What is the Early Childhood Care & Development Policy Partnership?
The Early Childhood Care & Development Policy Partnership enables Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to work in genuine partnership with governments to drive community-led early childhood care and development outcomes.
The Early Childhood Care and Development Policy Partnership (ECCDPP) is a shared decision-making mechanism with Australian governments, under Priority Reform 1 of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap. It brings governments and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representatives together to improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children so that they can thrive in their early years.
Co-chaired by SNAICC – National Voice for our Children and the Australian Department of Education, the ECCDPP includes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members and representatives from all state and territory governments. Additionally, the ECCDPP has been co-developed with SNAICC and Australian Government departments who have responsibility across early childhood education and care, maternal and child health and child protection and families.
Objectives of the ECCDPP are to:
- identify reforms to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children to achieve their potential in the early years and to set them up for long-term success
- action priority reforms in the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-led initiatives
- identify opportunities to work more effectively across governments, Coalition of Peaks and community organisations
- enable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representatives, communities and organisations to negotiate and implement agreements with governments to support Closing the Gap.
The ECCDPP is accountable to the Joint Council on Closing the Gap and submits policy recommendations for the Joint Council to raise with First Ministers.
Please note: Early Childhood Care and Development Policy Partnership previously operated under the acronym ECPP.
Our role
SNAICC has a key role in the Early Childhood Care and Development Policy Partnership as co-chair.
The ECCDPP develops policy and funding reforms that enable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children to thrive in their early years and remain connected to culture, kin and community as they grow. These reforms build on the inherent strengths and capabilities of the Aboriginal community-controlled sector, who deliver culturally safe and effective services to children and their families across Australia.
Members of the Early Childhood Care and Development Policy Partnership meet face-to-face each quarter to advance yearly priorities (outlined below). Members also contribute to broader strategic reforms aimed at the Early Childhood Education and Care and Child Safety sectors, such as the development of the National Vision for Early Childhood Education and Care, the Productivity Commission Closing the Gap Report and the Productivity Commission Inquiry into Early Childhood Education and Care.
Independent research
Part of the Partnership’s role is to commission independent research. This work informs us on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander early childhood care and development policy.
Research commissioned and published by the Partnership does not represent government commitments unless:
- it has progressed through Closing the Gap governance, and/or
- is reflected in the policy commitments of individual governments.
Work plan
The Year 2 Work Plan summarises the agreed actions the ECCDPP will take to support its objectives.
In 2024, the ECCDPP will:
- build on strong community feedback loops established by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members who are representatives of their communities and those established through previous consultation with communities.
- collaborate with other shared decision-making mechanisms, including Policy and Place-based Partnerships under the National Agreement and Safe and Supported
- pursue dual processes of making recommendations to Joint Council on Closing the Gap and progressing reform priorities via jurisdictional Closing the Gap architecture.
Priorities
Priority One
Priority Two
Priority Three
Priority Four
Priority Five
Priority Six
Quarterly meeting outcomes
The outcomes of each quarterly ECCDPP meeting are published on the Department of Education website and download links are provided below.
Outcomes Summary from Meeting Seven
This document summarises the meeting outcomes of the ECCDPP’s seventh meeting on 24–25 July 2024 on the lands of the Ngunnawal and Ngambri people.
Download SummaryOutcomes Summary from Meeting Six
This document summarises the meeting outcomes of the ECCDPP’s sixth meeting on 30 April – 1 May 2024 in Meanjin/Brisbane.
Download Summary
Outcomes Summary from Meeting Five
This document summarises the meeting outcomes of the ECCDPP’s fifth meeting on 31 January – 1 February 2024 in lutruwita.
Download SummaryOutcomes Summary from Meeting Four
This document summarises the meeting outcomes of the ECCDPP‘s fourth meeting on 9 October 2023.
DownloadOutcomes Summary from Meeting Three
This document summarises the meeting outcomes of the ECCDPP‘s third meeting on 28 and 29 June 2023.
Download
Outcomes Summary from Meeting Two
This document summarises the meeting outcomes of the ECCDPP’s second meeting on 15 and 16 March 2023.
Download
Outcomes Summary from Meeting One
This document summarises the meeting outcomes of the ECCDPP‘s first meeting on 14 November 2022.
Download
Engaging with the ECCDPP
The ECCDPP welcomes requests to collaborate from government and non-government stakeholders who share the understanding that investing in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander self-determination is the key to transforming the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait children and their families.
To contact the ECCDPP co-secretariat about an engagement opportunity, please email ECCDpolicypartnership@education.gov.au with your contact details and a short summary of your organisation’s opportunity.
Please read the ECCDPP Engagement Criteria for more information on its role and priorities.
Resources
Early Childhood Care and Development Policy Partnership: Year 2 Workplan Summary
September 2024
Early Childhood Care and Development Policy Partnership: Year 2 Workplan Summary identifies the agreed actions the Early Childhood Care and Development Policy Partnership will take to support its objectives, which include priorities and actions to improve early childhood care and development outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
Download Early Childhood Care and Development Policy Partnership Annual Report 2023
August 2024
Early Childhood Care and Development Policy Partnership Annual Report 2023 detailing the achievements and progress of the Partnership in its first 16 months of operation, from its establishment in August 2022 to November 2023.
Download Evidence on optimal hours of ECEC for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children
July 2024
Evidence on optimal hours of ECEC for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children Literature Review commissioned by the Early Childhood Care and Development Policy Partnership, undertaken by Dandolopartners with Wiradjuri researcher, educator and board director Dr Jessa Rogers.
Download Funding Model Options for ACCO Integrated Early Years Services Final Report
May 2024
Funding Model Options for ACCO Integrated Early Years Services Final Report presents findings and recommendations so that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children have access to high-quality, culturally safe ECEC services that meet their developmental and wellbeing needs through needs-based funding model options that support the viable operation of ACCO early years service providers.
Download Agreement to Implement the Early Childhood Care and Development Policy Partnership
August 2023
Agreement to Implement the Early Childhood Care and Development Policy Partnership. Partnership Agreement to improve outcomes under Closing the Gap for Early Childhood Care and Development established by the Joint Council on Closing the Gap under the Authority of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.
Download Early Childhood Care and Development Policy Partnership: Year 1 Workplan Summary
May 2023
Early Childhood Care and Development Policy Partnership: Year 1 Workplan Summary identifies the agreed actions the Early Childhood Care and Development Policy Partnership will take to support its objectives, which include progress initial priorities to improve early childhood care and development outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
Download
Fact Sheet: Priority Reform One – the National Agreement on Closing the Gap
November 2018
The National Agreement's Priority Reform One commits governments to new formal policy partnerships and place-based partnerships where decision making on Closing the Gap will be shared between governments and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representatives. Read the Fact Sheet here.
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