Creating the best future

for our children

Introduction MEYP vision:

ANNUAL This is the second Municipal Early Years
Plan (MEYP) summary report following
PROGRESS the plan’s endorsement in March 2016.
As the implementation of the MEYP
progresses, it is important to take stock,
REPORT AND report on achievements and recognise
the changing early years environment and
All children aged from birth to eight
years and their families are part of an
active, healthy and safe child friendly
community that promotes and provides
real opportunities for learning and
development.

ACTION PLAN emerging priorities, particularly through

the State Governments reform agenda.
MEYP themes:
This document also includes an updated
UPDATE MEYP action plan. As part of the annual
review process, both City of Greater
1. Safety of children
2. Environment and facilities
Bendigo service units and contributing for children
2018 agencies have provided feedback on their
progress in achieving their respective
3. Active and healthy children

actions and any changes required.
The Greater Bendigo Municipal Early
Years Plan
The MEYP is focused on children
aged from birth to eight years and
their families and carers. It aims to
enhance the health and wellbeing of
children and families by providing a
framework to prioritise needs, plan
for the future, facilitate partnerships
and direct resources. It also provides
a vision and strategic direction for
our early years sector with a focus on
‘whole of community’ responses to the
pr
priorities identified by the community.
4. Education and care for children
5. Whole of community
partnerships benefitting children
6. A child friendly city
and community
The MEYP features six priority themes
which have corresponding objectives
and actions as part of the action plan.
The action plan also highlights the
collaborative partnerships and where
there are opportunities for families and
children to contribute.

More information: contact Community Wellbeing Planning and Policy Coordinator Alicia O’Brien
at a.obrien@bendigo.vic.gov.au
Action Plan – Summary progress report
The summary progress report highlights some key achievements between March 2017 and March 2018.
OBJECTIVE
THEME 1: SAFETY OF CHILDREN
1.1. To support organisations,
programs and initiatives
that promotes children’s
safety in the community.
THEME 2: ENVIRONMENT AND FACILITIES FOR CHILDREN
2.1. To support and develop
additional early years
infrastructure and child
friendly environments.
ACTIONS
1.1.2 Organise and participate
in events that promote
safety for children and their
families in the community
e.g. White Ribbon Day.
1.1.3 Develop a Family Violence
Prevention Action Plan
for the Greater Bendigo
community.
1.2.2 Ensure smoke free
healthcare for children at
Bendigo Health.
2.1.1 Plan and construct a new
Early Learning Centre as
part of a larger Community
Hub upgrade to Club Court,
Strathfieldsaye.
2.1.8 Consider the needs of small
townships regarding service
requirements and provide
support e.g. undertaking
feasibility studies and
sharing information.
2.1.9 Provide, upgrade and
maintain facilities to be
used by not for profit and
community preschool
providers.
PROGRESS TO DATE
The City continues to host an annual White Ribbon Day
event.
The City hosted a Gender Equity Forum and Workshop
on March 8, 2018. The event focused on creating
conversation about how we can motivate and unite
friends, colleagues and the wider community to think
act and be gender inclusive.
The forum and workshop will also inform the
development of the City’s first Gender Equity Strategy.
Centre for Non-Violence and Communities for Children
Bendigo partnered with Kids’ Own Publishing and
Lightning Reef Early Learning Centre to produce Rainbow
Fox, a book written and illustrated by kindergarten
children. The book is an education and literacy tool to
provide a resource for parents and early years professionals
to talk with children about gender equity. Rainbow Fox
characters challenge gender stereotypes and roles, and
promote positive, equal and respectful relationships.
A ‘gender equity in the early years’ resource kit is being
developed to compliment the Rainbow Fox book.
Bendigo Health as part of achieving Silver status in the
Victorian Smoke Free Health Care Services Network
promotes and supports parents to reduce children’s
exposure to 1st, 2nd and 3rd hand smoke. Continued
work will be undertaken as Bendigo Health works
towards achieving Gold Status.
The Strathfieldsaye Community Hub construction
is underway with completion including landscaping
expected by June 2018. Stage 1 consists of the Early
Years Hub, which combines the early learning and
maternal and child health facilities. A design for the
early learning supervised play yard has been developed.
Following a feasibility study concerning the
development of childcare services in Heathcote, a
supported playgroup and after school care program
has been established. Partners include Communities
for Children Bendigo, Bendigo Community Children’s
Services, Mandalay Resources and the Primary Schools.
Heathcote Community Children’s Services Association
Inc has secured a premises and funding towards the
development of childcare within a community children’s hub.
The City has completed its final two of seven major
upgrades of play spaces at preschool facilities, funded
via a $395,000 grant from the State Government plus
contributions from the City and Early Years Managers.
Significant renewal works recently completed include a
program of cyclic painting and floor covering replacement,
child amenities upgrade at Spring Gully Kindergarten,
replacement combo play equipment piece at Epsom
Preschool and kitchen upgrade at Bendigo Toy Library.
OBJECTIVE
THEME 3: ACTIVE AND HEALTHY CHILDREN
3.2. To improve overall health
outcomes for children.
3.3. To increase participation
in Maternal and Child
Health Services especially
for Aboriginal children and
families.
3.4. To maintain immunisation
rates above the Victorian
state average.
THEME 4: EDUCATION AND CARE FOR CHILDREN
4.2. To ensure that Early
Learning Services and
programs are affordable,
accessible and inclusive.
4.2. To ensure that Early
Learning Services and
programs are affordable,
accessible and inclusive.
4.5 To ensure systemic
improvement for vulnerable
and at risk children.
4.6 To increase literacy and
numeracy skills of children
and their families.
ACTIONS
3.2.4 Improve the oral health of
preschool aged children and
their families through the
promotion and support of
healthy eating and oral health.
3.2.6 Promote healthy eating
through a range of services,
programs, guidelines and
events.
3.3.1 Continue to provide
outreach services to
Aboriginal families and
encourage participation
in the Maternal and Child
Health service.
3.4.1 Continue to promote
the importance of
immunisations to families.
4.2.7 Investigate and encourage
the development of
additional Bush Kinder
programs.
4.2.11 Work with supported
playgroup providers to
assess the types of support
the City can provide, such
as relevant transport
information and working
with new groups regarding
accessible locations.
4.5.1 Maintain and enhance the
Communities for Children
Supported Playgroup project.
4.6.1 Further develop and
implement the Communities
for Children Children’s
Language and Literacy
Project.
PROGRESS TO DATE
Bendigo Health continues to implement the Smiles 4
Miles healthy eating and oral health promotion program.
In 2017 a total of 23 of the 44 services achieved award
status in the Smiles 4 Miles program, supporting 2189
children to access environments to improve oral health.
The City received funding from VicHealth in 2017 to
implement the “Water as the drink of choice” project in
City owned recreation facilities. Overall the project was
able to produce changes in drink sales at all four facilities
involved. Signage has been developed to increase the
sales of water and to continue the messaging of the
project. The signs have been installed at City owned
swimming pools.
The City provides a flexible service for Aboriginal families
via the Outreach Maternal Child Health Nurse to either
home visit, meet at Bendigo and District Aboriginal
Co-operative or attend a centre. Support initiatives
which integrate joint practice, including having agencies
regularly attend allocation meetings for Enhanced
Maternal and Child Health, are in place.
In response to the Immunisation Service Review the City is
providing public immunisation sessions at more suitable
facilities. The Kangaroo Flat immunisation session is now
held at Bendigo Community Health Services “Kidzspace”.
The State Government announced in February that
Victoria is hitting the herd immunity target of 95 per
cent – its best immunisation coverage in history. The
proportion of children fully immunised in their fifth year
of age in Greater Bendigo is 97.43 per cent.
Three and four year old kinder students at the City’s
Helen Jessen Early Learning Centre now enjoy
exploring the outdoors with the introduction of a bush
kinder program in 2017. Once a week children head
outdoors with their educators and learn to interact and
understand the natural environment.
A number of bush kinder programs operate across Greater
Bendigo, including at Spring Gully and Huntly Kindergartens.
Bendigo Community Health Services and Communities
for Children Bendigo have developed a local supported
playgroup model and increased the number of
supported playgroups to six across Greater Bendigo.
The City is working to align the supported playgroup
funding through the Early Childhood Reform to the local
Communities for Children model.
Bendigo Health and Communities for Children Bendigo
have developed a Parents as Literacy Champions
Project. The first workshop was held in December 2017.
A total of 15 participants attended training, including
parents, carers and workers.
The number of book box libraries located in Bendigo has
increased, with 38 located across a variety of organisations.
OBJECTIVE ACTIONS PROGRESS TO DATE

THEME 6: A CHILD FRIENDLY CITY AND COMMUNITY

6.3. To enable and encourage
children to express their
opinions and to participate
in and contribute to
decisions about their
community and their health
and wellbeing.
6.3.3 Maintain and enhance the
Communities for Children
Family and Services
Facilitator Project- Voice of
the Family.
Noah’s Ark and Communities for Children Bendigo
successfully undertook a project to gather the voice
and views of parents with the aim to include them in
the design of programs and services in the early years
sector. The voice of the family report ‘Throw Away
the Book’ was completed and the parents for change
advocacy group formed to contribute to bettering the
lives of children and families in Bendigo.

6.6 To facilitate a broad range of
community based events for
children and their families.
6.6.1 Facilitate a Children’s
Day as part of National
Aborigines and Islanders
Day Observance Committee
(NAIDOC) Week.
Bendigo and District Aboriginal Cooperative and
Communities for Children Bendigo hosted another
highly successful NAIDOC Children’s Day in July 2017
with over 700 children attending including over 350
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. The event
saw a shift from agencies running general children’s
activities to running activities that supported and
promoted Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

6.6.2 Continue to implement The City is committed to providing a range of free,

free/low cost child friendly
events throughout the
municipality, e.g. Fun
Loong Fun Day, Playgroup
Victoria Week activities,
Summer in the Parks, New
Year’s Eve entertainment,
Neighbourhood Events etc.
family friendly events as part of our commitment to the
Child Friendly Cities and Communities Charter and in
response to strong feedback provided by families during
the development of the MEYP.
The City hosted its fifth and biggest FunLoong Fun Day
yet in 2017, with thousands of children and families from
a broad cross-section of Greater Bendigo enjoying a
special fun filled day out. FunLoong Fun Day celebrates
National Children’s Week.

Policy context
The early years environment is complex and evolving. Currently a
strong focus is on ending family violence and creating a higher quality,
more equitable and inclusive early childhood system through the
State Governments Family Violence Reform and Early Years Reform.
The City’s commitment to supporting the early years is broad ranging
and includes service delivery, planning, infrastructure provision,
partnerships and community building to create a child friendly city as
detailed in the MEYP.
This commitment is shared with State Government, local
partnerships, agencies, services, community groups and families.
Together State and Local governments through the Early Years
Compact will work in new ways to improve outcomes for children and
families, in response to the reform agenda.
Key local partnerships working to improve outcomes for young children
and their families include the Children and Youth Area Partnership in
the Loddon region and Communities for Children Bendigo.
The Children and Youth Area Partnership is driving collective effort to
support vulnerable families and create better outcomes for children
and young people in out of home care.
Communities for Children Bendigo aims to deliver positive and
sustainable outcomes for children and families experiencing
disadvantage. This is done with a focus on system change and
community building work alongside direct service delivery.
The City is a member of these partnerships and recognises the
importance of collective impact in achieving our MEYP vision for
early years.
Early years data profile snapshot
Population
• There is a growing • The proportion of 0 • We have identified future areas of high
population of 0-9 to 9 year olds with growth for 0 to 9 year olds in Greater
year olds in Greater Aboriginal and Torres Bendigo. Between 2016 and 2036 the
Bendigo. Strait Islander heritage highest population growth is projected
in 2016 was 3.5%. in Huntly, Strathfieldsaye and Marong
• In 2016 there were 14,385 children aged and district.
0 to 9 years in Greater Bendigo. This • The projected population for 2036 of
was 13% of the overall population of 0 to 9 year olds is 20,805 in Greater Huntly = 144% increase
110,473 residents which is slightly above Bendigo or 13.3% 144 an extra 1,046 children
the Victorian average of 12.5%. of an overall % Totalling 1,774
population
of 156,151 Strathfieldsaye = 120% increase
13% 12.5% 120 an extra 1,181 children
residents. 2036 % Totalling 2,161
GB Vic 20,805 Marong – rural west = 96% increase
96 an extra 643 children
% Totalling 1,616

Health and wellbeing Early development and education

• Greater Bendigo has higher • The rate of police • In 2015 the proportion 95.8% 98.1%
immunisation rates than
97.4 callouts for of children enrolled
%
the Victorian average. The family Incidents in in preschool in
proportion of children Greater Bendigo in Greater Bendigo was
fully immunised in 2016/17 was 1,430.3 95.8%, lower than the
their fifth year of age callouts per 100,000 Victorian average of GB Vic
in Greater Bendigo population, compared 98.1%.
is 97.43%, compared to 1238 per 100,000 Victorians.
to the Victorian The progress of children in their first year of
average of 95.3%. • The rate of substantiated child primary school is measured across five domains
abuse in Greater Bendigo was 10.1 of early childhood development through the
• The proportion of infants who received per 1,000 children aged 0 to 17 years Australian Early Development Census.
a home visit by a maternal and child in 2011, compared to 6.7 per 1,000
health nurse in 2015-2016 was 98%, children in Victoria. • Between 2012 and 2015 there was a
slightly lower than the Victorian average. significant increase in the number of
The proportion of children • The rate of children in out of home children developmentally vulnerable
who attended a care in Greater Bendigo was 8.8 per on the domains of social competence
3.5 year maternal 1,000 children aged 0 to 17 years and emotional maturity.
and child health in 2011, compared to 4.6 per 1,000
children in Victoria. • There was a significant increase in the
check in 2015-16
number of children vulnerable on two
was 77%, higher
or more domains, from 9.8% in 2012 to
than the Victorian
98% 77% 11.8% in 2015.
average.
MEYP Action Plan
At the commencement of the MEYP, the action plan included an
ambitious 124 actions in response to the priority themes. The City
being the lead agency for 68 actions, with the remaining 56 shared
across partner agencies.
Since then implementation has progressed well, actions have been
achieved and priorities have shifted in response to a changing
OBJECTIVE ACTIONS
THEME 1: SAFETY OF CHILDREN
1.1. To support 1.1.2 Organise and participate
organisations, in events that promote
programs and safety for children and
initiatives their families in the
that promote community e.g. White
children’s Ribbon Day.
safety in the
community.
1.1.3 Further develop
and implement the
Communities for
Children Early Years
Family Violence Project.
1.1.5 Provide opportunities for
the early years sector to
participate in targeted
training through C4C and
in regional Common Risk
Assessment Framework
Family Violence Training
(State-wide model).
1.2. To develop safe 1.2.2 Ensure smoke free
environments health care for children
for children and at Bendigo Health.
their families.
1.2.3 Support early years
services to achieve the
safety focused priority
areas of the Cancer
Council Victoria’s
Achievement Program.
THEME 2: ENVIRONMENT AND FACILITIES FOR CHILDREN
2.1. To support 2.1.1 Plan and construct a
and develop new Early Learning
additional Centre as part of a
early years larger community hub
infrastructure upgrade to Club Court,
and child friendly Strathfieldsaye.
environments.
early years environment. As such the following updated action
plan includes a reduced number of actions, 63 in total. The City is
now leading 29 and a further 34 actions are shared across partner
agencies.
Thank you to partner agencies for providing feedback as part of the
annual review process.
WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE AGENCIES
• A range of events that promote Lead: City of Greater Bendigo
safety are held within the City of
Partners:
Greater Bendigo.
• Bendigo Safe Community
Forum
• Bendigo White Ribbon Day
Committee
• Implementation of the Early Lead: Centre for Non-Violence
Years Family Violence Action Plan
Partners:
• Role of the early years sector
• Communities for Children
in helping to address family
(C4C) – Bendigo
violence supported
• C4C partners
• A family violence primary
prevention resource kit • Early years agencies
focussing on gender equity and • Anglicare Victoria
respectful relationships created
(including a children’s book
written and illustrated by local
children – partnership with
‘Kids own Publishing’)
• There is greater awareness by Lead: Centre for Non-Violence
service providers of family violence (through LCFVAC)
issues and how to respond
Partners:
• The Common Risk Assessment • Communities for Children
Framework has been (C4C) – Bendigo
developed and delivered with a
• Early years agencies
broad reach
• CASA
• Children protected from Lead: Bendigo Health
exposure to 1st, 2nd and 3rd
hand smoke while an inpatient
in Bendigo Health’s Women’s
and Children’s Services.
• Early years services are Lead: Bendigo Health
achieving the benchmarks for
Partners:
Safe Environments, Tobacco
Control and Sun Protection. • Early years services
• Early years agencies
• Children and families
• Construct a new 88 place Early Lead: City of Greater Bendigo
Learning Centre, Maternal and
Partners:
Child Health and meeting area
at Club Court. • Department of Education and
Training
• Additional Early Years Services
• Loddon Mallee Preschool
in Strathfieldsaye.
Association
OBJECTIVE ACTIONS WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE AGENCIES

2.1.2 Develop an Early Years • Council’s long term planning Lead: City of Greater Bendigo
Infrastructure Plan to role in regards to Infrastructure
Partners:
assist with the City’s and facilities is based on
enhanced role in long population growth and an • Loddon Mallee Preschool
term strategic planning Infrastructure Plan has been Association
and capital works. developed to feed into capital • YMCA Ballarat
works programs. • Bendigo Preschool

2.1.3 Finalise the plans for • A new facility focusing on
a purpose built facility
to service the needs
of Aboriginal families
in relation to health,
wellbeing, early years
services and programs.
health, wellbeing and early
years services has been
constructed and is well utilised
by Aboriginal families.
Lead: Bendigo & District
Aboriginal Cooperative
Partners:
• Early years agencies
• Department of Education and
Training
• City of Greater Bendigo
• Department of Health and
Human Services

2.1.8 Consider the needs • Liaison with small townships Lead: City of Greater Bendigo
of small townships over service needs, including
Partners:
regarding service Heathcote.
requirements and • Early years agencies
provide support e.g. • Department of Education and
supporting feasibility Training
studies and sharing • Community groups
information.

2.1.9 Provide, upgrade and • The City provides, upgrades
maintain facilities to
be used by not for
profit and community
preschool providers.
Lead: City of Greater Bendigo
and maintains 17 preschool
Partners:
facilities for use by the two
preschool cluster managers • Loddon Mallee Preschool
and standalone Bendigo Association
Preschool. • Ballarat YMCA
• Bendigo Preschool
• Department of Education and
Training

2.1.10 Provide data and • Provision of advice concerning Lead: City of Greater Bendigo
information to priority planning and
Partners:
businesses, schools and infrastructure needs of
community agencies childcare, kindergarten and • Early years agencies
regarding the priority other related services. • Early years services
needs and requirements • Primary schools
• Applying for major
for the planning and
infrastructure grants • Department of Education and
development of new
Training
early learning centres/ • Endorsing applications
kindergartens in Greater and agencies for major
Bendigo. infrastructure grants.

2.2 To provide 2.2.3 Develop and implement
child friendly guidelines to ensure that
environments all new residential areas
to encourage have safe and adequate
community walking and cycling
interactions networks connected to
and children’s key community spaces
development. such as schools and
Early Learning Centres.
• New residential areas are Lead: City of Greater Bendigo
well connected to local
Partners:
infrastructure and cycling /
walking networks. • Property developers
• VicRoads

2.2.5 Develop shade in Public • Adequate shade exists in Lead: City of Greater Bendigo
Space Guidelines. public spaces and sites can be
identified
OBJECTIVE ACTIONS WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE AGENCIES

THEME 3: ACTIVE AND HEALTHY CHILDREN

3.2 To improve 3.2.1 Support early years • Early years services are Lead: Bendigo Health
overall health services to achieve the achieving the benchmarks for
Partners:
outcomes for health and wellbeing Physical Activity, Mental Health
children. focused priority areas and Wellbeing and Healthy • Early years services
of the Cancer Council Eating and Oral Health. • Early years agencies
Victoria’s Achievement • Children and families
Program.

3.2.4 Improve the oral health • An increase in the number of
of preschool aged
children and their
families through the
implementation and
achievement of award
status in the Smiles 4
Miles program.
early years services who are
awarded under the Smiles 4
Miles program.
Lead: Bendigo Health
Partners:
• Early years services
• Early years agencies
• Children and families
• Dental Health Services Victoria
• LaTrobe University Bendigo

3.2.5 Increase the percentage • More children use active Lead: City of Greater Bendigo
of school children who transportation to travel to and
Partners:
regularly travel to school from school.
by an active transport • VicHealth
• Provide the Active Travel Guide
mode to 80% by 2020. • Primary Schools
to all Greater Bendigo Primary
Schools

3.2.6 Promote healthy eating • Information about the Lead: City of Greater Bendigo
through a range of importance of healthy eating
Partners:
services, programs, is widely available throughout
guidelines and events. the City. • Early years agencies
• Community groups
• Families and children

3.2.7 Provision of placed • Bendigo Community Health Lead: Bendigo Community

based health and
wellbeing services
for children and their
families assisting
children to be school
ready.
Services and partners are Health Services
providing children’s health
Partners:
and wellbeing services from
community based settings • Communities for Children
and linking back to relevant
specialist services as required.
Families are accessing
specialist services for their
children.

3.3 To increase 3.3.1 Maintain and enhance • Children and families Lead: City of Greater Bendigo
participation the Communities for experiencing high levels of
Partners:
in Maternal Children Child and vulnerability are linked to
and Child Family Liaison project. maternal & child health services • Communities for Children
Health Services and other children’s health (C4C) – Bendigo
especially for services • C4C partners
Aboriginal • Early years agencies
• Greater integration between
children and
M&CH Services including other • Anglicare Victoria
families.
universal services and Family
Support Services & Child
Protection built

3.4. To maintain 3.4.1 Promote the importance • Information about the Lead: City of Greater Bendigo
immunisation of immunisations to importance of immunisation
Partners:
rates above the families. is widely available throughout
Victorian state the City. • Early years agencies
average. • Health services
• Families and children
OBJECTIVE ACTIONS WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE AGENCIES

3.5. To maintain 3.5.1 Support and promote
breastfeeding the benefits of
rates above the breastfeeding through
Victorian state the Maternal and
average. Child Health Program,
hospitals, social media,
Council website,
brochures, etc.
• Breastfeeding rates in the City
remain above the state average;
support for breastfeeding
is readily available; and
information about the benefits
of breastfeeding is easily
accessible.
Lead: City of Greater Bendigo
Partners:
• Bendigo Health
• Bendigo Community Health
• Australian Breastfeeding
Association
• St John of God Hospital

3.5.2 Establish a • Breast feeding clinic Lead: St John of God Hospital

breastfeeding clinic at established. Bendigo
St John of God Bendigo
Partners:
Hospital
• Families

THEME 4: EDUCATION AND CARE FOR CHILDREN

4.1. To provide 4.1.1 Develop an Early • An early years guide is Lead: City of Greater Bendigo
families with Years Guide in a developed and distributed
Partners:
clear and range of relevant to families throughout the
understandable community languages municipality, including • Loddon Campaspe
information to provide families with culturally diverse communities. Multicultural Services
about programs, information about Early • Bendigo Community Health
services and Years programs, services Services
children’s and facilities. • Early years agencies
development.
• Families

4.1.2 Establish a settling class. • Settling Class organised and Lead: St John of God Hospital
established. Bendigo
Partners:
• Families

4.1.3 Maintain Beyond the
Bump program at St
John of God Hospital
to provide new parents
with information about
the Early Years.
• Beyond the Bump program Lead: St John of God Hospital
continues to operate and is well Bendigo
patronised by new parents.
Partners:
• Families

4.1.4 Seek Consumer
Feedback through Net
Promoter Scores Service
App.
• Feedback from new parents Lead: St John of God Hospital
is used to inform services and Bendigo
programs related to pregnancy
Partners:
and birthing.
• Families

4.2. To ensure that 4.2.2 Undertake an audit of • Early Learning Centres are Lead: City of Greater Bendigo
Early Learning all City owned Early accessible for children and
Partners:
Services and Learning Centres to families of all abilities.
programs are identify any areas that • Loddon Mallee Preschool
affordable, are not accessible and Association
accessible and rectify accordingly. • Ballarat YMCA
inclusive. • Bendigo Preschool
• Department of Education and
Training
OBJECTIVE ACTIONS WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE AGENCIES

4.2.6 Maintain and enhance • Children’s access to and regular Lead: City of Greater Bendigo
the Communities for attendance at playgroups and
Partners:
Children off to an early pre-school supported
start program (OTAES). • Communities for Children
• Parent’s skills and confidence (C4C) – Bendigo
in responding to their children’s
• C4C partners
needs built.
• Early years agencies
• Parents capacity to support
• Anglicare Victoria
their child to develop the skills
required for starting school
built (resource kit for parents)

4.2.7 Investigate and • Additional bush kinder Lead: City of Greater Bendigo
encourage the programs offered throughout
Partners:
development of Greater Bendigo.
additional Bush Kinder • Loddon Mallee Preschool
programs. Association
• Ballarat YMCA
• Bendigo Preschool
• Department of Education and
Training

4.2.11 Work with supported • Liaison and information sharing Lead: City of Greater Bendigo
playgroup providers to identify priority outcomes.
Partners:
to assess the types
of support the City • Communities for Children
can provide, such as • Bendigo Community Health
relevant transport Services
information and
working with new
groups regarding
accessible locations.

4.3. To provide 4.3.1 Develop guidelines and • Early years services are Lead:
professional a self-reflection tool for culturally safe for aboriginal • Communities for Children –
development early years providers children and family Bendigo
opportunities for to assist staff to better
• Anglicare Victoria
service providers understand and work
and educational with Aboriginal children Partners:
opportunities for and their families. • C4C partners
parents.
• Early years agencies

4.3.5 Provide workshops for • Workshops held annually Lead: City of Greater Bendigo
early years providers to to enhance the skill level
Partners:
enhance skill levels and of practitioners, based on
the quality of programs identified training priorities. • Early years agencies
and services. • Department of Education and
Training

4.3.7 Continue to support • Aboriginal families are engaged
Aboriginal families by
providing the koori faces
parenting program,
family supported
playgroup, koori families
as first educators
program and other
support groups.
Lead: Bendigo & District
in various parenting and Aboriginal Cooperative
support programs offered by
Partners:
Bendigo and District Aboriginal
Cooperative • Families
• Communities for Children
(C4C) – Bendigo
• C4C partners
OBJECTIVE ACTIONS WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE
4.3.9 Develop a package • A farm and agriculture package
based on farm and has been developed and
agriculture education for distributed to Early Learning
early learning providers providers and schools.
and schools.
4.3.10 Provide support • A greater awareness by early
and educational years workers of the link
opportunities to between family psychosocial
early years providers disruption and psychological
around the impact and mental health issues in
and link between children.
family psychosocial
• Strategies implemented to
disruption (including
reduce the impact of family
violence) and
psychosocial disruption on
psychological and
children’s psychological and
mental health issues in
mental health.
children.
4.5 To ensure 4.5.1 Maintain and enhance • Increase in the number of
systemic the Communities for supported playgroups in
improvement for Children Supported Greater Bendigo through
vulnerable and at Playgroup project. supporting agencies to develop
risk children. and maintain supported
playgroups for vulnerable
children and families
• Current supported playgroups
delivered by BCHS and
Baptcare maintained
• All new and existing SPG’s are
sustainable
• The C4C SPG model adds to the
evidence base as an effective
program for vulnerable and
at risk families with young
children.
4.5.5 Establish an Early • Early Years Unit has been
Years Unit to work with established and is well utilised
Aboriginal families and by local Aboriginal families
children.
4.5.6 Maintain and enhance • Linkages between Aboriginal
the Communities for families and services in the
Children Aboriginal Early early years sector built
Years Services Access
• Development of cultural safety
Project.
for Aboriginal families within
the early years sector supported
AGENCIES
Lead: City of Greater Bendigo
Partners:
• Early years services
• Schools
• Victorian Farmers Federation
• Greater Bendigo Farmer’s
Advisory Committee
• Department of Education and
Training
• Department of Environment
Land Water Planning
Lead: Bendigo Health – Child
Adolescent Mental Health
Services
Partners:
• Early years services
• Schools
• Early years agencies
• City of Greater Bendigo
• Department of Health and
Human Services
Lead: Bendigo Community
Health Services
Partners:
• Communities for Children
(C4C) – Bendigo
• Baptcare
• C4C partners
• Early years agencies
• Anglicare Victoria
Lead: Bendigo & District
Aboriginal Cooperative
Lead: Bendigo & District
Aboriginal Cooperative
Partners:
• Communities for Children
(C4C) – Bendigo
• C4C partners
• Early years agencies
• Anglicare Victoria
OBJECTIVE ACTIONS WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE AGENCIES

4.6.1 Further develop • Implementation of the Early Lead: Bendigo Health

and implement the Years Literacy and Language
Partners:
Communities for Development Strategy for
Children Children’s Bendigo • Communities for Children
Language and Literacy (C4C) – Bendigo
• Awareness of children’s
Project. • C4C partners
language and literacy needs
amongst families experiencing • Early years agencies
vulnerability, Aboriginal • Anglicare Victoria
families and within the wider
community built
• Skills of parents to be literacy
and language resource to other
parents developed (Parent
literacy champions project)

4.6.2 Maintain and enhance • Current Mother Goose Lead:

the Communities for
Children Mother Goose
• Opportunities for the further
program and provide
capacity building
for local community
champions.
programs maintained • Communities for Children –
Bendigo
development of Mother Goose • Anglicare Victoria
Program in Bendigo created
Partners:
• C4C partners
• Early years agencies

4.7. To support 4.7.1 Undertake work to • Partners work effectively Lead: Department of Health and
access and comply with the Early together to provide access to Human Services
participation in Childhood Agreement early years services for children
Partners:
Early Childhood for Children in Out- living in Out of Home Care
Services for of-Home Care and • City of Greater Bendigo
• Increased numbers of children
children living work in partnership to • Department of Education and
attending MCH Key Ages and
in Out of Home ensure their ongoing Training
Stages, Early Start to Kinder and
Care. engagement and • Anglicare
Kindergarten
participation in early
• Bendigo & District Aboriginal
years services.
Cooperative

4.7.2 Work with carers to • Carers of children living in out
ensure that children
living in out of home
care have access to
early years services such
as Maternal and Child
Health (universal and
enhanced services),
kindergarten and other
relevant services.
Lead: City of Greater Bendigo
of home care are supported
Partners:
to ensure that children access
Early Years Services. • Carers
• Anglicare
• Department of Health and
Human Services
• Department of Education and
Training
• Early years agencies

4.7.3 Ensure that children • Children who live in Out of Lead: Department of Education
who live in Out of Home Home Care and their carers and Training
Care are provided are supported to access
Partners:
with a place in early appropriate early childhood
childhood education centres. • Early years services
centres wherever
possible. Ensure that
these services are
inclusive and culturally
appropriate; and
provide ongoing support
to their carers.
OBJECTIVE ACTIONS WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE AGENCIES

4.7.4 Provide support, advice, • Organisations that work with
resources and subsidies
to early childhood
providers, City of
Greater Bendigo and
Department of Health
and Human Services
to ensure that children
living in Out of Home
Care are able to access
Early Years Services and
programs.
children in out of home care are
supported to enable children to
access Early Years Services and
programs.
Lead: Department of Education
and Training
Partners:
• Early years services
• City of Greater Bendigo
• Department of Health and
Human Services

THEME 5: WHOLE OF COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS BENEFITING CHILDREN

5.1. To enhance and 5.1.2 Work in partnership • Early years networks continue Lead: City of Greater Bendigo
develop whole to ensure early years to meet the needs of early years
Partners:
of community networks meet the providers.
inter-agency needs of Early Years • Communities for Children
partnerships Providers in terms of Bendigo
across all sharing of information, • Anglicare
government networking and learning • Department of Health and
and community opportunities. Human Services
sectors to enable
• Department of Education and
integrated
Training
planning leading
to the improved • Early years managers
delivery of Early • Early years services
Years services • Early years agencies
and programs.

5.3. To advocate 5.3.2 Work in partnership • Funding shortfalls, future
to State with peak bodies and
and Federal community agencies
Governments to identify funding
for funding shortfalls, infrastructure
and support requirements service
in response gaps and investigate
to emerging suitable funding
needs of the opportunities.
community.
5.3.3 Advocate for an increase • An adequate number of health
in the number of
paediatricians, child
psychiatrists, mental
health practitioners and
psychologists to service
the region.
infrastructure priorities and
service gaps are identified
and prioritised. Inter-agency
partnerships developed and
funding applications prepared
in response to priority needs.
practitioners are employed and
servicing the region.
Lead: City of Greater Bendigo
Partners:
• Community agencies
• Early years managers
• Early years services
Lead: Bendigo Health (Child
Adolescent Mental Health
Services)
Partners:
• Early years agencies
• St John of God Bendigo
Hospital
• Bendigo Health
• Universities
• Private providers

5.4 To provide 5.4.3 Develop a ‘No Wrong • The focus of the work is to Lead:
high quality, Door’ model to enable promote and advocate for the • Communities for Children –
accessible and families to easily access implementation of the ‘No Bendigo
equitable Early relevant services Wrong Door’ model in Bendigo
• Anglicare Victoria
Years Services and enable more and a warm referral practice.
and programs coordinated responses Partners:
which respond to between agencies. • C4C partners
priority needs of
• Early years agencies
children and their
families.
OBJECTIVE ACTIONS WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE AGENCIES

5.4.5 Provide timely and • Families with complex and Lead: Bendigo Health (Child
responsive support to severe mental health difficulties Adolescent Mental Health
families with complex are well supported by health Services)
and severe mental professionals and early years
Partners:
health difficulties. providers.
• Families and children

5.4.9 Continue to provide • Kidz space services and Lead: Bendigo Community
accessible and inclusive programs are provided at no Health Services
specialist services and or low cost to families. Services
programs to vulnerable are easily identified and referral
and disadvantaged pathways are easily utilised.
children/families.
Providing coordinated
care and wrap around
service provision where
appropriate.

5.6 To ensure 5.6.1 Develop and enhance • Increased referrals between Lead: North Central Victoria
systemic partnerships between agencies. Family Services Alliance
improvement for Child FIRST / Family
• Improved partnerships between Alliance member organisations:
vulnerable and at Services and universal
agencies. • Anglicare Victoria (including
risk children. and secondary early
years services through • Increased engagement of Child FIRST)
regular discussions, vulnerable children in universal • Bendigo Community Health
information sharing, services. Services
networking and • Cobaw Community Health
• Increased support for children
conversation circles. Services
through family services.
• Castlemaine & District
• Reduced reports and re-reports
Community Health
to Child Protection.
• Catholic Care Sandhurst
• Kyabram Community Learning
Centre
• Echuca Regional Health
• MacKillop Family Services
• Bendigo & District Aboriginal
Cooperative
• Njernda Aboriginal
Corporation
• Department of Health and
Human Services
• Centre for Non-Violence

5.6.2 Link the Municipal Early • The Municipal Early Years Plan Lead: Loddon Children and Youth
Years Plan with the is effectively linked with the Area Partnership
development of the Loddon Children and Youth
Loddon Children and Area Partnership.
Youth Area Partnership.

THEME 6: A CHILD FRIENDLY CITY AND COMMUNITY

6.1. Lead the 6.1.2 Implement the three • Three Goals in the Child Lead: City of Greater Bendigo
implementation Goals discussed in the Friendly Cities and
of the Child Friendly Cities and Communities Charter are
Victorian Local Communities Charter. implemented across the
Government Municipality.
Association’s
Charter for
Child Friendly
Cities and
Communities.
OBJECTIVE ACTIONS WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE AGENCIES

6.2. To enable 6.2.1 Develop and utilise a • Child Friendly Cities lens or Lead: City of Greater Bendigo
children to Child Friendly Cities lens checklist has been developed
experience or checklist to ensure and is utilised in planning of
environments that places and spaces public spaces.
that respond to within the City of Greater
their needs and Bendigo are designed
aspirations. to allow children to feel
welcome and safe; to be
active and healthy; and
to actively contribute to
their local environment.

6.2.2 Ensure that emergency • Emergency preparedness Lead: City of Greater Bendigo
preparedness and and planning has considered
Partners:
planning specifically children’s needs.
considers children. • Emergency services including
police, fire, ambulance, SES

6.3. To enable and 6.3.2 Update City of Greater • City of Greater Bendigo’s
encourage Bendigo’s Community community engagement
children to Engagement Framework framework and tools include
express their to include specific tools information on how to consult
opinions and to / information to engage with children.
participate in with children.
and contribute to
decisions about 6.3.3 Maintain and enhance • The voice of families and Noah’s Ark
their community the Communities for children is heard and acted • Communities for Children
and their health Children Family and upon (C4C) – Bendigo
and wellbeing. Services Facilitator
• Parent partnership model • BDAC
Project – Voice of the
and frameworks across the • C4C partners
Family.
early years sector to work with
• Early years agencies
families developed
• Anglicare
• Opportunity for parents to be
involved in service design and
to be advocates on service
delivery issues for families
created (Parents advisory group
– Parent’s For Change)
• Create opportunity for the voice
of Aboriginal families to be
heard (linked with Voice of the
Family project)

6.4. To provide 6.4.1 Provide capacity • Organisations are accessing Lead: Bendigo Community
equitable access building to organisations training and workshops to help Health Services
to supportive where culturally develop understanding and
environments and linguistically skill base, in relation to meeting
and services diverse clients are the needs of culturally and
for children, accessing services. linguistically diverse (CALD)
regardless of Developing workforce families.
gender, ethnicity, understanding of culture
• Families are being treated with
religion or and community needs.
respect and understanding
ability.
during their interactions with
these organisations.

6.4.2 Actively promote our • Our communities and services Lead: City of Greater Bendigo
communities and are promoted as a welcoming
services through various place for children and their
forms of media as a families to live, work and visit.
welcoming place for
children and their
families to live, work and
visit.
OBJECTIVE ACTIONS WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE
6.4.3 Review Council policies, • Council polices, strategic
strategic plans and
services to ensure that
they are supportive to
the needs of children
from all backgrounds.
6.6 To facilitate a 6.6.1 Facilitate a children’s • NAIDOC Children’s Day is well
broad range day as part of NAIDOC
of community week.
based events for
children and their
families.
6.6.2 Continue to implement • A variety of quality, free / low
free / low cost child
friendly events
throughout the
municipality, e.g.
Fun Loong Fun Day,
Playgroup Victoria Week
activities, Summer in the
Parks, New Year’s Eve
entertainment etc.
AGENCIES
Lead: City of Greater Bendigo
plans and services have been
reviewed to ensure that they
are supportive to the needs of
children.
Lead: Bendigo & District
supported by children, families Aboriginal Cooperative
and organisations
Partners:
• Communities for Children
(C4C) – Bendigo
• C4C partners
• Early years agencies
• Anglicare Victoria
Lead: City of Greater Bendigo
cost activities are available for
Partners:
children and their families in
the City each year and are well • Early years agencies
supported. • Early years services
• Community groups
• Schools
• Communities for Children
(C4C) – Bendigo
• C4C partners
Acknowledgement of Country
The ancestors and descendants
of the Dja Dja Wurrung and
Taungurung are the traditional
owners of this Country.
The City of Greater Bendigo
acknowledges that they have been
custodians for many centuries
and continue to perform age
old ceremonies of celebration,
initiation and renewal.
We all acknowledge their living
culture and their unique role in the
life of this region.