‘First steps’ coming on in leaps and bounds

By Callan Date
A NEW DVD launched in Doveton last week is showcasing the fine work the Doveton Early Years Project is having on local children.
Titled ‘First Steps – creating integrated childhood services in Doveton’, the DVD has been well received by many of the child development professionals who have seen it.
Professor Frank Oberklaid spoke at the launch about the range of challenges faced by children and their parents who live in low-socioeconomic areas.
Prof Oberklaid, who is the Foundation Director of the Centre for Community Child Health at the Royal Children’s Hospital, said the first three years of a child’s life were vitally important for their development.
Doveton Early Years project coordinator Jeanette Miller said the day went very well.
“We were very happy with it,” she said.
“The idea was to invite the professor along to come and speak about the particular needs of children growing up in areas like Doveton.
“He told us that when kids go to school in places like Doveton, we are finding that they are already behind children who come from more affluent areas,” she said.
Ms Miller said the Doveton Early Years Project was trying to attract some more interest and understanding from various organisations.
“The DVD is about promoting the work we are doing. We have showed it at a few conferences already and the reaction has been very positive. We had some people actually want to buy it,” she said.
“We are all aiming for the same thing – for good outcomes for children and hopefully the DVD helps with this.”