Recent Stories

Excitement builds for Children’s Week

The ever-popular Children’s Week will kick off with a bang this year on October 19 when children are given free entry to the Royal Melbourne Zoo for a fun-filled day featuring animal displays, face-painting and musical entertainment.

The festivities will continue across the state until October 26, with a wide range of activities planned to recognise children’s rights, talents, skills and abilities.

Although the week-long celebration is an international event, the Department is eager to make this year’s Children’s Week an exciting and memorable event for as many Victorian children and families as possible.

Schools, kindergartens, child care services and local councils are encouraged to celebrate our youngest generation and to get involved in Children’s Week.

A full calendar of events will be provided to schools and early childhood services outlining activities and events being held between October 18 and 26.

These events will give thousands of children the opportunity to participate in Children’s Week, and will be delivered through free educational and recreational activities supported by the Department in partnership with councils, libraries, art galleries, museums, performance groups and other organisations.

The Best Start Early Years Awards are also held as part of Children’s Week 2008. Offered by the Department and sponsored by Best Start, the Early Years Awards recognise the contribution that individuals, teams and early childhood centres are making to improve the health, learning, development and wellbeing of Victorian children.

The Early Years Awards acknowledge innovation and encourage the sharing of great ideas, which leads to improved outcomes for children and their families.

Nominations are now open, and awards will be presented at a special ceremony on Universal Children’s Day, Wednesday October 22, in the Great Hall of the National Gallery of Victoria.

For ideas on activities for Children’s Week visit or to find out more about the Early Years Awards, see: Children's Week