Reconciliation

From Gubbi Gubbi lands on the east coast of Australia, across to Wajuk in Western Australia, up to Larrakia in the Northern Territory and everywhere in between, at Goodstart Early Learning we’re on a reconciliation journey. We’re walking together with our families, children, and communities. 
 
We take very seriously our responsibility to ensure the next generation of Australians grows up with connection to and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, people, and our true history. Through our unique opportunity to engage with 67,670 children in our centres, we believe we can meet that responsibility and make a difference in the lives of all children.

We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Peoples of Australia and as the custodians of the land on which we live. This respect is woven and embedded into everything we do. We’re focused on building connections, celebrating Indigenous culture and providing an early learning environment where all children feel welcome.
 
Our purpose is for every child to have the best possible start in life. We have a unique opportunity to influence and educate current and future generations of Australians and embed a respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, cultures and histories, combating racism by providing a different dialogue through a shared understanding of Australia’s past and present.

Reconciliation Action Plan

In 2014, we were one of the first early learning providers to develop an Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), and in 2020 we reinvigorated the plan with the launch of our of our second, expanded RAP, and first Stretch RAP 2020 – 2023.

These plans articulate and build on our vision for reconciliation - that it is genuinely at the heart of our organisation, and is deeply embedded in everything we do, and every decision we make. It will be a key consideration in our governance, curriculum, teaching and will drive participation in early learning.

But reconciliation is more than having a broad, organisation-wide plan… it’s about working at the local level to build meaningful connections with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, families, and children, and educating children and educators about why reconciliation action matters.

Reports 

In 2022, Goodstart embarked on a project to consider the question: How might we address disproportionate developmental vulnerability for remote children by codesigning sustainable, scalable, high-quality education and care offerings that advance education within Australia?

We are pleased to now share with you the following two reports relating to this work. 

• Remote Access Matters This report provides detailed insights gained through our research and codesign activities with two remote communities. We share what we learned with them about their histories, cultures, strengths, and unmet needs.
• Codesigning with remote communities in response to complex social challenges This report provides a detailed analysis and critical reflection of two different codesign approaches we employed to engage with two remote communities.