Please note: this is an archived news article release

This article was published on Wednesday, 29 June, 2022. The information contained within may be out of date or inaccurate. News articles and media releases older than 60 days are archived for future reference.

Expressions of Interest are now open to join the Best Start Early Years Alliance (BSEYA)

Expressions of interest are now open to parents or carers of children aged between zero and six years old on the Shaping Greater Shepparton website, applications will close on Friday 29 July 2022. We are looking for a parent or carer to join the BSEYA in a volunteer advisory role.

The BSEYA aims to improve outcomes for children by working with services like Maternal and Child Health, playgroups and kindergartens, and the local community to ensure Greater Shepparton is a child and family friendly place to live, work and play.

“As a child’s first and most important influence, it is important that the views of parents and carers are heard, as they provide a valuable contribution to the strategic direction contained within the Greater Shepparton Best Start Early Years Plan 2020-2025. This is an opportunity to contribute to the decision making process and improve outcomes for our children” Chair of BSEYA, Cr Seema Abdullah said.

GSEYA meetings are held bimonthly on the third Thursday of the month and oversees the strategic direction for the Greater Shepparton Best Start Early Years Plan 2020-2025. The six-year plan aims to improve learning, health and wellbeing outcomes and has five key themes – Play, Learn, Thrive, Voice and Share. All themes have a series of measures of success to determine progress or achievements.

Mayor, Cr Shane Sail said “Council has already seen some important developments resulting from previous plans that have benefited our community and the growth of our children. A child’s brain develops significantly before the age of 5 and it is important that Council can provide the right tools and equipment to support on-going developments of children between zero and six years old. This alliance will provide a valuable contribution to how we proceed in implementing the 2020-2025 plan.”

There has been significant achievements of previous plans including (from 2006 to 2019):

Increase in the number of completed 3.5 year key age and stage visits
Increase in the percentage of completed Maternal and Child Health key age and stage visits in Mooroopna and north Shepparton
Increase in the percentage of completed Maternal and Child Health key age and stage visits for Aboriginal children
Increase in the number of Early Start to Kindergarten enrolments
Increase in breastfeeding rates across Greater Shepparton
An improvement in the AEDC Language Skills domain from 2009 to 2012 after an intensive early years language and literacy focus
Strengthened links with local agencies and organisations.

Currently the BSEYA has representatives from a wide range of early years, education, health and family support organisations.

Expressions of Interest are open now and close on 29 July 2022 via bit.ly/GSBSEYA2022.

Parents and carers of children aged between zero and six years old are encouraged to apply.

Further information or support with applying can be provided by contacting Belinda Whitelaw, Best Start Coordinator on 5832 9790 or email belinda.whitelaw@shepparton.vic.gov.au