The peak body for Indigenous children is urging education ministers to work closely with Aboriginal community-controlled organisations to ensure the $1 billion Building Early Education Fund (BEEF) delivers the best outcomes for First Nations children.
As federal, state and territory education ministers meet in Adelaide on Friday, SNAICC – National Voice for our Children Chief Executive Catherine Liddle said targeted funding through BEEF must reach children in all locations to effectively close the education gap.
The Arrernte/Luritja woman from Central Australia said the fund presents a "huge opportunity to address the real and long-standing accessibility issues in early education" faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children families.
"A childcare desert is defined as having more than three children per childcare place – that number is stretched even further for Aboriginal community-controlled (ACCO) ECEC [early childhood education and care] services," Ms Liddle said.
Federal Education Minister Jason Clare also acknowledged the urgency, telling ABC Adelaide: "Children from poorer families are the ones most likely to miss out on going to ECEC — many of whom need it the most. This isn't just about looking after children; it's about the early education of children."
SNAICC is calling for dedicated BEEF funding to go to ACCO ECEC services to best fulfil their commitments under the Closing the Gap Agreement. Ms Liddle said involving ACCO providers was essential to ensuring the fund benefits the children it was intended to support.
The BEEF program will be used to build or expand early childhood centres and establish new grant programs for flexible service models in remote and regional areas. SNAICC said Indigenous communities needed to be engaged with to start determining locations for new early learning centres.
"ACCO childcare deserts exist in towns and cities, not just in rural and remote regions. Each of these communities holds insight, knowledge, and challenges that are unique to their circumstances," Ms Liddle said.
"ACCO services see better engagement from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families because they provide holistic, innovative supports that meet the needs of local communities."
Ms Liddle stressed ACCO-led funding is essential, arguing early support has a lifelong impact on children.
Highlighting the broader benefits of ECEC access and noting its role in addressing systemic issues like youth incarceration, Ms Liddle added: "With conversations about addressing juvenile detention happening across the nation, it's more important than ever to address the drivers into the youth justice system – like access to quality education and care."
"Improved access to culturally safe, high-quality ECEC services will help ensure our children are developmentally ready for big school and have the support they need to thrive."
The government's recent budget measures, including its pledge to abolish the Liberal-era Activity Test, have been welcomed by Indigenous-led organisations. From next year, the three-day guarantee will provide all families with access to three days a week of subsidised early education, regardless of work or study hours.
On the reform, Mr Clare said: "If a child goes to early education and care, they're more likely to be ready to start school, less likely to start behind, get that early literacy and numeracy and social skills that can help get them off to a good start when they start school."
"At the moment, we know it's the really disadvantaged kids that are missing out. So, guaranteeing that subsidy for every child is important."
