New Early Years Plan positively positions Baw Baw’s future generations

Published on 08 February 2024

This week the Baw Baw Shire Council formally endorsed the Municipal Early Years Plan 2024-2027 (MEYP), a plan that will lead Council into the future and ensure the youngest generations of our community are carefully planned for and well looked after.

This Plan articulates a strategic direction for the coordination and development of early years programs in Baw Baw and clarifies Council’s roles and responsibilities in the early years sector.

Baw Baw Shire Mayor Cr Annemarie McCabe said that the MEYP marked an important milestone for Council and concludes extensive consultation with a broad section of the community.

“Throughout the development of this Plan, Council engaged directly with our local children, who filled out 185 surveys for us,” Cr McCabe said.

“I think this is so fantastic, as it allowed us to hear from the people who really matter in this plan and who it will affect the most.”

Cr McCabe added that the MEYP stresses the importance of caring for and planning for our children’s development and ensuring that Council is taking responsibility for providing enough services and activities so children can thrive and prosper in Baw Baw.

During its community engagement, Council uncovered that places and spaces, nature-based activities and outdoor play centres and play spaces matter most to local families.

“Through this Plan, Council will endeavour to deliver what our community have asked for,” the Mayor said.

“We know that what children learn in the early years really sets the foundations for their future, so we want to ensure we contribute to a positive development in any way we can.”

Baw Baw Shire Council provides and runs a Family Day Care Service, manages the Central Enrolment and Registration process for kindergartens, and employs a number of Maternal and Child Health nurses. It also runs a Preschool Field Officer Program, as well as supported playgroups.

In May this year, Council will host the inaugural Early Years Careers Expo, an opportunity for the community to come along and find out more about a career in this sector. Expressions of Interests to be a stallholder at this event are currently open, visit https://bawbawshire.co/ECCExpoStallholders to submit yours.

To find out more about the Children and Families services at Baw Baw, visit www.bawbawshire.vic.gov.au/Our-Community/Children-and-Families.

To download a copy of the MEYP, click here: https://www.bawbawshire.vic.gov.au/files/sharedassets/public/v/1/family-and-childrens-services/documents/municipal-early-years-plan-2024-2027-final.pdf.