Early Years Service Hubs
Thirteen Early Years Service Hubs have been established in high need areas to provide a central point where families can access a range of services including ante-natal care, Well Child health checks and immunisation programmes, and quality childcare and education for under fives.
Each hub is supported by a Hub Coordinator who implements the initial set up, develops a strong network of Early Years Services providers and keeps families connected to core services.
Early Years Service Hubs are located within or alongside existing community - operated facilities - such as Family Service Centres, Heartland Services, and community centres or schools - and are supported by an Early Years Service Worker.
Approximately 2,500 families (with children aged 0-6) receive services through or from Hubs each year.
The Hubs were initially funded for three years (July 2006 to June 2009). In May 2009, Government approved $1.494 million to fund the initiative for an additional year. This will allow the current evaluation of the Early Years Services Hubs initiative to be completed.
Locations of the Early Years Service Hubs
Location |
Organisation |
|---|---|
| Whangarei | Whangarei Youth One Stop Charitable trust |
| Murupara | Network Murupara Incorporated |
| Tokoroa | Tokoroa Council of Social Services |
| Mangere | Mangere East Family Service Centre |
| South Dunedin | Simply Families Limited |
| Shirley (Christchurch) | Early Start Project Ltd |
| Tararua (Pahiatua) | Pahiatua Community Services trust |
| Levin | Barnado’s New Zealand Incorporated |
| Mount Roskill (Auckland) | Waikowhai Community Trust |
| Taita | Barnado’s New Zealand Incorporated |
| Papakura | Papakura Marae Society Incorporated |
| Dargaville (Kaipara) | Kaipara Care Incorporated |
| Tauranga | Te Manu Toroa Trust |
Evaluation
An evaluation of the Hubs initiative is currently underway. Phase One Evaluation Report identified several factors that contributed to the successful establishment of the Hubs, including: good community consultation and partnership, identification of a high quality and independent host organisations, early appointment of coordinators and widespread community support.
Other achievements arising from the work of the Hubs were identified in this evaluation as follows:
- Community relationships built and strengthened through working together towards the shared goal of the betterment of children
- Raised awareness about the services available for young children in communities which had an Early Years hubs
- Increased collaboration amongst service providers who did not previously work together
- Identification of gaps in services for young children and exploration of solutions s
- The set-up of new early years services in Hub communities.
Phase Two of the evaluation will focus on how well Hubs are providing families with accessible and coordinated services, and meeting families’ needs.
» Download the information about the Early Years Service hubs - 427Kb
Read some hubs stories
» Eight more Early Years Service Hubs for communities in need
» New Early Years Hub in Mt Roskill
» Papakura Hub launched at family-friendly event
» New Early Years Hub for Kaipara
