1 in 6 Australian children live in poverty
$16 billion Annual spend on services
22% Start school developmentally vulnerable

Current state of the sector

The best way to change lifelong outcomes for children is to change what happens in early childhood.

But our system does not have the supports or services for all children to thrive. It fails to provide targeted, high quality and accessible supports for the children who need them most.

Our vision

Our vision is for an Australia where all children can thrive, regardless of where they live or the challenges their family is facing. This means families being able to access the right supports, when they need them.

The role we play

We’re creating a more proactive and responsive early years system.

Our deep expertise and innovative thinking guide our approach and the work we do. To achieve a better system we:

  • build unique partnerships and collaborations
  • identify high-impact interventions and give them the support they need to succeed
  • test and scale innovative solutions and contribute to research and evidence
  • work to change policy for wide-scale impact
  • bring diverse skills and sector-wide expertise
  • support clients across the early years landscape to increase their impact.
Early Years

Our Young Children Thriving program

Together with our partners and clients, we’re driving change across the early childhood sector in Australia.

  • Nurture Together

    We’re exploring the potential of integrated early learning service models to provide wrap-around support for children experiencing disadvantage.

  • Discussion paper
    Towards a trauma-informed Australian early childhood education and care system (ECEC)

    Discussion paper exploring barriers and enablers of trauma-informed organisations and systems and implications for early childhood education and care in Australia today.

  • SNAICC Early Years Support

    We partnered with SNAICC – National Voice for our Children to develop Early Years Support. This program supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations across Australia to deliver early years services for children, families and communities.

What our partners say

[The YCT team have supported] professional development of staff, increased access to other important sector stakeholders, development of planning and resources, backend support and coaching, significant contributor to reflection and adaption of program deliverables across program areas. [They are an] amazing team… the sincerity, passion and desire for change in the ECEC Aboriginal space is VERY evident.” Staff Member • SNAICC EYS
Brave Foundation

Consulting case studies

Our impact

Through the work being led by SVA’s Young Children Thriving team, our work in policy and advocacy, we’re working to secure better outcomes for children and families.

Meet the Early Years team

We’re looking for partners to help us drive positive and lasting change. Find out how you can get involved as a program partner or funder.

Contact the Early Years team Consulting Enquiries