Partners' message

The South Australian Aboriginal Early Childhood Strategy is a result of the Office for Early Childhood Development and the South Australian Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation Network entering into a formal partnership in line with Priority Reform 1 under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap. Throughout the Strategy’s development, we have embedded the South Australian Public Sector definition, principles and conditions for authentic engagement and co-design with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Our shared purpose was to respond to the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Early Childhood Education and Care to co-design investments to ensure that Aboriginal children retain and increase the benefits from 3-year-old preschool as universal 3-year-old preschool is introduced in South Australia.

Co-design sits at the heart of this Strategy and guides the state’s approach to early childhood reform. We acknowledge the leadership of Aboriginal Communities, Elders, families, educators, and Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations  (ACCOs) who have guided this work, overseen by the Aboriginal Co-design Governance Group, as well as the work to support strong Aboriginal workforce representation in the early years within the South Australian Aboriginal Early Childhood Workforce Strategy.

We are also grateful to MTL Consulting Services in partnership with Kimberley Wanganeen Consultancy for gathering critical insights from Communities across the state.

Their voices, wisdom and lived experience are embedded in the shape and nature of this Strategy, and its approach to empowering Aboriginal children.

Kim Little, Chief Executive, Office for Early Childhood Development

Scott Wilson, Lead Convenor, South Australian Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation Network