We are one of the over 100 childcare centres, preschools and kindergartens from all states and territories across Australia who have been given the opportunity to participate in the pilot of the KidsMatter Early Childhood initiative.
KidsMatter Early Childhood is a national mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention initiative specifically developed for early childhood services. It recognises the substantial contribution of those individuals who have an influence on young children’s lives.
This includes families and early childhood professionals along with a range of community and health professionals. A collaborative relationship between these significant people makes a positive difference to young children’s mental health during this important developmental period.
KidsMatter Early Childhood aims to support early childhood services to implement evidence based strategies which will:
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• improve the mental health and wellbeing of children from birth to school age;
• reduce mental health problems amongst children; and
• provide greater support for children experiencing mental health difficulties and their families.
Grounded in current research, KidsMatter Early Childhood focuses on the protective factors that promote mental health and wellbeing in young children, which can be strengthened in the context of child care and preschool. It emphasises a sense of shared responsibility for children’s mental health and wellbeing, and aims to provide strategies to help increase the knowledge of staff and families to help create the kind of environments that impact positively on children’s mental health.
With the assistance of the tools and resources from the KidsMatter Early Childhood initiative (including implementation resource books and factsheets), we are being supported to develop our capacity to promote children’s mental health and wellbeing, and to respond effectively to the mental health concerns of the children in our care. A KidsMatter Early Childhood Facilitator also works directly with and in support of our service. Professional learning opportunities for staff have been and will continue to be provided throughout the pilot, and information and resources for families have also been made available.
If you would like more information on KidsMatter Early Childhood you can look on their Website http://www.kidsmatter.edu.au/ec/or contact the Director