Maintaining connection with the Inclusion Agency through change

Wagga Wagga Public School Out of School Hours Care Inc have had an ongoing commitment to inclusion. Their Strategic Inclusion Plan (SIP) has been reviewed and updated regularly over several years to ensure practices remain inclusive. The service has recently faced many changes that led to new barriers emerging. They needed to relocate the service from the grounds of Wagga Wagga Public School after a fire in the school. The transition to and from school became challenging, as staff needed to support children to safely cross a road. Also, the new physical environment has no outdoor play space as well as access issues. The team needed to be adaptable and create environments that enabled access for children to participate in play including indoor gross motor activities.

Initially after the move, the team noticed that some children seemed anxious, and so they focused on strengthening relationships with children and supporting them to connect with their peers. It was also important to provide opportunities for children to engage in calming, regulating activities in the new space. Through an ongoing partnership with their Inclusion Professional and a commitment to their SIP the team are working on embedding the practices they have established for all children.

The Australian Government funded NSW/ACT Inclusion Agency is managed by KU Children’s Services, in partnership with Include Me and Gowrie NSW.