Kids First Early Years Education Program – Kindergarten Model evaluated by MCRI

A trial of the Kids First Early Years Education Program – Kindergarten Model has been evaluated by the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI), finding that the program achieves high family satisfaction and consistent child attendance, cultivates consistent classroom quality and promotes strong family relationships, amongst other key outcomes. 

 

The Kids First Early Years Education Program – Kindergarten model supports children’s emotional, social, and cognitive development, while providing connection, care and support to each child’s family, and has been developed, refined and piloted in line with the Kids First vision for all children and young people to thrive in strong, resilient, and safe families and communities, and with a desire to see all children to start school on equal footing.

 

The program offers:

 

• high staff/child ratios
• diploma qualified staff
• enriched caregiving
• high-quality curriculum-based education based on the revised Early Years Learning Framework
• connections to Family Support and Child Protection Services
• a strong focus on building partnerships with parents

 

The intention is that these features translate into a holistic education and care experience for children attending Kids First, and the model has been trialled in six Victorian kindergartens across the network, and has now been evaluated by MCRI. 

 

Key findings from the MCRI evaluation include:  

 

• Achieves high family satisfaction and consistent child attendance

 

During the trial, the evaluation found that families felt very happy with the program. Their children keep coming regularly, which shows that families trust the program and the teachers, even if they faced extra challenges.

 

• Cultivates consistent classroom quality

The evaluation found that the model has helped keep Kids First kindergartens’ quality to remain consistently high over the past three years. 

 

• Promotes strong family relationships.
   

• Strengthens key educational practices

 

Staff consistently use effective methods, like staying in touch with children and families, creating a positive learning space, and using a play-based approach that encourages children to participate, evaluators noted. These practices help children grow emotionally, socially, and intellectually.

 

• Offers effective trauma-informed approaches

 

All educators have been trained to understand and support children who face emotional and challenging situations, both at home and elsewhere, the evaluators note. This training has improved their skills and confidence, helping children affected by trauma have a better learning experience and emotional support. 

 

• Places high value on family involvement

 

The program supported families to be involved in their child’s education, building a strong connection between home and kindergarten.

 

• Increases confidence in difficult conversations

 

The model has helped staff feel more comfortable having difficult and sensitive talks with families. 

• Fosters collaboration with complementary services

 

The model has improved how educators work with other services, making sure children’s various and varied needs are met through teamwork.

Model shared with broader sector

 

The model is now available for all Australian children and can be used in any kindergarten, addressing a crucial need in the early education sector. 

 

Kids First have now implemented this model in all of its 12 centres across Victoria, and is continuing to work with MCRI to evaluate how the provider can ensure the impactful nature of the model can be replicated in centres across Australia.

 

“Our ultimate goal is to help centres across Australia adopt our model, so all children – no matter their background or circumstance – can access the highest quality early years education and care,” a Kids First representative noted. 

 

Learn more about the model here.