Thrive by Five welcomes joint Federal and Victorian Investment towards school readiness in the early years
13 October 2022 – Thrive by Five, an initiative of the Minderoo Foundation, has welcomed a joint Federal and Victorian Government investment in a new early childhood education and care trial that will see up to 200 vulnerable and disadvantaged children aged three and under receive intensive support to prepare them for school.
This $9.5 million trial addresses a key gap in childhood development, where evidence shows children who enter the school system developmentally vulnerable often do not catch up with their peers.
According to the Australian Early Development Census (AECD), children assessed as developmentally vulnerable on one or more domains increased from 21.7 per cent in 2018 to 22 per cent in 2021, and those assessed as developmentally vulnerable on two or more domains also increased from 11 per cent in 2018 to 11.4 per cent in the same period.
Thrive by Five Director Jay Weatherill says; “The early years are absolutely critical for a child’s lifelong learning and wellbeing. We welcome this positive step by the Federal and Victorian Governments to support children three years old and under in preparing for their learning journey within the Australian school system.
“Every child should start school ready to learn and with the opportunity to fulfil their potential. Initiatives that positively shape the foundations of children’s future health, happiness, growth, development and learning achievement at school will not only benefit our children, but also their families and communities they live in.
“We are excited to see how this trial will contribute to the physical, social and emotional development of the children participating.
“I urge other states and territories and the Federal Government to work together to create more opportunities like these to be rolled out across the country.”
