Over 500 ECEC services participated in the 10-week Aboriginal Cultural Safety Framework early adopters program in 2024, becoming the first in the sector to engage with the Aboriginal Cultural Safety Framework for Early Childhood Education and Care.

Expressions of interest are now open to join the next cohort of services to engage with the Aboriginal Cultural Safety Framework and be supported to take the next steps in your service’s cultural safety journey.

About the Aboriginal Cultural Safety Framework

Culturally safe services support the participation of more Aboriginal children in early learning and ensure that all children attending ECEC services learn, understand and value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s culture and history.

Co-designed in response to broad sector consultation, the Aboriginal Cultural Safety Framework for ECEC has been developed to support the sector to provide early learning environments that are culturally responsive, safe and welcoming for Aboriginal children and their families.

The Aboriginal Cultural Safety Framework offers clear expectations, standards and guidance, using resources and tools to support services to develop, maintain and improve culturally safe environments that nurture culture, language, kinship and identity.

Take the next steps in your service’s cultural safety journey

Expressions of interest are now open for ECEC services to participate in a 10-week ‘momentum builders’ program where they will engage with the Aboriginal Cultural Safety Framework for ECEC.

Participants will:

• improve their awareness of culturally safe and responsive environments
• learn how to build collaborative relationships with families and community
• explore weekly topics to recognise and facilitate culturally safe practices and environments for Aboriginal children, families and staff in ECEC settings
• access new tools and resources each week
• connect with other services to reflect, share their experiences and ask questions.

This opportunity is for services that have not participated in the Aboriginal Cultural Safety Framework early adopters program but are ready to take the next steps in their cultural safety journey.

It aims to build on the momentum created through the early adopters program by giving more services the opportunity to engage with Aboriginal Cultural Safety Framework ahead of a broader sector launch.

Applicants must be willing to commit to the 10-week program delivered in 2 sets of 5-week blocks (see schedule below) and be prepared to challenge their thinking, learn and grow.

Hear from early adopters of the Aboriginal Cultural Safety Framework

“This knowledge is enabling us to identify opportunities and enhance our confidence to embed culturally safe practices in our pedagogy and educational programs.”

“The materials highlighted simple ways that culture can be embedded. I like how it addressed that embedding culture is everyone's responsibility.”

“We are really enjoying the program and all staff have been very engaged with it and feel they are learning something new each week.”

“I feel the simplicity of this program overall will make it easy for educators to follow along with… Thank you for supporting this topic and making it into something that is easier to understand and embed.”

How to apply

Services that have not participated in the Aboriginal Cultural Safety Framework early adopters program can submit an expression of interest by completing an online application by 30 April 2025.

Places are limited. Successful applicants will be notified the week commencing 5 May.

Key dates and commitments

The 10-week program will be delivered in 2 x 5-week blocks.

Starter kit – 19 May to 20 June 2025

The Starter kit introduces services to foundational elements of the Aboriginal Cultural Safety Framework, using resources that are focused on a new core need each week:

• animation
• cultural chronicle
• poster

Services will have the option to attend one of 2 weekly community of practice sessions where they can ask questions and share their experiences with other services.

Quality practice pack – 28 July to 29 August 2025

Using deep listening and yarning as Aboriginal learning styles, services will build their knowledge and understanding of the core needs explored in the Starter kit. Resources are focused on a new core need each week:

• video
• podcast
• cultural journal

More information

Contact the department’s Early Childhood Education and Care Information and Enquiries team:

• ececd@det.nsw.edu.au
• 1800 619 113