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Flying Start Professional Networks (Professional Networks) are aimed at bringing together, at the local level, professionals across the early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector. Professional Networks enable collaboration to improve preschool services and reduce child developmental vulnerability.

Professional Networks are led by a variety of government, non-government, community services and private enterprises who receive grants to coordinate regular meetings. A place-based approach deepens professional connections between local early childhood services

About Professional Networks

Professional Networks support early childhood, allied health and community services professionals to:

build and maintain collaborative partnerships
promote reflective practice; and
enable shared learning and problem solving for successful implementation of early childhood reforms, including the implementation of 3-year-old preschool.

Strong, connected networks will lift the quality of preschool programs and create a better education and care system for children and families.

Across South Australia, 29 Flying Start Professional Networks - including a state-wide Aboriginal Professionals Network - have been awarded grant funding. Enhancing existing networks, while supporting new networks to be established, is critical for success.

Who should attend?

The networks are intended for Early Childhood Teachers or educational leaders responsible for implementing 3-year-old preschool and designing programs that address child developmental vulnerabilities.

Flying Start Partner Services receive funding to support attendance at Network meetings.

Conditional or non-partner services are encouraged to attend their local Professional Network to build local professional connections and increase readiness for future delivery of 3-year-old-preschool.

How to find your local network

Partner Providers and Partner Services will be referred to their local Network by the Office for Early Childhood Development (OECD).

If you are a non-partnered early childhood service, or an allied health or community service connected to the early childhood education and care sector, and are interested in joining a Professional Network, please contact your relevant network listed below.

Alternatively contact the OECD Workforce and Quality Team via email: oecd.ecworkforcesupport@sa.gov.au

List of Local Professional Networks

Network lead/grant recipient: Tauondi Aboriginal College

About this network: A statewide Aboriginal Professionals Network led by Tauondi Aboriginal College provides a culturally strong and collaborative space for Aboriginal professionals working at all levels within the sector to build stronger connections, share practice and support each other.

Aboriginal early childhood professionals who are interested in joining the network, or services with Aboriginal staff members are encouraged to contact Tauondi via email to learn more about the network.

Network contact email: ngentle@tauondi.sa.edu.au