The Early Childhood Advisory Group (ECAG) is the key advisory group for our work, where we consult with members and seek feedback on a range of policy items from both the Early Childhood Outcomes Division and the NSW Early Learning Commission.

Membership: ECAG consists of senior level representatives from government, governing bodies, peak organisations, universities, and service providers who represent the high-level views of the sector on matters discussed by the Group.

The Early Learning Closing the Gap Working Group (ELCtGWG) is a key governance and advisory body within the NSW Department of Education, established to oversee, monitor, and guide early childhood education initiatives under the Closing the Gap (CtG) framework. The Working Group ensures strategic alignment between state-level reforms, CtG Priority Reforms, and broader NSW early learning strategies, with a strong emphasis on integrating Aboriginal perspectives and promoting culturally responsive practices.

ELCtGWG facilitates shared decision-making between Aboriginal community representatives and government, identifies barriers to early childhood education, and provides bi-monthly progress updates to the Early Education Partnership Steering Committee.

Membership:  The ELCtGWG is comprised of ten members representing a diverse cross-section of stakeholders. Membership includes representatives from NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group Inc (NSW AECG), the NSW Department of Education, Gudjagang Gulgul co-chair (community), Department of Communities and Justice, AbSec, First Peoples Disability Network, Aboriginal Education and Communities, and the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council. Community representatives are selected annually.

Gudjagang Gulgul is our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ECEC committee whose focus is on the department’s delivery of the First Steps strategy.

Membership: Gudjagang Gulgul Committee is the key group to consult with to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lens has been applied to ECEC initiatives. The Committee consists of senior level representatives from government, governing bodies, peak organisations, community representatives, ECEC service types and subject matter experts who represent the high-level views of the sector on matters discussed by the group.

The ECAG Commissioning and Funding Subgroup has been established to provide a forum for the Early Childhood Outcomes executive team to consult with key sector stakeholders on initiatives, funding and program development in relation to ECEC.

Membership: The ECAG Commissioning and Funding Subgroup includes NSW Department of Education executive staff and members from ECAG. Guests are invited at the discretion of the Chair to present on items within their remit.

The Child Safety Working Group (CSWG) is a sub-group of ECAG. It discusses child safety risks, emerging issues, reviews new resources and collaborates to solve challenges with meeting regulatory requirements related to child safety. The group’s work contributes to strengthening child safety practices across the early childhood education and care sector.

Membership: CSWG membership includes staff from NSW Department of Education, the NSW Early Learning Commission, members from ECAG, and participants nominated by ECAG. Members are staff that hold responsibility for child protection, or in a role that influences or has expertise in the child safe practice of organisations.

The data sub-group is a sub-group of ECAG. It provides a forum for sharing information in relation to topics about data raised in ECAG meetings.

Membership: ECAG Data sub-group consists of senior representatives from government, governing bodies, the NSW Early Learning Commission, peak organisations, universities, and service providers who have an interest represent the high-level views of the sector on data matters discussed by the Group.

The 100 Preschools DEL Advisory Group discuss and provide feedback on the 100 Public Preschool program and keeps DELs informed. The group provides input on challenges, opportunities and school community insights.

Membership: 100 Preschools DEL Advisory Group includes Directors of Educational Leadership from across NSW, along with NSW Department of Education staff working towards the delivery of the NSW Government commitment of 100 Public Preschools.

The department works in formal partnership with the NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group Inc. (NSW AECG) through the Partnership Agreement between the NSW Department of Education and the NSW AECG called Walking Together, Working Together 2020 -2030. This agreement recognises the NSW AECG as the peak community advisory group on Aboriginal education in NSW.

Within Early Childhood Education and Care, this partnership supports collaboration with Aboriginal communities to inform policies, programs, and initiatives that improve participation in quality early childhood education, strengthen culturally responsive practice, and support positive transitions to school.

The partnership helps ensure early childhood education and care policies and services are informed by Aboriginal community perspectives and reflect the aspirations of Aboriginal children, families, and communities. For further information please visit education.nsw.gov.au/teaching-and-learning/aec/aboriginal-education-consultative-group-partnership-agreement.

Membership: The vision of the NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group Inc. is to provide advice on all matters relevant to education and training as the key partner for all matters education across NSW, with the mandate that this advice represents the Aboriginal community viewpoint. Membership is open to both Aboriginal (full membership) and non-Aboriginal (associate members) people who have a passion for contributing to Aboriginal education across NSW.