Recent changes to the process for enrolling in ESK mean that children (and children with a parent, carer or legal guardian) who previously held a refugee or asylum seeker visa are no longer required to seek exemptions from the department. This will make it easier for these families to enrol and mean less administration for services.
More information on the eligibility criteria for ESK and Pre-Prep in 2026 will be made available on the Early Start Kindergarten information for professionalswebpage.
Services are encouraged to discuss the benefits of early childhood education with families and enrol eligible children in ESK and Pre-Prep so they can benefit from more hours of kindergarten. Enrolling eligible children in ESK also helps with planning for the delivery of Pre-Prep to eligible children the following year.
Uniting Vic Tas is hosting on online workshop for parents on understanding your child’s behaviour and emotional development. Explore how the brain grows, why big feelings can take over and how parents can respond in calm and helpful ways. August 20th at 6:30pm, see flyer to register.
New data from the latest Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) indicates that close to half of children entering school in 2024 were developmentally vulnerable on one or more domains.
The census data was collected from 16,723 teachers and more than 288,000 children across 7,368 Australian schools. It found that only 52.9% of children in this age-bracket are on track to meet key developmental milestones by the time they start school, with the remainder falling behind.
Children with a background other than English, children in remote and rural areas, and children experiencing poverty experienced greater developmental vulnerability, while the percentage of First Nations children developmentally on track also experienced a decline.
New data from the latest Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) indicates that close to half of children entering school in 2024 were developmentally vulnerable on one or more domains. The census data […]
This overview summaries key budget measures relevant to child and family services and to the children, young people and
families supported by member organisations
10 May is Are You Safe at Home? Day. It’s an opportunity to ask someone in your life, ‘are you safe at home?’ This year, start a conversation to end family violence.
Follow the link to check out all the great resources before the day arrives.
Free new children’s clothing for children aged 0-5 years (Thread Together). Welcome to all Cardinia community, come and collect as much as you need.
There will also be a free sausage sizzle and the AV Food van in attendance. Running from 10:00am-12:00pm at the Parent Zone Hub 75 Army Road Pakenham.
Check out the attached link to flyer for the range of activities on offer. These include excursions, incursions and in-house fun. Contact details for bookings on flyer and website.
To continue providing the best support, training opportunities, and up-to-date research in our sector, The Centre need your valuable insights. They invite you to participate in their Workforce Survey, designed to understand the issues faced by workers supporting children and families as well as gathering insights into the educational background and ongoing training and professional development needs to help you in your important roles.
Homelessness Australia has released an election platform outlining 12 actions to drive down homelessness or provide the support needed so people can avoid or escape from homelessness and sustain a home. Platform includes new analysis that shows more than 120,000 people annually are trying to get homelessness help, and either being turned away or unable to get through the door. If each of these people was provided support at an average cost per client services would needs an additional $671 million.
You can join and learn more about the campaign ‘No One Turned Away’ Here
The Centre’s summary of the Report on Government Services 2025 is now available for download. The report covers:
- Child Protection
- Youth Justice
- Services for people with disability
- Housing and homelessness
- Health
- Early childhood education and care