Early childhood, family support and health care services: An evidence review

The City of Port Phillip is developing a new Children’s Services policy to inform its provision of early year’s services.

The Centre for Community Child Health was commissioned to provide the City with a summary of the most significant evidence to inform this policy, with a particular focus on the provision of early childhood education services (birth to 5), playgroups and access to toys, especially for children from vulnerable families.

This paper includes the following:

1. A brief overview of evidence regarding the nature and importance of the early years and the factors that shape child and family functioning.

2. The evidence on early childhood and parenting services, including antenatal and home visiting services, child care, playgroups, toy libraries, and preschool education programs.

3. An analysis of the evidence regarding the key features of effective early childhood, family support and health service systems.

4. Considerations for future development of early childhood, family support and health care services.