Welcome to Early Childhood Services
A Parent’s Guide to Victorian Early Childhood Services
Your child’s early years are the foundation for future health, growth and development. They are critically important and influence your child for life.
Victoria has a range of services available to assist you and your child from birth through to adulthood.
Children are provided with high-quality early childhood programs and a smooth transition to the school system and beyond.
The Victorian Government supports the health, development, wellbeing and learning of your child by funding services such as the Maternal and Child Health Service, kindergarten programs, supported playgroups and early childhood intervention services. These services are operated by a range of local government, community and private organisations. The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development also regulates early education and care services in Victoria.
The Victorian Government, in partnership with local councils and others, is establishing children’s centres right across the state. These centres bring together a whole range of services for families with young children. This guide will provide you with valuable information about the early childhood services in Victoria that are available for you and your child.
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Audio version
The following are audio recordings of the report chapters: