Incorporating Indigenous ways of knowing in early education for Indigenous children

The Australian government's promise of preschool education for every fouryear- old child, in particular for every Indigenous four-year-old, brings an opportunity to reconsider early childhood education for Indigenous children. This article suggests that incorporating Indigenous ways of knowing is required to make early learning attractive and accessible to Indigenous families. The numbers of Indigenous children enrolled in early childhood services are much lower than for non-Indigenous Australian children. 'Closing the gap' has the potential to bring educational advantages to Indigenous children. Part of the solution lies in an approach guided by Indigenous ways of knowing and preferably delivered by qualified Indigenous early childhood teachers.