More young learners to benefit from early education model with embedded family support services

“We are thrilled to be broadening our reach and branching out to further Local Government Areas in order to deliver our evidence informed education model to more young learners”, said Kids First CEO, Aileen Ashford.

Kids First Early Years Education Program (EYEP)™ - Kindergarten Model is a trauma informed model which features high quality education plus embedded family support services that are effectively ‘wrapped around’ families.

“As well as supporting children to be school ready, our model has a heavy focus on early intervention, to ensure children are happy and well-adjusted learners.”

Kids First Early Years educators and teachers are trained extensively and skilled to build relationships with children and their families, who in turn are supported to nurture their child’s wellbeing and capacity to learn. Educators are equipped to support children facing common childhood issues like parental divorce, childhood anxiety and insecurities, family conflict and upheaval.

Kids First Early Years Education Program (EYEP)™ - Kindergarten Model has just undergone its second year of evaluation with Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Australia’s pre-eminent child health research institute.

Key strengths identified through the evaluation include classroom quality being high across all kindergartens and a service culture that puts families first with facilities that are safe, welcoming and practical.

“The recent findings have been extremely pleasing. Our Australian-first Early Years model goes far beyond the classroom, it has been over 10 years in the making and has been informed by deep research.”

“We plan to take our education model to more children and families across the country and adding five new Centres in term next year is just a start!”

An accredited Early Years Manager, Kids First is recognised by the Department of Education and Training for its expertise in the delivery of high-quality early childhood education and care services.

New Centre details:

City of Whittlesea
• Barrawang Primary School Kindergarten in Wollert West
• Lalor Primary School Kindergarten in Lalor
• Meadowglen Primary School Kindergarten in Epping

City of Casey
• Orana Kindergarten in Clyde North, with families transitioning to Clyde Township Family & Children’s Centre Kindergarten (opening Term two of 2023)

City of Darebin
• Reservoir East Family Centre- Reservoir East Primary school