Local Government & Early Years Networks
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LOCAL GOVERNMENT & EARLY YEARS NETWORKS Working in Partnership Resource FOREWORD Research into child development overwhelmingly supports the view that focusing on early childhood health and wellbeing leads to positive outcomes as children grow older, as well as reduced economic costs to governments and families. Local Government is the closest sphere of Local Governments working together with government to the community and therefore Early Years Networks can be powerful allies has enormous potential to influence a in creating environments in which children in community that values and supports children in their early years can thrive through coordinated the early years and their families. approaches to planning, delivery and review of Local Governments play an essential role across services and supports within local communities. a range of areas that can improve the health The development of this resource was made and wellbeing of young children including Early possible by the WACOSS Connecting Early Childhood Education and Care services; being Years Network Support Project1, working in the largest provider of venues for parent-led partnership with the Department of Local playgroups; supported playgroups; children’s Government and Communities (DLGC); The health and safety; children’s recreation and West Australian Local Government Association public spaces; library services and planning. (WALGA) and Local Government Professionals. Early Years Networks (EYNs) are voluntary We also acknowledge the generous support of community groups which may be comprised staff from the Cities of Rockingham, Wanneroo of allied health professionals, such as speech, and Gosnells, the Department of Education, the occupational and physiotherapists, early State Library of Western Australia and Early Years education and care staff, parents, teachers, Network members across the State of Western librarians, nurses, community members, Australia. This resource is available online and in print. The online version is local government employees, and a range of The Community Development Roundtable available on the Connecting Early Years Networks Portal at other community stakeholders, committed members urge you to draw on this resource. eyn.dropin.org.au and on the following websites: to supporting children and their families in It provides valuable information for Local the early years. The strengths of Early Years Governments and Early Years Networks about Networks lie in the member’s commitment how to improve outcomes for young children in Local Government Professionals - Community Development Network: to the philosophy of collaboration and their your community. http://www.lgprofessionalswa.org.au/Lgmawa/Branches___Networks/WA_Networks/Community_ wealth of collective early years and community Development_Network/Lgmawa/Branches___Networks/Networks/Community_Development_ knowledge. Network.aspx?hkey=eecafdc2-c773-476d-a4c5-f6ca7e13d883 Department of Local Government and Communities - Local Government and Early Years Networks Working in Partnership: https://www.dlgc.wa.gov.au/AdviceSupport/Pages/Early-Years-and-Parenting.aspx Louise Giolitto Ricky Burges Jennifer Mathews Warren Pearce Western Australian Local Government Authority - Early Years: CEO - WACOSS CEO - WALGA Director General - DLGC CEO - Local Government http://walga.asn.au/Policy-Advice-and-Advocacy/Community-Development.aspx Professionals The printed version is available from WACOSS by contacting [email protected] 1 The Connecting Early Years Networks Support Project is funded by Lotterywest and was previously funded by Woodside. We wish to acknowledge the important contribution this funding has made to the development of this initiative. 1 Working in Partnership Resource Working in Partnership Resource The Purpose of This Resource This resource has been developed to provide practical information, tools and resources to support partnerships between Local Governments and Early Years Networks to achieve positive outcomes for children and families in local communities. This resource promotes collaboration by: • Early Years Networks becoming familiar with Local Government decision making processes and how Local Governments support services and communities. • Local Governments: Understanding the importance of investment in children in the early years; Becoming familiar with the role of an Early Years Network; Partnering with and providing support to Early Years Networks in their area. The Importance of Investment in the Early Years Research demonstrates that what happens schooling are likely to continue a life trajectory from conception to age three influences a of poor life outcomes. Early intervention is WA Early Years Population person’s development throughout their life. the most cost effective and effective way to This includes brain development, social skills deal with disadvantage. Every dollar invested Profile 0-9 years and the ability to learn. By the age of three in quality early childhood development for years, a child’s brain has reached 90% of its disadvantaged children produces a 7%-10% A WA Early Years Population Profile for children for the WA Early Years Population Profile 0-9 adult size with research indicating that brain 2 return, per child, per year . aged zero to nine years has been developed years’. There are two interactive maps available, sensitivity to language, numeracy, social skills Child development is influenced by many by the Department of Local Government and a Single Map View and a Double Map View. and emotional control peaking before the age factors, from the family environment and Communities as a resource to provide Early These can be used as a mapping and data of four. The early years lay down the child’s community, to wider influences such Years Networks and Local Governments with analysis / visualisation tool. foundation for later life. Improving children’s as government policies, environmental evidence-based information about children development for this critical period can have Single Map View conditions and broader social norms, beliefs living in their communities. a transformative social and economic effect. and attitudes. Local Governments and Early Single Map View is considered more suitable The quality of a child’s earliest environments These interactive maps provide accurate and Years Networks are well placed to ensure for analysing data for one location or for and the availability of appropriate experiences up to date demographic information about local communities are nurturing, safe and exploring data for multiple locations at a at specific stages of development are crucial children. The maps with a quick start guide can supported, where children can grow to reach specific point in time. in shaping developmental outcomes. be found by clicking here. their full potential. Longitudinal data from international Double Map View studies demonstrate that children who are For further information on the importance of Interactive Maps Double Map View for comparing data and developmentally vulnerable at the start of their investment in the early years and its long term trends for one or more locations. benefits click here. To access information about the number of children in the early years in your local area scroll down to the section ‘Interactive Maps 2 The Ounce of Prevention Fund 2017 2 3 Working in Partnership Resource Working in Partnership Resource general function to provide for the good What are government of people in their district. These wide powers mean Local Governments have the Early Years Networks? authority to provide community development and community services, including facilities, as Early Years Networks support children aged 6. Strengthen community understanding long as they do not inappropriately duplicate 0 to 8 years and have existed in Western about the importance of the early years. services provided by others. Australia since 2003. In January 2017, there 7. Promote early years’ initiatives to the Local Governments have a vital role in our were approximately 50 active Early Years community, for example Children’s Week communities including the provision of public Networks across Western Australia. Early Years and parenting workshops. spaces and community facilities, planning Networks play an important role in developing well-designed communities, providing services and implementing initiatives, services and 8. Form smaller working groups of members targeting social issues and building stronger activities aimed at improving outcomes for to run the early years network’s activities/ community ties through events and community young children and families. They do this by events as detailed in an action plan. engagement. connecting across local communities and 9. Invite guest speakers and presenters to working collaboratively. Early Years Networks meetings to introduce or develop ideas, The services provided by Local Governments provide a strong platform to engage with key programs or topics relevant to the Early generally fall into three categories: stakeholders across organisations; increase Years Network. Services to people and the community opportunities to coordinate policies and programs; and respond to evidenced based If you want to contact the Early Years Network Community services and family and information about children living in their in your community visit the CEYNSP portal or neighbourhood support; Early Years Networks; community through the use of tools such as the email the CEYNSP team at WACOSS via eyn@ recreation,