School Readiness Funding — Victoria
We are an accredited School Readiness Funding provider as part of the Victorian State Government School Readiness funding menu. Our bespoke, trauma-informed training is tailored to the specific needs of your service, your educators and the children and families you work with.
Preschool Boost — South Australia
We are an accredited Preschool Boost provider as part of the South Australian State Government Preschool Boost funding menu. Contact us to discuss how we can support your service through the Preschool Boost program.
Flexible Support Packages
Flexible Support Packages provide short-term early intervention support for children experiencing vulnerability in early learning settings. Kids First delivers bespoke FSP programs across Victoria, tailored to the needs of each child and family.
All about our programs
Kids First Australia delivers bespoke, trauma-informed training and support for early years educators across Victoria and South Australia. Our programs — School Readiness Funding (VIC), Preschool Boost (SA) and Flexible Support Packages — are founded on trauma-informed practice and a deep understanding of child development, family engagement and educator wellbeing.
We design every program around the specific needs of your service, your educators and the children and families you work with — delivered in-person, online, or a combination of both.
Our impact
Over the past two and a half years, Kids First Australia has provided early childhood professional learning and practice support to approximately 69 ECEC services, supporting educators and positively impacting an estimated 4,500–5,000 children across Victoria through the School Readiness Funding menu. Our work is now expanding into South Australia through Preschool Boost.
Who you'll be working with
Shelley Fallowfield
Early Years Model LeadShelley supports the development of evidence-informed approaches that strengthen early childhood systems and services. Her work focuses on early intervention, attachment and building practical tools that help educators and services support children and families experiencing vulnerability.
Noha Elhanafy
Social Worker and School Readiness CoordinatorNoha works alongside kindergarten educators to support children's successful transition to school. With qualifications in early childhood education and social work, she integrates trauma-informed, culturally safe and inclusive approaches into early learning environments. Drawing on her lived experience as a migrant, Noha works collaboratively with educators, families and community partners to ensure children from diverse backgrounds feel supported, valued and ready to learn.
[email protected] | 0417 689 769
Pam Reid
Educator and TrainerPam is an experienced educator and trainer dedicated to creating early learning environments where every child can reach their full potential. Grounded in evidence-based, trauma-informed and relational practice, she works in partnership with educators to strengthen their understanding of child development, wellbeing and the impact of relationships on learning — translating theory into meaningful action that educators can embed into their everyday programs and interactions.
[email protected] | 0459 582 415
What you can expect from our training modules
The hands-on ideas we can take back to the classroom, and all the theory around trauma and how it relates to the brain.
What educators say about our training
— Educator
Get in touch about our training programs
For more information about our School Readiness Funding (VIC), Preschool Boost (SA) or Flexible Support Packages programs, fill in the form below and one of our team will be in touch shortly. Alternatively contact us directly:
VIC: Noha Elhanafy [email protected] | 0417 689 769 SA: Pam Reid [email protected] | 0459 582 415
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is Kids First an accredited DET school readiness provider? A. Yes — Kids First Australia is an accredited School Readiness Provider as part of the Victorian State Government School Readiness funding menu, and an accredited Preschool Boost provider as part of the South Australian State Government Preschool Boost funding menu. We also deliver Flexible Support Packages across Victoria and South Australia.
Q. How do I know my Kindergarten’s funding allocation? A. VIC — School Readiness Funding: The Department of Education will contact your service around September each year to advise your funding allocation for the following year. Your regional Kindergarten Improvement Advisor can help with any queries. SA — Preschool Boost: Visit the SA Early Childhood website or contact us directly — we can help you understand your eligibility and develop a tailored package.
Q. Can I access training or consultancy for our educators online? A. Yes — we offer training and consultancy online via Microsoft Teams, in-person at your service, or a combination of both. We work around what suits your team.
Q. How long are the training sessions? A. Each training package runs for approximately 2 hours.
Q. How much does training cost? A. Training sessions are priced for groups of up to 10 people. For groups larger than 10, an additional fee of $55 per person applies. Services accessing School Readiness Funding (VIC) or Preschool Boost (SA) can use their government funding allocation to cover costs. Contact us to discuss a package that suits your budget.
Q. Are there travel costs for in-person training? A. Travel costs apply for in-person sessions outside our local area:
- 0–100km: $220 per site visit
- 100–200km: $495 per site visit
- 200–300km: $770 per site visit
- 300km+: to be discussed with Kids First, as accommodation costs may apply
Q. How many staff at my Kinder need to be trained? A. Our training packages can be run for 10 people at the listed price, and more people may attend for an additional fee per person. Based on your funding allocation, you can decide how many staff members you wish to include. Consultancy is undertaken one on one with team members, or in small groups of 3 or 4 people.
Q. Can the training be tailored to my organisation? A. Absolutely — and this is one of the things that sets Kids First apart. We design every program around the specific needs of your service, your educators and the children and families you work with. Our trainers take questions throughout every session and adapt content to your context.
Q. My Kinder has limited funding, can I mix and match or tailor the training? A. Yes. We're happy to discuss a training plan that suits your needs and budget. Contact us and we'll help you make the most of your funding allocation — whether that's SRF, Preschool Boost or a privately funded arrangement.
Q. My Kinder receives a high level of funding, do you offer ‘boosters’ or additional training throughout the year? A. Yes! All of our training and consultancy can be tailored to meet your budget and training needs. We can offer ongoing support throughout the year based on your needs. Call us to discuss this further!
Q. Do you deliver Preschool Boost training in South Australia? A. Yes — Kids First Australia is an accredited Preschool Boost provider in South Australia. We deliver bespoke, trauma-informed training for preschool educators through the SA Preschool Boost funding menu. Contact Pam Reid at [email protected] or 0459 582 415 to discuss your service's needs. Preschool Boost training
Q. What are Flexible Support Packages and does Kids First deliver them? A. Flexible Support Packages (FSPs) are government-funded, short-term support packages — up to 10 weeks — for children in early learning settings who have a background of trauma and adversity, consistently demonstrate behaviours of concern, or need immediate support to stabilise their attendance and inclusion. Kids First delivers FSPs across Victoria and South Australia. Contact us to discuss whether an FSP is right for a child in your service. Flexible Support Packages
Q. What makes Kids First different from other SR providers? A. Kids First runs its own early childhood centres — which means we practise what we teach, every day. We also conducted the first randomised control trial of its kind in Australia, measuring the impact of quality, trauma-informed and relational pedagogy on children experiencing adversity. Our training comes from genuine firsthand experience in the early years sector. And unlike many providers, every program we deliver is bespoke — designed around your service.