Member for Northern Victoria Region, Candy Broad has announced the successful Best Start Program in Robinvale will be continued thanks to an ongoing Brumby Labor Government investment of $100,000.
Ms Broad said the funding for the Robinvale Early Years Network (Swan Hill Rural City Council) Best Start partnership is part of a $2.5 million boost for early childhood partnerships in disadvantaged communities.
“The Brumby Labor Government is taking action to give children the best start in life regardless of personal circumstance or postcode, which is why this Government has committed extra funding to support children in Robinvale,” Ms Broad said.
Best Start is a Brumby Labor Government initiative which is aimed at improving the health, development, learning and wellbeing of Victorian children from birth to eight by building partnerships between councils, early childhood services, parents and local communities.
“This Government has now committed more than $18 million to the Best Start initiative since 2002, ensuring children like those in Robinvale are receiving every opportunity to grow and thrive with the support of early childhood services and their local communities.”
There are now 30 Best Start partnerships operating in Victoria, including the one in Robinvale. Six partnerships are within Aboriginal communities.
“These partnerships are doing outstanding work in ensuring children and their families are accessing the best quality early childhood services,” Ms Broad said.
All of the 30 Best Start partnerships will receive a total of $100,000 each year under this Brumby Labor Government initiative.
“This extra funding will ensure the Best Start programs like ours in Robinvale can continue to provide the services and supports which have become so important to their local communities,” Ms Broad said.
“Best Start has had positive effects on a range of indicators, including increased rates of breastfeeding, attendance at Maternal and Child Health centres, parents reading to their children earlier, higher rates of physical activity and literacy-related activities.”