Integrated school and early learning hubs linked to stronger transitions and family engagement

A new evaluation has found that integrating early learning, health and family support services within schools significantly improves access for families and strengthens outcomes for children, adding momentum to calls for expansion of integrated hubs across Victoria.

Released on 12 February 2026, the 2025 Our Place Evaluation Report examined integrated school and early learning hubs operating across nine Victorian communities. The findings suggest that how services are delivered, not simply what services are available,  plays a critical role in addressing entrenched disadvantages.

The evaluation identified substantial increases in coordinated supports and improved family confidence, including:

• a 98 per cent increase in wrap-around health and wellbeing supports
• 80 per cent of families reporting positive transitions into school
• 90 per cent of caregivers feeling confident supporting learning at home
• 83 per cent of service partners reporting improved service delivery
• emerging improvements in education outcomes and school attendance rates.

Despite ongoing investment in standalone programs, many children in disadvantaged communities continue to start school behind their peers. The report suggests that embedding services within schools, environments families already know and trust, reduces access barriers and strengthens continuity of support.

Dedicated facilitation within hubs was identified as a key enabler, aligning education, health and community services around shared goals and bringing together sectors that traditionally operate separately.

Sean Cory, CEO of Our Place, said the findings highlight the importance of structural integration.

“If we want to close equity gaps and improve outcomes, we need approaches that connect education, health and family services around children and communities,” he said.

The evaluation is released amid national policy discussions about “full-service schools”, including recommendations from the Australian Government Independent Expert Panel review, implementation of the Better and Fairer Schools Agreement and broader funding reforms.

Researchers suggest integrated school and early learning hubs provide a scalable model that aligns with these reforms by coordinating existing services more effectively rather than creating new standalone programs.

For early childhood education and care (ECEC) providers and school-based early learning services, the findings reinforce several priorities:

• strengthening transition-to-school partnerships
• embedding family engagement strategies
• coordinating with health and allied services
• aligning local supports around community needs

The evaluation also highlights the value of shared accountability frameworks and cross-sector collaboration, elements increasingly recognised within both school reform agendas and early learning policy settings.

The report’s central message is that proximity and coordination matter. When education, health and family services operate as an integrated ecosystem within trusted community settings, families experience simpler pathways to support and improve continuity for children.

As policymakers consider future funding and reform directions, integrated school and early learning hubs may offer a model capable of addressing persistent inequities while maximising the impact of existing investment.

The full 2025 Our Place Evaluation Report is available here.