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.

How to Participate

Closed

The Draft Strategy has been developed after significant community and stakeholder engagement and includes three focus areas with a number of strategies as stated below. We welcome your feedback on the Draft Early and Middle Years Strategy. Let us know your thoughts by completing the survey below. Your feedback will help us finalise the Draft Strategy.

Feedback on the Draft Strategy closes 5pm on 8 April 2022.

Purpose

The purpose of the Draft 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.

Focus Area One: Play and Participate

Strategies:

  • Provide age-appropriate, accessible and welcoming playgrounds, parks, open space and infrastructure to help children and families to live a healthy and active lifestyle.
  • Strengthen children’s links to the community, through community and social support groups.
  • Organise and promote child-friendly events and activities to support social connection, diverse interests, and parent peer support.

Focus Area Two: Grow and Develop

Strategies:

  • Learning and healthy food options that support physical and emotional development.
  • Promote prevention of family violence initiatives, and early intervention initiatives to the community through the Maternal and Child Health service and Council promotional methods.
  • Improve the resilience of our children and their families.

Focus Area Three: Our Future Need

Strategies:

  • Plan for service demand across childcare, education and health services.
  • Plan appropriate facilities to respond to changing demand for kindergarten and childcare.
  • Greater coordination between services and cross-referrals.

Thank you for sharing your feedback with us.