Carlton
bookmarksSite priorities
- Children achieve key milestones in their learning and development journey.
- Carlton Learning Precinct is an inclusive community where everyone feels safe and welcome.
- Children and families are connected to the opportunities, services and supports they need in order to thrive.
groups Site Partnership Group
Carlton Primary School, City of Melbourne, Gowrie Victoria, Department of Education, Department of Families, Fairness and Housing and Colman Education Foundation (Our Place).
attach_money Funding Partner
Ray & Margaret Wilson Foundation.Analysis
In 2025, Carlton saw strong engagement in early years activities, with growing demand for playgroups, family programs and adult learning, reinforcing the site as a safe and welcoming place for families to seek support. Strong referrals between partners and clearer pathways from playgroup into early learning and school increased access to services for families with young children. Shared data helped partners identify where families were engaging and where additional support was needed, particularly to strengthen children’s transition into school. While strengthening cultural safety remained an important focus, collaboration across the site was a clear strength, enabling partners to coordinate support and respond to families’ needs in practical and timely ways.
keyboard_return Looking Back
Moving Forward keyboard_return
- Growing early years engagement: Playgroup participation increased by 80% compared to Term 1 2024, supported by a shared sitewide focus on oral language and literacy from playgroup upwards.
- Shared planning: Improved data sharing enabled the site’s first joint analysis of AEDC, MCH screening and early learning vulnerability data, informing service planning for 2026.
- Adult learning pathways: The Carlton Family Learning Partnership was named a 2025 Learn Local Awards finalist, supporting CALD parents to access pre-accredited learning with on-site wrap-around supports.
- Strengthening service engagement: Parent participation in Drummond Street programs, MCH visits and on-site HIPPY sessions continue to grow, supported by strong cross-referrals and word-of-mouth demand.
- Housing security: Homes Victoria has commenced housing support from the school premises. Staff and families are reporting improved engagement and trust with the delivery in a non-stigmatising setting.
- Continuity of learning: Multiple initiatives will deepen how children and families experience continuity between all learning environments, from MCH and playgroup through to early learning and school. This will include introduction of the Peep Learning Together Program and ongoing embedding of MCH in playgroup.
- Extending volunteering and adult learning: Carlton’s highly successful adult education and employment program will extend the number of programs being led by parent volunteers and community members, building local capacity and preparing for pathways to employment.
- Excellence in cultural safety: There is strong demand for existing programs being led in the community’s first languages. These programs will be continued and the existing mechanisms for gathering and empowering parent and child voice on site will be strengthened.
- Integrated frontline services: Carlton partners will deepen how their staff work together to provide a seamless wrap-around support for families. This will include ongoing cross-service working groups, introducing a shared induction process for staff and trialling multi-agency recruitment panels.