Theory of change
Vision
Aboriginal children in South Australia thrive
This vision honours and amplifies the voices of Aboriginal children, families, and Communities, reflecting their hopes and aspirations. True success means children are happy, confident and eager to attend preschool. Children engage in learning with wonder, joy and agency, supported by families who are present, connected and valued. Aboriginal children are strong in their Culture and surrounded by family and Community in environments grounded in Aboriginal ways of knowing, being and doing. This becomes possible when education and care systems provide Culturally responsive learning conditions and partner with families who are the decision-makers in their child’s journey. Governments support this through Priority Reform 3: transforming government organisations.
Goals
To achieve this vision, OECD commits to 2 ambitious, interconnected goals that resonate with what Communities said is most important:
- Preschool will strengthen identity and support healthy development and learning
- Families and Communities will experience a Culturally responsive and better-connected early childhood service ecosystem.
Achieving these goals is central to South Australia’s commitment to Closing the Gap. It requires moving beyond access, to ensure that what is offered is of high quality and informed by Aboriginal lived experiences. This means embedding Culturally responsive practice across early childhood settings (including both traditional preschools and preschool programs in long day care/early learning centres), strengthening partnerships with Aboriginal families and Communities and building an integrated service system that supports every child’s development, wellbeing, sense of belonging and Cultural safety.