The Kindy uplift pilot will enable selected kindergarten services to respond to the educational and developmental needs of kindergarten children.

More than 400 kindergarten program providers will take part in the Kindy uplift pilot to improve early learning outcomes from Term 2 (April) 2022.

The 3-year pilot will target kindergarten services, including community kindergartens and long day care services, to improve early learning outcomes for up to 13,500 children each year.

Kindy uplift funding will be used to respond to children’s learning and development needs through evidence-based initiatives that lift outcomes for kindy children.

The Kindy uplift pilot will fund programs, resources, supports and professional development to build educator capability, support inclusion and improve children’s learning and development.

The department will work closely with sector partners, approved kindergarten service providers and suppliers with expertise and experience in the early years to deliver the pilot.

Further information is available on the Department of Education website.

REAIE has developed The Inclusive Community program for inclusion in the Kindy Uplift pilot. The package is designed to embrace the elements of the QKLG that orientate and guide educator practices with the principles of the Reggio Emilia Educational Project.  The program references and builds understanding of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which states that: all children have the right to an education that lays a foundation for the rest of their lives, in a way that respects their family, cultural identity and languages.

The Inclusive Community program poses critical reflection questions for educators that draw from theory and invite practitioners to think more deeply about the capacity of their programs to respond equitably to the needs and rights of children and to and take action to transform pedagogy and practice.

The package comprises six online webinars focused on inclusion and social justice, these ‘expert infusion’ webinars focus on offering early childhood educators working with children aged 3 – 5 ideas and strategies that strengthen their practice capabilities to welcome and include all children with the program. 

The webinars are accompanied by a comprehensive support pack of materials, including:

• A webinar guide for each webinar that explores a series of critical reflection questions that educators can use to strengthen practice.
• An REAIE Notebook to be used as a critical reflection journal.
• A mapping document that aligns the Australian National Quality Framework with the 12 principles of the Reggio Emilia Educational Project.
• A copy of Indications: a book that identifies the identity and aims of the infant toddler centres and preschools in Reggio Emilia.
• Two copies of REAIE’s Challenge Journal will be included in the program to support ongoing reflective practice.