Australia
Australia
Early Childhood Development Programs
The early years of a child’s life is recognised as a time of great learning and development. Eating habits, attitudes towards exercise and self care routines are formed at this early age. Save the Children’s Early Childhood Development Programs include Community Preschool Centres and Mobile Playbus Programs.
Community Preschool Centres
Save the Children owns and operates two preschool centres in country Victoria (at Mooroopna and Nowa Nowa). Since early 1960, these centres have been providing affordable and accessible preschool education for children who would otherwise miss out.
Currently, over 99% of children enrolled at our centres are from welfare dependent families. Fifty percent are Indigenous children.
In addition to very low fees, we provide additional services such as free transport. Each day, our Save the Children buses transport the preschoolers to and from their homes. Without this service the children would have no means of attending. We also provide family support services, parenting programs and nutritious food.
Mobile Playbus Program
The Mobile Playbus is an early intervention program, focusing on children from 0-5 years of age. Play is critical to a child’s development, however we are aware that many children do not have access to pre-school activity or playgroups.
The Mobile Playbus Program offers isolated and economically disadvantaged families access to playgroups, games and toy library services. The program provides a range of educational toys, play equipment and craft activities to target each developmental stage of the child.
Young children are given the opportunity to socialise and have fun, and parents are also encouraged and supported to become involved in their children’s activities. The program also provides a good opportunity for parents to share common experiences as well as providing broader information and support. Playgroups give children the opportunity to interact with other children, make new friends and develop new skills through informal play.
The Mobile Playbus Program is currently servicing children living in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. Contact us to find out how you can be a part of it.
Communities for Children Program
Our Communities for Children Program, funded by the Commonwealth Department of Family and Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FACSIA), focuses on providing activities for children aged 0-5 and their families. It is aimed at building stronger families and communities in the East Kimberley region by providing training, options and support for parents.
In partnership with The Lingiari Foundation, Save the Children works with local organisations to support initiatives including:
Mums n Bubs Playgroups
Mums n Bubs is a program aimed at post natal and pre natal mothers focusing on healthy pregnancies, nutrition and healthy lifestyles. There are many fun activities for mothers, babies and mums-to-be.
Early Learning Programs
The Early Learning Program gives parents and carers the opportunity to play with their children in a supportive environment. Revolving around the alphabet and numbers, each child is encouraged to complete an activity book to be taken home and shown to family members. Healthy treats and refreshments are provided to encourage nutritious eating. The program runs in Wyndham and Warmun
Deadly Blokes & Kids*
Deadly Blokes & Kids is the only program in the region which focuses on building strong relations between male caregivers and their children and developing positive parenting skills. It is an innovative program that uses music as a way of engaging participants and creating a space for male caregivers to spend time with their children in a friendly, relaxed environment.
*In local terms, ‘deadly’ means good or cool
Family Engagement Program
The program assists parents and carers in preparing their three to five year old children for school and staying in school. Families are also helped during enrolment time, budgeting and access to uniforms and school supplies.
Through a range of targeted early childhood and family strengthening activities, Save the Children works with local organisations to further develop a child-centred and child-friendly community.
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