Tuesday, 19 March 2024

Ministers statements: early childhood education

Lizzie BLANDTHORN (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Children, Minister for Disability) (13:54): I rise to update the house on the Allan Labor government’s continued commitment to offering children the best start in life. This week is National Playgroup Week, a week all about celebrating and promoting the benefits of playgroups for children, families and communities. I was thrilled to visit the Maidstone Child and Family Centre yesterday for their National Playgroup Week celebration. Families from multiple local supported playgroups, as well as community playgroups, were in attendance, and it was fantastic to join in their celebrations, particularly the dancing. Parents spoke to me about the benefits playgroup sessions are having for their families.

Every year our government invests more than $11 million to enable around 17,000 parents and their preschoolers to attend supported playgroups in 79 local government areas across the state, with local councils like Maribyrnong being the main providers. At supported playgroups children from birth to school age and their parents enjoy a range of fun play opportunities and activities. Parents also find out about the local services and support networks that exist in their community.

Supported playgroups are an evidence-based approach developed by the Parenting Research Centre through an $8 million Victorian government investment. They are proven to improve outcomes for children, to support parents and to strengthen the early home learning environment for families, in particular those who are experiencing a form of disadvantage. Some sessions are delivered in language, and there is an opportunity for parents to practise strategies in their own homes with one-on-one coaching. The workers even spoke to me about the strategies that they have developed with families who may intermittently attend these playgroups and how they can teach them in their own homes to play and learn with their children.

There is no more important job than getting children off to a great start in life. Our world-class program, developed right here in Victoria, allows parents to help their babies and toddlers to develop language, forge social skills and become engaged and immersed in the world around them. The Allan Labor government is proud to give parents the help that they need close to home and when they need it through supported playgroups in places like the wonderful Maidstone Child and Family Centre.