On 5 April 2007, the Government released Victoria's Plan to Improve Outcomes in Early Childhood under the COAG National Reform Agenda.

The plan is a major statement of the Government’s intentions and commitment to improve the supports available to families with young children.

It has been developed to deliver on the early childhood development and child care goals that have been agreed between states, territories and the Commonwealth—through the Council of Australian Governments (COAG)—as important to Australia's future social and economic wellbeing.

COAG has identified that substantial benefits for individuals, families and the community are expected to accrue from investments in early childhood. These benefits include better health, improved educational outcomes, higher rates of labour force participation, lower rates of dependence on the social security system, and lower crime rates.

A plan for young children

Victoria's plan to improve outcomes in early childhood through the National Reform Agenda sets out how the Government will improve supports for families with young children, from before birth to the transition to school, including ambitious longer-term directions for Commonwealth-State cooperation.

Its 53 actions cover antenatal care, the health, development and learning of young children, the provision of early education and care services, and the early years workforce.

The plan was informed by the public consultation process undertaken over 2005-06 by the Statewide Outcomes for Children Branch and has been informed by expert advice from the Victorian Children's Council as well as by the Children's Services Coordination Board. More recently, it is the result of work undertaken by the Office for Children with the Department of Premier and Cabinet, which leads work around different parts of the National Reform Agenda.

Download a copy of Victoria’s plan to improve outcomes in early childhood [PDF 554kb]

The National Reform Agenda

Victoria's plan to improve outcomes in early childhood is the third document that Victoria has released to explain how it plans to implement different elements of the National Reform Agenda. Earlier plans covered action on type 2 diabetes and action to improve literacy and numeracy.

More details on the National Reform Agenda are available on the Department of Premier and Cabinet website [www.dpc.vic.gov.au]

Further information

The Office for Children will be undertaking a series of briefings on the Plan over the coming weeks.