Actions to drive change

SA Aboriginal Preschool  Communication Strategy

• Phase 0 new initiative – Immediate opportunities  (already underway)
• Co-design theme/s: Communication and information gaps; Aboriginal accessibility and engagement | Priority Reform alignment: 1

A state-wide, Culturally nuanced and co-designed communications strategy will increase awareness, trust and uptake of preschool by Aboriginal children.

This initiative will co-design messaging, resources and engagement approaches that reflect Culture, identity and Community voice.

It will include tailored regional campaigns, digital and print materials, Community-based activation, adaptation of the Words Grow Minds campaign for Aboriginal families and Communities, as well as development of a Culturally accessible preschool information hub and resource directory. Using a strengths-based approach, communications will promote 2 years of preschool and recognise Aboriginal families as leaders in their child’s learning journey.

This initiative aims to:

• support and complement the Words Grow Minds adaptation for Aboriginal families and Communities
• strengthen families’ understanding of child development and the value of 2 years of preschool
• support informed family choice and increased enrolment and participation of Aboriginal children in preschool
• increase trust in government and education systems; and
• increase visibility of Aboriginal Culture and voice in early childhood education promotion.

OECD Aboriginal branding

• Phase 0 new initiative – Immediate opportunities (already underway)
• Co-design theme/s: Aboriginal Cultural safety and inclusion | Priority Reform alignment: 3

Building on the existing Flying Start brand, new cohesive, Culturally grounded branding helps strengthen visibility, identity and trust with Aboriginal Communities across SA. The design and artwork will be used in communication to support connection and ownership among Aboriginal families and Communities in early childhood initiatives.

Developed by Aboriginal artists in partnership with ACGG and the OECD, the branding has created a unified visual identity and communication assets that reflect Aboriginal ways of knowing, being and doing.

Use of this branding beyond the Strategy will ensure reforms are recognisable and help achieve coherence between universal preschool reforms and Aboriginal priorities -  signalling respect, Cultural responsiveness and accountability from the outset.

This initiative aims to:

• strengthen Community ownership and engagement with reforms, supporting better outcomes with Aboriginal families and children; and
• increase trust, visibility, awareness and recognition of Aboriginal Communities.

Aboriginal Playgroup Strategy

• Phase 3 new initiative – Embed Practice
• Co-design theme/s: Early development opportunities | Priority Reform alignment: 2

Playgroups are an early learning engagement platform that support development, strengthen Cultural identity and create smooth transitions into preschool.

A new SA Aboriginal Playgroup Strategy will strengthen and expand programs that are already working. It will establish and sustain Aboriginal-led playgroups connected to local preschool programs and other Community supports as appropriate, while maintaining the playgroup as a Culturally responsive, family-centred early years platform.

Aboriginal playgroups will provide Culturally responsive and strengths-based early learning environments for children from birth to 5 years old and their families. Aboriginal playgroup programs will be locally designed and delivered in partnership with Aboriginal Communities and organisations wherever possible.

This initiative aims to:

• build families’ understanding of child development and support families as their children’s First Teachers
• connect early learning services and pathways; and
• reduce barriers to engagement through increasing belonging, trust, and embedding Cultural responsiveness from the earliest years.

Words Grow Minds First Nations campaign

• Existing initiative
• Co-design theme/s: Communication and information gaps; Aboriginal accessibility and engagement

With 90% of brain development occurring before the age of 5, everyday interactions lay the foundations for lifelong learning. Words Grow Minds is a Community-based campaign that gives parents and caregivers clear, consistent messages about supporting development in the first 3 years of life.

Funded by the OECD and delivered by Raising Literacy Australia, Words Grow Minds champions the idea that everyday interactions build strong brains and set children up for lifelong learning.

Backed by the latest research, the campaign has lifted awareness, built professional capability and provided families with practical tools and advice to help babies and children thrive. Words Grow Minds is now being adapted into a First Nations campaign that is supported by the OECD and will be drawn on for developing the SA Aboriginal Preschool Communications Strategy.

Preschool Hours Uplift (Department for Education)

• Existing initiative
• Co-design theme/s: Wider benefits to families; Family and social factors; Aboriginal accessibility and engagement

In 2024, as part of the Royal Commission response and recognising the importance of 3-year-old preschool for many Aboriginal families, the government increased its existing offer of preschool for 3-year-old Aboriginal children from 12 to 15 hours a week in department preschools to align with its universal offering.

Like all South Australian children, Aboriginal children are eligible to access 600 hours (15 hours per week) of government preschool in the year before full-time schooling.