Encouraging families to come into the classroom doesn’t just stop at big school.

Last term, Wingarra Preschool (located at Doonside Public School) celebrated National Aboriginal and Islander Children’s Day with the local community.

About 20 parents and extended family members attended the event and enjoyed lunch and entertainment by didgeridoo artist and school learning support officer Gary Rule. The children made handprints in the black, yellow and red colours of the Aboriginal flag and threaded necklaces.

Teacher Libby Duignan said often family members only had time to dash into the preschool to collect their children en route to other commitments.

“If you have a day like today they have three or four hours where they can talk with [other] parents and teachers,” Mrs Duignan said.

It also meant parents could get a clearer understanding of the value of learning that took place in the preschool setting.

“It’s getting to know the parents better and for them to get to know the [preschool] teachers and the Kindergarten teachers – it just brings down barriers because I think a lot of people feel they can’t approach us,” Mrs Duignan said.

Muriel Kelly, the Aboriginal education and training directorate’s senior education officer early years, said Wingarra Preschool was one of 24 department preschools located in areas with high Aboriginal populations to celebrate the day in consultation with local Aboriginal community members.

Mrs Kelly said the celebration provided opportunities for families to be actively involved in the children’s preschool learning.

She said family and community partnerships with the preschool were vital factors in developing and implementing culturally inclusive learning environments.

“These partnerships play a critical role in increasing Aboriginal children’s participation in a prior-to-school service. Our focus was encouraging the preschools to engage with community and it was very successful,” Mrs Kelly said.

National Aboriginal and Islander Children’s Day is celebrated annually on August 4.