Early childhood education and care for Indigenous children and their families from colonised nations

Indigenous children are frequently identified as among the most vulnerable groups within our societies, at high risk of poor health, development and education outcomes. Concern for Indigenous children and the appropriateness of support available to them is reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and also in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. There is much debate about the extent to which early childhood services, such as school and preschool services, meet the needs of Indigenous children and their families. This chapter discusses these issues from an international perspective. It provides case studies from New Zealand, Australia and Canada, describing positive early childhood initiatives that are working towards breaking down some of the barriers in the early childhood years.