Kids First Australia

As we continue to mark the #16DaysofActivism Against Gender-Based Violence — the NHARP (Northern Healing & Recovery Program) team at Kids First Australia hosted two powerful staff sessions to raise awareness and deepen understanding of the impacts gender-based violence. NHARP is a family violence specialist program which provides a range of therapeutic groups for women and their children who have experienced family violence. During the sessions, staff took part in a Healing Circle activity, exploring the themes of connection, reflection, and hope for those impacted by violence. A big thank you to everyone who participated — together, we reflected on the importance of recovery and resilience in creating a future free from violence. Check out the beautiful creations! To learn more about NHARP, the Healing Circle program, and how we support women and families, visit https://lnkd.in/gXdqRqy9 #16DaysOfActivism #EndGenderBasedViolence #HealingCircle #KidsFirstAustralia

Last week alongside our partners from the Centre for Community Child Health at Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI) we presented the findings from a three-year evaluation of our Early Years Education Program – Kindergarten Model. You can view the webinar recording below. Some key takeaways: ⭐ Implementation of the model improved over the three years, with many resources developed along the way to assist the education team ⭐ Across all implementation sites, Kids First continue to track better than the E4Kids dataset ⭐ Kids First’s consistent quality bucked trends in declining quality ratings across NQS benchmarks. It is speculated that the use of the EYEP – Kindergarten Model may have had a protective effect on quality in Kids First services during the evaluation period ⭐ Efforts to improve the quality of services is critical, particularly for children experiencing vulnerability. As well as being delivered in our own EY centres, the model is being trialled in a long day care setting in Western Australia. In 2025, we intend to make the model available nationally to universal kindergarten and long day care providers operating in communities experiencing vulnerability. We will also evaluate the impact of the model on children’s social, emotional and educational outcomes with Murdoch Children's Research Institute. Please reach out to Kids First here if you would like to chat about any of this. https://lnkd.in/gPkTjHGt

Kids First Australia is proud to acknowledge that our new services opening in 2025 are among the recipients of a new investment of up to $100,000 per kindergarten room, announced by the Minister for Children, Lizzie Blandthorn today:   📍  Devon Meadows Primary School Kindergarten 📍  Wallan Secondary College Kindergarten   This significant investment will provide more children with access to high-quality early learning opportunities from their very first day. Featuring modern furniture, fixtures, and equipment, these centres will provide exceptional spaces designed to support every child's growth and development.   At Kids First, we believe that early education is the cornerstone of lifelong learning, confidence, and success. We are dedicated to creating innovative, nurturing environments that empower children to reach their full potential.   We are incredibly grateful to Minister Blandthorn for her commitment to supporting children and families through this significant investment. A special thank you also to the Early Learning Association Australia (ELAA) for their tireless advocacy as our peak body.   This milestone reflects not only the incredible work happening at Kids First but also the power of collaboration with advocates and our dedicated community partners.   We look forward to opening the doors to these new services and welcoming families into these vibrant learning spaces. #EarlyYearsEducation #KidsFirstAustralia #CommunityImpact #InnovationInEducation #Collaboration

⏳ Only a Few Days Left to Register! Don’t miss your chance to join us this Thursday at 11:00 AM AEDT for a free live webinar hosted by Kids First Australia and the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI). We’ll unveil key findings from a three-year research project into a new Early Childhood Education and Care model—designed to transform outcomes for children, families, and educators. Click here to register: https://lnkd.in/g--ZjAHi

Respect is knowing that you can help prevent violence against women. Today, marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, a day dedicated to raising awareness and promoting action to end violence against women and girls worldwide. At Kids First, we believe that creating a safer, more equal world begins with the values we practise every day. Respect is about kindness – kindness to others and ensuring everyone is treated with equal rights. Everyone deserves to be safe, equal, and respected. Yet in Australia, this isn’t the reality. More than one in three women have experienced violence from men. We all have the power to change this by respecting women wherever we live, learn, work, and play. #16DaysOfActivism

Today, Kids First Australia proudly joined the annual #WalkAgainstFamilyViolence, standing in solidarity with victim-survivors and their loved ones. In Australia, the impact of family violence is devastating: 1 in 6 women have experienced physical or sexual violence by a current or former partner. On average, 1 woman a week is killed by an intimate partner. Children are present in 1 in 3 family violence incidents reported to police. Thank you to Respect Victoria for creating a space to amplify survivor voices, honour their resilience, and inspire action. This walk is a powerful reminder of the collective strength of individuals and organisations working towards a future where safety, respect, and equality are the norm. #WalkAgainstFamilyViolence #RespectAndSafety #EndFamilyViolence

We're looking for compassionate people who are ready to inspire and uplift young parents in the Latrobe Valley. Could this be you? The #KurnaiYoungParentsProgram is calling out for volunteers to mentor parents aged 18-21. Your support could help them find confidence, grow new skills, build brighter futures for their families and connect them with their local community. If you're interested in mentoring with the KYPP, send us a message or email info@kindredspirits.org.au Thanks to Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) Gippsland for putting a spotlight on this incredible program. Kindred Spirits Enterprises has partnered with the KYPP, Kurnai College, Kids First Australia and the Latrobe Health Assembly to develop the mentoring initiative. The initiative is designed to provide ongoing guidance for existing program participants.

Will you please join us in congratulating Youth Work Case Manager Daria Maksimovic for winning the 2024 Anglicare WA Professional Youth Worker award at the WA Youth Work Awards! This category recognises a youth worker who models the highest professional standards in their daily practice, demonstrating exceptional youth work and/or leadership skills to achieve outstanding outcomes for young people and having achieved excellent, tangible community-level outcomes. The award was announced at the 2024 WA Youth Work Awards on Friday 8 November at the Court in Perth. The following excerpt from her nomination highlights just why Daria is so deserving of this award:   "Daria’s support is invaluable, particularly in cases involving young people from highly disadvantaged backgrounds and extreme complexities, where her dedication to equity, compassion, and excellence is evident. She ensures that every young person receives the best possible support, emphasising transparency, accountability, and partnership in co-developing case plans to meet their goals and foster personal growth." #youthworker #youthworkawards

This week, Kids First Australia NHARP (Northern Healing and Recovery Program) team — partnered with Berry Street, came together for a training afternoon focused on disability. A special thanks to Niall Hewitt from Rubix Support for delivering an engaging session that explored the unique challenges faced by individuals with disabilities, the history of institutional care, and the complexities of navigating the current NDIS space. This vital work is helping to strengthen support for children, young people, and families across the sector. We’re proud to collaborate with such committed partners and look forward to continuing these important conversations in 2025. #Collaboration #DisabilityInclusion #TraumaInformedPractice #NHARP

Over the past few months, our Early Childhood Teachers at Kids First Australia have been inspired by nature-based learning through a unique collaboration with Areta Farrance from Bush Kindy Learning. As part of Victoria’s Bush Kinder Grants Program, this partnership is equipping educators from four of our kindergartens with practical skills and innovative ideas to bring outdoor exploration to life. From planning and programming to health and safety in natural settings, our team has gained valuable insights that will shape meaningful learning experiences for young children. Tiffany Stute, a teacher at Seymour Family and Children’s Centre, shared: “Participating in Bush Kindy PD with Areta was an inspiring experience. Our educators left feeling energized and ready to introduce new ways of teaching in nature. Areta’s approach was supportive and responsive to our needs, enhancing our team’s knowledge and confidence.” We’re proud to partner with Bush Kindy Learning to foster a love for nature and empower young learners to explore and discover in the great outdoors! #KidsFirstAustralia #BushKindyLearning #BushKinder #EarlyChildhoodEducation #NaturePlay #LearningInNature #Collaboration #OutdoorLearning