Early Years Edit - June 2026

In this edition:

WAVEDKids – Virtual Emergency Department
Infant Mental Health Awareness Week 8-14 June
National Burns Awareness Month
Bottle feeding devices banned
Intergenerational Programs in Western Australia
Parenting Today survey findings
National Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Child Sexual Abuse – Second Action Plan Survey
National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children – Second Action Plan Consultation
The Child and Youth Health and Wellbeing Atlas

WAVEDKids – Virtual Emergency Department

Western Australian families can now access urgent care from home every day, with the WA Virtual Emergency Department (WAVED) service for children expanding to a seven-day model. Since launching last year, WAVEDKids has consulted with more than 1,250 children, giving families fast access to senior emergency clinicians without needing to attend hospital. WAVED for adults continues to operate daily from 8am to 10pm, providing virtual consultations with experienced emergency clinicians.

Access WAVEDKids by calling 1800MEDICARE (1800 633 422). Children (and adults) may also be referred to the Virtual Emergency Department service when clinically appropriate via emergency calls to 000 and visiting paramedics.

Infant Mental Health Awareness Week 8-14 June

This Infant Mental Health Awareness Week the theme is ‘Attunement’. Attunement is the ability to tune in and connect with others on an emotional level. Attuned relationships help babies develop social and emotional skills and helps babies feel safe, build trust and gain confidence to explore. Visit the Parent-Infant Foundation, Emerging Minds and the Raising Children Network to learn more about infant mental health.

National Burns Awareness Month

Winter brings higher burns risks for young children. National Burns Awareness Month reminds families and service providers to stay vigilant and know the right first aid, including cooling burns under running water for 20 minutes. Simple prevention and prompt action can significantly reduce injury severity and support better recovery outcomes for children. Visit Kidsafe Australia for National Burns Awareness Month resources for families, schools and organisations.

Bottle feeding devices banned

A new permanent ban from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission on baby bottle self‑feeding devices is now in place due to serious risks, including choking and suffocation. The ban applies to products that position a baby bottle, or bottle teat, so an infant can self-feed without another person holding the bottle or without adult supervision. Families and service providers are urged to stop using these products (now illegal) and always supervise babies during feeding to keep infants safe and support healthy feeding practices.

Intergenerational Programs in Western Australia

If your organisation delivers or participates in an intergenerational program in WA, particularly involving older adults, please consider completing the short Intergenerational Programs in WA for the Department of Communities’ (Communities) Seniors Team.
The survey will take approximately five minutes to complete, and the questions ask for high-level information about your organisation and the intergenerational program.
The Communities' Seniors portfolio implements initiatives and strategies that support older people in ageing safely, happily, with dignity and respect. You can find more information online at www.wa.gov.au/organisation/department-of-communities/seniors.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Seniors Team directly at seniors@communities.wa.gov.au.

Parenting Today survey findings

New insights from the Parenting Today survey—Australia’s largest study of over 10,000 parents—highlight both the strengths and pressures of raising children. While many parents feel capable, others experience loneliness and self-doubt. Building everyday connections and support can boost confidence, wellbeing and outcomes for young children and families. Visit the Parenting Research Centre for more insights and resources to share.

National Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Child Sexual Abuse – Second Action Plan Survey

The National Office for Child Safety within the Attorney-General's Department wants to better understand your views on preventing and responding to child sexual abuse in Australia. Your input will help them develop a Second Action Plan aimed at keeping children and young people safe from sexual abuse and supporting victims and survivors. Access more information and the survey link on the Australian Government Attorney-General’s Department website, closes 17 July 2026.

National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children – Second Action Plan Consultation

The Australian Government, working with states and territories, is developing the Second Action Plan under Australia’s National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children. They want to hear from a wide range of people, including people with lived experience, frontline workers, peak bodies, policy experts, academics, employers and the broader community. The consultation period ends 31 July. Find out more and provide your input on the Australian Government Department of Social Services website.

The Child and Youth Health and Wellbeing Atlas

The Australian Child and Youth Wellbeing Atlas (the Atlas) is a free, interactive platform mapping data on children and young people across Australia. It allows users to quickly pinpoint community priorities, guiding planning, advocacy and decision-making. The Atlas is regularly updated with new data, including a recent dataset on disaster-related childcare service disruptions in 2025, alongside ongoing platform improvements to features and usability.

Visit their website for more information and launch the Atlas to start exploring the data. Subscribe to the quarterly newsletter for the latest updates.

A Little More...

Supporting your child's development: 0–8 years - Resources to assist parents, carers and families support young children's development, Government of Western Australia, Child and Adolescent Health Service.
How Do Families Experiencing Adversity Seek Information and Services to Support Their Child's Mental Health? A Qualitative Study published in the Health Promotion Journal of Australia, January 2026, available via ResearchGate.
Prenatal maternal depression and child behavioural and developmental outcomes: an individual participant data meta-analysis in 76,514 children from the EU Child Cohort Network, a study published in The Lancet Regional Health – Europe, April 2026.

My Community Directory

My Community Directory provides a free, Australia‑wide platform for community organisations to list services, manage their information, and strengthen community visibility.

Share Your News Story

Do you have a good news story or something you would like to share with the early years sector?

Contact EY@communities.wa.gov.au

Early Years Edit Archive

Visit Early Years Edit to find previous versions of the newsletter and Connecting Early Years Networks for more information about Early Years Networks.