Municipal Early Years Plan 2026-31

The Northern Grampians Shire Council Municipal Early Years Plan 2026-31 will bring together local government, early years and community health services, schools and families under a shared vision for Northern Grampians. The plan will aim to promote equitable access to quality early childhood opportunities, ensure early identification and intervention for developmental needs, and support families to provide strong and nurturing environments.

The plan is designed to provide for the development and coordination of early years programs, activities and other local community support processes that impact children aged 0-8 years across the municipality.

We want to ensure all children in our shire get a great start in life, have great childhoods and that parents and carers get the support they need. The development of the plan will help inform council’s design of services as well as its advocacy to other levels of government.

 

How to get involved

Council is facilitating the following key engagement opportunities between Monday, February 23 and Sunday, March 22, 2026. Please click on the tabs below to find out more. 

Survey

A community survey aimed at collecting anonymous insights from parents and carers of children aged up to eight years is available from Monday, February 23 to Sunday, March 22, 2026. The survey can be completed online via the link below or via hard copy by collecting material from council's customer service offices and libraries in both Stawell and St Arnaud, along with the Stawell Maternal and Child Health office.

 

1:1 Interviews

There could be opportunities for the community to engage in a one-on-one interview with council's planning partner, eQIPd. We are seeking expressions of interest for this limited engagement opportunity via an online form, available at the link below. Should interviews go ahead, eQIPd will reach out at random to people who have registered their interest.

Drop-in sessions

Council invites you to drop in and speak with our Early Years staff or a representative of council's planning partner, eQIPd.

Step 1.Monday, March 16, 2026

  • What: Navarre Playgroup
  • When: 10am to 12pm
  • Where: Navarre Primary School, 28 High Street, Navarre 
  • What: St Arnaud Kindergarten Listening Post
  • When: 2.30pm to 3.30pm
  • Where: Outside the St Arnaud Kindergarten, 8 Dunstan Street, St Arnaud 
  • What: St Arnaud Early Learning Centre Listening Post
  • When: 3.30pm to 5pm
  • Where: Outside the St Arnaud Early Learning Centre, 7/3 Walker Street, St Arnaud

Step 2.Tuesday, March 17, 2026

  • What: Stawell Playgroup
  • When: 10am to 12pm
  • Where: Stawell Neighbourhood House, 42 Sloane Street, Stawell 

Step 3.Wednesday, March 18, 2026 

  • What: Stawell Playgroup - Babies & Crawlers 
  • When: 10.30am to 12pm 
  • Where: Stawell Neighbourhood House, 42 Sloane Street, Stawell 

Step 4.Friday, March 20, 2026  

  • What: St Arnaud Playgroup
  • When: 10am to 12pm  
  • Where: St Arnaud & District Lawn Tennis Club, 17-23 Melbourne Road, St Arnaud  

Workshop

Project leaders will host a workshop in Stawell in March with the aim of bringing together local caregivers to further discuss some of the insights and themes obtained via the community survey. This is your opportunity to engage with council staff face-to-face about the future of early years services across Northern Grampians Shire. 

  • What: Stawell Workshop
  • When: 5pm to 6.30pm
  • Where: Stawell Town Hall, 63 Main Street, Stawell
  • Register your attendance: link to be provided soon

Registrations will be required. More information about this session will be available in the coming weeks and promoted across council's website and social channels, so please check back again soon. 

Frequently asked questions

We know plans like this can seem overwhelming given the strategic direction they are trying to achieve. The below aims to clarify what the plan will contain, why it is important, and how your involvement is critical to the outcomes we are trying to achieve. 

Council provides multiple early years services such as maternal and child health, immunisations, playgroups, long day care and kindergarten. This plan allows council to clearly identify future servicing needs based on real community insights so we can adequately plan for areas such as facility and infrastructure management, people and programming resources, and health and social services that may involve industry partners. 

The document will aim to plan for potential future community needs in areas such as:

  • Antenatal care and support
  • Immunisation programs
  • Long day care programs
  • Kindergarten and pre-prep
  • Primary school
  • Child health
  • Childhood education and learning 

It is vital we hear directly from families, parents, caregivers and the professionals who work alongside children and families to ensure the plan is shaped by lived, local experiences.

How to get involved

Council will run a community engagement program between Monday, February 23 and Sunday, March 22, 2026, with several opportunities to help shape the future of early years services in Northern Grampians Shire. Some details are still be confirmed so please check back again soon to stay up to date. 

  • A community survey will be available between Monday, February 23 and Sunday, March 22, 2026, aimed at collecting insights from parents and carers of children aged between 0 and 8 years of age, along with early years service providers.
  • 1:1 interviews will possibly be scheduled with people who register their interest via an online form. 
  • Drop-in sessions have been scheduled, providing an informal opportunity to ask questions and seek clarification for anything that might influence you and personal circumstances. 
  • Council will host a formal workshop in Stawell in March with the aim of bringing together local caregivers to further discuss some of the insights and themes obtained via the community survey.
  • Council will also be engaging with families via our playgroup sessions, Maternal and Child Health appointments, and St Arnaud Early Learning Centre and Kindergarten. 

Have a question?

If you would like to speak with someone about the plan or engagement opportunities available, please call Customer Service on (03) 5358 8700 and ask to speak with Marita Tobin, Coordinator Early Years. Alternatively, you can also email communityengagement@ngshire.vic.gov.au.

Review the previous plan

You can view the Municipal Early Years Plan 2012-2016 on our website via the link below. 

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