Lifelong Learners, Together: Launch of Our New Strategic Plan

NBCA has provided early childhood education since November 1975 and continues today as a community focused organisation for children. As we've seen in the news, there has never been a time more needed to unite for the children in our communities. Today, I am proud to share with you the launch of our new Strategic Plan for 2025-2030, a plan shaped not only by insight and intention, but by the voices of those we serve and work alongside every day.

Why This Plan Matters

Strategic planning is more than just a management exercise - it’s a chance to pause, reflect, and refocus. As the Management Committee reviewed the previous strategic plan at its midway point, we recognised that we needed a renewed direction that honours our roots while preparing us for a future that is evolving rapidly. This was the origins of the newly created Executive Director Role, and this plan captures our bold aspirations while grounding us in the practical steps needed to get there.

A Collaborative and Thoughtful Process

This plan is the result of months of listening, learning, and planning. We committed to a process that was inclusive, data-driven, and grounded in our values. Here’s how we got there:

1. Listening to Our Stakeholders

   We began by reaching out to the people who matter most—our stakeholders. Through an anonymous stakeholder survey, we heard from clients, families, staff, volunteers, and community partners. The feedback was honest, insightful, and reminded us where we shine and where we can challenge ourselves. Your feedback highlighted how our goals and values weren't clear, and that we weren't shining a light on what we do best - providing education and care to children in our centres, and this has been clarified in our revised strategic priorities.

   
   

2. Team Reflections and Workshops

   Internally, we held a series of meetings and encouraged reflection to ensure that staff at all levels had a chance to contribute their experience and ideas. These discussions helped us better understand operational realities, untapped potential, and systemic challenges we can now work together to address. It was inspiring to see the commitment of our staff, who continue to be the backbone of our work.

   
   

3. SWOT Analysis

   I undertook a comprehensive SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats), which helped clarify where we stand in today’s landscape. It confirmed our many strengths—our skilled team, our shared focus and value on Community - but also highlighted areas where we need to grow, such as enhancing our communication platforms for families, and strengthening our community presence. We also see opportunity to use our unique skills and knowledge to elevate early childhood education and care beyond our community.

   
   

4. Strategic Planning Day with the Management Committee

   A key milestone was our full-day Strategic Planning Session with the Management Committee. This session was a deep dive into our purpose, vision, goals, and the environmental shifts impacting our sector. It was a day of candid conversation, creativity, and shared leadership. Together, we identified three clear strategic pillars that will guide our focus for the next three years.

   
   

What’s Next: Our Strategic Priorities

The resulting plan is built around three key strategic priorities:

1. Excel – in our centres: To deliver the highest quality early education and care by applying recognised educational and safety practices, guided by our centre philosophies, to foster the foundational skills children need for lifelong success.

   
   

2. Engage – meaningfully with our community: To foster a community-focused environment by promoting meaningful initiatives that strengthen connections with our families and ensure vulnerable families have access to early education and care.

   
   

3. Elevate – our sector: To foster innovation and advocacy by sharing our expertise and promoting leading educational practices across the Australian early childhood education and care sector.

   
   

Each priority is supported by measurable goals and a clear implementation framework. We are committed to sharing quarterly updates on our progress and remaining accountable to our community every step of the way.

Thank You

Thank you to everyone who contributed to this process and who will be critical in supporting ongoing implementation. This plan is yours as much as it is ours. I look forward to working with you to bring it to life and ensure that the NBCA continues to support children in our community for another 50 years and beyond!

Together, for children, we are creating a lasting impact as lifelong learners!

Jocelyn Cronin

Executive Director, North Belconnen Community Association Inc.