- Published by:
- Department of Education
- Date:
- 13 Dec 2024
Introduction
The Expanding your early childhood education programs - Change management toolkit provides information to support early childhood services to plan and deliver the Best Start, Best Life reforms.
The reforms are the most significant change to the sector in a generation. This expansion of early childhood education in Victoria will give children more time in your programs during a period of rapid brain development. Having 2 years of quality early learning and a longer program in the year before school will benefit all Victorian children, families, and communities, and for some families and children will be life changing.
As Four-Year-Old Kindergarten transitions to Pre-Prep, and Three-Year-Old Kindergarten continues to roll out across Victoria, some degree of change will be required at every service, whether you are part of a large provider with multiple services, or a small kindergarten with a parent-run committee of management.
Change takes time, which is why the reforms have a staged roll-out. Services may find making gradual changes, with clearly defined steps, supports them to make an effective transition and for teams to adjust.
About the toolkit
This toolkit is for service leaders and centre managers/directors in standalone (sessional) kindergarten services and long day care centres. It will also be useful for teachers and educators.
It provides key information and tools to help you work with your team and families to plan and implement Pre-Prep and continue Three-Year-Old Kindergarten.
There is ‘how to’ information and examples about making program changes, such as using rotational models, multi-age groups, team teaching and teaching longer days.
Use the toolkit alongside:
- the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF) (PDF, 1.98MB), which provides guidelines and practice resources for all professionals who work with children aged 0 to 8
- the Three-Year-Old Kindergarten teaching toolkit, which provides professional learning and practice support for services delivering funded programs.
Early childhood education services differ in type and size, with teams that have different experiences with managing change. You may find that some information in the toolkit isn’t relevant for your service’s current situation – the toolkit is designed so you can refer to information as needed by your service, depending on your circumstances. You can also return to the toolkit multiple times as needed.
Local Early Childhood Improvement Branches – specialist support available
Your local Early Childhood Improvement Branch can provide you with change management support, tailored to your service. This includes:
- program modelling and timetabling advice
- information about workforce resources and programs, and infrastructure grants
- specialist advice relating to the provision of high-quality programs in a range of settings
- local area knowledge and data to assist with planning programs that are responsive to the needs of the local community.
Resources
Leading changes that work for you, your team and your families
Lead change in a way that supports and motivates your staff, and provides the best outcomes for children and communities.
Establishing a vision for change
A strong vision and clear rationale for change can help you communicate about change.
Engaging and working with your team
Work with all services and providers and invite the expertise of teachers, educators, and other staff.
Where you are now
Motivate your team and provide a strong foundation for considering future changes.
Working out your next steps
Involve your staff early in discussions about possible changes.
Making program modelling changes
Consider what you can deliver within your existing set-up with your teachers and educators.
Retaining and recruiting staff
Having the right people with the right skills in your service will be critical to a successful transition to Pre-Prep.
Creating more space
Funding is available for sector partners to plan, build, expand and improve early years infrastructure across Victoria.
Communicating with families
Tailor communications with families to suit your service’s individual circumstances.
Further support and information
Further support for the Expanding your early childhood education programs - Change management toolkit.
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