Australia Day 2024: Childcare centres spark outrage over Invasion Day ‘indoctrination’

Childcare centers have been accused of making toddlers ashamed of their country by teaching them that Australia was stolen from First Nations people.

More than 7,000 schools and nurseries are registered with Reconciliation Australia with formal ‘country recognition’.

Many child care centers have been urged to commemorate January 26 as Invasion or Survival Day, while others recite a daily Acknowledgment of Country.

Childcare centers and preschools are the latest to become embroiled in the divisive debate over Australia Day ahead of the national holiday next Friday.

The move has sparked outrage from NSW Libertarian Party MP John Ruddick, who accused childcare centers of “indoctrination”.

Aussie Childcare Network, a leading provider of childcare resources, has created an events calendar.

January 26 is listed as ‘Yabun, Celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures, Invasion Day, Survival Day, Australia Day’.

The network suggests providers celebrate Australia Day by flying the Aboriginal flag at half-mast, observing a moment of silence or including an acknowledgment of country in the morning.

It was also suggested to celebrate it on a completely different date.

SDN Children’s Services Bluebell, in the ACT, teaches preschoolers about ‘stolen land’.

“The preschoolers are used to recognizing Country and know that they are meeting on Ngunnawal land, the place of the Ngunnawal and Ngambri peoples,” the ACT-based center says on its website.

‘The foundation for this learning begins when the children enter the center as babies.

‘Now that they are older, preschoolers engage in inquiry-based learning – the daily ritual of recognizing land continues with explicit teaching about stolen land.’

Learning about First Nations extends to other activities such as storytelling, singing and group discussions.

“We’re thinking about how we can do something to be respectful and actually influence better outcomes,” says the center’s director.

‘We don’t just want to teach about the injustices that have and will happen, but do something that contributes to countering them. So we learn and show respect.”

Children under the age of five already learn the meaning of ‘Invasion Day’. Pictured is a young participant at a previous Invasion Day meeting

Childcare centers have been urged not to become embroiled in ‘culture wars’ around Australia Day (stock image)

The divisive debate surrounding Australia Day has prompted some centers not to celebrate the day, while others will host ‘green and gold’ theme days.

Early Childhood Australia encourages providers to build relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to create positive change in communities.

However, the top early childhood advocacy organization has “failed to provide too much direction” to providers to ensure educators are aware of the different connotations January 26 has for Indigenous families.

“It’s the date that’s controversial,” says Samantha Page, CEO of Early Childhood Australia The Australian.

NSW Libertarian Party MP John Ruddick said children were being “indoctrinated to be ashamed of their country”.

“Every country has a national day to reflect on what is good about their homeland,” he said.

“It seems like only in Australia we have an ever-escalating culture war and now we are doing everything we can to indoctrinate children into feeling ashamed of their country.”

Childcare providers have been accused of making children ashamed of their country by teaching them that Australia was stolen from First Nations people (stock image)

Prominent opponent of the Indigenous Voice to Parliament Warren Mundine agreed that child care centers should not become embroiled in “culture wars.”

“Don’t they realize that the largest group of Australians want to celebrate Australia,” he said.

It comes after Indigenous senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price criticized “companies” for shaming Australians celebrating Australia Day.

“Australians are more concerned about the cost of living, they don’t want to deal with companies telling them how to behave, how to think or feel about the country they love,” she told Sky News. Sunday.

“I mean, this is home. They are tired of being ashamed of being proud Australians.”

Warren Mundine added: “The reality is we have so much to celebrate about this country.”