Early Childhood Development

Our role

Every child deserves a solid foundation in life. 

Our work in the Early Childhood Development sector is crucial in developing effective early years programs, early childhood education and care services and other critical supports, and ensuring that they are made available and put into practice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children across Australia. We apply research, policy reform and sector development to raise the standard, accessibility and sustainability of culturally safe early childhood education and care services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families. 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led early childhood education and care services are particularly important as they build and reinforce positive self-identity while supporting the wellbeing of children and families experiencing vulnerability in the community. These services prioritise access for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children not accessing—or unlikely to access—mainstream services and, through their unique features, overcome many of the identified service access barriers our families experience. The services are holistic and responsive to child and family needs, including integrated language development, speech and hearing supports, as well as broader health, family support, capacity building and early intervention.

Our dedication to Early Childhood Development plays an important role in ensuring that all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children receive the best possible start for lifelong learning and success.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led Early Childhood Development Case Studies

From 2020 to 2021, SNAICC identified good practices in early intervention and family support programs delivered by Aboriginal community-controlled organisations across Australia.

These profiles show how Aboriginal community-controlled organisations are achieving positive Early Childhood Development outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and their families, keeping these children safe from harm, protecting their right to grow up within their own family and community and providing critical health and early education services.

Read the Doing It Our Way – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led early intervention profiles below.