This is a transcript for StartingBlocks.gov.au’s ‘How does quality early learning reflect the values of families?’ video available here.

In this video, parents talk about the importance of positive and meaningful relationships at the centre of every quality early learning service. Educators also reflect on how they stay connected with the values of families, and how they work in partnership to get to know the child, their family and the wider community.

00:00 – 00:02

Audio: [Soothing music] [Children talking]

Visual description: A group of children are sitting on a bench enjoying a meal together in their early learning service.

00:03 – 00:05

Audio: [Soothing music]

Visual description: Message appears on a red background: ‘Children and families are the centre of every early learning service’.

00:06 – 00:15

Audio: [Mother 1] The rapport with the educators is really important. If the educators don't understand where you've come from or what your expectations are, every situation's really hard.

Visual description: [Series of shots] A mother wearing a hijab and carrying her son’s bag is standing next to her son while talking to a seated female educator in the indoor area of an early learning service. In the same room, another female educator wearing a long-sleeved, beige top is sitting with a little boy at a table. A mother with short blonde hair is speaking about building rapport with educators. A group of children and their educators are shown sitting in the reading area of a library as they listen to a book reading by a librarian.

00:16 – 00:24

Audio: [Educator 1] We stay connected deeply to the values of the parents and make sure that families are involved in decisions that impact their children.

Visual description: [Series of shots] A mother is walking through the entrance gate of an early learning service. She’s holding her toddler with her right hand while her son walks on her left. Her partner is holding hands of another child as they walk towards the open gate. The educator from the voiceover is speaking about values as she stands in her service’s outdoor area.

00:25 – 00:30

Audio: [Mother 2]Tap, tap, tap. Can you help Mummy? Tap, tap, tap, tap, tap. [Shovel tapping] Just gently.

Visual description: Two young boys and their mother are shown in an early learning service’s sandpit. The mother is tapping on a blue bucket and asking her son to tap on it with a shovel. A little blonde girl is playing in the sandpit alongside the boys.

00:31 – 00:52

Audio: [Father] We do pickup. It's often that the group of parents will then go, and go to a park and play for another hour or so. And so we're actually getting much more than just the x amount of time with that group, and building those relationships both for the kids and importantly for the parents as well. [Mother 2] They belong to something, and it's that sense of familiarity is very, very strong.

Visual description: [Series of shots] A mother wearing a white shirt and a father in a green jacket are speaking about relationships in their service’s outdoor play area, where children are playing in the background. The mother is agreeing with this father’s comments. Another mother and her son are sitting in an old boat in a different service’s outdoor area. A group of children are seen playing in the first service’s outdoor play area while supervised by two female educators. A mother and her son, both in red jumpers, are shown playing in a service. A different mother and daughter are sitting together at a table while the child draws.

00:53 – 00:55

Audio: [Music]

Visual description: Message appears on a red background: ‘Starting Blocks can help you find the best early learning service’.

00:56 – 01:25

Audio: [Mother 1] I was a ceramic artist, and I just offered to bring some clay into kindie. The kids were really enjoying the experience with clay. Awesome that it's been recognised as a really beautiful thing for the kids to have exposure to. [Music] [Mother] It's really an amazing place. I feel like this is my family. I love them. It's ... yeah home. [Laughs] [Music]

Visual description: [Series of shots] The mother with short blonde hair from the beginning of the video is speaking about using clay with the children as she stands in her service’s outdoor play area. Her daughter is standing next to her while they hold hands. The mother is then shown sitting with her daughter and three other children on a wooden platform making something using clay. A close-up of two of the little girls shows them carving into small balls of clay with wooden sticks. The mother with short blonde hair is shown again in the outdoor area, this time as she’s holding her daughter. The little girl rests her head on her shoulder as she continues to speak. Message appears on a red background: ‘That’s quality early learning!’ A close-up of the blonde mother’s face then a distant shot as she shares the way the service feels like home.

 01:26 – 01:29

Audio: [Music]

Visual description: Message appears on a red background: ‘For more info visit StartingBlocks.gov.au’. The StartingBlocks.gov.au logo appears on screen.