The Y Ballarat Community Impact Report 2021/2022
Board President's Report
As we shift into another phase of living with this dynamic global situation, Y Ballarat’s adaptations have set us up for success. As a leader in Early Years Education and Care, Outside School Hours Care and our ongoing programs with youth and communities, we feel well placed to head into this new period.
Impacting across
the state
The Y Ballarat continues to grow, to refocus and evolve. Our year has been full of inspiration.
Our approach to inclusivity is more evident and the involvement in our local communities more enhanced.
Strategic initiatives have furthered our investment in our people and long term future planning has ensured that we are well placed to continue to improve our facilities and workplaces into contemporary, fit-for-purpose spaces.
After the uncertain times at the latter half of 2021, we are proud to be back in 2022, with all our programs fully operational. We are re-energised and ready for the future.
At the start of 2022, we welcomed 4 new Metro kindergarten services to our Y Kinders family, while our youth programs have expanded and grown.
Active in 21 Local Government areas, and in over 80 localities, we are privileged to work with so many communities to deliver programs that empower, educate and inspire.
21
Local Government Areas
Over 80
Communities
92
Early Learning Services
900
Families supported with before
and after school and holiday care
1,200
Attendances at
Youth Programs
5,000+
Children in our programs
33,000
Attendances in Outside School Hours Care programs
21
Local Government Areas
Over 80
Communities
92
Early Learning Services
900
Families supported with before
and after school and holiday care
1,200
Attendances at
Youth Programs
5,000+
Children in our programs
33,000
Attendances in Outside School Hours Care programs
Bush Kinder
Inspired early education supports children’s interest and inquiry, empowering them to formulate questions and seek answers. It builds confidence, resilience, creativity, and curiosity. It forms the foundations of how to learn for life.
The importance of outdoor play, and of the value of including times of unstructured play in natural environments is emphasised at Y Kinders.
Bush Kinder excites all those who take part – children, their families and our staff.
These immersive experiences introduce another aspect to playing outside, fostering inquisitiveness and providing a wide range of developmental benefits. Across our kindergartens we continue to introduce sessions dedicated to Bush Kinder or nature play as an essential part of the curriculum.
Jump Start
Jump Start is a hands-on automotive program supporting young people to gain skills, experience and explore a potential career in the automotive sector.
Through a different approach to traditional schooling, participants build confidence, meet others with similar interests and find passions ignited.
The valuable outcomes from the program have been recognised, with Jump Start securing a funding grant from the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources.
The $330,000 grant has allowed more places, an extension to the number of sessions offered and dedicated staff.
Young people are instrumental in change, within our organisation and in our community.
Informed by their views and priorities, the Diversity and Inclusion Project commenced supporting Y Ballarat on its continuous improvement journey to grow as an organisation that actively seeks, values and celebrates diversity.
The work in this space has gained momentum, from inception to now being recognised in the political arena.
Young people say a more inclusive society is a key issue for them
Informed by the Y’s experience and research in the youth sector.
Y Ballarat makes a firm commitment of support
Diversity & Inclusion project launched.
Establishing pathways
of connection
School Pride Group consultation and networking program for students.
Resources and support for key school staff.
Volunteer joins program to support LGBTIQA+ young people.
Amplifying youth voice
at the Y and in the
wider community
School IDAHOBIT Day events supported.
Y Kinders team participate in training: “"Introduction to the LGBTIQA+ acronym" delivered by the Y and Tiny Pride.
Y Ballarat doubles support for the program.
Building wider
recognition
Bulldog Pride approaches Y Ballarat for involvement in AFLW Pride Round.
Invitation to judge new Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Award Youth Awards
(City of Ballarat).
Gaining
political traction
Harriet Shing, MP, Minister for Equality and Juliana Addison, Member for Wendouree request to meet the Youth Parliamentarians.
Youth Parliament Bill shared more widely with Ministers for Youth, Education and Equality.
When we are recognised and heard, we are empowered.
Young people are alight with ideas about how to improve things for everyone; what they need, what society needs and what the future needs.
Our aim has been to listen and to provide the support to empower them to find their voice and be heard. We’ve helped them identify avenues to amplify their perspectives, create solutions, realise their plans and enact change.
We believe in the power of inspired young people.
The ReCranked program is now known near and far, with its impact extending way beyond the community around its humble workshop in Wendouree, Victoria. Every year, hundreds of donated bikes are ReCranked by a team of dedicated volunteers, young people and participants in the ReCranked in Schools program, ready for new owners.
Three truckloads of bikes travelled to flood affected areas in New South Wales in the first half of 2022. Prepared by the team and seven local schools, on arrival, they provided transport, exercise and connection for many families who had lost everything.
The ReCranked program also sends bikes overseas, supports the community through “Bikes for Christmas” and runs bike maintenance workshops. The ReCranked in Schools program continues to grow, working to re-engage students and teach new skills, while incorporating literacy and numeracy in bike repair sessions.
of Y Kinders are the only early learning service in their community
Y Kinders are located in rural areas
Y Kinders are classified as regional
Many services have been operating for more than 40 years in their communities
20%
of Y Kinders are the only early learning service in their community
24
Y Kinders are located in rural areas
38
Y Kinders are classified as regional
Many services have been operating for more than 40 years in their communities
Our Y Kinders are much more than facilities offering high quality early education.
They are fundamentally involved in the fabric of their communities.
They are focal meeting points, they inspire community
connection, they promote learning that engages whole families, they innovate
with creative activities and contribute to local events. Acting as
essential conduits, services in rural areas bring together allied health professionals on-site,
helping families get the support they need in remote locations.
Education at our kinders takes on a much broader meaning,
nurturing and supporting communities and the wellbeing of the next generation.
Breakfast brain boosters
At 12 Y Kinders across Victoria, breakfast is on the menu.
A happy and healthy start to the day ensures that children are equipped with the right tools to be ready and eager to learn.
Time poor and hard pressed families appreciate the support, with attendance up and children arriving on time for more valuable hours of early education.
Connecting
through art
Art projects have a unique way of engaging communities and often result in finished pieces which can be enjoyed for years to come.
Many Y Kinders have instigated initiatives which have engaged and delighted their children, families and wider community.
Learning literacy together
Linking in families early contributes to a culture of learning and through the sharing of books, encourages times of connection and positive associations with reading.
Over 7,000 free books have been distributed through the Book Gifting program. Alongside special Lending Libraries in Y Kinders, over $95,000 has been invested in taking literacy beyond the classroom.
The first stage of a comprehensive project to assess all our future facility needs was delivered, putting us in a strong position for the next decades.
Invested in our people
Our staff teams make what we do possible.
The valuable skills, expertise and energy that they bring to work each day make fundamental and tangible differences to the lives of children, young people, their families and wider communities.
Over the last twelve months we have focused on supporting and investing in our teams with new training initiatives and ways of developing staff in their roles. Our Safeguarding training program continues to roll out with additional components, striving to make our workplaces as safe as they can be for children and young people.
We have commenced the next stage of developing our recruitment, onboarding and staff retention strategies to ensure that we are continually improving to deliver on our aim to be a respectful, inclusive workplace that welcomes diversity.
Young people have been supported into meaningful careers through work experience, tertiary placements and mentoring at our services.
A strengthened commitment to training and development sees widespread improved practice and quality at service level. And most importantly, as our staff evolve and innovate, so do we.
Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) Mentoring Program Launched
83 services
received Education Leader Coaching covering leadership, continuous improvement and innovative practice
5 kindergartens
funded to participate in kinder and school transition project
Professional
development
8
Educator
PD Days
across the
State
337
Staff
involved
100%
of Services
Represented
6,300 km's
travelled by the PD Delivery Team
Professional
development
8
Educator
PD Days
across the
State
337
Staff
involved
100%
of Services
Represented
6,300 km's
travelled by the PD Delivery Team
Supporting career education
71
71
TERTIARY
PLACEMENTS
18
18
PROVISIONAL TEACHERS SUPPORTED TO FULL REGISTRATION
26
26
WORK EXPERIENCE PLACEMENTS
10
10
VCAL
PLACEMENTS
5
5
RTO (REGISTERED TRAINING ORGANISATION) PARTNERSHIPS
Well-being in the workplace
Safeguarding Children & Young People
Safe practices, safe programs,
safe environments
At the Y Ballarat, we ensure all Y People are equipped with the Safeguarding knowledge, skills and behaviours required for the work or engagement they do.
During the 21-22 year we prioritised the roll out of Safe Behaviours training, achieving
our targets in this area.
The training, developed by our National Y Safeguarding team, enables Y People
to effectively safeguard, protect and promote the welfare of children and
young people to ensure safe and effective practices.
All Y People who have direct contact with children and young people are required to complete the Safe Behaviours training, which is delivered face-to-face, within 12 months of employment
and every two years thereafter.
The training also reinforces why we take Safeguarding so seriously at the Y and the importance of embedding our Safeguarding Strategy and Framework.
As a result, we’ve noted further strengthening of our Safeguarding culture with staff having increased understanding of our safe behaviours, more confidence to call out unsafe behaviours and a greater awareness of the important and crucial role they play in keeping children and young people safe.
We recognise and thank all those who have supported and partnered with us over the last year. The support of government partners, local Councils, community groups, agencies and businesses has magnified the impact of our programs and services and importantly, helped us empower young people and their communities.
We also thank the wider Y family and everyone who participates in or cares for those who attend our programs – the children, young people, their families and community members. We greatly appreciate the way you have worked with us through the changes over the last twelve months and shown resilience and adaptability. Your incredible support has allowed us to continually evolve, increase impact through inspired programs and help shape bright futures.
The Y acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures; and to Elders past, present and future.
We are committed to addressing and learning from the wrongs of the past and assure all survivors who suffered abuse that we are dedicated to doing everything we can to empower all children and young people- to feel safe and be safe at the Y, in their families and in their communities.
