Goodstart marks milestone year in reconciliation journey 

Goodstart Early Learning has marked a major milestone in its reconciliation journey, completing the first  year of delivery of its second expanded Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) 2024–2027, its most ambitious plan yet. 

As Australia’s largest early learning provider, Goodstart now has more published centre-based RAPs than any other provider, ensuring reconciliation is embedded in everyday practice across hundreds of  communities.  

All Goodstart centres are engaged in their reconciliation journey, with every centre committed to creating, publishing and or renewing their annual RAP (valid for 12 months) through Reconciliation  Australia’s Narragunnawali: Reconciliation in Education platform. This supports embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives in everyday learning and build stronger connections with local Elders, families and communities. 

National Cultural Liaison Melody Ingra has described this milestone in Goodstart Early Learning’s reconciliation journey as a reflection of the organisation’s deep and ongoing commitment to embedding reconciliation at every level. 

“Reconciliation isn’t just one week in the year, it’s a journey, an infinite one, it’s where we have the opportunity to raise a generation in reconciliation. A generation that grows up with a sense of belonging  and connection to the First Peoples of this Country.” 

Goodstart recently completed the first year of its expanded Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), marking a year of tangible progress. This milestone demonstrates that Goodstart is not only setting ambitious goals but actively realising them. 

“Completing the first year of our expanded Stretch RAP means we are not just setting ambitious goals but making real progress, by starting with truth-telling and committing to better governance, building cultural capability, and growing our First Nations workforce,” she said. 

Most importantly, the impact is already being felt in Goodstart centres and communities. 

“Children and families are learning and growing in their knowledge of culture and connection right now, in real, everyday ways.”  

This milestone underlines Goodstart’s belief that reconciliation must be lived and woven into the everyday experiences of children, families, and educators, shaping a more inclusive and culturally rich future for all. 

In financial year 2025, Goodstart strengthened its reconciliation impact through:

• Equity in access: participation of First Nations children grew, with no attendance gap between First Nations and non-Indigenous children in Goodstart centres
• Representation: 7.8% of enrolled children identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, exceeding national population representation (7.4%) and the ECEC sector average (4.9%)
• Workforce: 432 First Nations educators, teachers and early learning professionals are now employed across the Goodstart network, supported by dedicated roles for culturally safe recruitment, retention and progression
• Investment: $974,000 invested in reconciliation initiatives and $1.5 million spent with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses under the Grow With Us procurement strategy procurement strategy.

Goodstart also continued its nine-year partnership with the Baya Gawiy Early Childhood Learning Unit in Fitzroy Crossing, providing cultural immersion opportunities for educators, and contributed to national forums including the ECA Reconciliation Symposium and Reconciliation Australia’s RAP Conference. 

“This is reconciliation in action,” Melody said.  

“It’s about children experiencing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and perspectives in their early learning, families feeling a deep sense of belonging in our centres, and our people walking  alongside Elders and communities to drive lasting change.” 

Looking ahead, Goodstart will continue delivery of its Stretch RAP and prepare for January 2026, when all  First Nations children will have access to up to five days of subsidised early learning. 

*Goodstart Annual Child Census, FY25 (internal data); benchmark comparisons: ABS (Australian Bureau of Statistics) for national  population (7.4%) and ACECQA sector profile data for ECEC sector average (4.9%).