Communities and service providers collaborate to address WHAT IS issues as they are experienced at a neighbourhood or The first years of life are crucial to lifelong learning, regional level. wellbeing and success. The Andrews Labor Government is This localised, targeted way of finding solutions to making Victoria the Education State and this begins with problems by families has been shown to be extremely giving every child a great start in life by strengthening early effective. Efforts are focused on boosting children’s childhood services for children and families. participation in the programs we know have the best results Best Start is a prevention and early intervention program for setting them up for success, such as kindergarten and that aims to improve the health, development, learning and maternal and child health (MCH) services. The program wellbeing of all Victorian children from conception through also puts in place prevention strategies, such as providing to transition to school (up to eight years old). referral pathways when targeted supports are required. There is consensus that a loving, healthy and intellectually Victoria has a strong early childhood system with high stimulating early childhood is critical to a person’s participation rates in MCH services and kindergarten – wellbeing and success throughout their life. Children who however some children are missing out. Typically, these have a strong start in life are more likely to do well are children who are experiencing vulnerability and have academically and socially as they grow older. Conversely, the most to gain from engaging in high-quality services. young children who miss out on positive experiences with The Best Start program operates in 30 locations across parents, caregivers and educators are much more likely to Victoria. There are 24 mainstream sites and six Aboriginal have to struggle to catch up. Best Start sites in rural and metropolitan locations. Best Start is characterised by an approach that supports It is on formal partnerships of local agencies and parents and caregivers to create a positive environment for service providers to improve the outcomes for children. children by encouraging communities to work with their local early years services and schools. ABORIGINAL The Aboriginal Best Start projects have been established to ensure that local Aboriginal communities and organisations
The first years of life are crucial to lifelong learning, wellbeing and success. The Andrews Labor Government is making Victoria the Education State and this begins with giving every child a great start in life by strengthening early childhood services for children and families. Best Start is a prevention and early intervention program that aims to improve the health, development, learning and wellbeing of all Victorian children from conception through to transition to school (up to eight years old). There is consensus that a loving, healthy and intellectually stimulating early childhood is critical to a person’s wellbeing and success throughout their life. Children who have a strong start in life are more likely to do well academically and socially as they grow older. Conversely, young children who miss out on positive experiences with parents, caregivers and educators are much more likely to have to struggle to catch up. Best Start is characterised by an approach that supports parents and caregivers to create a positive environment for children by encouraging communities to work with their local early years services and schools. Communities and service providers collaborate to address issues as they are experienced at a neighbourhood or regional level. This localised, targeted way of finding solutions to problems by families has been shown to be extremely effective. Efforts are focused on boosting children’s participation in the programs we know have the best results for setting them up for success, such as kindergarten and maternal and child health (MCH) services. The program also puts in place prevention strategies, such as providing referral pathways when targeted supports are required. Victoria has a strong early childhood system with high participation rates in MCH services and kindergarten – however some children are missing out. Typically, these are children who are experiencing vulnerability and have the most to gain from engaging in high-quality services. The Best Start program operates in 30 locations across Victoria. There are 24 mainstream sites and six Aboriginal Best Start sites in rural and metropolitan locations. It is on formal partnerships of local agencies and service providers to improve the outcomes for children. ABORIGINAL The Aboriginal Best Start projects have been established to ensure that local Aboriginal communities and organisations IS WHAT
Best%20Start%20Fact%20sheet.docx