The Maternal and Child Health (MCH) service is a free, universal primary health service for all Victorian families with children from birth to school age. The service is provided in partnership with the Municipal Association of Victoria, local government and the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD). The service aims to promote healthy outcomes for children and their families through a comprehensive and focused approach to managing the physical, emotional or social factors affecting young children and their families in contemporary communities.
The Nursery Equipment Program has been established to provide safe nursery equipment for vulnerable Victorian families where a safety concern has been identified by a maternal and child health nurse on the MCH Safe Sleeping Checklist. The program is open to all clients of the MCH service, both universal and enhanced, who meet the eligibility criteria.
The Nursery Equipment Program builds on the development of the MCH Safe Sleeping Checklist, which was driven by the landmark 2005 report by the Child Safety Commissioner, Tackling SIDS – a community responsibility. This report concluded that in complex family circumstances there are a number of obstacles in the way of providing a safe sleeping environment, some of which are practical in nature, such as the cost of the equipment. To date, there has been no or limited access to safe equipment for those families who are unable to purchase equipment themselves. The purchase of cot ensembles and car restraints through the Nursery Equipment Program has the potential to make a significant difference to the health and wellbeing of children and their families.
EACH administers the Nursery Equipment Program on behalf of the Victorian Government.
Read more about Infant Safe Sleeping
