Guugu Yimithirr Playschool
Playschool was launched in October 2021 by the Alliance of Guugu Yimithirr People, who had identified a gap in the learning opportunities for their young children. Playschool received support from a private benefactor to help get established.
It is run by experienced and well-trained local grandmothers. Parents and grandparents attend with their children, so they are engaged in their child’s education from the start.
Guugu Yimithirr Playschool is a free playgroup for children aged 2–4 and their families. It operates in Hope Vale from 8.30 am – 1.00 pm every weekday.
Empowering Disadvantaged Young Learners
All children, especially those born into disadvantaged circumstances, need early education intervention to ensure cognitive, social and emotional development.
Without effective early education, children often start school behind in key areas like language, literacy, numeracy, and self-regulation.
“What excites me the most about Playschool is that it is available to all children, not just children of working parents – everyone is welcome. We have a full education program which includes developing literacy skills so our children are ahead when they start school and no longer behind. Our children learn routines and how to follow directions so they are ready for school life.”
Guugu Yimithirr Playschool develops children to be fully ready for their first day of primary school. Community and family involvement is vital, so the program continually develops strategies to engage parents and leaders.
Community And Family Engagement For Early Success
Staff support parents by coaching them on reading with their child, supporting their readiness for Prep and educating them on ways to support their child.
Parents spend time playing with their children during some activities and receive training themselves during others. While their child is receiving instruction, parents attend parenting support sessions or have honest conversations about the specific needs of their children.
Age-appropriate Curriculum
Guugu Yimithirr Playschool has a structured Curriculum integrating early reading and writing skills with play. This combines children’s participation and initiative, infusing activities with their interests and concerns.
The language and pre-literacy program form Direct Instruction Kindergarten, which a teacher delivers to develop children’s English language skills.
The teacher also reads a storybook to the group, which children and parents act out through symbolic narrative play to mobilise children’s imagination, emotion and early-literacy cognition. In shared book reading, parents talk through a familiar picture storybook with the child. Parents sit with their child and read the book aloud with them. Each story is read many times.
Children also learn music and singing to build their creativity and confidence and prepare them for school. Musical play is also an important component of building numeracy skills that can be expanded upon through group play activities using blocks, shapes and counting games.
Support Our Mission
Every child in Australia, regardless of their socio-economic status, location, or ethnicity, should have access to equal educational opportunities.
Our aim is to provide a level playing field in education. We do this by ensuring that students in classrooms implementing Effective Teaching techniques will achieve literacy skills and progress at a rate surpassing the national average.
Your donations, which are tax deductible, are instrumental in providing these students with crucial educational resources and books.
Scan the QR code or click ‘Donate Now’ to make your contribution today!
