Hepburn Shire Council’s Early and Middle Years Strategy 2022-2030 aims to plan and prepare for family growth and the development needs of early years and middle years children.
It provides direction for the development and coordination of services, programs, infrastructure, activities, and local community development processes that impact children aged 0 – 12 years living in Hepburn Shire.
Why do we need an Early and Middle Years Strategy?
It is well established that a child’s early years provide a foundational basis for their growth and development across their lifetime. Specific focus on the ages of 0-8 years enables early intervention to ensure each child receives the best start in life and no child is left behind.
Council has included the middle years within this strategy. The middle years include the age group of 8 to 12 years, which are the years of rapid physical growth as young people pass through puberty. Although not historically a focus of early intervention, Council recognises this is an important developmental phase of childhood when children need strong social and educational support systems.
Council’s role
Council takes a collaborative approach to early years planning to ensure children in our community have enabling environments and opportunities to grow and develop.
The Strategy outlines the Council’s role in the delivery of each priority, described using the following terms:
- Planning and coordination
- Service provision
- Facility planning
- Advocacy
- Strengthening community capacity.
