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Long Day Care
Towri MACS is like a second home for early learners
Freya Lucas
Jul 11, 2023
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Children attending Towri Multifunctional Aboriginal Children’s Service (MACS) consider it to be their second home, a place where they feel safe, confident and develop a strong sense of belonging.
Strong connections between Towri MACS and its local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community creates an environment where children feel supported and safe and a sense of belonging, according to its director Madi Donnelly.Located on Wiradjuri country, Towri MACS has a long history of building and nurturing relationships with its local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. This is in part thanks to the strong ties Towri Aboriginal Corporation – which oversees the running of the service – has with the Bathurst community, where it’s operated for over 40 years.
As well as the positive educator-child relationships and a welcoming, engaging space, the connections Towri MACS has formed with its local community also plays a big part in making the service feel like a home away from home.
95 per cent of the children who attend Towri MACs identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, and educators recognise the critical importance of having close community connections and how they positively impact early learners.
“We as early childhood educators acknowledge the trauma that generations of Indigenous families in our community have experienced,” Ms Donnelly shared.
“This enables us to understand the importance of early childhood education and care for children and how vital it is that we are here for all families and children and maintain strong relationships with them.”
Towri MACS’ relationships with families and community encourages ongoing reflection that shapes the service’s practice, planning and programming. They also empower and motivate staff to ensure the education and care they deliver reflects local community culture, is inclusive and culturally safe, and fosters a strong sense of self and belonging.
Connecting with family members, from grandparents to cousins, helps educators to build strong relationships and connections to community.
Families often accompany children on the morning and afternoon bus runs, which allows Ms Donnelly and her team to listen to the knowledge families impart and draw on this to maintain a culturally safe environment and ensure local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, voices and perspectives are acknowledged and celebrated at the service.
Using home and Wiradjuri languages at the service – like using the word kimby instead of nappy – also maintains connection with local community and culture. The president of Towri Aboriginal Corporation has created number books using Wiradjuri wording and often visits the service to help children learn how to count to five.
Children are supported to actively engage with their community by planning and participating in special events, like their local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day celebration. The educators and early learners also have strong connections with another service in Bathurst.
“We visit the other centre regularly to gain further community connections, practice social skills and use it as a transition to school and networking opportunity,” Ms Donnelly explained. “The Winanggaay room of Towri continually asks to visit their friends at the other service.”
These activities and interactions often prompt children to share stories about their personal experiences, culture and home life.
“Children on the bus will talk about things happening in their community and this can lead to meaningful conversations taking place in the centre,” Ms Donnelly shared. “The educators use these meaningful times to reflect and add to their programs.”
Her advice for other services who wish to build stronger connections with their local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community is to “draw on the knowledge of the community, whilst maintaining a respectful and open-mind relationship.”
“Always be welcoming. Offer a shoulder to cry on or be ready to help whenever possible, offering food hampers or assistance at any time. Be a safe place for not only the children but their family members. See your centre as part of the community – not set apart.”
Learn more about Towri MACs here.
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