The Early Childhood Care and Development Policy Partnership held its 10th meeting on 3 and 4 July 2025 in on Gadigal Country in Sydney.
The meeting brought together First Nations leaders and government representatives to advance shared priorities in early childhood care and development. It was co-chaired by:
- Catherine Liddle, CEO, SNAICC – National Voice for our Children
- Kylie Crane, Deputy Secretary, Early Childhood and Youth Group, Australian Government Department of Education.
The meeting opened with a Welcome to Country by Yvonne Weldon, who reflected on the strength and history of First Nations communities across more than 65,000 years.
Key outcomes included:
- members heard about the early childhood care and development landscape in NSW, noting the importance of place-based collaboration and sustained investment in Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations
- members agreed on next steps for a research project to support First Nations children and families with disability who encounter child protection systems
- members endorsed the 2025–26 workplan, which strengthens the focus on child and family services and supports Closing the Gap Target 12, to reduce the rate of over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in out-of-home care
- members discussed the 2024 Australian Early Development Census results, noting the importance of stronger early supports and improved data literacy.
There is more work to be done, and the Policy Partnership will continue working together to drive change to improve Closing the Gap targets.
The Policy Partnership will meet again in September 2025.
Learn more about the Policy Partnership and read the meeting 10 summary.