We have been working in Mt Druitt alongside families with an early years focus since 2015, learning about what dreams families have for their youngest children, and the factors that set children up for the best start.
We know that access to high quality early education before starting school is recognised as a key protective factor for all children, but especially for children who are living in areas of social disadvantage. However, we know that the children who stand to benefit the most from early education are often the least likely to access it due to facing numerous financial and non-financial barriers that other families do not.
Through The Hive’s early learning incubators and initiatives, we have formed a deep understanding of the barrier’s families are facing, and have been working alongside them to overcome them and ensure their child can be enrolled in early learning.
Due to this deep partnership and work with families, we have recommendations for policy and program delivery regarding access to and capacity building of the early years sector that we believe would result in more children being able to access early education and the services they need.
Our 4 priority areas we have identified to advocate for are:
We have designed a short 2 pager document on each of these priority areas and look for partnerships with likeminded organisations who also see these as priorities, as well as seek conversations with Ministers and Government Departments to share our learnings and how these changes would make a difference to children and families who would benefit the most.
If you’d like to learn more about any of these areas or partner with us to make this change please contact us at hive@unitedway.com.au
