Happy Days Macarthur Square

At Happy Days Macarthur Square, YMCA Early Learning Centre, our vision for reconciliation is to foster inclusivity and cultural respect to ensure equality and equity within our learning environments and pedagogy and practices. We will respectfully embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' perspectives and broadening and sharing our knowledge within the YMCA community, with the aim of sharing our journey of reconciliation with everyone within our learning community.  Our aspiration is to deepen the children’s and educators’ understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Peoples and Traditional Custodians of Lands across Australia, and to support children, educators and families to actively recognise the importance of First Peoples’ spiritual connections to the Land, waterways, and community.  We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples histories, lived experiences and ways of being and seek to empower the children and their families to be advocates for unity, equity and equality.  We recognise the opportunities for learning throughout the curriculum and environment at Happy Days Macarthur Square Early Learning Centre and make a commitment to promote inter-cultural understandings and respect. This RAP will demonstrate our ongoing endeavour to deepen educators knowledge of First Nations peoples and cultures and pedagogical practices to implement inclusive teaching strategies.  We are committed to ongoing engagement with local Aboriginal  and Torres Strait Islander communities to ensure there is mutual respect for, and understandings of the importance of, the Dharawal Peoples’culture and ways of being. We recognise the role that YMCA plays in promoting reconciliation and we aspire to create an environment that is culturally safe and that fosters a sense of belonging for all.