Ganbu Gulinj Kindergarten rated Exceeding National Quality Standard

“Achieving Exceeding is about more than introducing good ideas. It’s about those practices becoming embedded in how educators work every day, how they reflect, how they respond to children and families, and how they continue to learn from their community. At Ganbu Gulinj, that work is part of the culture of the service and the way the team approaches quality every day,” said Hayley Gerber, Manager – Early Childhood Education and Care.

 

Behind the rating is something the Ganbu Gulinj team works to create every day: a kindergarten where children and families feel they belong.

 

A kindergarten shaped by its community

Located within the Ganbu Gulinj Community Centre in Wollert, on Melbourne's northern fringe, the kindergarten supports a culturally and linguistically diverse community.

 

The name Ganbu Gulinj means “One Mob” in Wurundjeri language, a meaning reflected in the inclusive environment the team has created. Families are supported to engage in their preferred language, with translated information, interpreters where required and educators who reflect the languages and cultures of the local community.

 

This responsiveness extends to each child's individual learning and development. Educators work alongside families and allied health professionals to support children with additional needs, drawing on professional learning in areas including neurodiversity and trauma-informed practice.

 

Families are part of kindergarten life

At Ganbu Gulinj, families aren't simply invited into the kindergarten. Their knowledge, experiences and ideas help shape it.

Parents and carers contribute through the Parent Advisory Group, cultural celebrations, excursions and everyday learning experiences. A lending library allows children to take books home to share with their families, while the kindergarten's Bush Kinder program and regular nature walks extend learning beyond the kindergarten environment.

 

“Being rated Exceeding means a lot to us, what it really reflects is the relationships we've built with our families, with each other, and with the community around us. When a family walks in and sees their language, their culture, their child reflected back at them, that's when we know we're doing it right,” said Anupama Joshi, Area Lead, Early Years.

 

“My daughter doesn't speak much English at home, but she comes home from Bush Kinder telling us about the leaves she found and the birds she heard in both languages. The educators make sure she's never made to feel different. This is the first place where I've felt like our family truly belongs, not just visits,” said a parent.

 

Children have an equally important voice. The assessment recognised how educators encourage children to make decisions about their learning, contribute ideas and see those ideas reflected in the program and environment.

 

Support that surrounds the child

Being part of the Ganbu Gulinj Community Centre also creates opportunities for families to access support beyond kindergarten.

 

The service is co-located with Maternal and Child Health and playgroup services, while educators have established relationships with allied health professionals, family support workers, parenting coaches and other community organisations.

 

These partnerships help create a more joined-up approach to children's learning, inclusion and wellbeing, particularly when children and families need additional support. The assessment highlighted the team's collaboration with families, professionals and community services as a significant part of Ganbu Gulinj's practice.

 

The people behind the practice

Underpinning this work is an experienced and committed educator team.

 

The assessment recognised the service's collaborative culture, consistent staffing, professional learning and reflective practice. It also highlighted the Kids First Early Years Education Program™ – Kindergarten Model, which supports educators to deliver an inclusive, culturally responsive, child-focused and play-based curriculum.

 

The Exceeding rating is an important achievement for Ganbu Gulinj, and it also reflects something bigger: what can happen when educators, families, children and community services work together around a shared commitment to children's learning, development and wellbeing