EYM organisational structures and processes benefit educators by providing: regular, direct and professional support to sustain and develop quality practice informed leadership in contemporary and evidence-based teaching methods access to high-quality professional development the opportunity to participate in internal and external communities of practice that enable knowledge sharing and reflective practice career pathways and mentoring that enables staff to deepen and extend their practice and progression within the sector. Understanding the change in roles and responsibilities As a first step in the research process, the Committee of Management should ensure they have a clear understanding of the EYM roles and responsibilities and the operational parameters of EYM organisations. In particular, the Committee of Management must understand the implications of the change to their role – from delivering and managing all aspects of the kindergarten service, to providing advice and support to the educational program at service. Please note: In reference to this change in role, these guidelines refer to Committee of Management as parent structures prior to the EYM arrangements being confirmed and Parent Advisory Group (PAG) once the agreement is implemented. In EYM-managed kindergarten services, EYM organisations work closely with families to ensure they are responsive to the specific needs of the community. Families may choose to actively engage with the EYM organisation by participating in the volunteer PAG. As well as providing advice and support to the educational program, the PAG establishes processes that ensure there is regular communication with all families and parents whose children attend the service. The Committee of Management must agree to their change in role and potential governance structures prior to identifying and assessing a prospective EYM partnership.
EYM The relationship between the PAG and the EYM organisation is critical to successful delivery of the kindergarten program. Through close collaboration, both parties work to deliver improved outcomes for children. Engaging the Wider Community of Families and Parents In collaboration with the EYM organisation, the PAG establishes processes that ensure regular communication with families and parents whose children attend the service. This gives families a way of actively contributing to their children’s kindergarten experiences. Examples of how the PAG may engage the wider community of families and parents include: implementing formal processes for welcoming all new PAG members establishing processes for receiving feedback about the kindergarten programs, including reporting on any issues or concerns about kindergarten program delivery. Fundraising A PAG may raise funds to benefit the kindergarten program. Funds may go towards initiatives such as buying new playground equipment, or invest in activities that benefit the entire EYM organisation such training to support the educators. The EYM partnership agreement should outline the fundraising arrangements negotiated between the EYM organisation and the kindergarten service. These arrangements will detail how funds are to be used to support the quality and viability of service provision, and meet the needs of children, families and the broader community. Before raising funds, a PAG should liaise with the EYM organisation to discuss and agree on the fundraising activity, including how funds will be used. This is a consultative process that allows the: PAG to advise the EYM organisation about the needs of the service EYM organisation to confirm the approach is consistent with regulatory and legislative requirements. Where funds have been raised by the PAG, the EYM organisation will make expenditure reports available to the PAG, outlining how the funds have been used. The PAG may request further information if required.
& A Approved provider – Approved provider status is granted under the Education and Care Services National Law Act 2010. It is the first step towards operating an education and care service. The EYM organisation is the approved provider of all services within their organisation. C Committees of Management – The group of volunteer family members and parents that operates a kindergarten service on behalf of the incorporated association. The group is the approved provider and is legally responsible for a stand-alone community kindergarten. The decision to enter into EYM is made by the Committee of Management on behalf of, and in consultation with the wider community of families and parents. D The Department – Department of Education and Training. E ECEC – Early childhood education and care. Early Learning Association Australia (ELAA) – A peak organisation representing early childhood services and EYM organisations. ELAA represents the views and issues that impact on parents, and on the service providers who are working to deliver high-quality early learning programs to all children. See for more information. Early Start Kindergarten (ESK) – A Victorian government grant, which provides free or low-cost kindergarten services to vulnerable 3-year-old children. Early Years Management (EYM) – Formerly known as Kindergarten Cluster Management, EYM brings together a group of community- based kindergartens and other early years services under the management of a single organisation. Education and Care Services National Law Act 2010 (the National Law) and Education and Care Services National Regulations 2014 (the regulations) – The National Law and the regulations set out the legal minimum standards for education and care services e.g. space requirements, educator-to-child ratios and educator qualifications. EYM Organisation – The organisation responsible for the overall management and delivery of kindergarten and other early years services under their organisation. They work closely with other EYM partners (the Department, local government, families and PAGs). EYM Partners – The four-way partnership between the Department, local government, EYM organisations and families that forms the base of EYM in Victoria and improves educational outcomes for children. EYM Partnership Agreement – A formal agreement between the EYM organisation and the service, which sets out roles and financial arrangements. EYM Partnerships – The direct partnership between an EYM organisation and the early childhood education and care service(s) that the organisation manages. Early Years Services – Services supporting the learning and development of children aged 0-8 years, such as kindergartens, play groups, long day care and occasional care. Some EYM organisations provide a number of these services.
F Funded Organisation Performance Monitoring Framework (FOPMF) – The framework the Department uses to monitor the performance of organisations it funds to deliver programs, including kindergartens and EYM organisations. Funding and Service Agreement – The contractual agreement between the Department and a funded entity, such as an EYM organisation or stand-alone kindergarten. It sets out roles and funding arrangements. I Incorporated Association – A legal structure adopted by a not-for-profit community organisation to formalise how the organisation operates and trades. Incorporated associations are typically governed by a Committee of Management. The Committee of Management may retain their incorporated status after joining an EYM organisation. See the Consumer Affairs Victoria website. See www.consumer.vic.gov. au/clubs-and-not-for-profits/incorporated- associations for more information. L Local Government Area – LGA Long day care – Primarily aimed at 0-6 year- olds, long day care may offer a funded, teacher- led kindergarten program. M Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) – The legislated peak body for Victoria’s 79 local government organisations. MAV, through a partnership agreement with the Department, provides policy advice to local government and the Department, and strengthens the ongoing operation of EYM in Victoria. See for more information. Municipal Early Years Plan (MEYP) – The plan that details the strategic directions for the coordination of educational, care and health programs and activities, and other local developments that impact on children from birth to the school entry age. N National Quality Framework (NQF) – The NQF includes the National Law, the regulations, and the National Quality Standard. The NQF focuses on raising standards, and guides ongoing advances and stability in Australian education and care services. See for more information. National Quality Standard (NQS) – The standard by which all education and care services are assessed and rated under the NQF. Services are rated as Working Towards, Meeting or Exceeding the NQS.
1: EYM OUTCOMES AND DRAFT PERFORMANCE FRAMEWORK The purpose of the EYM Outcomes and draft Performance Framework is to provide a set of sample measures – used at an organisational, regional and state level – to determine how effective EYM organisations are in improving outcomes for children. This framework is a working document. The Department will finalise the framework as its use matures. It may need to implement additional measures for data collection or modify data collection tools. If so, this will be done in consultation with the sector, with a view to streamlining existing requirements. For EYM organisations, this framework is a tool that ensures that performance is monitored consistently and that issues and areas for improvement are continuously identified. The framework encourages EYM organisations to focus on quality improvements, think strategically and work towards achieving each of the EYM outcomes. For the Department, the framework provides a set of transparent performance measures used to monitor the performance of individual EYM organisations, and to build a picture of the overall value and impact of EYM in Victoria. At a regional and state level, the Department uses the framework to identify any necessary adjustments to EYM policy and its implementation where there is evidence that EYM is not delivering intended outcomes. The framework uses existing data sources (such as NQS ratings) and data likely to already be collected by the majority of EYM organisations (such as family satisfaction surveys), to reduce data collection requirements on EYM organisations. The EYM outcomes were developed using evidence that identified key elements for providing high-quality service delivery. While the outcomes remain consistent, not every activity listed against each EYM outcome will be feasible for every EYM organisation. Rather, they indicate areas to focus on to ensure that the EYM system improves outcomes for children. As the use of the framework matures, it is expected that more of the activities and measures will be embedded in EYM organisations’ planning and operations.
EYM Outcomes Systems and Processes to Achieve Outcomes Organisational Measures to Track Performance Strong partnerships EYM organisations collaborate with all EYM partners, community organisations, schools and other early years stakeholders, to lead the development and coordination of quality services that improve outcomes for children. Partnerships are established with clearly defined roles and terms of reference Processes are established with families that communicate and facilitate parental involvement in their children’s educational experience Active participation in local government planning processes e.g. Municipal Early Years Plans Active participation in place-based, multi-disciplinary initiatives is evident e.g. Best Start and Linking Learning Processes are established to support transition points along the continuity of learning, from play groups to kindergarten and into schools *Strong engagement and contribution to local planning processes, including Municipal Early Years Planning processes *Demonstrated participation in Local Government Central Enrolment system (where applicable) *Exceeding the NQS (QA 6.3 Service collaborates with other organisations and service providers to enhance children’s learning and wellbeing); proportion of QA6 that move from Working Towards to Meeting or maintained at Exceeding Evidence of local government engagement and contribution Family survey that shows increased participation and satisfaction Health and developmental concerns are detected early and families are referred to appropriate supports