Early Childhood Education and Care Services at Schools

Policy

This policy supports principals and school leaders to work collaboratively with Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) services built and funded by the government that are located at or near schools, on government land. This includes Early Learning Victoria (ELV) centres that deliver long day care with an integrated kindergarten program, and Kindergarten on Schools Sites (KOSS) that deliver sessional kindergarten services.

Summary

• Principals are not responsible for the management of ECEC services at schools.
• Schools with co-located ECEC services are encouraged to work in partnership to ensure successful transitions and continuity of learning for children.
• Co-location supports children to have successful transitions from kindergarten to primary school (noting enrolment is only guaranteed if children live in the school zone).
• Co-location supports families to access multiple services for children of different ages at a single site.
• Co-location provides secondary students with the opportunity to expand their understanding of a career in early childhood education (such as work experience placements in the ECEC service).
• ECEC services at schools may be delivered by:
  • Early Learning Victoria (ELV)
  • Third party providers, such as Early Years Management (EYM) organisations, local councils, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) or other not-for-profit kindergarten providers
  • School councils (in limited circumstances), where there is an appropriate skills mix to deliver an ECEC service, and where prior approval has been sought from the Department.
• The ECEC service provider is responsible for the ongoing management of the service.
• Early childhood specialist staff in your Area’s Early Childhood Improvement Branch (ECIB) are also available to provide advice and support.
• This policy does not apply to Outside School Hours Care services.

Details

The department will be building hundreds of new ECEC facilities at or near schools across the state over the next decade, as part of the Best Start, Best Life reforms. The ECEC facilities built by the department includes:

• ELV centres, in which the services are delivered by the Department of Education
• KOSS, in which the services are delivered by third party providers.

Principals

Principals are not responsible for the management, staffing, governance, funding, enrolment or emergency management of co-located ECEC services. However, schools with co-located ECEC services are encouraged to build a collaborative partnership with the service, including supporting continuity of learning and transition into school for younger children, and providing opportunities for training and vocational opportunities for secondary students considering a career in early childhood education.

Providers

While the ECEC service provider is responsible for establishment and ongoing management of the service, schools and services are encouraged to work together to manage the shared space, support safe operations and working together in the best interest of families and the community.

Community

From a community perspective, families may assume the ECEC service is operated by the school. Clear communication regarding responsibilities can help school leaders manage expectations. Schools are encouraged to connect with the ECEC service leaders to establish effective ways of working.

Collaboration

Where services are located within school boundaries, principals and providers should communicate about site access, shared space use and emergency procedures to ensure smooth day-to-day operations and child safety.

The guidance tab provides further information and support on the following topics:

• Building and establishment of the ECEC service
• Ways of working with the ECEC service manager
• Enrolment
• ECEC service session times
• Curriculum and pedagogy.

For additional support, schools can contact their Area Early Childhood Improvement Branch or School Education Improvement Leaders.

ECEC services at schools can be either sessional kindergarten only, sessional kindergarten with wrap-around hours or integrated long day care services. For additional information about kindergarten in Victoria, refer to: Kinder: Best Start, Best Life.

ELV has been established as a division within the Victorian Department of Education to operate the 50 government-owned and operated early learning centres, many of which will be at schools. Further information about ELV centres can be found here: Early Learning Victoria.

Other ECEC services located in department-owned buildings are usually delivered by experienced Early Years Management (EYM) organisations with multiple kindergarten sites. Some services may be operated by a non-EYM not-for-profit kindergarten provider, or the School Council.

Related polices

• Enrolment
• Child Safe Standards
• Protecting Children – Reporting and Other Legal Obligations
• Community Use of Schools – Community Joint Use Agreements
• Community Use of Schools – Hiring and Licensing
• Outside School Hours Care – Decision Making Regarding the Provision of OSHC

Relevant legislation

• Education and Care Services National Law Act 2010
• Education and Care Services National Regulations (2011 SI 653)
• Education and Training Reform Act 2006

Contact

• ELV related queries: elv@education.vic.gov.au
• KOSS selection and infrastructure delivery: KOSS@education.vic.gov.au
• KOSS service provider appointments and operational policy:
  • kindergarten.appointments@education.vic.gov.au
  • 03 7022 0024 - Manager Provider Engagement and Partnerships
• General ECEC queries: Early Childhood Improvement Branch or Senior Education Improvement Leader