About

Yurauna Early childhood Centre provides high quality, culturally safe education for Aboriginal and/ or Torres Strait Islander children from 6 weeks- 5 years of age, working in partnership with the CIT Yurauna community at all times. Yurauna Early Childhood centre is open to Aboriginal and/ or Torres Strait Islander Children who have family members studying through the CIT Yurauna Programs.

Educators intentionally embed Indigenous perspectives into all aspects of the program to ensure the service is culturally welcoming and safe. Educators at Yurauna understand the complexities that come with identifying as being Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Strong, respectful relationships with children play a crucial role in supporting children with their self- regulation and with their ability to develop respectful relationships with their peers. Educators are trained in trauma-informed practices and use this knowledge every day with children and families.

Educators are supported to engage with the Early Years Learning Framework through a lens of cultural safety. This is done through regular discussions with the CIT Yurauna Team, in particular with Caroline Hughes, Ngunnawal Elder and Director of CIT Yurauna, through regular reflections and discussions both individually and as a team.

Yurauna joins all of Northside’s Centres in viewing learning environments as critical to children’s learning and development, and focuses on modern and progressive approaches to classrooms that foster exploration, engagement and opportunities for relaxation.

All learning environments are set up intentionally. Each area incorporates Indigenous perspectives including Indigenous literature, art and culture. When purchasing Indigenous resources educators ensure that they are sourcing ethical and authentic products.

The children at Yurauna are supported to access other areas of CIT, including the library, the community space at CIT Yurauna, courtyard, Year 10 classroom and basketball area.

We have focused on building strong, safe, trusting relationships with children to ensure their dignity and rights are maintained. This cannot happen without a reciprocal relationship of trust between the educators and families. Critical routines and rituals create the perfect opportunity to build respectful relationships with children, educators utilise these to spend one on one time with children.

Interactions and engagement with children are fundamental to all practice at Yurauna. Children’s lived experiences are complex and dynamic, and educators approach children holistically – meeting them where they are and supporting positive, strengths-based interactions. Relationships are embedded in all aspects of Yurauna, from the sense of community that comes from co-location with children and their families, to the day-to-day nature of specific interactions with children.

Information

• Open from 8.30 am – 4.00 pm, Tue to Thu during CIT term times.
• The Yurauna Early childhood Classroom is situated on campus alongside the CIT Yurauna centre.
• Yurauna Early Childhood Centre is licensed for 16 children and is family grouped.
• All meals provided.
• Nappies provided.

For any enquiries contact the Centre Director Sarah Power

Email: sarah.power@northside.asn.au

Call: (02) 6171 8091