If you’ve been to the ECC lately, you might have noticed our new feature in the hallway… Introducing The Care X Change!

Throughout the year, the Catherine Room has engaged in a Literacy Project. The Literacy Project came to fruition after educators reflected on our Australian Early Development Census data which highlighted there has been a lack of progression in children’s language and communication skills over the last 5 years. Along with this, educators observed children’s interest in felt stories during group meetings.

The children’s interest and data compelled us to reach out to families. The Catherine Team created various Literacy Packs for children to take home; an initiative to promote literacy development, connection and community.

The initiative took off and has received such an overwhelming positive response. This made us critically reflect on the notion of participation and inclusion as we asked ourselves how we could extend this offer to all children within the ECC.

We brought the idea forward to children in the 3-5 Neighbourhood. During conversations they likened the idea to the library and explained how libraries allow you to borrow more than just books. Therefore, rather than limiting the sharing opportunities to literacy, we envisioned great outcomes if we extended the sharing to other materials.

And so, The Care X Change came to life.

The Care X Change is an invitation for each person to act with care and compassion as they generously offer pre-loved items to others. It is a place for recycling and promoting sustainability; signifying the care we have for our common home. It is a space to physically change and swap items, whilst simultaneously generating ecological change as stewards of the earth.

Families at our ECC are invited to donate to the Care X Change or to swap, exchange or take items when needed. We kindly ask that all donated items are in good, clean condition. 

At the end of each month, if we have an overflow of donations (particularly clothing), we intend to pass these on to Vinnies.