Congratulations to our Education Institute, whose Special Kindergarten Program has been recognised at the 2020 Victorian Early Years Awards!

The program received the prestigious Minister’s Award, which is personally selected by the Minister for Early Childhood.

The RCH’s Special Kindergarten Program enables four-year-old children, who have limited-to-no access to community kindergarten settings due to poor health, vulnerability, disadvantage or hospitalisation, to take part in vital early childhood education suited to their individual needs.

The program is delivered through play-based individual and group learning experiences that encourage self-discovery and nurture a child’s sense of identity, autonomy and wellbeing.

Erin O’Rourke, who is the Head of Education at the RCH, said that the Education Institute were honored to receive the acknowledgement.

“We are thrilled to be recognised at the 2020 Victorian Early Awards. Our Special Kindergarten Program provides improved access and participation in early learning for children, by implementing a comprehensive virtual learning program to support children and families.”

“In response to COVID-19, the Education Institute’s early year’s teachers, Nyree and Elias, developed a dynamic program to ensure the continuity of high-quality education for children of The Royal Children’s Hospital,” Erin said.

“The program catered for children and families throughout their inpatient stay, as well as keeping them connected through a virtual classroom platform to support learning at home.”

The Victorian Early Years Awards showcase and celebrate the outstanding achievements of both individuals and organisations in the early childhood sector, who are creating positive opportunities and outcomes for Victorian children and families.

This year’s winners were selected from 115 nominations across seven categories.