Kids First Australia

12/10/2026

No young person should have to face leaving care alone.

Earlier this month, Kids First joined Victoria’s first CREATE Your Future Leaving Care Expo at Parkville State Sports Centre, and what a day it was!

We know the move into adulthood can feel scary and overwhelming. It was incredibly special to see so many Victorian services and supports under one roof, helping young people be better informed, confident, and empowered to take their next steps.

A huge thank you to our Youth Services team, whose programs and games on the day got young people involved, laughing and chatting. And thank you to Create Foundation for an expo shaped by young people’s voices. We learnt so much from the day!

08/10/2026

✨ Designer Op Shop Day — TOMORROW! ✨

Designer labels at op shop prices 👗👜

Tomorrow we're filling the racks a fabulous selection of pre-loved designer pieces and unique finds. Whether you're hunting for a statement piece or just love a good treasure hunt, come early, because once it's gone, it's gone!

📅 Friday 9 October
⏰ 10AM – 4PM
📍 Kids First Op Shop, 42 Beetham Parade, Rosanna

Every purchase supports a child, youth and their families Kids First supports 💛

06/10/2026

Thank you, ECA Conference! 💛

What a wonderful few days in Melbourne. Shelley, SPARK and the KFA team loved meeting so many educators, leaders and partners, hearing about your services and sharing what we've been working on.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by Stall 61, asked great questions and shared your experiences.

A special thank you to the organisers at Early Childhood Australia and Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) , and to our fellow exhibitors (and their puppet pals!) for the warm welcome.

If we didn't get the chance to chat, we'd love to hear from you. Get in touch to find out more, or visit our website: https://www.kidsfirstaustralia.org.au/school-readiness/

02/10/2026

Final day at the ECA National Conference, and what a few days it's been!

Many of you told us you're looking for support that goes beyond one-off training, and that's exactly what our Early Years Education Program (EYEP) is designed for. We also heard a lot about educator confidence and capability, something we care about deeply.

SPARK, our new program for 3 to 5 year olds, has been so warmly received, and our fluffy buddy SPARK has made lots of new friends along the way!

Thank you to everyone who stopped by and shared your experiences. If you missed us, there's still time today at Kids First, Stall 061.

⭐️ Early Childhood Australia National Conference 2026
📍 Stall 061, Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC)
🗓 Ends today!

02/10/2026

🌟Have you heard about SPARK?

SPARK is Kids First's new program designed for 3 to 5 year olds to build the foundational protective factors that support lifelong well-being and resilience.

Visit Shelley and the Kids First team at Stall 61 at at today, or comment SPARK to learn more about the program!

02/10/2026

SPARK's made some new friends! Thanks for the introduction, Katrina from Early Learning Association Australia and Shannon from The Koori Curriculum! We love to see organisations using storytelling and characters to connect with young children.

Attending the ECA Conference today? Come visit Kids First at Stall 61! Meet Shelley, Pam and Noha to talk about our new SPARK program for 3 to 5 year olds, our Early Years Education Program, Flexible Support Packages and other resources.

⭐️ Early Childhood Australia National Conference 2026
📍 Stall 061, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC)
🗓 Until 3 October

01/10/2026

Our debut on Welcome Reception night has brought plenty of new connections and great conversations. 💛

Our new friend SPARK has been a hit at the Kids First stand! SPARK is also the name of our new program for 3 to 5 year olds, helping them grow into confident, connected kids. Thank you to everyone who stopped by to say hello, took a snap with SPARK, and shared your thoughts.

We're at Stall 061 ready to discuss SPARK, EYEP, professional learning and coaching, practical tools and Flexible Support Packages. We'd love to hear what's going on in your own service too.

Come and find Shelley, Pam and Noha over the next few days! Also attending are our CEO, Nicole Artico, and Early Years leads, Pranali Pai, Hayley Ge**er and Lisa Starvaggi-Herbert.

⭐ Early Childhood Australia National Conference 2026
📍 Stall 061, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC)
🗓️ Until 3 October

28/09/2026

Meet SPARK!

Our newest friend is making their very first public appearance at the 2026 ECA National Conference in Melbourne, and we couldn't be more excited!

SPARK is the face of our new program for 3 to 5 year olds, helping little ones build confidence, friendships, a strong sense of who they are and the skills to speak up when they need help.

From 30 September to 3 October, SPARK will be joining Shelley Fallowfield and our Early Years team at Stall 061, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, alongside educators from across Australia.

Heading to the Early Childhood Australia conference? Come and say hello, and grab a high five!

24/09/2026

Who is better to talk about young people's experiences than young people themselves?

Kaitlyn, Chair of our Youth Council, and Victoria, Senior Practitioner and WA State Champion for the Kids First Australia Youth Council, spoke at the National Child Protection Forum in Brisbane this month, in front of leaders from across the country.

Their message was that young people should have a real say in the services built for them. Not just being asked for their opinion, but helping make decisions.

Our Youth Council brings together young people from across Australia to help shape how Kids First works, from the programs we run to the people we hire.

Thank you Third Sector News for putting youth voice on the national stage and creating space for young people to lead the conversation.

Read the full story, link in comments below

17/09/2026