Early childhood programs and services for Aboriginal children and their families.
BALERT GERRBIK: Koorie Families as First Educators
There are nine
Aboriginal Community Controlled
Organisations (ACCOs) funded by
the Department
to deliver
evidence-based parenting support through
the
BALERT GERRBIK: Koorie Families as First Educators
(KFFE)
initiative.
KFFE supports Koorie families to provide a strong foundation for their children's early learning and development
through high-quality, culturally
safe, evidence-based parenting support (pre-birth to school age, including transition to school). ACCOs in identified areas deliver KFFE by employing and supporting Koorie educators to work with parents/carers to build the capacity of Koorie families to support their children's early learning and development.
KFFE incorporates the Koorie In Home Support/Home Based Learning initiative, whose funding was integrated with KFFE under a common set of guidelines and the language name BALERT GERRBIK in 2019. BALERT GERRBIK
means 'my strong family/kin' and is from the Taungurong language.
KFFE funding is delivered across Victoria, in
the following
locations:
- Bendigo
- Latrobe
- Wodonga
- Northern Metro
- Swan Hill
- Mildura
- East Gippsland
- Geelong
- Shepparton
Guidelines for BALERT GERRBIK: Koorie Families as First Educators is available from the Koorie Outcomes Division of DET. To request a copy, please email:
marrung@education.vic.gov.au
Childcare and kindergarten
Find out more about childcare and preschool services for Koorie children and their families that are operated by and for the Aboriginal community.
Best Start
Best Start is an early years initiative to support families and caregivers to provide the best possible environment, experiences and care for children from birth to age eight. The program focuses on children experiencing vulnerability and all Aboriginal children.
Find Best Start policy, guidelines and partnership agreement templates for early childhood professionals.
Koorie Kids Shine
Koorie Kids Shine is a program that promotes the value of kindergarten to Aboriginal parents and community. Aboriginal children aged three and four are eligible for 15 hours of free kindergarten each week. To be eligible, a child must turn three or four years old by 30 April in the year they go to kindergarten.
Contact us
For more information about early childhood services for Koorie families (including kindergarten programs):
- contact your local council
- call the Koorie education coordinator at your regional office.