In our early childhood services, every child deserves to feel seen, heard and valued — not just for one week, but every day. Social Inclusion Week invites us to pause and reflect: How inclusive are we really? It encourages us to strengthen our communities, bridge differences and honour the richness of every child’s story.
This year’s theme — “Connect, Collaborate & Celebrate!” — is a powerful call to action for educators, families and children alike. It’s not just about recognising inclusion; it’s about actively building it, working together, and celebrating what makes each person unique.
In parallel, the National Best Practice Framework for Early Childhood Intervention (NBPF-ECI) provides a robust, evidence-informed guide that services can draw on to enhance inclusive practice, particularly for children with developmental concerns, delays or disability — helping ensure every child truly belongs.
By embedding both the ethos of Social Inclusion Week and the framework’s guidance, educators can ensure children’s voices, rights and participation are central — and thereby support Exceeding-level practice across the entire service.
