Early Childhood 0-8

Support for Aboriginal Children and Families

Aboriginal families are welcome at all early childhood services and kindergarten programs and your Aboriginal culture is valued and respected.

As well as services available to all Victorian children, there are a number of services and programs developed especially for Aboriginal families. These help Aboriginal families support their children’s early years, from before birth through to school age. They are:

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Koorie Maternity Services

The Koori Maternity Service is a program set up to provide additional and culturally appropriate care to Aboriginal women during pregnancy, birth and in the immediate period after birth. This program is provided through a partnership with the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) and Victorian Aboriginal community controlled organisations throughout Victoria.

Mothers are cared for by an Aboriginal maternity health worker and a midwife, while an Aboriginal health worker supports them during pregnancy and after birth and is responsible for linking them with other service providers as needed.

For more information, see: Maternity Care in Victoria

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In home support and home based learning programs for Aboriginal families

The In Home Support program builds on the Koori Maternity Service to support Aboriginal families in their parenting to improve their child’s health, development, learning and wellbeing from birth to three years. This support is offered in a way that is respectful of your Aboriginal cultural identity.

There are currently six Aboriginal organisations delivering the In Home Support Program in Bairnsdale, Fitzroy, Geelong, Mildura, Shepparton and Swan Hill.

The Home Based Learning Program carries on from the In Home Support Program by supporting Aboriginal families in the next stage of their child’s development from three to five years old. There is currently two Home Based Learning Programs based in Mildura and Swan Hill.

For more information about these programs, see: Aboriginal Early Years Support 

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Funded kindergarten for three and four-year-old Aboriginal children

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged three and four-years old can access up to ten hours a week of a funded early childhood program planned and delivered by a qualified early childhood teacher.

For more information on funded kindergarten for three and four-year-old Aboriginal children contact your local council, Maternal and Child Health Nurse or call 1300 731 947.

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Koorie Early Childhood Field Officers and Koorie Preschool Assistants

The Koorie Early Childhood Field Officers are employed by the Department to work with families and kindergartens to promote the importance of kindergarten for young children. The Koorie Early Childhood Field Officers explain the early years programs available for Aboriginal families and will encourage you to enrol your children in kindergarten. The Koorie Preschool assistants work in kindergartens assist teachers to develop and deliver Aboriginal culturally inclusive and responsive programs.

For more information call 1300 731 947.