Cultural DiversityPlaygroup NSW Inc has a long tradition of supporting CALD families by introducing playgroup experiences and promoting playgroups as a great socialisation and learning opportunity for children and adults alike.
The Cultural Diversity Consultant (CDC) works closely with community language groups and representatives from various CALD organisations. The CALD inclusion program promotes playgroups and offers the CDC's expertise in the development of multicultural and linguistically specific playgroups. A referral service is also provided to enable CALD families to join existing mainstream playgroups.
SupportThe Cultural Diversity Consultant supports CALD family groups who wish to meet and maintain their cultural, language and religious values
by offering the following services: - helping families to establish their own special interest playgroups
- supporting newly developed playgroups by offering advice, providing translated information and literature about playgroup development and other available resources
- training the playgroup committees in their roles
- continuing support is provided as individual needs arise, in order to ensure a positive outcome
- seeking the support of non-English community newspaper and radio broadcasters to promote new playgroups in the wider community (that can play a significant role in assuring the success of the playgroup)
- Bilingual Playgroup Friends Team - over the past three years a number of bilingual volunteer members have been taking phone calls and providing help to newly arrived migrant families to learn about the benefits of playgroup and its special role to combat social isolation.
Education and Raising AwarenessThe Cultural Diversity Consultant’s extended role is to raise cultural awareness amongst general/mainstream playgroup members relative to CALD families’ needs and to welcome CALD families into their playgroup sessions. This is achieved by:
- providing support, advise and resource materials on cultural issues
- promoting the World Journey Multicultural Kit (the kit was developed by the CDC and can be borrowed by the playgroups/zones so members can explore the many cultures of the world during their playgroup sessions)
- Totline (the official magazine of Playgroup NSW) plays a vital part educating members and raising cultural awareness.
The Multicultural Calendar appears yearly in the magazine's first issue with suggestions for celebrating different cultural events. In addition, articles on the benefits of bilingualism or introducing existing linguistically specific or multicultural playgroups also assists with inclusion.
Playgroup NSW is committed to achieving the inclusion of CALD families in playgroups and to continue to provide services that will assist with this goal.
For further information telephone 1800 171 882 or e-mail Anna Robinson, Playgroup NSW's Cultural Diversity Consultant
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