By Five are absolutely THRILLED with the Albanese Government's announcement that Early Childhood Educators will receive a well-deserved pay rise. This is not only a win for hardworking professionals and industry, but for families and communities that rely on their services.

Catch up on the latest By Five Newsletter

Mat and Ange from the central office of the Department of Education Early years branch visited Jeparit and Rainbow schools to discuss the needs of children and families in accessing ECEC in their towns.

We are all eagerly awaiting the Federal Government’s response to the Productivity Commission report into Early Childhood Education and Care, specifically if our calls to have the ECEC system redesigned for rural communities have been heard.

We know short-term interventions help people BEAT the odds, but systematic interventions CHANGE the odds. We are working hard to maintain funding to continue the By Five work and changing systems to enable ALL children in our rural communities and beyond to thrive.

By Five joined forces with our partners to create a walk through virtual Early Childhood Education & Care centre at the Western Victorian Careers Expo. Guests could enjoy a range of hands-on experiences that demonstrated how children learn through play and how interesting and enjoyable working in the early years space can be for professionals.

Our Friends of By Five group met this month to enjoy a cuppa and talk all things early years. Hannah and Cara shared the great work they are doing around thriving communities, and their current focus on the challenges of shifting ‘mental models’ around kids and families in our communities.

Last night, the By Five team, along with many educators, parents, and community leaders from remote, rural and regional areas across Australia, came together for the "Thrive by Five" online event. Our own Tammy Smith, CEO of Yarriambiack Shire, highlighted how the temporary closure of the Hopetoun centre has caused a ripple effect throughout the community.

We are continuing to work to understand the landscape of local antenatal care, both from a service perspective, and from the parent and community perspective. We have been speaking with women around the Wimmera about how they have experienced antenatal, and broader maternity care, throughout their pregnancies.

Cara and Hannah spent a few days in Melbourne this week at the Royal Children’s Hospital and the Centre for Community Child Health, meeting with colleagues new and old with a jam-packed itinerary!

Catch up on the latest By Five newsletter

Following the completion of the By Five Paediatric Project two-year evaluation, the By Five team have been working closely with True South Film to bring to life the project’s story and important information found within the evaluation.

Our RCH Paediatricians once again made the journey to immerse themselves in the communities of the Wimmera, visiting more of the places and people that mak up our region.

Cara and Emily were incredibly grateful and humbled to have the opportunity to chat with Josh from the The Just Be Nice Project before his talk in Horsham.

In a world where bad news seems to dominate the airwaves and permeate every corner of our lives, our children are not immune to the psychological toll of these events. The conversations overheard, the news reports blaring from radios and televisions, all serve to inundate their impressionable minds with images of violence, tragedy and uncertainty. As concerned adults, it’s natural to wonder: how do we shield our children from the overwhelming pressures of this tumultuous environment?

Stay up to date on all things ECEC with an update on a busy few months for the team.

In the heart of country life, as the football and netball season unfolds once again, it’s vital to recognise that sports aren’t merely about competition and recreation; they serve as crucial pillars in shaping the lives of our children.

Small actions can have a big impact on a child’s day, and their happiness. By Five have partnered with local schools and kinders to hear from children, what does kindness mean to them?

Welcome to our first newsletter edition for 2024, and what a great start to the new year it has been!

By Five along with our allies and partners came together from across the Wimmera, Loddon Campaspe and Mallee region to passionately articulate the challenges our small rural communities face when it comes to equitable ECEC to the Productivity Commission inquiry.