fka Children's Services in Abbotsford, Victoria, Australia | Non-profit organisation

fka Children's Services

Locality: Abbotsford, Victoria, Australia

Phone: +61 3 9428 4471

Address: 18 Harper Street 3067 Abbotsford, VIC, Australia

Website: http://www.fka.org.au

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• Non-profit organisation
• Education
• Community organisation

25.01.2022 Congratulations to our Executive Director, Melodie Davies, who received a high commendation for the Lisa Bellear Award for Contribution to Reconciliation Activities at the 2020 Moreland Awards!

25.01.2022 Our Term 2 eNewsletter is here! In this edition, Catherine Hydon ask us to reimagine how we might go forward in our relationships with families, and VCAAs new resource provides a new approach to support multilingual communities. fkaCS consultants offer practical advice about supporting children and families as they return to services and more. Read on: https://bit.ly/3cMOfXc

25.01.2022 raisingchildren.net.au have developed information for families about the importance of play for their childs ongoing learning and development, inclusive of play ideas for children across the newborn to primary age range. More information: https://bit.ly/2YeQrmq

24.01.2022 Sessions in this masterclass have been designed to present practical strategies and a range of online tools to enable rich learning for your children while they are engaging in learning from home. Hosted by Catharine Hydon and Kate Highfield, you will be invited to share ideas as well as ask questions as you support your children and families through this period. To read more about each session and register click here: http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au//victorian-depa/

24.01.2022 As we have recently marked Reconciliation Week, we need to recognise that one of the recommendations of The Royal Commission into Aboriginal deaths in Custody, positions Reconciliation as a way of addressing injustice. As early childhood practitioners many of us are deeply troubled about the mistreatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people including children in the criminal justice system. In reflecting on this, fkaCS would like to restate its acknowledgement of the Traditional owners of Australia, their strength and resilience and continue our support for children's rights through partnerships with families and communities.

24.01.2022 Yet another great tool for learning at home! Nature Play Diary is a collection of free resources from Mindstretchers Academy for educators to share with parents and carers so that they can bring out the best in their children's play and learning. Check them out via the below link.

24.01.2022 How can we maintain connections? Join us at this free event where we will discuss ideas and strategies for staying connected with multilingual families and engaging them in learning at home. Limited places available, so register now! https://bit.ly/3iwu5Um

24.01.2022 Islam's most important month may look a little different this year, but we wish you a happy Ramadan! The Victorian Government has released new initiatives to support our Muslim community during this time.

24.01.2022 #NRW2020 #InThisTogether2020

21.01.2022 fkaCS acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to the land and waterways. We pay our respects to Elders both past and present and acknowledge the strength and resilience of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, families and communities. #NRW2020 #InThisTogether2020

21.01.2022 Many children would be aware of the current media attention on the racism that exists globally and here in Australia. This is a great opportunity to solidify your services commitment not only to demonstrating respect for diversity, but actively highlighting and engaging in anti-racism discourse throughout all aspects of your work with children and families. Play School recently added their voice to the discussion with Hand In Hand, explaining what racism is and how we can work together to put an end to it. You may use this to begin the discussion and support children as they voice their own understandings and experiences of racism: https://iview.abc.net.au/show/play-school-hand-in-hand

21.01.2022 We have a beautiful range of Dual Language books available reflecting Cultural & Linguistic Diversity that makes our Communities so unique! ... Pictured are our favorite stories in dual language that support Identities of many children we care for and educate. Check out our YSS Website for Childrens books in 62 different languages including Arabic, Mandarin, Panjabi, Tamil, & Vietnamese. Please share our website with Families at your ECE Services, Kindergartens & Primary School. Love that these books support a Childs first language. www.yarnstrongsista.com #antibiascurriculum #antibiaseducator #duallanguage #earlyyears #linguistics #earlychildhoodeducation #primaryteacher

21.01.2022 A reminder that Health Translations offers a range of translated resources covering important topics such as COVID-19 safety, face masks, mental wellbeing and support services. Ensure Victorias multicultural communities stay safe and informed by visiting http://www.healthtranslations.vic.gov.au/

20.01.2022 Our Term 3 eNewsletter is here! In this edition, we reflect on the meaning of inclusion and identity in our practice with children, families and each other. We hear a story of support and community, and learn more about using School Readiness Funding in preparation for 2021. Read on: https://fka.org.au/news-and-events//fkacs-enews-term-3-2020

20.01.2022 Have you become a member of fkaCS for the 2019-20 year? It's not too late to join! Not only are there plenty of benefits, but you will be supporting us as we advocate for childrens cultural and linguistic rights. Visit: www.fka.org.au/membership/information

20.01.2022 #ChildrensWeek Today we wrap up our celebration of Children’s Week with some wonderful drawings, plus some tips for keeping forever friendships! Ally says, friends are kind and lovely and Mya says they stay best friends forever with flowers. Niño Early Learning Adventures #UNCRC

17.01.2022 Racism and racial discrimination are everyday experiences for many Australian children and young people from Indigenous and minority ethnic groups. The following study indicates a possible link between how the psychological effect of racism and racial discrimination impacts childrens physical health throughout their lives: https://bit.ly/2V5341t Early childhood educators can help break this link by acting every day to advocate for childrens cultural and linguistic rights, and fkaCS can help you in this critically important work.

16.01.2022 National NAIDOC Week will be celebrated in November (8-15) this year, to ensure everyone remains safe during these uncertain times. For more information, visit: https://www.naidoc.org.au/

16.01.2022 On 2 April 2020, the Australian Government announced the new Early Childhood Education and Care Relief Package. Visit this link to for valuable information to share with families in your service: https://bit.ly/2Rn0D8p

15.01.2022 Authors Aunty Fay Muir and Sue Lawson will be presenting a Zoom story time featuring their new book, Family, this Saturday 5 September at 10:30am, hosted by Kynetons Squishy Minnie Bookstore. Family is a thoughtful contemplation for all to learn the different ways that family makes us whole.

15.01.2022 Wonderful news! Possum Skin Pedagogy: A Chain of Allies in the Early Years Landscape was launched last week. It is now available for download with Possum Skin Pedagogy: A Guide for Early Childhood Practitioners and Reflecting on the Possum Skin Learning Project: Journeys and Outcomes. Visit: https://fka.org.au/partnerships-and-collaboration/aapec.

14.01.2022 What sort of activities to friends like to do together at Kinder? Ian tells Erez he likes to eat afternoon tea, play, and do School Readiness with him. Today, ask children at your service what activities they love to do with their friends. Share their answers below! Niño Early Learning Adventures #ChildrensWeek #UNCRC

14.01.2022 Health Translations is a Victorian government initiative which provides free, multilingual health resources. COVID-19 resources are available in 70 languages including Auslan and Easy English. Visit this link for important information you can share with families in your service: https://bit.ly/2xldKAk

11.01.2022 We know that children’s learning and development continued while learning at home, including the skills and dispositions needed to be ‘school ready’. Now is the time to consider how you will develop your understanding of children’s learning to prepare their transition to school statements. More information, resources and templates available at https://fka.org.au/resources/transitioning-to-school

10.01.2022 #ChildrensWeek Today, we’re honouring childhood friendships and their right to play, with some photos from Niño Early Learning Adventures that we think will make you smile! See what events are running in your area in celebration of National Children's Week: https://bit.ly/3m4A5pq

10.01.2022 In response to the Government announcement that students, teachers and support staff can return to on-site schooling, Health Translations has made available 'Victoria's return to school plan' in 24 languages: https://www.healthtranslations.vic.gov.au///PresentDetail

09.01.2022 SBS has released news and information about coronavirus (COVID-19) in 63 languages: https://www.sbs.com.au/language/coronavirus.

09.01.2022 Due to the current protective measures of social distancing, our three remaining professional learning events for the 2019-20 year initially scheduled to be delivered in Frankston, Geelong and Glen Waverley will now be delivered online, via Zoom. More information and to register: https://bit.ly/2XBMdoE

08.01.2022 We would like to congratulate Dr Sue Lopez Atkinson on her recent appointment as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM). Sue, a Yorta Yorta woman, is a leading voice on Indigenous identity and conceptualising Aboriginality in Early Childhood Education and Care. Her ongoing commitment to social justice and embedding aboriginal perspectives in early childhood is evident by her extensive volunteer work including establishing and chairing AAPEC and as an active member of fkaCS' Expert Subcommittee. Read more: https://bit.ly/3e42ckO

08.01.2022 DET have released new information for ECEC services who continue to operate under current restrictions. It is not mandatory for educators to wear a face covering while working with children, but they should be worn elsewhere when not working with children, i.e. reception areas, staff rooms, foyers, and travelling to and from the service. To assist you in implementing appropriate risk-mitigation strategies in addition to the new requirements on face coverings, visit: https://www.education.vic.gov.au//coronavirus-advice-early

08.01.2022 Have you become a member of fkaCS for the 2019-20 year? Its not too late to join! Not only are there plenty of benefits, but you will be supporting us as we advocate for childrens cultural and linguistic rights. Visit: www.fka.org.au/membership/information

07.01.2022 "You’re good at writing, and you’re the best, says Erez when Szaboltcz asks what he likes most about him. These two are best friends, as we can see in this video! Today, why not ask children in your service to share what makes their friends special? Share their answers below! Niño Early Learning Adventures #ChildrensWeek #UNCRC

07.01.2022 The MyAus COVID-19 app is a multilingual mobile app for our culturally and linguistically diverse communities. Information provided is in line with current Government advice and is regularly updated to ensure it remains relevant and timely. Available in 24 languages, it is a great tool to ensure information about the virus makes its way to all Victorians. More information or to download: https://www.myauscovid-19.org.au/

06.01.2022 Wonderful news! Possum Skin Pedagogy: A Guide for Early Childhood Practitioners has been shortlisted for the 2020 HART Awards. View this year's finalists at https://bit.ly/2W5oBI1

06.01.2022 As Term 2 approaches, we want to remind you that fkaCS are still available to support you. Although our modes of delivery may look a little different right now, our team of consultants are here to help! Contact us: https://bit.ly/3e2ieMs

06.01.2022 A reminder to our community that fkaCS remains open and continues to support Victorian Early Childhood Education and Care services remotely. Our consultants are currently working a mixture of home and office hours, but we can be reached Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm by email and phone!

06.01.2022 Tune into ABC Kids Community today at 4pm to watch a special episode of Play School dedicated to explaining COVID-19 to children!

06.01.2022 #RefugeeWeek began on June 14 and concludes of World Refugee Day, Sunday 20 June. This years theme is celebrating the #YearOfWelcome. The Refugee Council of Australia invites you to engage in an online festival of learning through videos, webinars, posters, classroom resources and other useful information to support your engagement. The resources we found interesting include Clouds over Sidra, a video that transports us to the Zaatari Refugee Camp in Jordon to spend time i...n Sidras daily life, and 'Refugee Republic', an interactive documentary about everyday life in Domiz Camp, a Syrian refugee camp in northern Iraq. Watching these as an Early Childhood Professional provides insight to the experiences families and children have prior to arriving in Australia, and how these experiences have influenced and shaped their identity and sense of belonging. In your service, how are you celebrating the Year Of Welcome, and what does welcome mean to you? fkaCS are available to offer consultancy and advice to your team to support strengthening your culturally inclusive and responsive practice: www.fka.org.au/contact-us

03.01.2022 Support your community to access accurate health translations about COVID-19, updated daily: https://www.healthtranslations.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcht.nsf

03.01.2022 Which country are you working and living on? Celebrate National Reconciliation Week (27 May - 3 June) by joining Reconciliation Australias call for a National Acknowledgement of Country on social media from 12pm Wednesday 27 May. For further details and ideas for National Reconciliation Week visit https://nrw.reconciliation.org.au/ #NRW2020 #InThisTogether2020

02.01.2022 Registrations for our remote PL on 19 May, Understanding and Implementing Authentic Cultural Inclusion, close tonight! Have you purchased your ticket? https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/understanding-and-implement

02.01.2022 How do we avoid cultural tokenism in Early Childhood? Who decides what is important? And who does it benefit? Our upcoming PL session Understanding and Implementing Authentic Cultural Inclusion (12 May) will help you answer some of the curlier questions around culturally respectful and responsive practice. Information and registration: https://bit.ly/3cGnrrM

01.01.2022 Nominations are now open for the Victorian Early Years Awards! During these difficult times, its important now more than ever to celebrate the successes of early years professionals in achieving exceptional outcomes for Victorian children and their families. Nominations open until 6 July: www.education.vic.gov.au/veya

01.01.2022 Islams most important month may look a little different this year, but we wish you a happy Ramadan! The Victorian Government has released new initiatives to support our Muslim community during this time.