Early Years Outreach Service
What is CALD?
CALD stands for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse. This includes migrants to Australia, asylum seekers and refugees, as well as people born in Australia with a non-English speaking background.
The term is significant in our services where understanding and addressing the unique needs and challenges of our diverse community is important.
What is CALD Outreach?
Early Years CALD Outreach is a specific service designed to assist families with children aged 0 to 5 years. We work directly with families and services to address and decrease barriers to attendance and engagement in early childhood services and education.
Our Outreach worker assists in:
- Supporting successful registration and enrolment in three and four-year-old kindergarten
- Maximising attendance in three and for-year-old kindergarten
- Engaging children and their families in other early childhood supports, including community playgroups and Maternal and Child Health
- Supporting child transition from kindergarten to school
- creating links with childhood immunisation services
- addressing barriers to attendance and engagement
Can you help with daycare?
Unfortunately, we are unable to assist in finding childcare placements.
Can you translate for me?
We cannot attend or offer translating services for appointments with your doctor, Centrelink or other services. We can provide support, or help to engage an interpreter service, when you attend kindergarten and school interviews, Maternal and Child Health appointments and during meetings with our CALD Outreach Worker.
Meet our CALD Outreach Worker
Melanie Payen was born in Mauritius and immigrated to Australia with her young family. She has an extensive background in early childhood having worked in kindergartens and childcare environments for most of her working life. Her employment at Sunraysia Mallee Ethnic Communities Council and the Mildura Visitor Information Centre has provided Mel with a varied and in-depth understanding of the Mildura region and the needs of CALD families. Mel speaks French, Creole, Hindi and English, and has a true understanding of the way language impacts daily life. Through this role Mel is seeking to decrease these barriers for others.
How do I access this service?
Individuals can refer themselves by completing our online form or by contacting us on 03 5018 8100 during business hours.
Complete our self-referral form
You can also visit our Deakin Avenue Service Centre, located at 76 Deakin Avenue.
Are you a Service Provider?
Click here to access our referral form and we will be in touch
Have questions?
Please email cald-outreach@mildura.vic.gov.au