Greater Shepparton City Council has adopted the Greater Shepparton Best Start Early Years Strategic Plan 2026-2031 at its August Council Meeting. The Plan provides a roadmap to improve learning, health and wellbeing outcomes for children aged 0 to 6 years across the municipality.
The six-year Plan aims to ensure all children in Greater Shepparton are given the best start in life through empowered and strong families, responsive services and inclusive communities.
The Plan focuses on three strategic areas:
- Home – supporting parents and caregivers as a child’s first and most important teachers.
- Services – ensuring services are accessible, inclusive and working together.
- Community – building strong connections and a supportive village for families.
The Plan was shaped by extensive community consultation undertaken between September and November 2025 with parents, carers, community members, service providers and workgroups. Once the draft Plan was developed, a further three-week public consultation period was conducted in 2026.
In addition to community feedback, the final Plan has been informed by local data, early years research and relevant state and national frameworks.
Mayor, Councillor Shane Sali, said the Plan recognises the importance of early years services in shaping a child’s future.
“Every child deserves the opportunity to grow, learn and thrive, and this Plan provides a clear framework to support children and families during the years that matter most,” he said.
“When we invest in early years, we are supporting better outcomes for children and supporting children to build a stronger, healthier and more connected future.”
Council’s Director Healthy Communities and Liveability, Briana Baass, said the Plan reflects the priorities of the community.
“The Plan has been shaped through valuable input from parents, carers, community members and service providers who shared their experiences and insights during the consultation process,” she said.
“Thank you to everyone who took the time to contribute to this Plan. We want the best outcomes for all children in Greater Shepparton, and we can only achieve that when all stakeholders are included in the process.”
Annual Action Plans will be developed to guide implementation and measure progress towards the Plan’s long-term outcomes.
