Promoting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Safety in Early Childhood Education and Care

Certificate III and Diploma Early Childhood
Education and Care
CHCECE001 - DEVELOP CULTURAL COMPETENCE
CHCDIV002 - Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait
Islander cultural safety
Project 1
By
(Add your name & date here)
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Table of Contents
CHCDIV002 - Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety...............1
Introduction.....................................................................................................................3
What does it mean to create a culturally safe environment for children?.......................3
With whom should facility staff consult to obtain knowledge of cultural groups within
the community?...............................................................................................................3
How can staff promote participation by all cultural groups?..........................................3
How is it beneficial to encourage families to share their context, cultural knowledge
and experience (including languages)?...........................................................................5
How can staff foster inclusion and encourage children to broaden their perspectives
and embrace diversity as they develop their own identities?..........................................5
Why is it important to model open, inclusive, ethical interactions with children, families
and co-workers?..............................................................................................................5
Under what circumstances might it be necessary to provide additional cultural support
to children and how might this be done?.........................................................................6
How can awareness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history and cultures be
incorporated into work practices.....................................................................................6
How could you work in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
and communities.............................................................................................................6
How can service providers take cultural issues (including the focus on self-
determination) into consideration and increase participation in services.......................7
Indigenous people can be encouraged to participate in evaluating services and
negotiating their needs regarding desired outcomes......................................................7
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Introduction
Child care centers are the commercial buildings that provide larger care for the children, when
compared to family child care providers. It includes providing complete care on full time or part time basis.
These are center base and work with typical operating hours, that is from 7:00 am to 6:00pm. The children are
from aged 24 months to 36 months or even less than that. This center provides all meals and snacks options
for the children. The qualification of staff is not any specific educational requirements but attaining a degree
will help in building strong foundation for the job.
What does it mean to create a culturally safe environment for
children?
A culturally safe environment is one in which people are, regardless of difference, welcomed, comfortable and allowed
to be themselves. The environment is spiritually, socially and emotionally and physically safe. There is no assault,
challenge or denial of their identity, of who people are and what they need.
Creating a culturally safe environment will help in building principles of trust, respect and diversity and even
fairness in the minds of children. Culture will form a foundation of developing identity and strong cultural identity that is
very important for the health related factors for the children while making them understand about where they belong.
Cultural competence will help the children in communicating effectively while interacting with other people present
across various cultures.
With whom should facility staff consult to obtain knowledge of
cultural groups within the community?
 Yarrabah community Shire council
 Local government
 Families
 Communities
 Relations with children
How can staff promote participation by all cultural groups?
Build strong, trust based relationships and communicate effectively with children and their families. Observe children’s
behaviours and provide extra support as needed. Consult with elders—aunts and uncles—to determine what cultural
issues are important and what protocols should be followed.
Staff members of the child care center can promote cultural participation with the help of reaching out to the
families of children along with their local communities. This will promote cultural diversity while help in gaining
information about various cultures that are represented by students and staff members. This information can be used to
acknowledge and respect individuals coming from culturally diverse background. In addition to this, staff can conduct
some local community and cultural events that will include artifacts and other things that are relevant to the culture.
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