This program is funded by the NSW Department of Education and Communities through the Families NSW initative.

SDN’s Pathways to School program aims to help early childhood centres become more accessible to children from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds, to give these children more opportunities to participate in educational experiences during their preschool years.

Professional and community development

The Pathways to Schools program is working towards increasing access by:

• building partnerships between early childhood providers
• providing cultural competency training.

Gathering information and building community networks

At the same time, program officers are gathering information that can be used to develop a common vision and an action plan. The initial impetus for this project was evidence collected in South East Sydney. Stories from Inner, Eastern and South East Sydney areas about what has worked to support CALD communities, what has been learned and what needs have been identified are now being collected and shared.

As well as gathering stories this process is building a wealth of connections within and across CALD communities. These community networks will also inform the common vision and action plan, helping to ensure that future programs will support the needs of CALD families in appropriate, innovative and meaningful ways.

Future initiatives could include:

• access to and participation in seminars and training forums, to discuss successes and challenges and develop further opportunities to implement new ideas
• active participation in a Pathways to School Expo.

Contact

Director: Julie Druce

Contact person: Lindsey Gaut

Phone: 02 9698 3144