Yurrampi Child and Family Centre
The Yurrampi Child and Family Centre (CFC) was officially opened in March 2016, but has been operational since 2015. We receive funding from the NT Government. The CFC is part of the school and we work with the Principal and teachers as well as external program providers to improve the future outcomes of children pre-birth to 5 years of age (over 140 Warlpiri Children). Families and communities support their children, pre-birth to five years of age, to have the best possible start in life and grow to be strong, healthy, safe, confident and capable learners Pirlirrpa rarralya pirlirrpa pijirridi “Growing them strong in Spirit”. “Pirrjirdi wangkanjaku kurdu-kurdu wita-wita-ku” (A strong voice for little kids) is the aspiration for the Marlpa Jungu Jintangka.
Governance
The CFC is governed by the Marlpa Jungu Jintangka (Early Childhood Reference Group) for Yuendumu. This group of women identify themselves as kurdungurlu or “guardians” of all young Warlpiri children in Yuendumu, which is a traditional role that the female elders have in the community. Marlpa Jungu Jintangka are a highly respected group within the community, and various organisations seek advice and guidance from the group in matters relating to young children in Yuendumu.
Marlpa Jungu Jintangka are the group of people who directly influence the Yurrampi CFC, and hold us accountable for the quality of programs and services delivered in our facility. This includes ensuring that children and their families have access to strong bilingual and bicultural programs and services that actively support the learning and valuing of Warlpiri culture, including the Warlpiri Theme Cycle, and support for culturally and linguistically relevant PD for all staff and giving the children and their families a voice.
Kurdungurlu is a Warlpiri term that can be roughly translated as “guardian” or “manager” and originates from the concept of kurdungurlu and kirda ‘traditional owner’ as their roles and responsibilities in relation to jukurrpa.
Services and Programs
Marlpa Jungu Jintangka Early Childhood Reference Group
Meetings Thursday 12.00 – 2.30pm
Family as First Teachers
Monday to Friday mornings
Kurdu-kurdu-kurlangu childcare
Monday to Friday 8.00am – 3.00pm
Childhood Health Nurse
Monday to Friday 9.00am – 12.00pm
Midwife
Visits as needed by the community.
Territory Families
N/A
Family as First Teachers FaFT
Families As First Teachers (FaFT) is an educational playgroup for children under five that delivers quality early learning and parent support programs to young children and their families. The aim of FaFT is to improve the lifelong education, health and wellbeing outcomes for young Northern Territory children and their families.
FaFT acknowledges the important role families play as their child’s first teacher. It develops place-based programs to engage families and communities, and build parents’ capacity to give their children the best start in life. Community, elders and families are consulted regularly to ensure the program is culturally appropriate and safe.
The core elements of the FaFT program is quality child-centred early learning, family support, parent capacity building and community engagement. The teaching and learning strategies used are Abecedarian Approach Australia, Language priority, Ages and Stages developments Questionnaire -Talking about Raising Aboriginal Kids (ASQ-TRAK).
The FaFT Program is an early learning and family support program for remote Indigenous families with children prior to school entry (0-3 years). The program aims to develop place based programs to engage families and communities in giving their children the best start in life. It is respectful of Indigenous child rearing practices and is strength based. The program delivers services to families from the birth of the child until entry to Preschool, working with a range of agencies and organisations to meet their individual needs. FaFT acknowledges the important role families have as the first teacher of their children.
FaFT has five key messages:
Families who understand how their children learn and develop are able to support them now and in the future.
Healthy children have a better chance to grow up strong and succeed in life.
Early learning experiences impact on life outcomes.
Building on community strengths will empower families and support them to give their children the best start in life.
Parental literacy and numeracy skills help to support children’s success at school.
