We protect and honour every child’s dignity and rights—every day.
At Dubbo Early Learning Centre, we are deeply committed to upholding the dignity, rights, and individuality of every child. This means treating each child with the same care and respect we would expect ourselves. For example, children are given privacy during toileting and nappy changes, and educators speak quietly and respectfully, maintaining a sense of comfort and trust. When discussing sensitive topics, we are thoughtful and age-appropriate in our approach, ensuring children feel emotionally safe and understood. Whether a child has additional needs, challenging behaviour, or comes from a unique cultural or family background, they are treated with equal value, patience, and kindness.
Supporting Rights Through Everyday Practice
Children’s rights are embedded in how we guide behaviour, structure our environment, and speak with children. We never use intimidation or punishment. Instead, we guide children using strategies like pausing to observe, modelling appropriate behaviour, and using clear, gentle language. For instance, if a child throws a toy, an educator might say, “Let’s look at what happened together,” then help the child reflect and problem-solve. We use simple language, visual aids, and attuned body language to help all children—especially those who are neurodivergent or learning English—feel understood. Children are supported to develop independence and self-help skills, such as choosing their own food, setting up their play, or helping tidy their space with pride.
Reflecting on Equity and Fairness
Our educators constantly reflect on how their own beliefs and values influence the way they interact with children. We challenge outdated stereotypes—such as assumptions about what male educators “should” do, or who should handle behaviour management, cleaning, or documentation. We’ve addressed biases around gender roles, like ensuring male educators participate in nurturing care routines like nappy changes and quiet reading time. We reflect on our expectations of children’s behaviour and how these are shaped by cultural assumptions, child temperament, or past experiences. When one educator noticed they were unconsciously giving less freedom to a child with a disability, the team reflected together and introduced strategies to promote that child’s independence and agency.
Partnering With Families to Protect Rights
Our commitment to children’s rights is strengthened through our partnerships with families. We gather detailed information from families about their child’s likes, dislikes, strengths, and learning goals. For example, if a family prefers their child to sleep in a particular way, we accommodate that within regulation guidelines. If a child prefers a specific food, we work with families to ensure mealtimes are both respectful and inclusive. We honour cultural traditions in our programming—celebrating events like Ramadan, NAIDOC Week, or Lunar New Year—and invite families to share their knowledge and practices. Children’s ideas are also respected and acted on; one child’s interest in trains led to a centre-wide project and a visit to the local train station. Privacy is respected at all times—we always ask for consent before sharing children’s images and carefully manage what is shared on social media or in displays.