Early years transitions: supporting children and families at risk of experiencing vulnerability: rapid literature review

This rapid literature review on support for children and families at risk of experiencing vulnerability in early years transitions was commissioned by the Victorian Department of Education and Training. It sought to understand how Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) services, professionals and teachers could better support children at risk of vulnerability, and their families, during transitions. The transitions included are from home, out-of-home care (OOHC) and other programs/services to ECEC services and to school. In particular, this review focuses on the support needs of children who have experienced trauma, children living in out-of-home care, refugee children, and children who experience intergenerational poverty. A selection of programs and strategies were identified in the literature. These are described through the review to highlight the patterns and trends in evidence of what works to support children and families at risk of experiencing vulnerability in early years transitions. These programs are also collated against major themes and findings from the review.