Community child health nurses (CHNs) provide integral support for children and families in Australia during the early years across diverse physical, psychosocial and cultural environments. Working in partnership with parents facilitates provision of evidence-based nursing support during childhood which impacts on lifelong health trajectories. It is important that this specialised role is supported within the nursing profession and underpinned by tertiary level postgraduate studies prior to entry to child health practice, which enables appropriate responsiveness to the needs and preferences of children and their families.