POLICY  CONTENT

Rituals and traditions strengthen our partnership with children, families, and the community, bringing a sense of belonging to our School. We believe that celebrations and cultural traditions need to be handled sensitively. The value in educating children, families, and educators is fundamental to our inclusive program. Both the planning and preparation, and the events themselves, can be a satisfying and pleasurable experiences. 

‘Children belong first to a family, a cultural group, a neighbourhood and a wider community. Belonging acknowledges children’s interdependence with others and the basis of relationships in defining identities. In early childhood and throughout life, relationships are crucial to a sense of belonging. Belonging is central to being and becoming in that it shares who children are and who they can become’ (EYLF, 2009, p.7). 

NATIONAL QUALITY STANDARD (NQS)

QUALITY AREA 1: Educational Program and Practice

1.1.1

Approved learning framework

Curriculum decision-making contributes to each child’s learning and development outcomes in relation to their identity, connection with community, wellbeing, confidence   as learners and effectiveness as communicators.

QUALITY AREA 2: Children's Health and Safety

2.1	Healthy	Each child’s health and physical activity is supported and promoted.
2.1.3	Healthy Lifestyles	Healthy eating and physical activity are promoted and appropriate for each child.

QUALITY AREA 6: Collaborative Partnerships

6.1.2

Parent views are respected

The expertise, culture, values, and beliefs of families are respected, and families share in decision-making about their child’s learning and wellbeing.

PURPOSE

Incorporating celebrations into children’s Schools appropriately can be used to strengthen the partnership with children and families, creating a feeling of belonging and developing a sense of community amongst families, educators, and children. 
   
Celebrations provide an opportunity for children to develop respect for diverse values and beliefs as they learn about practices, that are different from their own. To ensure we are providing an inclusive program and environment, it is imperative to recognise the array of celebrations, both religious and worldly, that take place throughout the year in our community and to have an understanding of, and respect for, cultural diversity in our school. 

SCOPE

This policy applies to children, families, staff, management, and visitors of the School.

IMPLEMENTATION

Under the Education and Care Services National Regulations, an Approved Provider must ensure policies and procedures are in place to provide a child safe environment. When providing opportunities for children to celebrate special occasions incorporating food or beverages, consideration must be made to ensure children with medical conditions that can be impacted by food are clearly identified via the allergy charts that are visible on the food trolleys and in the kitchen.

Management/Nominate Supervisor/Responsible Person will ensure:

• seek written approval from the Nominated Supervisor/Responsible Person prior to any celebrations where food is provided to children 
• identify any children with medical conditions that may be impacted by particular foods and if required complete risk assessments to ensure children’s safety 
• ensure the use of candles is carried out with the children’s safety in mind and fully supervised. A full risk assessment will be submitted to the Nominated Supervisor/Responsible Person prior to such celebrations  
• be aware of cultural tokenism and stereotyping 
• encourage and support family members to be involved in sharing their customs and celebrations with our School 
• ensure children have the agency to make choices about the celebrations they would like to participate in, engaging families to give advice on customs 
• ensure that children have the resources and time necessary to be able to celebrate effectively 
• provide young children and toddlers with materials that reflect a significant event or celebration, which they have recently participated 
• ensure that families who do not wish to be involved in celebrations have an option to not participate 
• balance family values about receiving gifts and products from their children and educator’s values about avoiding product-based activities by developing creative and meaningful gifts for families 
• notify the community about the celebration e.g. taking photos to display on the School notice board or displaying children’s artwork and drawings about the celebration or post on EarlyWorks
• provide opportunities for children to participate in open-ended celebration activities 
• provide a flexible program that enables children to have agency about the activities in which they participate 
• celebrate traditions and customs relevant to children and community 
• ensure that the same amount of time and energy is dedicated to ALL celebrations 
• invite educators and families to share their own personal experiences of celebrations  
• ensure resources such as picture storybooks, images, and music are reflective of contemporary celebrations to which children can relate 
• be respectful of all religions and cultural backgrounds 
• participate in professional development to raise cultural awareness around cultural celebrations.

SOURCE

Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority. (2014).  
Australia Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority. (2018). Guide to the National Quality Framework.  
Australian Government. Department of Education, Skills and Employment. Belonging, Being, and Becoming: The Early Years Learning Framework for Australia. (2009).  
Early Childhood Australia Code of Ethics. (2016). 
Education and Care Services National Law Act 2010. (Amended 2018). 
Education and Care Services National Regulations. (2011). 
Guide to the National Quality Framework. (2017). (Amended 2020). 
Guide to the National Quality Standard. (2018). 
National Health and Medical Research Council. (2013). 5th Staying healthy: Preventing infectious diseases in early childhood education and care services. 
Revised National Quality Standard (2018).