C&K Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander unit (ATSIU)

Supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families throughout Queensland

The unit is unique in that it is the only Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service funded to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander independent kindergartens, their volunteer management committees, young children, their families and communities in Australia.

There are 29 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander kindergartens that the unit provides direct services to.  These services range in location from isolated Indigenous communities in the Cape and Gulf, the far west, and south west and urban services in southeast Queensland. 

The functions of the C&K ATSIU are to deliver:
• culturally appropriate intensive educational early childhood development support to educators in community kindergartens
• governance, management support and training to volunteer management committees and community liaison
• a financial management service to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander kindergartens
• professional development opportunities to educators in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander kindergartens
• cultural competency training to early childhood educators
• support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff  in community kindergartens who are studying

Background

C&K is recognised as a leading agent in the provision of services and programs for Indigenous early childhood education in Queensland. This began in the 1960s and has increased in a number of significant ways through to the present, with visions for continuing this work. The major program for Indigenous services is the Dhagun-Gur Indigenous Services

The Indigenous Support Unit had its beginnings in the 1980s and has evolved to now provide services some 29 Indigenous affiliated (and non-affiliated) centres throughout Queensland through supporting management committees and teaching staff. This is funded by the Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST) to address aspects of: committee management training, professional development and a resource library.

The unit also undertakes projects related to the early education of Indigenous children and their families. One of these projects involves a partnership with the Caboolture Indigenous Community and the Commonwealth Department of Families and Community Services and Indigenous Affairs for an Indigenous Child Care Links project.

C&K is currently developing a strategic priority for Indigenous services and programs which will include an Indigenous employment strategy and strategies to strengthen its role as a leader in Indigenous early childhood.