Empowering Parents and Carers to Improve Cultural Security in Early Education Settings

This research project was part of the broader Ngulluk Koolunga Ngulluk Koort (Our Children, Our Heart) project, and had incorporated the recommended principles and practices, and consultation with the Early Childhood Education and Care Elder Sub-group (Aunty Oriel Green and Aunty Doris Hill) throughout the various phases of the project.

Click here to download the research findings.

From community consultation with Perth parents and carers who have Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children enrolled in early education settings, a health promotion resource was developed specifically for parents and carers to complete and share with early education providers, School Principals and early education centre Managers, as well as P&C Members, and other parents and carers who have Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children enrolled in early education settings.

“Having a resource that I can say these are specific things you work it into the early years’ framework, so that your ticking your boxes but giving them that extra cultural component.” [ID01 Interview Participant, Armadale].

“I definitely think the resources would be great to have. I know the teachers that my kids have it will be well utilised, the resources.” [ID03 Interview Participant, Kelmscott].

The health promotion resource aims to help parents and carers to provide advice that will support their child’s cultural needs, and to improve staff and community knowledge and understanding of some specific (but not limited to) cultural needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children enrolled in early education settings to strengthen their connection to culture for good mental health and wellbeing.

“Being able to say this is where we are from, this is who we are and just sort of say this is what we want to change. It’s just showing that again, its conversation with, not to or about, it is looking at this is what Indigenous people would like to see. Yeah, it’s definitely more an inclusive discussion if you do share these resources and if they take them on board as well.” [ID10 Interview Participant, Beeliar].

You are able to access both editable and printable versions of the health promotion resource via the links.

To cite this resource:

Perry, L., Michie, C., Scrine, C., Green, O., Hill, D., & Farrant, B. (2019). A resource to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children’s cultural needs in early education and care. Retrieved from https://www.telethonkids.org.au/nknk  

This project was conducted as part of the Australian Health Promotion Association (WA Branch) Health Promotion Scholarship Program, funded by Healthway.