Universal access to an appropriately skilled and culturally competent early childhood workforce for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. DSF is supporting the establishment of a National Network which will focus on the training and development needs of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander early childhood workforce.

National Roundtable
On 12 June 2008, DSF brought together thirty-five people from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, early childhood, community, training and academic networks who are involved in training, support and services in early childhood education and the care of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children for a national roundtable meeting. The roundtable explored the need and possible roles for a national group initially named the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Early Childhood Skill Training Network.

A Network Established
Consensus of the group centred on the need to hear the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities when investing in the early years, and that universal access to early childhood education must mean access for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children to an appropriately skilled and culturally competent workforce.

The National Network
This Network will concentrate specifically on increasing and resourcing the training and professional development of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander early childhood workforce. DSF will serve as a secretariat, providing funding, access to our networks of contacts, and support for the research of the network. Eva Cox is working with DSF in a research and advisory role, volunteering her skills in policy analysis and advocacy. The Network includes SNAICC (Secretariat for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Care), the national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peak body for children, and both will work closely together.

A skilled, culturally appropriate, early childhood workforce
The Network plans to simultaneously address workforce and training issues through strategies that increase the skill levels of existing and potential workers, while supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children to feel culturally safe.

Network member organisations:

• Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care
• Indigenous Education Leadership Institute
• Australian Education Union
• Independent Education Union
• Charles Sturt University Centre for Indigenous Studies
• Macquarie University Warawara Department of Indigenous Studies
• Macquarie University Institute of Early Childhood
• Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education
• Aboriginal and Torres Islander Early Childhood Sector Advisory Group, NSW
• Mudgin-gal Aboriginal Women’s Centre, NSW
• Sydney Day Nursery, NSW
• Perinatal Infant Aboriginal Mental Health Program, NSW
• Lady Gowrie Indigenous Professional Support Unit, NSW & ACT
• Community Childcare Association Aboriginal Unit, VIC & TAS
• Gold Coast Inclusion Support Unit, QLD
• Indigenous Professional Support Unit, QLD
• Goonellabah and Box Ridge Transition Programs, NSW
• Victorian Aboriginal Education Association
• Victorian Aboriginal Childcare Association
• Yappera Aboriginal Children’s Services, VIC
• Yorganop Child Care Aboriginal Corporation, WA
• Network Resource Advisory Group, SA