An early childhood centre in the Cootamundra electorate will receive government help to embed Aboriginal culture into everyday activities and support the local community, Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke announced today.
Annette’s Place in Young is participating in the 2018 Ngroo Walking Together program, developed to help community preschools and long day care centres build positive relationships and reduce barriers that may prevent Aboriginal children accessing education.
The program combines cultural education training, a cultural audit, an action plan and staff support for local centres with the goal of increasing enrolments for each child to attend 600 hours per year.
“This program is another way we, as a community, can continue to put emphasis on the importance of entrenching Aboriginal culture into the children of our electorate’s everyday learning,” Ms Cooke said.
“Importantly, it’s also working to help remove the barriers for Aboriginal families in accessing early childhood education,” Ms Cooke said.
Minister for Early Childhood Education and Aboriginal Affairs Sarah Mitchell said the service in Young is one of 360 services across the state now participating in the program.
“Last year, nearly 140 services took part in the program with amazing results,” Mrs Mitchell said.
“Following the success of last year’s program, this year an additional 226 services are taking part. I am proud the NSW Government is continue to focus on the importance of Aboriginal culture and ensuring that every child, no matter their background, has access to early childhood education.”
For more information on the NSW Government’s Ngroo Walking Together program, visit the Department of Education’s website.
