EACH is pleased to announce that we will be assisting kindergarten services in Melbourne’s outer east in preparing children for school by maximising their potential for school readiness.
This support is part of an effort to address disadvantage through the Victorian Government’s School Readiness Funding initiative. EACH will provide allied health support to kindergartens in the local government areas of Knox, Maroondah and Yarra Ranges that aims to support children’s learning and development in three priority areas: communication (language development), wellbeing (social and emotional) and access and inclusion.
EACH will offer a Tailored Service Package that utilises a capability-building approach, assisting educators and families to develop their skills across the priority areas. Support will be provided through coaching, modelling, group training, consultations and referrals.
The service will include a multidisciplinary allied health team of a speech pathologist, psychologist and an occupational therapist with experience and expertise in coaching, planning, training and supporting educators, families and children.
One in five Victorian children start school ‘developmentally vulnerable’, according to the 2015 Australian Early Development Census, and the impact of this can be felt across a lifetime.
“We’re excited to be delivering these services to enable children to be ready for primary school,” said Peter Ruzyla, CEO of EACH.
“We understand that Educators and families are the key people in a child’s development journey at this age and that they provide their first and most enduring learning experiences. We will be building on their strengths and capacity to support a child’s learning.”
Quality early learning programs, especially kindergarten, make a world of difference when it comes to supporting children’s learning and development. School Readiness Funding acknowledges that children’s early learning experiences are crucial to their success in later life, and educators build and shape those skills that will see children flourish.
For more information on the support EACH will provide via the School Readiness Funding – Allied Health service, please contact us.
To learn more about the School Readiness Funding initiative, please visit https://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/programs/Pages/Schoolreadiness.aspx.