Girrin Playgroup
Girrin is a Koorie supported playgroup for families with children aged from birth to 6 years (before school age). Koorie Supported Playgroups provide culturally appropriate and informed support to prioritise cultural strength and connection. Playgroup supports children’s wellbeing and development through interactions and strengthens parenting skills and confidence.
Horsham:
Every Thursday, 10am – 12pm
The Station- 16 Pynsent st, Horsham
Stawell:
Once a week Tuesday, 10:30am -12:30pm
Goolum Goolum Hub
46 Leslie Street, Stawell
Bupup Balak Wayipungang
‘bupup balak wayipungang’ means ‘helping/supporting the young kids’ in Dja Dja Wurrung language. ‘wayipungitj’ means ‘supporters.’
The wayipungitjs role is:
· Supporting the access and participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in culturally inclusive and supportive kindergarten programs.
· Working collaboratively with the local Koorie community to build culturally inclusive kindergarten programs.
· Providing guidance and support to staff of funded kindergarten services at all levels to increase their capacity to ensure their service is culturally inclusive and welcoming, and working collaboratively to ensure cultural perspectives are embedded in the educational program.
· Building upon and strengthening trusting relationships between families and funded kindergarten services by making information available to families and communities that enhances and grows Early Years participation
Delkaia Aboriginal Best Start program
The Delkaia Aboriginal Best Start program has a formal
partnership which includes the Best Start facilitator, Aboriginal community, local agencies and service providers. The partnership agrees to work collaboratively using an improvement science approach to address barriers to participation in Kindergarten and early years services for all Aboriginal children.
The facilitator works with all early years services to plan, deliver and monitor evidence-based strategies to improve outcomes for children. The facilitator then shares with the partnership whether the service has made an improvement. These cycles of planning, delivery and monitoring continue throughout the year, so many small changes are made within kindergarten services.
Toy Library
Toy library offers families the opportunity to borrow toys to take home and play with for 3-4 weeks at a time, then return them and borrow new toys.
Our toy library is for children birth to 12 years and there is no fee to join.
Toy library operates on the same day as playgroup in Stawell and Horsham. If you are interested in borrowing toys, please speak with the playgroup facilitators.
The toy categories include:
*Art and craft
*Baby and toddler
*Construction
*Imaginative play
*Inclusion and development
*Language and literacy
*Outdoor and active
*Games and puzzles
*STEM
Resources for Early Childhood Educators
The Early Years Learning Framework (V2.0), asks educators to build upon children’s understandings of diversity, specifically Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. Our GGAC Early Years team are here to support you with this important work. Please see below for links to our previous newsletters and other information aimed at supporting educators to develop meaningful relationships with Aboriginal families and provide culturally rich services.
Useful organisations:
Explore a range of downloadable curriculum and education resources, policies, strategies, and publications.
Included is a fantastic
Koorie Education Calendar to help with planning events and important dates.
Informative & Respectful
Explore, Learn, and Reflect. Access a range of resources to support understanding and respectful engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.
In this fact sheet, educators will
Gain support on their journey to include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives in early learning settings. It offers practical guidance, cultural insights, and helpful resources to build respectful, inclusive programs that reflect the diversity of Australia’s First Peoples.
Informative & Clear
The guide responds to requests for advice on culturally appropriate protocols. It helps services create safe, welcoming, and respectful environments for Victoria’s Koorie communities.
Educators will find practical tips and guidance for engaging with Koorie children, families, and community.
Marrung: A Vision for Koorie Education Excellence
Marrung aims to create a positive learning environment where Koorie children and learners feel strong in their identity. It fosters community engagement and collaboration to improve outcomes for Koorie communities. The initiative also focuses on building professional leadership and ensuring that educational success for Koorie Victorians is central to all educational practices. Marrung strives for excellence in teaching and learning, supporting Koorie learners from early childhood through to successful transitions into further education and employment.