ECEC Provider in Focus: Capital Region Community Services (CRCS)

Capital Region Community Services (CRCS) is a regional community service formed by the people of Belconnen and incorporated in 1975.

CRCS provides a wide range of high quality, integrated and inclusive programs and services to individuals, families, children and young people in the Belconnen and wider Capital Region of the Australian Capital Territory.

In the early childhood education and care (ECEC) space, CRCS provides both early childhood and outside school hours care (OSHC) services as well as playgroups and family support services. 

What is the history of CRCS? 

CRCS has provided a range of high quality integrated and inclusive programs and services to individuals, families, children and young people in the Belconnen and wider capital region since 1975. 

What is the CRCS vision and approach to learning?

As a collective CRCS is driven by six core values, namely: 

• We are respectful
• We are accountable 
• We are inclusive 
• We are ethical 
• We are optimistic 
• We are innovative 

Each of the five early childhood services CRCS operates in Belconnen and Bruce, and of the five OSHC services operated in Charnwood, Florey, Jindabyne and Cooma has its own individual philosophy and approach to education and care which recognises the context of the community and families who access the service. 

Are there any unique aspects to the CRCS offer? 

CRCS services support children and families from diverse backgrounds and cultures, including many who are enrolled under the Community Services Directorate’s Children’s Services Program (CSP) funding due to suffering significant trauma, such as homelessness, domestic abuse, mental ill-health or other life-changing events. 

Many children who have experienced this trauma struggle with social skills and emotional intelligence, and are well behind their peers in reaching developmental milestones. 

As such educators take a collaborative approach to working with families and other agencies to ensure that children are supported, and that the evolving needs of each family are considered. 

CRCS services take a holistic and trauma informed approach to their work, which emphasises family advocacy and collaboration with community services with the aim of creating safe and empowering environments where all family members can flourish and overcome adversity.

What is CRCS’ approach to educator identity and professional development?

CRCS offers a range of benefits to employees across the organisation, including those working in its early childhood education and care division. 

Flexible working hours and days are offered to support work/life balance, along with salary packaging options which can mean up to $16,050 tax-free per year for eligible employees. 

As well as providing on-the-job training, CRCS also provides employees with a range of professional and personal development opportunities, both internally and externally. 

“Our employees’ professional development is a priority at CRCS and we have designed most of our workplace systems around the achievement of our employees’ professional development goals,” information on the CRCS website notes. 

Learn more about CRCS here.