Rainbow Families and ECA join forces to create innovative free PD opportunity

Rainbow Families and Early Childhood Australia (ECA) have joined forces to introduce an innovative professional development opportunity designed to equip early learning educators with the tools they need to confidently discuss family diversity, while building a culture of acceptance.

Available through ECA’s Learning Hub, Beyond the rainbow: Making a difference for all families is a comprehensive, free, online training course which will support educators and others working in the early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector to confidently educate children about family diversity, including LGBTQ+ parented families with sensitivity and openness. 

By integrating family diversity education into their practices, educators will play a pivotal role in creating a future generation that embraces differences and acknowledges every family’s unique makeup.

“We’re delighted to launch this training in partnership with ECA,” said Ashley Scott, Executive Officer of Rainbow Families, adding that by making the training freely available to all, rainbow families will feel more comfortable as they are celebrated in early learning centres across the country.

“We look forward to seeing the next generation of children growing up knowing that being different is ok and that families come in all shapes and sizes.” he added.

For Scott Brunelle, Project Development Officer – ECEC, the initiative is about reminding those working in the sector that by educating children around diversity and inclusion while they’re young, children from diverse families will experience less disadvantage and discrimination during their childhoods.

“Educators will become familiar and confident in how to educate children about the diversity of families and when all children are made aware that all families are different in their own way, there’s an opportunity to make a significant impact on reducing discrimination.”

“That’s ultimately what we want to achieve with this collaboration; every child should feel accepted for who they are, regardless of their family structure.”

The course is the latest in an enduring partnership between Rainbow Families and ECA, which includes the popular ‘Family diversity resource packs’ for young children.

ECA General Manager Professional Learning Shae Helen said that ECA is thrilled to be involved in the project, explaining that Beyond the Rainbow: Making a Difference for All Families explores family diversity in an education and care setting, a principle that has recently been expanded in revised Approved Learning Frameworks. 

Click here to access the free course at ECA.