Positive Beginnings

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Positive Beginnings

• Michael White
• A/Executive Director, Office for Children
• Department of Education and Early Childhood
  Development
• Presentation to Best Start Forum 26 November 2007

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Overview

• The National Reform Agenda Victorias Plan for
  Early Childhood
• Early Years within The Department of Education
  and Early Childhood Development
• Fostering Leadership and Change to bring about
  improved outcomes for children and families

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• The National Reform Agenda
• Victorias plan to improve outcomes in early
  childhood

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Development of Victorias plan
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Recognising families and services
ANTENATAL CARE HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT EARLY
EDUCATION AND CARE WORKFORCE
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Key features

• A series of actions to develop an integrated,
  high-quality and accessible early childhood
  service system that includes
• A more professional early childhood education and
  care workforce
• Stronger universal learning services for three
  and four-year-olds and the eventual integration
  of child care and kindergarten
• Better targeting of resources and services to
  disadvantaged children and their families

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Early Childhood Development- The National Reform
Agenda

• Children
• Health Birth Weight
• Skills for Learning and Life
• Families and Community
• Workforce Participation

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Victorias plan under the NRA3 Groups of
Actions, 53 in all

• 20 Victorian commitments (136m over four years,
  funded in budget
• 24 recommended directions for Victorias next
  steps
• Major reforms eg higher kindergarten hours
• Need engagement and support of Commonwealth
• 9 specific Commonwealth actions
• Particularly extension of Child Care Benefit

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• The Early Years
• within
• the Department of Education and Early Childhood
  Development

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Establishment of DEECD signals new commitment to
building human capital in Victoria

• Linking early childhood services and school
  education recognises that childrens development
  is a continuous process from birth to adulthood,
  and government services must reflect this to
  provide each child with the best opportunity.
• The Honourable John Brumby
• Premier of Victoria
• 2 August 2007

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The creation of DEECD provides opportunities to
improve outcomes for children and families

• A single point of focus for human capital
  development from 0 to 24
• Greater ability to track progress intervene where
  needed
• Greater efficiency in services children and
  families
• Integrated and seamless service delivery for
  families
• Improved transition between stages of growth
• Place based approaches

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Delivering through DEECD
Human Capital Reform Agenda From Birth to
Adulthood
Middle Years Development 8 16yrs
Youth Transitions 16 24 years
Early Childhood Development 0-8yrs
Universal system of support combined with a
targeted approach in areas of high need
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Challenges and opportunities

• Childs learning development at the centre
• Partnerships - schools, kindergarten, child care,
  playgroups, parent resource centres, parent
  groups, families communities
• Seamless system, support for transitions
• Local government a major partner
• Mix of providers
• Health responsibilities
• Focusing on vulnerable families
• Community expectations

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• Fostering Leadership and Change to bring about
  improved outcomes for children and families

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(No Transcript)
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Successful leadership of multi-agency teams

• Developing a shared philosophy, vision and
  principles
• Ensuring a perception by users of cohesive and
  comprehensive services
• All members of the team sharing an identity,
  purpose and common working practice
• A strong commitment by all partners to fund and
  facilitate the development and delivery of
  integrated services (DfES 2003)

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Key factors underpinning successful partnerships
in Best Start

• Shared vision
• Developing a culture of collaboration
• Allowing time for development
• Getting the balance right
• Facilitating the process
• Widening the scope
• Recognising outcomes
• Adequate funding resourcing
• (Statewide Evaluation of Best Start, 2006
  Melbourne University)

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Partnership Survey Best Start
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Systems and Services - Implementing change in
Best Start

• Joint Planning
• Joint Cross Promotion
• Joint Projects
• Joint Professional Development
• Sharing Information Cross Referral
• Sharing resources Co-Location

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How much was Best Start responsible for changes
in the service co-operation activities?
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What drives behaviour?

• Language affects thinking. Thinking effects
  behaviour. Companies must change how people speak
  if they are to change how people behave
  (Buckingham Coffman, 1999, P.237)

• Language that is coherent with mission talking
  the talk
• Appealing to the best in people
• Positive views on children, families and their
  needs
• Modelling dissatisfaction. Speaking positively of
  staff.

Leaders dont require procedures but results
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Conclusion Lead the early childhood agenda to be
the force to realise your vision and achieve the
outcomes for our children Positive
Beginnings make a lasting impression for each
and every child Thank you