Aboriginal Early Years Support
Supporting Aboriginal children and their families
Supporting children and their families in the early years of development and learning is a key strategy to ensuring successful future outcomes for all children, including Aboriginal children.
Significant early childhood research acknowledges the importance of the early years and the positive impact on a child’s future when early risk factors are identified and strategies implemented to reduce these factors. The active involvement of parents in their children’s learning and development, promotion of good health and safety is directly related to improved outcomes for the child.
In Victoria, Aboriginal children and their families have access to the full range of early childhood services with access to additional targeted services available for those that need them. Services include:
| Early Childhood Programs | Additional programs/services for Aboriginal children and families |
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Local councils in Victoria have all developed a Municipal Early Years Plan that provides a strategic direction for the planning and delivery of early childhood services. These plans are inclusive of all members of the local community and reflect the diverse needs of that community. Information about the range of universal early childhood services available in local communities is available from the local council.
Early Years Programs and Services
Additional early years programs and services for Aboriginal children and their families supported by the Department include:
- Aboriginal Best Start
- Indigenous Kindergarten Program
- Three year old kindergarten for eligible Aboriginal children
- Aboriginal In Home Support and Home Based Learning Programs
Aboriginal Best Start
Best Start is a prevention and early intervention project that aims to improve the health, development, learning and wellbeing of all Victorian children from conception through to transition to school (usually 0-8 years old). The Best Start approach is to strengthen the local capacity of parents, families and communities and early years services to better provide for the needs of all young children and their families. There are 30 Best Start sites, six of which are Aboriginal Best Start sites.
The Aboriginal Best Start projects have been established to ensure that local Aboriginal communities and organisations are given every possible opportunity to influence outcomes for their children and families. Many Aboriginal children experience multiple factors that place their health wellbeing and psychosocial development at risk. These projects are designed to empower communities and families and develop broad cross-sectoral partnerships across all early years services to improve outcomes for Aboriginal children and their families.
All Best Start sites are expected to develop partnerships with their local Aboriginal communities and implement strategies that are culturally relevant and respectful of the needs and aspirations of Aboriginal communities. The Aboriginal Best Start Status Report underpins the direction of Aboriginal Best Start. The report brings together Aboriginal cultural beliefs, knowledge about the key elements of child development and the factors that impact on Aboriginal children reaching their full potential.
For more information visit Best Start or contact Victorian Aboriginal Community Services Association Ltd. on (03) 9416 4266
Indigenous Kindergarten program
Indigenous kindergarten program has Koorie Early Childhood Field Officers (KECFOs) who work with kindergarten programs and other early years services to encourage culturally appropriate programs for Koorie children and their families. They aim to:
- increase and enhance the participation of Koorie children in kindergarten
- promote the values of kindergarten programs within Koorie families and communities
- promote cultural awareness and provide access to resources for all kindergarten programs
- liaise between Koorie families and kindergarten programs
- support the Koorie Preschool Assistants’ program.
In addition to this funding, this initiative also includes a range of support services for programs from Koorie Early Childhood Field Officers (KECFOs) and Koorie Preschool Assistants (KPAs).
Koorie Early Childhood Field Officers
The role of the Koorie Early Childhood Field Officers (KECFO) is to promote Aboriginal early years program participation and increase enrolments, as well as working with services to ensure their programs are culturally responsive and relevant. KECFO’s are employed by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development in each region. To liaise with the local Koorie Early Childhood Field Officers in your region contact your regional office.
Koorie Preschool Assistants program
The Koorie Preschool Assistants Program (KPSA) program is supported by community-based organisations. Koorie Preschool Assistants work with kindergarten programs to:
- enhance the access and participation of Koorie children in Kindergarten programs
- promote and assist in the delivery of Koorie inclusive programs
- provide information and support to Koorie families and communities
- support the attendance of Koorie children in kindergarten programs
- encourage the involvement and participation of Koorie parents, families and carers in the development of kindergarten programs
- assist in the development of kindergarten programs that embrace Koorie culture.
For more information about early years services (including kindergarten programs):
- contact your local council
- call the Aboriginal Early Years team on (03) 9096 7961
- call the Early Childhood Program Division (in the Office for Children and Early Childhood Development) on 1300 731 947 (cost of a local call)
- see the Kindergarten Inclusion Support Kits
Three year old kindergarten for eligible Aboriginal children
Research shows that learning in the early years lays the foundation for later life. It demonstrates that quality kindergarten programs improve subsequent learning, health and behaviour, with positive impacts extending into adult life.
Aboriginal children already have access to a funded four year old kindergarten program with a fee subsidy available for eligible four year old children.
Three year old kindergarten provides eligible three year old Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, whose families are in receipt of a concession card, an opportunity to access up to 10 hours a week of a funded early childhood program planned and delivered by a qualified early childhood teacher. This initiative enables a higher proportion of three year old Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children access to a high quality kindergarten program.
Eligible Aboriginal children will therefore have access to two years of a funded kindergarten program prior to commencing school.
For more information about kindergarten programs:
- contact your local council
- call the Early Childhood Program Division (in the Office for Children and Early Childhood Development) on 1300 731 947 (cost of a local call)
Aboriginal In Home Support and Home Based Learning programs
In Home Support program
The In Home Support initiative is assisting Aboriginal families to strengthen, support and improve their parenting capacity and so improve the health, development, learning and wellbeing of Aboriginal children aged 0-3 years. This support will be provided in a way that is respectful of their cultural identity and promotes Aboriginal children and family wellbeing.
For more information, see: In Home Support for Aboriginal Families Program or contact
- Aboriginal Early Years team on (03) 9096 0521
- Victorian Aboriginal Education Association Inc. on (03) 9481 0800
Home Based Learning program
The Home Based Learning program is for parents/families of children aged 3-5 years and is being implemented as an extension of the In Home Support Program. The Home Based Learning program will assist Aboriginal families to provide improved home learning environments for young children, aged 3 – 5 years, and empower parents as the primary educators of their children in the home in order to maximise the chances of successful kindergarten and early school experiences.
The program will provide adjustment to schooling preparation, assistance to Aboriginal children and families to complement kindergarten using the In Home Support/Home Based Learning programs curriculum framework. There is currently one Home Based Learning program at the Mildura Aboriginal Corporation, Mildura.
For more information contact:
- Aboriginal Early Years team on (03) 9096 0521
- Victorian Aboriginal Education Association Inc.: (03) 9481 0800