learning, visual and auditory process and memory, literacy and language skills, social skills, creativity and imagination.
To learn more about our inclusive childcare methods, don’t hesitate to call us today on (07) 5500 5044.
