As Aboriginal people are the Traditional Custodians of NSW, we refer to Aboriginal people. The department’s Aboriginal programs and services are available, without question, to Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Overview

Our programs and projects align with the First Steps Strategy (the Strategy) and contributes to achieving its goals and targets, involving:

• engaging and working with Aboriginal children, their families and communities
• offering a culturally safe learning environment where:
  • Aboriginal children can prosper
  • all children have the opportunity to learn the rich cultures, languages and histories of Aboriginal peoples.

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Early Education and Care unit consists of four teams.

• Programs
• Policy
• Cultures and Languages
• Community Engagement and Outcomes

Strategy and programs

We support Aboriginal children's learning and development through strategy and programs, including:

• First Steps – the NSW Aboriginal Children’s Early Childhood Education Strategy 2021-2025 - our Strategy to ensure the best educational outcomes for Aboriginal children aged 0-5

• Aboriginal Families as Teachers - to help Aboriginal families build a rich home learning environment

• Ninganah No More - to increase the level of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages taught in early childhood education and care services

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander early childhood education and care scholarships - to increase the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ECEC educators in NSW.
• Sector Strengthening Partner - to support and grow the number of ACCOs delivering quality ECE to Aboriginal children in NSW.

Information for services

Supporting Aboriginal children

Need guidance on implementing the National Quality Framework? Access our resources on supporting Aboriginal children.

Engaging with Aboriginal people

Your service can connect with local Aboriginal families and communities by:

• attending local meetings to get local advice on Aboriginal education

• employing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff

• inviting and paying local Aboriginal community members and Elders to run workshops, do storytelling and more

• providing an environment that is culturally appropriate.

Making services culturally appropriate

You can make your service more culturally appropriate by considering:

• raising the Aboriginal flag and Torres Strait Islander flag

• using local Aboriginal languages in welcome signs, room names and in your teaching
  

• displaying local Aboriginal artwork

• using Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander resources

• having staff attend Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural awareness training

• having an understanding of Aboriginal English and bidialectal teaching strategies
  

• celebrating Aboriginal culture, people and history and involving the Aboriginal community and families in organising events.

Significant dates

• Yabun, 26 January
• National Sorry Day, 26 May
• National Reconciliation Week, 27 May - 3 June
• Mabo Day, 3 June
• National Aboriginal and Islander Children's Day, 4 August
• NAIDOC Week, 2 - 9 July

More information

Have a question? To get in touch with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Early Childhood Education and Care team you can:

• email ECE.aboriginalengagement@det.nsw.edu.au
• call 1800 619 113.