The Early Childhood Care and Development Sector Strengthening Plan (ECCD-SSP) outlines transformative sector strengthening actions to support and build the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community controlled early childhood care and development services sector. The ECCD-SSP continues to guide the work of the Early Childhood Care and Development Policy Partnership (the Partnership), as detailed in the Partnership’s Year 1 Work plan. The Australian Government is also working to implement targeted actions under the ECCD-SSP. Currently, work is underway to finalise a project implementing action C1 to assess training resources and support materials for the National Quality Framework and National Quality Standards, and produce recommendations for improvement for consideration by Regulatory Practice Committee. In addition, the Government is continuing to support the Early Years Support program, the Connected Beginnings Program, and the Community Child Care Fund Restricted (CCCFR) grant program, which all focus on expanding the community controlled early years sector in line with the ECCD-SSP remit.
Early Childhood Care and Development Sector Strengthening Plan (Partnership Action)
Action description:
Priority reform:
Priority Reform Two
Outcome:
Outcome 03
Outcome 04
Status:
Existing
Is this Indigenous specific?:
Yes
Indicators:
Rate of attendance in early childhood education in the year before full-time schooling
Responsible Ministers:
Minister for Indigenous Australians
Minister for Early Childhood Education
Minister for Education
Minister for Youth
Resourcing:
The Sector Strengthening C1 Project has been provided $0.18 million over two years from 2022-23. The Department of Education is providing $112.3 million over four years from 2023-24 for the ongoing operation and expansion of the Connected Beginnings Program. $286.3 million is being provided over four years from 2023-24 for the ongoing operation and expansion of the CCCFR grant program.
Delivery timeframe:
Development of ECCD-SSP was required by 2022. The ECCD-SSP was agreed-in-principle in 2021 by Joint Council. Jurisdictions report on implementation actions in their CTG Implementation Plans and Annual Reports. Rolling updates will occur every 3 years.
Agency:
Department of Education
Department of Social Services
National Indigenous Australians Agency