2024 VEYA Finalist Series: Access and Participation & Creating Community Partnerships

The Victorian Early Years Awards (VEYA) are an opportunity for the best and brightest Victorian early childhood and allied professionals to be recognised for the exceptional contribution they make to early childhood education and care (ECEC). 

 

Now in their 19th year, the awards are an opportunity to showcase the inspiring work being done in the Victorian ECEC sector, with finalists exemplifying the vital work happening in the sector as a whole. 

 

In 2024, The Sector will run a series in the lead up to the announcement of the award winners on 7 November 2024, sharing a little more about each of the finalists across the nine award categories, and the significance of their achievements. 

 

This week we are showcasing finalists from the Improving Access and Participation in Early Learning category and the Creating Collaborative Community Partnerships category. 

 

Improving Access and Participation in Early Learning

 

This award recognises one or more early childhood services and/or organisations that are taking action to promote access, ongoing participation and engagement in early learning, particularly for families experiencing vulnerability and/or disadvantage. 

 

Finalist – Glen Education 

 

Glen Education introduced an Education and Inclusion Support Team not only to complement their Customer Relations Team, but also as part of their strong commitment to education access and participation for all children, and their efforts to enhance the supports provided to each family, child and education team throughout the year.

 

Where other doors may have closed on parents because services were unable to deal with complex disability and support needs, Glen Education’s dedicated teams focus on providing a warm welcome and an end-to-end service centred around partnerships which respect and celebrate the unique experiences, strengths, and needs of each family.

 

Policies and processes implemented at Glen Education focus on inclusion, complemented by relationships formed with local council and community health providers ensuring children with additional support needs have priority access. These efforts reflect Glen Education’s commitment to a rights and social justice framework, and to ensuring that all children are supported to thrive in an inclusive early childhood program.

 

Finalist – Enrol to Kinder – Mildura Rural City Council (in partnership with Connected Beginnings Midura) 

 

In November 2023, Mildura Rural City Council in partnership with Connected Beginnings held an ‘Enrol to Kinder Day’ to support families to overcome barriers to kindergarten enrolment. The event addressed issues like low literacy, limited English, and lack of internet access, which previously made completing enrolment forms challenging.

 

Over 120 families attended, receiving help to complete kindergarten enrolment forms, immunisations and obtain important paperwork like birth certificates. A suite of community and health services attended, providing an opportunity for families to engage with early learning and other service-based organisations.

 

The innovative Enrol to Kinder Day took a community-centred approach and was designed to not only reduce barriers to early childhood education engagement, but provide an opportunity to link families with support services and increase relationships and trust between council staff and vulnerable community members.

 

Finalist – Future Me – STEM sisters 

 

The Future Me project empowers young children from all backgrounds to imagine future endeavours in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Taking a creative, multifaceted approach, the program seeks to bridge the gender gap and inspires girls from an early age.

 

Future Me leveraged evidence-based practices to produce comic books, science events and hands-on workshops that nurture creativity, problem-solving and critical thinking. The comic book series features female protagonists engaged in science and technology, sparking curiosity in over 10,000 young readers to date.

 

Research shows that early exposure to STEM significantly influences children’s future career choices and interests. By partnering with schools, community centres, and local organisations, Future Me reaches a broad audience and provides a unique and comprehensive learning experience that goes beyond traditional educational practices. 

 

Since its inception, Future Me has engaged over 5,000 children in STEM activities, and increased children’s interest and confidence in STEM subjects.

 

Creating Collaborative Community Partnerships

 

This award recognises a collaborative partnership between two or more early childhood services and/or organisations that are taking action to promote collaborative practice that supports and which demonstrate positive outcomes for children and families.

 

Finalist – The Grandfriends program – Ararat Early Learning Centre (in partnership with East Grampians Health Service and Gorrinn Village, Ararat) 

 

The Grandfriends program at Ararat Early Learning Centre is the first intergenerational initiative in the Ararat community, bringing children together with aged care residents for shared activities and friendship-building.

 

This program is particularly impactful for children born during the pandemic, who may have missed key social and emotional development opportunities. By engaging in activities like crafts, gardening, music, and letter writing with the residents, the children enhance their communication skills and broaden their social circles beyond their immediate families. 

 

The program is especially valuable for those without extended family, helping to increase their confidence, sense of belonging, and understanding of the world.

 

In 2023, families noted the program’s positive impact on their children’s development. Additionally, it builds strong intergenerational connections and enriches the lives of the aged care residents involved.

 

Finalist – Ballarat’s Children: Collaborating for Systems Improvement Sessions – City of Ballarat Council (In partnership with Grampians Public Health Unit and Uniting Ballarat)

 

‘Ballarat’s Children: Collaborating for Systems Improvement Sessions’ are a series of monthly, two-hour professional development and networking sessions for staff/practitioners working with young children and families in Ballarat. Sessions focus on community connection, disability and inclusion, financial assistance and cultural diversity.

 

The program was co-designed by City of Ballarat Best Start, Ballarat 4 Kids and the Children’s Resource Program at Uniting Ballarat following a 2023 workshop. Attendees identified the need for more networking and collaboration opportunities to develop stronger relationships and understanding of the service system, including referral pathways.

 

On average, each session has attracted approximately 50 participants, across the medical, education and community sectors, representing the broad and diverse networks of the 3 host organisations. 

 

The workshops have resulted in staff and practitioners working together more closely with a strong commitment to adding value through the sharing of knowledge and resources and a strong commitment to enhancing child wellbeing.

 

Finalist – Accessing Essential Services for Rural Kids – Rainbow P-12 College (in partnership with Royal Far West) 

 

In 2023, Rainbow P-12 College partnered with Royal Far West to trial a telehealth program aimed at improving access to health and wellbeing services for children in the remote town of Rainbow.

 

Limited availability of paediatric allied health services was affecting student learning, classroom dynamics, and staff wellbeing. The program used a hybrid model, combining two annual outreach visits with year-round telehealth support for children, parents, and educators.

 

Local clinicians collaborated with Royal Far West’s specialists to address students’ learning and behavioural needs. A formal evaluation confirmed the program’s success in enhancing children’s learning outcomes and boosting the confidence, wellbeing, and skills of the school community. Due to its positive impact, the school extended the program for a second year, integrating it with local kindergartens and health services to strengthen community partnerships.

 

The winners of the 2024 VEYA will be named on Thursday 7November 2024. 

 

Learn more about the Awards, and view the finalists in all categories.