Gender Equity in the Early Years

A photo of young children and their carers on play equipment at Eltham Childcare Coop

Nillumbik Council recognises the important role that early years services play in promoting gender equity and preventing violence against women and children.  

This sample policy has been developed by the Early Years team at Council with input from a working group of local early years services and resources from the sector.

The policy can be adopted, adapted or used by early years services to inspire their own service specific policies and work in promoting gender equity. For early years services operating out of Council facilities, encouraging gender equity forms part of their Service Level Agreement with Council.

The policy covers the following strategies:

  • Use gender inclusive language in all aspects of our work with children and families and the community
  • Deliver an educational program for children that is inclusive of all genders
  • Ensure governance and management structures provide leadership in promoting gender equity and in the prevention of violence against women
  • Engage with families and communities in ways that promote gender equity and support the prevention of violence against women
  • Put in place a process of review and continuous improvement in the area of gender equity

Congratulations to the following early years services in Nillumbik who have adopted a gender equity policy. Their ongoing work in this area plays an important role in our community in the promotion of gender equity and the primary prevention of family and gender-based violence;

  • Occasional Care Child Care Centre Diamond Creek
  • Diamond Hills Kindergarten
  • Eltham Child Care Cooperative
  • Eltham Woods Child Care Cooperative
  • Meruka Child Care Cooperative
  • Research Preschool
  • Eltham Playhouse
  • Panton Hill Playhouse
  • Woodridge Preschool
  • Yarrambat Plenty Preschool
  • Yarra Warra Preschool 

Some Girls, Some Boys, All Kids 

Nelly Thomas is an award-winning Australian comedian and author. Her areas of interest include gender, social justice, wellbeing, equity and the early years. Nelly is the author of three children’s books – Some Girls, Some Boys and Some Brains: a book celebrating neurodiversity.

Please watch "Some Girls, Some Boys, All Kids: Exploring gender in the early years" to hear practical ways to speak to children about challenging gender stereotypes and more.

This event was hosted by Nillumbik Shire Council as part of the 2020 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, in partnership with City of Whittlesea, Banyule City Council, City of Darebin, Municipal Association of Victoria and Respect Victoria.

   

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