Ngroo Education Incorporated mission statement:
We work to improve the opportunity for Aboriginal children to achieve their potential by increasing their level of participation in mainstream early childhood education and care (ECEC) and other relevant services and settings.
For the last nine years, Ngroo Education Incorporated has been working to improve access to early childhood services for Aboriginal children across NSW.
Standing as more than just an early years service, Ngroo is a leader in the field, developing and implementing The Walking Together program, which aims to strengthen the approach to Aboriginal early childhood across early years services and primary schools. The model has provided the following achievements:
- Greater awareness and understanding in non-Aboriginal staff
- Building better relationships with Aboriginal people
- More Aboriginal children in services
- Better outcomes in attendance, learning and school readiness
- Trained Aboriginal resource personnel in each location as employed Aboriginal mentors
- Culturally safe services with staff and families designing programs from an equitable position
According to Jan Wright, Executive Director, creating relationships based on trust is an important step towards building a safe learning space for both Aboriginal students and non-Aboriginal students to celebrate Aboriginal culture.
With our Walking Together model, we hope to follow a Budyari Yanna Muru [meaning go on a good walk path in the local Darug language] for all Aboriginal children and their families in early education. ”
– Jan Wright, Executive Director
When many Aboriginal services in the region are full, Ngroo tries to improve access, attendance (participation) and achievement for Aboriginal children and their families in non-Aboriginal specific areas. This is achieved by enhancing cultural knowledge, building respectful relationships with the local community, removing barriers for Aboriginal children and helping children achieve.
With culture and community being a key part in leadership at Ngroo, Aboriginal Elders, staff and Ngroo Board members provide advice to non-Aboriginal services on culturally safe practices when engaging with our families.
Ngroo is proud to share their story as a SNAICC member, paving the way for positive change for our Australian community.
