South Australia's Aboriginal Early Childhood Strategy offers roadmap for culturally responsive reform

South Australia's Aboriginal Early Childhood Strategy is providing early childhood education and care providers with a clearer picture of how Aboriginal leadership, Cultural authority and Community partnerships will help shape the state's future early childhood reforms, including the rollout of universal three-year-old preschool.

Developed by the South Australian Office for Early Childhood Development in partnership with Aboriginal leaders and Communities, the strategy establishes a long-term framework to improve outcomes for Aboriginal children from birth to five years of age.

The strategy forms part of the state's response to the Royal Commission into Early Childhood Education and Care and reflects a commitment to ensuring Aboriginal children, families and Communities are central to the design, delivery and evaluation of early childhood services.

A defining feature of the strategy is the Aboriginal Co-design Governance Group, which provides Aboriginal leadership and Cultural guidance throughout implementation.

The governance model brings together Aboriginal Community representatives, Elders, government agencies and early childhood stakeholders to ensure Aboriginal perspectives inform decision-making across the state's early childhood system.

Rather than consulting Communities after policies have been developed, the strategy positions Aboriginal leadership as an integral part of planning, service design and evaluation.

The strategy recognises that Aboriginal children thrive when they are connected to their Culture, identity, language and Community.

It also acknowledges families as children's first teachers and highlights the importance of culturally safe early childhood services that respect Aboriginal ways of knowing, being and doing.

This approach aims to strengthen partnerships between providers, Aboriginal families and Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations while supporting children to develop strong cultural identities alongside positive learning outcomes.

The strategy aligns with South Australia's broader early childhood reforms, including the staged rollout of universal three-year-old preschool.

It also complements the state's Aboriginal Early Childhood Workforce Strategy and supports national commitments under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.

Together, these initiatives are intended to improve access to high-quality, culturally responsive early childhood education and care while increasing opportunities for Aboriginal children to participate in early learning.

While the strategy is primarily directed at government reform, it provides valuable insight into the priorities likely to shape future policy and service delivery across the sector.

For providers, the strategy highlights the importance of:

• strengthening relationships with local Aboriginal Communities
• embedding Aboriginal perspectives throughout educational programs and learning environments
• supporting culturally responsive family engagement
• building partnerships with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations
• considering opportunities to strengthen Aboriginal workforce participation and leadership.

Many of these priorities align with existing expectations under the National Quality Framework, particularly around respectful relationships with families and Communities, inclusion and continuous quality improvement.

Although the strategy is a long-term framework rather than an implementation plan, it provides a clear direction for South Australia's early childhood reforms.

As work continues across the state's early childhood system, providers are likely to see further guidance, resources and opportunities to support culturally responsive practice.

For services, the strategy represents more than a policy document. It offers an opportunity to strengthen relationships with Aboriginal children, families and Communities while contributing to a more inclusive and culturally responsive early childhood education and care sector.

Read the Executive Summary here.