Bias free Bellarine: Educators prioritising acceptance

Educators from Meli Kindergartens on Victoria’s Bellarine Peninsula are adopting a new approach which aims to ensure that children and their families feel welcome, and that they have access to tools to accept and celebrate others. 

Meli has embedded an Anti-Bias Approach into its kindergarten curriculum, an evidence-based method that addresses aspects of diversity such as gender, race, and language and provides strategies for families and staff to challenge existing attitudes and practices.

Meli Kindergartens have implemented this approach in many ways, including purchasing diverse books, considering inclusivity when organising community events, encouraging conversation around different cultures and creating play spaces that welcome any child to participate in any activity.

“It’s important to create an inclusive environment where everyone feels like they can come to kinder,” Portarlington Preschool Educator Annie Perkins said.

“We don’t make assumptions about gender, race or culture.”

She said the anti-bias approach is implemented through inclusive stories and songs and the play environment.

The preschool hosts Wathaurong for culture and language sessions with the children, and is currently putting together a cookbook full of recipes from its families which will showcase their kinder community’s cultures and traditions.

Meli Director Children’s Services Mandy Baxter explained that the Meli Anti-Bias Approach was not an addition to the kindergarten curriculum, but the foundation.

“It is never too early to address bias,” she said.

“We believe that if children grow up believing they have defined roles they may be limited in what they think they can do.

“The Anti-Bias Approach speaks to Meli’s vision of a fair, safe and inclusive community where everyone can thrive.”

Learn more about Meli Kindergartens here.