Kids First Selected to Deliver Four New Vic Kinders in 2025

Our CEO, Nicole Artico, shared her excitement about this opportunity:

"This is a fantastic step forward in ensuring children across these communities receive the kind of education and care they deserve. Through our unique, trauma-informed model, we provide a safe and nurturing environment that helps children grow into confident learners. We’re proud to continue making a meaningful impact on their life trajectories."
 

Why a new model of early years education and care?

In 2019, Australian Early Development Census revealed that approximately 20% of children starting full-time school were developmentally vulnerable? Children who start school behind their peers often struggle to catch up, leading to poorer outcomes later in life, including lower educational achievement, ill health, unemployment, and social challenges.

 

At Kids First, we recognise that children may need extra support in their early years, especially those facing developmental vulnerabilities. Our unique model of education and care is designed to meet these needs, offering an intentional blend of high-quality education and holistic care to ensure all children can thrive into primary school and beyond.

What makes our model unique?

Our program is based on key features that support a child’s emotional, social, and intellectual development:

• High staff-to-child ratios
• Diploma-qualified staff
• Enriched caregiving
• High-quality, curriculum-based education aligned with the National Early Years Learning Frameworks
• Strong partnerships with parents
• Connections to Family Support and Child Protection Services

This holistic approach is intended to create stable and nurturing learning environments, allowing children to develop the skills and confidence they need for a bright future.
 

Evaluation results: Learn about the transformative impact of the Kids First Early Years Education Program – Kindergarten Model
 

With this expansion, we are excited to bring our model to more families, ensuring that children from all backgrounds have access to the support they need to succeed. As Nicole Artico notes,

"We are deeply committed to providing education and care that doesn’t just prepare children for school, but for life. Our trauma-informed approach ensures that every child feels understood, safe, and valued – giving them the foundation they need to grow into confident, capable learners."