Embedding culture every day: How two NSW services are living connection with Country and community

In early childhood education and care (ECEC) settings across New South Wales, connection to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture is being embraced not just during NAIDOC Week, but throughout the year as part of daily practice.

As featured in a recent NSW Department of Education profile, services such as Nikinpa Aboriginal Child and Family Centre and Nanima Preschool exemplify what it means to embed cultural connection into daily practice not just during NAIDOC Week, but year-round.

Nikinpa is located on Awabakal Country, centre manager Emma Beckett describes culture and community as “a way of life,” with families, Elders and local groups actively involved in service life. Similarly, Nanima Preschool on Wiradjuri Country operates as an extension of community, with all staff identifying as Aboriginal and daily routines grounded in language, storytelling and intergenerational learning.

At Nikinpa Aboriginal Child and Family Centre in Toronto, on Awabakal Country, culture and community connection underpin every aspect of the service’s approach. Centre manager Emma Beckett describes it simply as “a way of life.”

“We’re more than an early learning centre. We have community groups like a women’s art collective and an Elders group based here, and families regularly gather in our shared courtyard,” she said. “These everyday interactions help strengthen trust and create a genuine sense of belonging.”

Barbecues with families and visits from local Elders are part of regular programming. Cultural celebrations, such as personalised graduation portraits that reflect each child’s identity, are key milestones. When one child’s photo prompted interest from local Elders, the centre organised a portrait session for them too, a gesture that resonated deeply with community members.

Nikinpa also participates in the Department of Education’s Ninganah No More program, which supports Aboriginal language learning. Children take new words and songs home, encouraging reciprocal learning and strengthening connections between the service and families.

“Parents see their children learning language and realise they are capable of something they didn’t have the chance to learn themselves. It changes the way they advocate for their child’s learning,” Ms Beckett said.

At Nanima Preschool, on Wiradjuri land, cultural identity is similarly woven through the fabric of the service. Director Deanne Towney says connecting children with Elders and community is essential to maintaining cultural knowledge and intergenerational wellbeing.

“From the moment children walk in, we welcome them as nieces and nephews. Our staff are all Aboriginal, and many are descendants of Nanima Reserve. Culture is not an add-on—it’s who we are,” she said.

Nanima collaborates with every Aboriginal organisation in Wellington and is an active member of the local Aboriginal Action Panel. Intergenerational knowledge-sharing is central to its philosophy, with daily practice incorporating song, dance, language and storytelling.

Both leaders emphasise the importance of genuine engagement when building cultural connection in ECEC settings.

“Make time to meet with Aboriginal families and local organisations. It takes time to build trust, but the impact on children and the broader community is worth it,” Ms Towney said.

As NAIDOC Week 2025 highlights the theme “The Next Generation: Strength, Vision and Legacy,” services like Nikinpa and Nanima demonstrate how culture, community and connection can be authentically embedded every day—not just celebrated once a year.

To learn more about these services and see the work in action, visit the NSW Department of Education’s NAIDOC Week video, featuring Nikinpa and Nanima centres.

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