Heritage House reflects on connection during Early Learning Matters Week

Early Learning Matters Week was an opportunity to reflect on the role of early childhood education and care (ECEC) in the broader community, and on the importance of promoting that value of the first five years to the broader community. 

 

In the piece below, a number of educators and leaders from Heritage House Childcare and Early Learning services reflect on their activities during the week, sharing ideas with the broader sector who wish to share the work they do more broadly. 

 

A whole of provider approach 

 

In each Heritage House service, educators and leaders work with children and families to support the children’s thoughts and theories using their many languages. 

 

During Early Learning Matters Week, the services worked together to create a space to exhibit children’s creative pursuits in an art gallery, with each service completing an artwork representing their connection to their service, community, and land. 

 

Before beginning the artwork, educators were encouraged to explore Version 2 of the Early Years Learning Framework and the concept of “intentionality” rather than “intentional teaching”. 

 

Using this as a space for the educator’s professional learning and the concept of relationships and connectivity, the educators and children began to research and co-construct knowledge to create an artwork representing these concepts. 

 

The gallery consisted of eight large group works on canvases, 55 pieces of individual children’s artwork, a space where children had constructed art with wire and threading, and the children’s daily acknowledgment to Country played through a projector. 

 

“This was particularly important to each team member,” said Xerxes Karai, Managing Director of Heritage House Childcare and Early Learning Centre.

 

“It reminded them about the importance of learning with children about this country’s history and our vital role as educators in supporting our children to become knowledgeable citizens in our community. This space was deliberately designed so families, children and the community could engage in the area and be part of the children’s daily acknowledgment of the country they were in each day.” 

 

“The Art Gallery touches on our core values of; lead, innovate, family and educate (L-I-F-E); we are grateful that our community has engaged and participated in this event”. 

 

Praise for Heritage House Wahroonga

 

A number of other services attended Heritage House Wahroonga to view their art gallery, offering praise for the effort the team there had gone to, particularly to Nominated Supervisor Casey, the driving force behind this initiative. 

 

“Heritage House Wahroonga’s art gallery was beautifully set out,” said Vanessa, Nominated Supervisor from Heritage House Hornsby Childcare and Early Learning.

 

“You can see the passion and dedication in respectfully showcasing the children’s languages and art pieces. It was an honour for my centre to participate, as well as the other Heritage House services, through contributing to an art piece done by children. I can feel the connectedness and support from the Heritage House services toward each other by celebrating each other’s achievements and from the stories behind the art pieces displayed.” 

 

For Jessica, the Nominated Supervisor from Heritage House Baulkham Hills Childcare and Early Learning, attending the Art Gallery at Heritage House Wahroonga was “awe inspiring”. 

 

“It was amazing to see how everyone came together for Early Learning Matters Week and shared how they have created a connection to community and place on this land. It was so lovely to share this with Heritage House.”

 

All children’s artworks will be auctioned to families and community members, with Heritage House Management matching all donations that will be given to the Aboriginal Children’s Service Redfern.  Lead image shows Tamara Gray and Heritage House learner  James Evans viewing artwork.