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Greater Shepparton Best Start Demonstration Project

What is the Greater Shepparton Best Start Demonstration Project?

Best Start is a three year project that aims to improve the health, development, learning and wellbeing of all children from before birth through to early school age (eight years of age). The Council believes that communities, parents and service providers can work together to improve local childhood services to better meet community needs. As parents are the most important part of a young child’s ‘early years’, Best Start also focuses on how the local community can more effectively support parents.

What are the aims of the Greater Shepparton Best Start  Demonstration Project?

The Greater Shepparton Best Start Demonstration Project aims to:

Assist early childhood services to work more closely together

Help local services to communicate and work together more effectively to make the best use of the resources we have, share good ideas and work closely to build better services.

Improve community awareness about early childhood services

Provide information to parents and service providers about local services and activities.                                                         

Look at ways of connecting families to local services and parent activities

Bring families and children together for social activities such as family fun days, school holiday activities and playgroups.

Provide learning opportunities in relation to child development and parenting

Look at ways of providing information and resources in a way that parents would enjoy.

Promote the importance of early childhood literacy skills

Provide information and resources about ways parents can encourage their children to enjoy reading and literacy activities and promote local literacy services.

Reshape early childhood services to better meet the needs of families

Identify opportunities to make services more flexible and meet the needs of families, ie. review operating times, outreach services and location of services

Support skill development for early childhood services staff

Provide opportunities for local early childhood health professionals and staff to enhance their knowledge and skills

Have ongoing contact with parents to make sure Best Start is focussing on actions that are important to families

Who can I contact for further information about the Greater Shepparton Best Start Demonstration Project?

Belinda Whitelaw
 Best Start Service Development and Resource Officer
Ph: 03 5832 9790
Email: belinda.whitelaw@shepparton.vic.gov.au  



Playgroups

Playgroup is a great time for children and their parents/carers to have happy and fun experiences together.  Through playgroups children can meet new friends and enjoy new play experiences while parents/carers have the opportunity to meet and talk with others.  Playgroups promote friendship, support, independence and learning so why not visit a playgroup today.

Library Toddler Storytime

Toddler Storytime is suitable for children up to six years of age and is held at the Shepparton, Mooroopna and Tatura library. The hourly sessions include several related stories followed by discussion time, a craft activity and/or rhymes. Sessions are run by Cathy Artridge, Regional Children’s and Young Adult Services Librarian.

There are many benefits in attending Toddler Storytime sessions including an introduction to literature and stimulation of new ideas for children, as well as parents/carers being a role model to children and familiarising themselves with literature appropriate to their child’s age.

For more information on session times and dates please contact the library on 58 321 600.