Benefits for Children

Goolburri HIPPY provides your child with a structured, education-focused program that lays the foundations for success at school.

Parents/carers teach your children literacy, numeracy, language and physical skills in an Aged 4 & Aged 5 based program, so they are school-ready and develop a love of learning that lasts throughout their lives.

Goolburri HIPPY benefits your child by:

• Encouraging a love of learning
• Maximising their chance of enjoying and doing well at school
• Promoting language and listening skills and developing concentration
• Building self-esteem and confidence in learning
• Improving relationships between parents/carers and children.

Benefits for Families

As a parent/carer, you will work through weekly (aged 4) or fortnightly (aged 5) packs of play-based, educational activities with your child/ren.

Parent/carer will receive activities from a Home Tutor either:

• In your home or more suitable place; or
• At a Group Meeting with other parents to share experiences and activities.

Throughout the two years, parents/carers learn about their child/ren learning style and about the importance of your role as you are the child/ren’s first and most important teacher. HIPPY gives you valuable, focussed one-on-one time with your child.

In the second year (Aged 5), you receive a parent pack alongside the regular pack of activities. Tutors work with parents/carers through the packs that explain how children learn.

• Empowering and equipping parent/carer with knowledge and confidence to engage and contact schools about your children education.

Benefits of Training and Employment

Goolburri HIPPY provides the opportunity for:

• Parents/carers to become HIPPY Tutors at the start of each year. These are part-time positions (focused around school hours).
• Introducing parents/carers back into the workforce. We understand this can be daunting and we provide support for parents/carers to make this transition.
• As a Tutor, you get training and work through activities with the Coordinator ahead of visiting families.
• Parents/carers get knowledge about early childhood education, the theory behind it, and connecting with other services in the area.
• Parents/carers can also gain the opportunity to train or pursue further studies such as accredited training or workplace-focused corporate training.
• HIPPY parents who are not employed as Tutors are also supported to access training and professional development opportunities and are provided with referrals to employment or training services.

Benefits of Community

Goolburri HIPPY aims to:

• Build and strengthen families’ connections to and engagement with their local community.
• To expand their networks and knowledge around local resources.
• Recognises the importance of community, belonging and pride as a key factor that improves wellbeing.
• Brings families together in group meetings and at community events to share, learn and celebrate.
• Over the two years of the program, families build relationships with each other and share their experiences of teaching their child and their child’s journey through school.
• Group meetings are also an opportunity to learn about other local services that can provide support for HIPPY families.

How to Get Started

Application for children between 3.5 – 4 yrs to start the program.
Contact the office to speak with a Coordinator.

Fee

2-year FREE program.

Locations

HIPPY is in 100 communities across Australia. The Brotherhood of St Laurence (Melbourne) holds the licence to operate HIPPY in Australia and the program is fully funded by the Australian Government through the Department of Social Services.

Through HIPPY Australia, the Brotherhood of St Laurence licences over 60 community organisations to run HIPPY locally and recognises that local organisations and people know their communities best. HIPPY Australia supports each of the 100 sites to deliver HIPPY in their communities.

Contact Details

88 Curzon Street, Toowoomba Q 4350
Postal Address: PO Box 1198
Phone: 07 4638 8607
Fax: 07 4632 0548