Investing in the early years

This article reports on the work of the Australian Institute of Family Studies in supporting the first phase of the Australian Government's investment in early childhood. It assesses the extent to which community development principles were put into practice in providing support to initiatives funded under the Stronger Families and Communities Strategy. At the Institute, phase 1 of the Strategy (2000-2004) was supported by the Stronger Families Learning Exchange (SFLEX), and phase 2 of the Strategy (2004-2009) is now supported by Communities and Families Clearinghouse Australia (CAFCA). This paper focuses on the learning and other benefits gained by Institute staff and stakeholders during the first phase of the strategy.