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REFLECTIONS ON WHAT S WORKING WELL

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REFLECTIONS ON WHAT S WORKING WELL

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    1. REFLECTIONS ON WHAT’S WORKING WELL MEADOWBANK PRIMARY SCHOOL EARLY LEARNING CENTRE - COMMUNITY HUB What an exciting time to be working in Community development. Good afternoon, My name is Maureen Leahy. I would like to talk about our Community Hub with it’s enhanced early years programs and the impact this has made to working in our community. My name is Maureen Leahy. Thank you for inviting me to talk about my experiences as a community worker in Broadmeadows. My objective is to provide a snapshot of the development of the Meadowbank Early Learning Centre into our Community Hub and the strategies we see as important for establishing true partnerships between families, staff, volunteers and local services. What an exciting time to be working in Community development. Good afternoon, My name is Maureen Leahy. I would like to talk about our Community Hub with it’s enhanced early years programs and the impact this has made to working in our community. My name is Maureen Leahy. Thank you for inviting me to talk about my experiences as a community worker in Broadmeadows. My objective is to provide a snapshot of the development of the Meadowbank Early Learning Centre into our Community Hub and the strategies we see as important for establishing true partnerships between families, staff, volunteers and local services.

    2. CREATING GREAT HUBS WORKING ON THE GROUND Meadowbank and Campmeadows Primary Schools are a part of the Broadmeadows School’s Regeneration project. We are sited in the B.C.N.R. area. Improving school attendance has been identified as a key need across both the primary schools and early years programs. The key approaches of the Meadowbank ELC Hub is family engagement. Our focus is from the early years through to the school and community engagement. Our journey to become this model has unfolded over a number of years. Meadowbank and Campmeadows Primary Schools are a part of the Broadmeadows School’s Regeneration project. We are sited in the B.C.N.R. area. Improving school attendance has been identified as a key need across both the primary schools and early years programs. The key approaches of the Meadowbank ELC Hub is family engagement. Our focus is from the early years through to the school and community engagement. Our journey to become this model has unfolded over a number of years.

    3. Key elements of the Meadowbank Hub Model Integrated approach Empowerment Access and Engagement Inclusive strategies Flexible Service Provision Passionate Leadership

    4. An Integrated Approach There are clear links both with and from each service. We have seen first hand how inclusive strategies support parents in obtaining information and knowledge about services. The integrated approach encourages parents to make their choices for their families with a clear understanding of the available options. There are clear links both with and from each service. We have seen first hand how inclusive strategies support parents in obtaining information and knowledge about services. The integrated approach encourages parents to make their choices for their families with a clear understanding of the available options.

    5. Integrated approach The Integrated approach supports pre-planning, shared governance and decision-making. Increases the responsiveness and capacity of the programs offered Shared development adds value to individual projects. “Let’s Connect” Key partners in our Community Hub are the Communities for Children Early Years Partnerships, B.C.N.R. Broadmeadows Advisory Team and Working Parties. Hume Council, Dianella, Active Broadmeadows, Melbourne City Mission, Vicseg, Anglicare and Playgroup Victoria. Key partners in our Community Hub are the Communities for Children Early Years Partnerships, B.C.N.R. Broadmeadows Advisory Team and Working Parties. Hume Council, Dianella, Active Broadmeadows, Melbourne City Mission, Vicseg, Anglicare and Playgroup Victoria.

    6. Empowering Communities Local Volunteer network The Volunteer’s Pathway is supported by our collaborative partnerships. Local Leaders Our cultural awareness activities link families to local education, health and community resources and to each other. A family support worker sits within the playgroup program. Maternal and Child Health nurse visits on-site for individual child health checks.Our cultural awareness activities link families to local education, health and community resources and to each other. A family support worker sits within the playgroup program. Maternal and Child Health nurse visits on-site for individual child health checks.

    7. Volunteers are a valuable part of the infrastructure in the MELC Community Hub. We believe the volunteer pathway can contribute to an enhanced sense of personal achievement pride and community belonging. There are significant barriers for social participation. These are most likely to impact on families who are already facing the greatest emotional and health inequalities. Opportunities for empowering communities is a key strategy in “Setting the Hubs Humming.”There are significant barriers for social participation. These are most likely to impact on families who are already facing the greatest emotional and health inequalities. Opportunities for empowering communities is a key strategy in “Setting the Hubs Humming.”

    8. Access and Engagement Child and Family engagement For Isolated Indigenous and C.A.L.D. families A recent incident illustrates graphically the power of engagement in our school. A volunteer had begun her first knitting class in a student selected activity, when a child requested that she take home the needles. The volunteer explained that these were borrowed but there would be a pair for each student to keep the following week. The next morning this student arrived at school and proudly showed off her 2” of knitting that she had done at home. “What did you use for needles?” asked her teacher. “See, I took out the inside of the biros and used them.” INSPIRATIONAL A recent incident illustrates graphically the power of engagement in our school. A volunteer had begun her first knitting class in a student selected activity, when a child requested that she take home the needles. The volunteer explained that these were borrowed but there would be a pair for each student to keep the following week. The next morning this student arrived at school and proudly showed off her 2” of knitting that she had done at home. “What did you use for needles?” asked her teacher. “See, I took out the inside of the biros and used them.” INSPIRATIONAL

    9. Inclusive Strategies Inclusive, welcoming culture Collaborative planning Family friendly practices Open Door Policy One – Stop – Shop Culturally sensitive In their evaluation of strategies for inclusion our families stated the Welcoming culture as number one. A WELCOMING,, “one stop shop.” RESPECTING all CULTURES – “A place I can go”. A place where children and families are welcome – A sense of belonging for all.In their evaluation of strategies for inclusion our families stated the Welcoming culture as number one. A WELCOMING,, “one stop shop.” RESPECTING all CULTURES – “A place I can go”. A place where children and families are welcome – A sense of belonging for all.

    10. Flexible service provision The M.E.L.C. Community Hub provides accessible facilities and services with a focus on Early Intervention. Innovative provision of programs takes into account ON-SITE service delivery and information sharing. We are relaxed in our starting times and provide back to back flexible playgroup sessions to accommodate families needs. We have recently changed session times and personnel to add an extra session. A “Sing and Grow session” will be offered next term.Innovative provision of programs takes into account ON-SITE service delivery and information sharing. We are relaxed in our starting times and provide back to back flexible playgroup sessions to accommodate families needs. We have recently changed session times and personnel to add an extra session. A “Sing and Grow session” will be offered next term.

    11. Passionate Leadership Is solution focused. Encourages Engages Celebrates Key roles for the community development worker are to identify and follow up the interest of the groups, involve all stakeholders, mobilise resources, spread the work and CELEBRATE successes. Key roles for the community development worker are to identify and follow up the interest of the groups, involve all stakeholders, mobilise resources, spread the work and CELEBRATE successes.

    12. Essential elements for success Joint Vision Positive values system Strength-based practice Team work Critical reflection Developing trust

    13. Vision The vision that guided the “Setting the Hubs Humming” work was established in the coming together of key interested parties – families and workers looked for opportunities to do things together and to do things differently. The vision that guided the “Setting the Hubs Humming” work was established in the coming together of key interested parties – families and workers looked for opportunities to do things together and to do things differently.

    14. Positive values system Solution focussed Understanding group dynamics in the programs Working in true partnerships The new “Meadows” school came together last weekend and selected the values of Unity, Compassion, Innovations and Excellence A positive values system helps to eliminate time spent on the negative influences and raises the importance of leadership providing consistent recognition and encouragement.. A positive values system helps to eliminate time spent on the negative influences and raises the importance of leadership providing consistent recognition and encouragement..

    15. Strength based practice Encourages Families to make choices Techniques that explore initiatives from the family’s perspective Our belief is that change is more likely to be sustained and maintained within this focus. Our belief is that change is more likely to be sustained and maintained within this focus.

    16. Teamwork Friendships formed Mentoring Learning and professional development Our Early Year’s team is made up of volunteers, parents and staff. It has been very successful working on the ground with local agencies, schools and early years services to provide programs that are friendly, welcoming, local and engaging. Our Early Year’s team is made up of volunteers, parents and staff. It has been very successful working on the ground with local agencies, schools and early years services to provide programs that are friendly, welcoming, local and engaging.

    17. Critical Reflection In developing our Performance and Development culture across the school and early years teams In constantly revising our processes to meet the current needs and concerns of local families. In understanding the cultural specific processes that encourage access and involvement

    18. Developing Trust Respect is the key to developing trust. Recognising parental knowledge and aspirations. Being constant and fair with all. Setting clear standards allows us to provide a framework of common values with clear aims and objectives. This provides opportunities to be focussed on the solutions to our communities needs rather than the barriers. Setting clear standards allows us to provide a framework of common values with clear aims and objectives. This provides opportunities to be focussed on the solutions to our communities needs rather than the barriers.

    19. Challenges that we have found It takes time to establish a common vision. It can be complex to manage time lines and objectives particularly in Part-time work. Difficult for people to see their traditional role as separate to the Hub ideal. Players may be at different levels. Several organisations have multiple relationships around the Hub work – this can be complex to manage especially given competing timelines and objectives.Several organisations have multiple relationships around the Hub work – this can be complex to manage especially given competing timelines and objectives.

    20. KEYS TO SUCCESS Bringing together a collaborative partnership network acknowledges that part of the process will be recognising partner expertise and building knowledge, establishing resources and clear budgets. Bringing together a collaborative partnership network acknowledges that part of the process will be recognising partner expertise and building knowledge, establishing resources and clear budgets.

    21. Benefits for the school Improved attendance. Readiness for school. Key workers bring expertise. Integrated services develop group dynamics. Collaborative service planning. Shared resources.

    22. Attendance Collaborative community service planning, respectful engagement and positive dynamics have an impact on the children’s attendance. The opportunities for connections inside and outside the school are of immense importance for ensuring regular attendance. Melbourne City Mission’s Breakfast Program has had many unexpected social benefits. Starting the day feeling connected and being on time for class means children are nourished physically and emotionally, ready and prepared for school. We sometimes see parents come in and stay. “I can get him here on time and sit with him. I’m not yelling at him before school.” Melbourne City Mission’s Breakfast Program has had many unexpected social benefits. Starting the day feeling connected and being on time for class means children are nourished physically and emotionally, ready and prepared for school. We sometimes see parents come in and stay. “I can get him here on time and sit with him. I’m not yelling at him before school.”

    23. Readiness for school. The transition program and portfolios benefit the preschool families and the school. Create real opportunities for interpersonal development. Children are emotionally prepared – ready to sit for a reasonable period of time, to listen and socialise. Parents and staff are provided opportunities to discuss needs and concerns. Parents are able to make choices with a clear understanding of available options. The school is prepared to meet the needs of Individual children on arrival in prep.

    24. Staff sharing Key workers, Bi lingual staff and volunteers work across the Early years programs, School and Community. This creates a stepping stone to broaden the social networks for families. Encourages the retention of home language through multicultural literacy experiences. Fosters social and emotional development using multicultural experiences to promote parent and child bonds. Address the barriers in the preparation of their children for the concepts and language of school. “I started reading to my child using the Arabic books. He now asks me to read every night to him and the others come to hear. Before he wouldn’t sit still with me.”“I started reading to my child using the Arabic books. He now asks me to read every night to him and the others come to hear. Before he wouldn’t sit still with me.”

    25. Integrated services Support parents to be more actively involved and fully support their child’s life long learning opportunities. Develop group dynamics. Provide a range of high quality learning programs specifically targeted to improve child cognitive and social development and competence.

    26. Collaborative service planning We continually revise our processes to establish strategies that provide a broad range of support services to promote the growth and lifelong learning opportunities for individuals. Planning together we support enhanced early years projects. At the National Playgroup Day at the Broadmeadows Shopping Centre volunteers, workers and parents collaborated together. We saw approx 300 people attend over 3 hours - 150 in the first hour.Planning together we support enhanced early years projects. At the National Playgroup Day at the Broadmeadows Shopping Centre volunteers, workers and parents collaborated together. We saw approx 300 people attend over 3 hours - 150 in the first hour.

    27. Shared resources. The Meadowbank team continually reflect on the needs in our community with our key stakeholders. Shared resources and joint funding applications provide a larger budget than going it alone.

    28. “CREATING GREAT HUBS” . The unique needs of each child, their family and community are integral parts of our service delivery. To clarify our program aims and engage participants, information exchanges in the MELC Hub are both formal and informal. ‘Look he is doing it himself, I didn’t think he could. I will try this at home.” To clarify our program aims and engage participants, information exchanges in the MELC Hub are both formal and informal. ‘Look he is doing it himself, I didn’t think he could. I will try this at home.”

    29. Providing flexible opportunities enables parental involvement that supports their children’s physical, social and language development. The location helps and is important – but it is not the only thing – it is the integrated approach coupled with a family friendly, accessible location that supports REAL interactions that creates a viable hub.The location helps and is important – but it is not the only thing – it is the integrated approach coupled with a family friendly, accessible location that supports REAL interactions that creates a viable hub.

    30. Valuing family perspectives and incorporating parent ideas builds on the critical role of building parent confidence. The Hub is not so much a place as it is a way of working. The ultimate goal of the MELC Community Hub is to develop a model where the universal needs of the child and family are considered within all our community facilities to produce the best outcomes for all. The Hub is not so much a place as it is a way of working. The ultimate goal of the MELC Community Hub is to develop a model where the universal needs of the child and family are considered within all our community facilities to produce the best outcomes for all.

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