Early childhood support at Mooroopna is making a difference for children with trauma

Mooroopna Primary School, in Victoria’s north, is taking an innovative approach to addressing childhood trauma with the launch of an integrated early learning centre which aims to holistically support children and families through a maternal child health nurse, a play therapist and a paediatrician to provide holistic care onsite. 

The approach has been driven by AEDC data which shows that 60 per cent of children attending the school are developmentally vulnerable in two or more domains when they commence school, with many having been exposed to family violence, alcohol and drug abuse, poverty and homelessness. Other children at the school bear psychological wounds after coming to Australia seeking asylum. 

Local doctor Peter Eastaugh said that for many of the students, their neurological ‘wiring’ has been damaged by environmental trauma, but that this can be reversed through early intervention, such as that provided in the Mooroopna Integrated Early Learning Centre. 

As well as the range of specialists noted above, the centre also features a playground, kinder facilities which will commence in Term Three, and will in time also offer long day care. In total, the Centre will support up to 100 children and families. 

For a full overview of the new Centre, including pictures, please see here.