June 2003

Shepparton partnership gives children the best start

Greater Shepparton City Council is undertaking projects to enhance and strengthen early childhood services through the Best Start program.

Best Start is a Department of Human Services’ initiative connecting early childhood, social, health and education services to maximise development opportunities for children.

The Shepparton Best Start partnership includes parents and representatives of State and local government and service providers.

It is working with local primary school and preschool staff to implement transition to school programs for preschool children.

By introducing young children to their new teacher, classroom, library and playground before the start of the new school year, the project aims for a smoother transition for preschoolers to school life–resulting in improved opportunities for learning.

Best Start will also support parents as they prepare their preschoolers for school.

Local school information expos, designed to cater for the diverse cultural and indigenous mix of local families, will be held for parents later in the year.

The expos will provide practical pointers for parents about how family members can encourage their young children as they get ready to start school.

Information booklets—translated into multiple languages—will be given to parents attending the expos informing families with specific cultural needs.

The Shepparton Best Start partnership has identified a need for early childhood health professionals to work more closely to improve community Post Natal Depression (PND) awareness.

Many new mothers often find PND symptoms debilitating, impacting on their ability to parent effectively.

Formalised working arrangements between early childhood health professionals and local doctors will lead to consultative and therapeutic group support for women experiencing PND and professional education for service providers.

A comprehensive electronic service directory detailing local early years and community support services will help professionals link local families to available services.

The directory is being trialed and will then be available to all service providers, schools and community groups later in 2003.

The Best Start partnership with the City of Greater Shepparton continues the strong focus on child health and safety incorporated into local municipal planning.

As a result of extensive consultations with community leaders, service providers and parents, council has identified five key child health and safety projects for development.

Projects aim to improve integration between service providers, increase local promotion of child and family literacy, enhance current antenatal care and infancy support activities and reshape local playgroup and parent support programs.

• For more information about Shepparton Best Start visit www.beststart.vic.gov.au.