Making the KU Difference
For families
Faiza Bechaye
Coordinator, KU Auburn AMEP Children’s Centre
Faiza has worked in KU’s Adult Migrant English
Program (AMEP) for 22 years. KU AMEP centres
provide culturally appropriate early childhood
education and care programs for the children of
newly arrived migrants or refugees who are attending
English language classes through the Adult Migrant
English Program (AMEP) run by Navitas.
As the Coordinator of KU Auburn AMEP Children’s
Centre, Faiza welcomes new families and children,
quickly fostering a sense of belonging for those in
community detention, who are refugees or new
migrants. Through her networking, Faiza also
supports access to other community resources, such
as dental health, counselling services and children’s
health services.
She actively promotes social justice and assists
families to retain a strong sense of their own cultural
identity by facilitating frequent opportunities
through the AMEP program for families to meet and
share culture and experiences. Faiza ensures the
centre provides children and families with a multi-
lingual environment, rich in both spoken language
and diverse texts. This approach, and the support
and encouragement for children to use their first
language, strengthens relationships with families.
Faiza has also undertaken to continually strengthen
her own professional development and teaching
practice, and is currently completing her Bachelor of
Early Childhood Education.
What KU families say
In 2012, 95.5% of families indicated that
they would use or recommend a KU service.
The following areas were rated the highest:
• Educational content
• Centre staff helpfulness and professionalism
• Communication about their child’s day
and development
• Food provided at KU long day care services
During the year, there was a targeted effort
to upgrade environments and playgrounds
through the Capital Works program, and this
area also rated higher in this year’s survey
than in previous years.
“I feel so lucky to have my daughter here
and be exposed to a wonderful learning
environment coupled with teachers who
are bright, passionate and caring. A
wonderful place to nurture my daughter
during these crucial years of development.”
Extract from 2012 KU Parent Exit Questionnaire
117th Annual Report 2012
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