Early Years Service Hubs
Providing high-need families with young children with more co-ordinated and accessible health, education and social services
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Early Years Service Hubs in high need areas 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 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. In May 2010, funding for the initiative was base-lined.
Current locations of the Early Years Service Hubs
| Locations | 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 was completed in 2009. The evaluation 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
- The set-up of new early years services in Hub communities.
