State of Geelong S Children Report Card

State of Geelong’s Children Report Card

The following information provides a snap shot of available local data which reflect the progress and

development of children within Greater Geelong as measured against a number of specific indicators. While the report shows that children throughout Greater Geelong in general are doing well in many ways, there are however significant variations amongst the results for children in smaller local areas that indicate poor outcomes.

Where available and applicable, data for both Greater Geelong and Victorian State averages are provided for each indicator, the data for Greater Geelong is indicated in a shaded circle compared alongside the average Victorian rate – it is coloured green for where we are ‘doing well’; red for ‘areas that need improvement’; and yellow ‘where there has been largely no change or is comparable to the Victorian State average’ – i.e. results are neither statistically positive or negative.

Children in Greater Geelong

In 2015, approximately 18 per cent of Greater Geelong’s total population are children aged between birth and 14 years. The number of children across Greater Geelong is forecast to continue to grow to a total population of 55,221, by the year 2036, as shown in the table below.

Key growth areas across the municipality include Armstrong Creek, Lara, Clifton Springs (Jetty Road), Ocean Grove, and new developments in Lovely Banks and Fyansford.

Table 1: Projected growth of children in Greater Geelong 2015-2036.

+4,330 38.2

Source: Population and household forecasts, 2011 to 2036, prepared by .id the population experts, (May 2015)

+ 4,532 40.0

The rate of new birth notifications across Greater Geelong have increased by about 16 per cent over the past 10 years to a record peak of 2,947 new births recorded in 2013.

Figure 1: New Birth Notifications Greater Geelong 2005-2015

Source: New Birth Notifications, Maternal & Child Health, City of Greater Geelong (Sept 2015)

City of Greater Geelong: Municipal Early Years Plan – State of Geelong’s Children Report Card (Oct 2015) 1

Children’s health and wellbeing

The early years of a child’s development are crucial in laying the foundations for children’s future health, well-being and learning. Evidence clearly indicates that a good, safe, healthy start in life increases success at school and improves future social and economic life chances. Research has provided clear support for the nutritional and health benefits of breastfeeding. Overall there has been a 14 per cent improvement in breastfeeding rates at 6 month over the past 12 years.

Full breastfeeding rates at six months

VICTORIA

33.9%

GREATER GEELONG

42.4%

Source: Maternal & Child Health Annual Report, Department Education Training (2013-14)

Generally participation rates within Greater Geelong at Maternal and Child Health across the various designated Key Age and Stages consultations compares favourably with the region and Victorian State averages, apart from participation rates for the ATSI population, and for the 3.5 year check amongst the general population as indicated in the diagram below.

Figure 2: Total Participation Rates for Key Age and Stages Consultations 2013-2014

The following shows the SEHQ results reported by parents when asked whether their child had

experienced any of the following stressors: alcohol or drug related problem in family (4.9%); history of abuse to parent (3.9%); history of abuse to children (1.4%); parent witness to violence (3.8%); child witness to violence (3.4%); gambling problem in family (1.1%); history of mental illness of parent (10.2%).

Children are developing well by age six

The early years of a child’s development are crucial in laying the foundations for children’s future health, well-being and learning. Evidence clearly indicates that a good, safe, healthy start in life increases success at school and improves future social and economic life chances.

Children well developed by the first year of school

VICTORIA

90.5%

GREATER GEELONG

90.7%

Source: Australian Early Development Census 2012: Greater Geelong Community Profile

Data from the 2012 Australian Early Development Census indicates 9.3 per cent of children(246) in their first year of school in Greater Geelong were developmentally vulnerable in two or more of the following domains: physical health and wellbeing; social competence; emotional maturity; language and cognitive skills (school-based); communication skills and general knowledge.

3 Australian Early Development Census

Nationally, children who are developmentally vulnerable are more likely to live in socio-economically

disadvantaged communities or populations that do not speak English proficiently. Indigenous children are more likely to be developmentally vulnerable in terms of language and cognitive skills.

Physical Health and Wellbeing / VICTORIA G
92.2% G
9
8.6% (184) of children in their first year of school:
§  were not physically ready for the school day (i.e. not dressed appropriately or were hungry or tired) / §  were not physically independent (i.e. with independent toilet habits)
§  lacked hand preference/coordination
§  lacked gross and fine motor skills.
Social Competence and Wellbeing / VICTORIA G
G
91.9% 9
7.3% (159) of children in their first year of school:
§  lacked overall social competence (i.e. ability to play with various children)
§  did not consistently display responsibility and respect for others/property / §  experienced difficulty in learning activities (i.e. working independently and neatly)
§  experienced difficulty complying with classroom routines
§  were relatively disinterested in exploring new books, toys or unfamiliar objects or games.
Emotional Maturity / VICTORIA G
G
92.8% 9
7.8% (172) of children in their first year of school:
§  never or almost never showed pro-social and helping behaviour
§  were often anxious and fearful (i.e. worried, unhappy, nervous, sad, indecisive or excessively shy) / §  often exhibited aggressive behaviours (i.e. physical fights with other children or temper tantrums
§  were often hyperactive, restless and inattentive.
Language and Cognitive Skills / VICTORIA G
93.9% 9
5.5% (115) of children in their first year of school:
§  lacked basic literacy skills (i.e. had problems identifying letters or attaching sounds to them and may not have known how to write their own name)
§  showed little interest in literacy, numeracy and / §  (i.e. books and reading, maths and number games, and may have had difficulty remembering things)
§  did not display advanced literacy (i.e. cannot read or write simple words or sentences, and rarely write voluntarily)

City of Greater Geelong: Municipal Early Years Plan – State of Geelong’s Children Report Card (Oct 2015) 4

memory / §  expressed marked difficulty with numbers (i.e. counting, number recognition, shape recognition and time).
Communication Skills and General Knowledge / VICTORIA
92.0%
7.4% (153) of children in their first year of school:
§  had difficulty participating in games involving the use of language / §  were difficult to understand and had difficulty understanding others.

Source: Australian Early Development Census 2012: Greater Geelong Community Profile

Greater Geelong was one of the first local government areas in Australia to pilot the Australian Early Development Index (as it was formerly known as) in 2005. A pilot study was conducted earlier this year to compare data across the three collection periods conducted to date between 2005 and 2012. Results from these three periods have been unable to be directly compared previously because of differences in catchment area, data collection, and configuration.

Data from the pilot study indicates that significant positive change has occurred in the rate of developmental vulnerability within the City of Greater Geelong when measured against each domain except language and cognitive skills, where no change has been indicated.

Table 2: Summary AEDC Community results with critical differences – City of Greater Geelong 2005-2012

Developmental vulnerability / 2005-
2012
Change / Critical Difference / Change in vulnerability
2005 / 2012
AEDC Domain
Physical health and wellbeing / 11.8% / 9.1% / -2.7 / 1.4 / Significant decrease
Social competence / 9.4% / 7.9% / -1.6 / 0.9 / Significant decrease
Emotional maturity / 9.8% / 8.6% / -1.2 / 1.0 / Significant decrease
Language and cognitive skills / 5.1% / 5.7% / 0.6 / 1.0 / No change
Communication/ general / 9.3% / 7.5% / -1.7 / 1.2 / Significant decrease
Vulnerable on 1 or more / 23.6% / 19.8% / -3.9 / 1.5 / Significant decrease
Vulnerable on 2 or more / 11.7% / 9.9% / -1.8 / 1.1 / Significant decrease

Source: AEDC Community Profile 2005 to 2012 Greater Geelong, Telethon Kids Institute

The Multiple Strength Index is a new way to present information collected through the Australian Early Development Census. The Multiple Strength Index combines together the information from 39 items that have been identified by child development experts as indicative of strengths when starting school. For example, a child who has particularly high pro-social skills, has self-regulation or can read simple sentences is showing strengths that go beyond what might be expected at school entry. These and other strength based items are combined together to create the Multiple Strength Index.

Children receive a score on the Multiple Strength Index between 0 and 100, where a score of 100 indicates that they have strengths in all 39 of the items. Data within the following figure indicates that the proportion of children identified with High Strengths has improved over time, while the proportion of children with Low Strengths has contrastingly decreased.

Figure 3: Percentages of children with ‘low’, ‘medium’ and 'high’ strengths, 2005-2012, City of Greater Geelong

Source: AEDC Community Profile 2005 to 2012 Greater Geelong, Telethon Kids Institute

Children participating in early childhood

4 education

Kindergarten has been shown to develop children’s social, emotional, intellectual, physical, and language

abilities, encourage family involvement in learning and help prepare for the transition to school (McCain et al. 2007). In the long term it has been linked to improved literacy and numeracy, higher self-esteem, better employment prospects and improved health outcomes.

Children enrolled in kindergarten (2014)

VICTORIA

96.4%

GREATER GEELONG

97.5%

Source: Department Education and Training, www.data.vic.gov.au

The rate of kindergarten enrolment across the City of Greater Geelong has been steadily improving from a rate of 94.6% in 2008. It is important to note the Department of Education and Training have recently made changes to the way kindergarten participation data is collected and recorded so caution should be used when comparing 2014 results to previous years. Data is not collected for actual kindergarten attendance.

The rate of children accessing 4 yo kindergarten enrolments in long day care or integrated children's services settings in Greater Geelong has almost doubled from 8.5% in 2008 to 15.5% in 2012, however remains lower than the Victorian State average at 23.2% of 4 yo kindergarten enrolments being provided within long day care or integrated children's services settings.

Early childhood services rated as ‘Exceeding’ the NQS

VICTORIA

33.0%

GREATER GEELONG

33.6%

Source: Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority, August 2015

Children achieving at school

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is an annual nationwide assessment for students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. It has been an everyday part of the school calendar since 2008. NAPLAN tests the sorts of skills that are essential for every child to progress through school and life, such as reading, writing, spelling and numeracy.

Students meeting national standards in literacy Year 3 (2014)

VICTORIA

94.6%

GREATER GEELONG

93.6%

Source: Department Education & Training, www.data.vic.gov.au

Students meeting national standards in numeracy Year 3 (2014)

VICTORIA

95.5%

GREATER GEELONG

95.6%

Source: Department Education & Training, www.data.vic.gov.au

Students who report being connected to their school (2014)

VICTORIA

85.7%

GREATER GEELONG

84.3%

Source: Department Education & Training, Attitudes to School (AtoS) Years 5 & 6, www.data.vic.gov.au

Average number of absent days government primary school students (2014)

VICTORIA

14.2%

GREATER GEELONG

13.6%

Source: Department Education & Training, www.data.vic.gov.au

Children needing to be safe

Approximately 30.2% per cent or one in every three young child aged between birth to 4 years and 27.8% of children aged between 5-9 years across Greater Geelong reside within the 17 communities that are rated the lowest against the SEIFA index compared with the average score for Greater Geelong. According to the report Dropping off the Edge 2015 (DoTE), those living in the 3% most disadvantaged postcodes in the state are:

§  3 times more likely to be experiencing long term unemployment or have been exposed to child maltreatment.

§  2.6 times more likely to have experienced domestic violence

§  2.4 times more likely to be on disability support, and

§  twice as likely to have criminal convictions as the rest of the population.

The DoTE report lists the suburb of Corio amongst Victoria’s 40 highest ranking postcode areas on the disadvantage factor ranking. Corio has the largest population of children aged 0-4 years of any single suburb in Greater Geelong (based on the 2011 ABS Census of Population and Housing) with an estimated 1,116 children or 8.5% of the total population of children aged 0-4 years within Greater Geelong.

Family violence has a significant negative impact on young children. In 2010-11 there were 688 reported family violence incidents where children and young people were involved as other parties. While the overall rate of reported family violence incidents within the City of Greater Geelong has increased, incidents of reported family violence where children and young people are involved has declined slightly from 39% in 2007-2008 to 36.5% in 2011-12.

According to the latest Victorian Police data there were a total of 2,769 reported family incidents across Greater Geelong recorded in 2013-14, with 882 or 31.8% where children were present.

Victorian Police LEAP Data (2014)