Giving children the best start: TOTs Program Playbook captures 7 years of learning to support Queensland families
Brisbane South PHN has released the Thriving and On Track (TOTs) Program Playbook, sharing 7 years of learning from a proven local model that helps children under five years of age access developmental screening, support and services during the years that matter most for their health, development and wellbeing.
Thriving and on track for school and beyond
Delivered across Logan and Inala, the TOTs model brings together partners from health, early childhood education and community services to support children and families through places they already know and trust, including early learning centres, playgroups and community hubs.
By providing access to developmental screening, allied health and family support services in familiar community settings, TOTs takes the guesswork out of navigating the health system and makes it easier for families to access the support their child needs.
Rather than creating new services, the model helps existing services work better together around children and families. Through strong local partnerships, health, education and community organisations are able to identify children who may need additional support earlier and provide families with easier access to services and advice.
In 2024–25, the initiative trained 370 early childhood educators to have supportive conversations with families about child development and supported 172 families to access allied health services through community-based settings.
A recent Griffith University evaluation found the model strengthens connections between families and services, builds educator confidence and supports earlier identification of developmental concerns. Educators reported greater confidence discussing child development with families and connecting them with appropriate supports.
Connecting families and children to support services in trusted community settings
Tennille Burkitt, Director of Brisbane South PHN’s Regional Early Years Strategy, said the model is built around a simple principle: making support easier for families to access care during the critical early years of a child's life.
‘Every child deserves the best possible start for their health, development and wellbeing.’
‘Families shouldn't need to know how to navigate the health system to get help for their child. By bringing services into places families already use and trust, we're making support more accessible and reducing barriers to getting help.’
‘The success of TOTs comes from bringing health, education and community partners together around children and families. It's not about creating new services, it's about making existing services work better together,’ said Ms Burkitt.
Children's Health Queensland Chief Executive, Frank Tracey, said the initiative demonstrates the value of partnering across sectors to improve outcomes for children and families.
‘The early years are one of the most important periods in a child's development, and we know that identifying developmental concerns early can make a lasting difference for children and their families.’
‘What makes TOTs particularly valuable is its ability to bring health, early childhood education and community services together around children and families, creating a more connected and responsive system of support.’
‘The model shows what is possible when organisations work together with a shared focus on improving outcomes for children rather than expecting families to navigate services on their own,’ said Mr Tracey.
Seven years of learning, captured for others to apply regionally
The newly released TOTs Playbook captures the practical lessons, partnerships and approaches developed through seven years of implementation and provides a resource for organisations seeking to strengthen support for children and families in their own communities.
As governments prepare to implement the Thriving Kids reforms, which focus on helping children get the best start in life through earlier identification of developmental needs and support delivered in the environments where children live, learn and play, the TOTs model demonstrates what these principles look like in practice. For seven years, the model has been bringing services together around children and families and supporting earlier identification and intervention during the critical early years.
Download the TOTs Program Playbook
The Thriving and On Track (TOTs) Program Playbook provides practical guidance for organisations looking to strengthen developmental screening, early identification, service integration and family-centred support for children under five years.
Links:
See the TOTs Program Executive Summary.
Download the TOTs Program Playbook.