At Child’s Play Early Learning Centres, we see it every day …
… families arriving with young children, navigating a new country, a new system, and often, a brand new language. For many migrant families, childcare becomes more than a place for education; it’s their first real connection to the wider community.
Choosing a childcare centre is never a small decision. For families far from home, it can feel like handing over their child without the safety net of grandparents, aunties, or a familiar neighbourhood.
If you’re a migrant parent looking for a place where your child will be seen, heard, and supported, keep reading. What follows isn’t just about what we do to make early childhood education culturally inclusive. It’s about why we do it.
How Sam and Ian’s Migrant Journey Shaped Child’s Play
As migrants themselves, Child’s Play founders Sam and Ian know what it’s like to move overseas and leave behind a support network. When they moved to Australia in 2008 with their young daughter, Millie, they quickly realised how much they relied on childcare to navigate life in a new home. Childcare became an extension of Sam and Ian’s family, helping Millie feel secure and supported while Sam returned to work.
It was this experience that inspired Sam and Ian to open Child’s Play – a centre built on understanding the unique challenges migrant families face and offering not just care and education, but a true sense of community and belonging.
Language that feels like home
Recently, our Wyndham Vale centre welcomed a child who spoke Chinese, but none of our educators were fluent in the language. Knowing the importance of making each child feel comfortable and understood, our Child’s Play educators took action.
They looked up basic phrases and made flashcards in Chinese for areas like the drink trolley and the toilet. The flashcards were displayed around the room, transforming the environment into one that felt more familiar and accessible to the child. It was a small gesture, but it made a big difference in helping the child feel more at ease.
Starting childcare can be overwhelming for any child, but especially so when the language around them is unfamiliar. One of the first things our educators do is learn a few key words in each child’s home language – like ‘water’, ‘mum’, and ‘hello’ – so they can use the same words to help the child feel more at home.
Hearing a familiar word can be like spotting a friendly face in a crowd. When a child seems unsettled, we do our best to match them with educators who speak the same language or share a similar background, helping to ease the transition.
Cultural connections between children and educators
Cultural familiarity in our childcare rooms is comforting for children who don’t always see their culture reflected in the world around them. The staff wall at our Wyndham Vale centre displays flags showing where each educator is from. During tours, families often feel reassured to see their home flag represented on the wall.
This cultural connection is so important. ‘One child was really unsettled,’ says Indy, Director of Child’s Play Tarneit, ‘until she saw a familiar face. Her mum wore a hijab, and when an educator with a hijab came in, she calmed down immediately. It made her feel safe.’
Celebrating culture every day
‘We celebrate all cultural traditions and have a multicultural menu,’ says Indy, Centre Director of Child’s Play Tarneit. ‘Families often give feedback that they feel seen and respected.’
Children notice when the food they eat at home shows up at lunch, or when their favourite music from their culture plays during group activities. It helps children feel proud of who they are, and also learn to appreciate the cultures of their friends.
We also celebrate cultural holidays throughout the year, including:
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- NAIDOC week – celebrates the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
- Diwali – a five-day Hindu festival of lights
- Holi – the Festival of Colours observed by Hindu communities
- Ramadan – the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, observed with fasting from dawn to sunset
- Eid – a Muslim festival marking the end of Ramadan, celebrated with prayers, feasts, and charity.
Whether it’s creating rangoli art, learning about fasting, or reading stories tied to different traditions, these moments create space for curiosity and connection across cultures.
We Are The World – culture in our curriculum
One of Child’s Play’s seven curriculum areas is We Are The World (WATW), which fosters an appreciation for different cultures from a young age. We respect and reflect the cultural values, languages, and traditions of the families we serve, helping children feel proud of their heritage and connected to the world around them.
Our educators promote cultural competence by integrating diverse perspectives into daily learning experiences, whether through celebrations, storytelling, or exploring music and art from various cultures. We also honour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander traditions, ensuring children develop an understanding of Australia’s culture and history, and an appreciation for cultures around the world.
By celebrating diversity, We Are The World helps children grow into compassionate global citizens who value respect, fairness, and empathy for all cultures.
Building community and belonging
When families move countries, they often leave behind more than a home – they leave behind a whole support network. One of the unexpected benefits of childcare is how it naturally fosters new connections.
Many migrant parents find that, while they no longer have extended family nearby, our childcare centre steps in to offer a sense of community. Priyanka, Director of Child’s Play Tarneit West, says, ‘As a migrant myself, I connect with families by acknowledging that back home, we had extended family. Here, many parents don’t have that support — but we become that support.’
At Child’s Play, we’re proud to offer that connection, helping families build new support networks while providing their children with a sense of belonging.
Support for migrant families in childcare
Childcare, when done well, can be the bridge between cultures. It can support not just a child’s learning but a family’s sense of place.
At Child’s Play, we take that role seriously. We can’t replace extended family, but we can offer something close: a warm, welcoming community that grows with your child.
If you’re ready to find a centre that feels like home, even when you’re far from it, book a tour with your nearest Child’s Play location. We’d love to welcome you.
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