IJPDS International Journal of Population Data Science

A new study published in the International Journal of Population Data Science (IJPDS) suggests that where children grow up may play an important role in how well they are prepared for school, with neighbourhood design influencing early childhood development alongside family and educational factors.

Researchers analysed data from more than 5,000 Australian children and found that those growing up in certain types of neighbourhoods were significantly less likely to experience developmental vulnerability when they started school.

Children living in disconnected neighbourhoods with heavy traffic, limited services and fewer opportunities to walk to everyday destinations had a 25.8% likelihood of being classified as developmentally vulnerable at school entry, compared with the national average of 21.8%. In contrast, for children living in neighbourhoods with good street connectivity, attractive parks, access to public transport, and child-focused destinations such as early childhood education and care services and playgroups, the risk fell to 18.3%.

Developmental vulnerability can affect children’s physical health, language, social skills and emotional development, making it much more difficult for them to thrive at school and keep pace with their peers.

Dr Ming Zhao from The Kids Research Institute Australia said the findings challenge the common assumption that children’s development is shaped only by parenting or schooling.

"With major planning and housing choices underway right now, our findings raise an important question: how can we design and upgrade neighbourhoods to support families and children to thrive? Features that matter —parks, transport, traffic, and local services —can be prioritised and changed."

The researchers say the findings highlight the potential for urban planning and neighbourhood design to support children's development before they even begin school, creating healthier environments that give more children the best possible start in life.

As Dr Zhao concludes: “Every suburb is a chance to give children a better start, and we should take it."

 

Click here to read the full article

Dr Mingxuan (Ming) Zhao, Postdoctoral Research at the Kids Research Institute Australia

Christian, H., Adams, E., Zhao, M., Villanueva, K., Brinkman, S., Schipperijn, J., Boruff, B. and Francis, J. (2026) “Home and Neighbourhood Built Environment Latent Class Profiles and Young Children’s Developmental Vulnerability: Findings from the Australian Early Development Census”, International Journal of Population Data Science, 11(3). doi: 10.23889/ijpds.v11i3.3154.