Aussie Childcare Network Forum

Hi All,

I've just started my Cert III in Child care and am currently working on the "Work within a Relevant Legal and Ethical Framework" unit, I'm having a bit of trouble with one of the questions which is "What is your responsibility towards a child who does not speak English at home?"

Most of the answers to questions I've had so far I have been able to find in the in my student work book but this one not some much, I have found some things in there;
1. Anti-discrimination and Equal Opportunities Legislation referring to: "Children having the same rights as all human beings; to be treated without discrimination on the grounds of colour, sex, language, race, religion, nationality, birth or political status."
2. Developing Cultural sensitivity - "There are a number of steps educators can take to develop cultural sensitivity with families, co-workers and children from CALD (Culturally and Linguistically Diverse) backgrounds" - This includes a list of those steps.
3. "Recognise and respond to cultural/linguistic religious diversity, for example providing interpreters where necessary - Early Childhood services usually seek information regarding a family's cultural, linguistic or religious background upon enrollment of their child. Recognising and honoring 'the histories, cultures. languages, traditions, etc of families is a recommended practice in EYLF.... It may be necessary to provide an interpreter when a child's family are not proficient in English... "

I'm not really sure if this is the kind of answer they are looking for, I suppose as a 'legal and ethical' answer it would be about Anti-discrimination and Equal Opportunities but as I said I'm not really sure what they want

To anyone who has read this really long question... thank you for taking the time to read it and I would appreciate any help you can give me

Thank you,

Hi Lorina,

Thank you very much for your reply, after having posted my question I had another really good look through the forum to see what I could find, I came along another post that you had replied to with that article and it helped a lot when I put it together with my student workbook and some other answers people have given that I found in the forum, so thank you for sending that to me.

For anyone else who might be having trouble with this question this was my answer, feel free to use as inspiration for your answer but make sure to references you sources e.g the article above. however I'm not 100% sure that its correct but I feel like its a good answer.

-- What is your responsibility towards a child who does not speak English at home?
Some children who do not speak English may find coming in to an English speaking child care centre disconcerting, staff should try and make the child and the child’s parents feel welcome, safe and secure.
Staff should try to communicate directly with the child and their parents; however, there may be instances where a translator maybe necessary for children and their parents who speak no English at all.
All children and their families should be given equal opportunities, and be treated without discrimination regardless of ethnicity, language, race, religion, nationality or any other factors.
The centre should encourage awareness and understanding of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD ) backgrounds among all children and families.

[http://www.careforkids.com.au/childcare ... tory6.html]
[http://aussiechildcarenetwork.com.au/forum]
[“Work Within a Relevant Legal and Ethical Framework” Student Work Book]

Hi Lorina.

Thank you for reading my response, glad to know its a good answer, as I said still wasn't 100% sure on it but that makes me feel better about it.

Thank you for all your help, I have a feeling I might be needing it again soon

-Melanie