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Australian Early Development Index Building Better Communities for Children Community Results 2004 - 2005 A partnership between Supported by © Commonwealth of Australia 2005 ISBN: 0 9578286 9 1 This material was developed through funding provided by the Commonwealth Department of Family and Community Services (“the Commonwealth”). However, the Commonwealth does not warrant that any of the information in this material is true, complete or accurate, and the Commonwealth does not necessarily support or endorse the views expressed in this material. Australian Early Development Index: Building Better Communities for Children Community Results 2004-2005 Authored and produced by: Centre for Community Child Health and Telethon Institute for Child Health Research This report and further information about each community is available on the AEDI website at www.australianedi.org.au Contents Minister’s Foreword ............................................................................................................................................. 2 Partnership Foreword .......................................................................................................................................... 3 Executive Summary ..............................................................................................................................................4 Introduction .......................................................................................................................................................... 6 Overview of AEDI Implementation ....................................................................................................................... 8 AEDI Community Profiles ...................................................................................................................................12 Gungahlin District ACT ............................................................................................................................14 Northern and Far Western Region SA .....................................................................................................16 Broadmeadows and surrounds VIC .........................................................................................................18 City of Bayside VIC ..................................................................................................................................20 City of Greater Geelong VIC ....................................................................................................................22 East Gippsland VIC .................................................................................................................................24 Maribyrnong City Council VIC ..................................................................................................................26 Mornington Peninsula Shire VIC ..............................................................................................................28 Wyndham City Council VIC .....................................................................................................................30 Yarra Ranges VIC ....................................................................................................................................32 Armadale WA ...........................................................................................................................................34 Bridgetown-Manjimup WA .......................................................................................................................36 Central Great Southern Area WA .............................................................................................................38 East Metropolitan Perth WA .....................................................................................................................40 Gosnells WA ............................................................................................................................................42 Greater Bunbury Region WA ...................................................................................................................44 Kalgoorlie/Boulder WA .............................................................................................................................46 North Western Australia WA ....................................................................................................................48 Gold Coast QLD ......................................................................................................................................50 Explanation of the AEDI Domains ......................................................................................................................54 Definition of Terms ..............................................................................................................................................56 Key Personnel ....................................................................................................................................................57 Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................................................59 References .........................................................................................................................................................60 Australian Early Development Index: Building Better Communities for Children 1 Minister’s Foreword This report on the results of the The Australian Early Development first communities participating in Index (AEDI) is a fine example of the the Australian Early Development Australian Government’s commitment Index: Building Better Communities to the National Agenda and to for Children Project, represents a strengthening national approaches in significant step forward in our capacity early childhood. to meet the needs of young children I am pleased with the level of and their families. enthusiasm and community For the first time, Australian participation in AEDI, including a communities now have a quick and number of Communities for Children easy-to-use tool for understanding sites funded under the Stronger how local children are faring in the Families and Communities Strategy. years prior to school – a time in life AEDI has involved a range of we know has a huge influence on how communities, the Centre for well children perform in school and Community Child Health, the Telethon throughout their lives. Institute for Child Health Research, Community members involved in Shell in Australia and the Australian organising the collection of this Government and is an excellent information are empowered, as it showcase of what can be achieved raises awareness of the importance through partnerships. of supporting young children and their It has led to enhancements of the families and promotes community measure itself, including a new web- action working towards all children based entry system and will be an having the best possible start in life. impetus for community innovation such This Project is part of the National as the Parenting Information Café Agenda for Early Childhood, which established in one Perth community has been developed with State and following early trials in 2003. Territory Governments. With funding committed for another The National Agenda will provide an year, I look forward to the findings of overarching framework for action to the next round of communities and better coordinate and enhance existing to the development of child friendly and future activity to promote child communities in all the sites involved in development. this Project over time. Senator Kay Patterson Minister for Family and Community Services November 2005 2 Australian Early Development Index: Building Better Communities for Children Partnership Foreword We are delighted to present the well as between communities. This fi ndings from the fi rst two rounds of the would suggest that there are important Australian Early Development Index lessons to be learned at the local level (AEDI) Project. This landmark project that might have applicability across provides important information about Australia. Similarly while the principles the health, development and wellbeing of early childhood policies and service of young children in participating delivery are broadly applicable across communities. the country, there is a need for local fl exibility due to the diversity of The AEDI represents an innovative communities and their needs. approach to understanding child development in Australia. For the fi rst This is an extraordinarily complex time, communities have access to local project that has been developed and data about children’s development to is managed by a strong partnership inform their early childhood policies between the Centre for Community and enable them to plan and organize Child Health in Melbourne and the their community-based services for Telethon Institute for Child Health young children and their families. The Research in Perth. This partnership has AEDI provides communities with a ensured that all aspects of this project tool to focus attention on how young are considered, thoughtful and detailed. children are doing, and gives data We would like to particularly that can serve as the impetus for acknowledge the members of the community mobilisation and building national and international advisory capacity around early childhood. The groups who have helped guide AEDI will