Early Childhood Services Management

Professional Learning and Qualifications

MCH Key Age and Stages Training

As you are aware the Office for Children and Early Childhood Development in partnership with Municipal Association of Victoria piloted a new universal Key Age and Stage (KAS) framework within four local government authorities with a view for a later statewide roll out.

The revised KAS framework introduces a new approach to the ten KAS visits provided to parents and children by the universal Maternal and Child Health(MCH) program. The new framework sets out evidence based activities for each of the ten KAS visits with additional emphasis on promotion of health and well-being across a range of domains that address both maternal and child health and wellbeing. The framework also includes the:

  • Parents’ Evaluation of Developmental Status (PEDS) as a primary tool to engage parents in discussion about the development of their child
  • Brigance screen as a secondary screen where concerns are identified through the PEDS
  • relevant health information handouts for each KAS consultation
  • interventions that include a SIDS risk assessment, Quit smoking intervention, and screening for maternal health and the presence of family violence.

Family Violence Training

Swinburne University, in partnership with the Domestic Violence Resource Centre Victoria and No To Violence are undertaking the training for MCH nurses in the delivery of the common approach to family violence risk assessment and risk management.
MCH co-ordinators should actively encourage MCH nurses in their municipality to attend this training as part of their professional development and equip them to implement the revised Key Ages and Stages framework.

More information

For training information, see: